Highlighting Insights from the FSGA Field Day Presentation - Chilli Thrip Control on Strawberry1/15/2025
Today, at the Florida Strawberry Growers Association Field Day in Dover, FL, Dr. Frank Sances of Florida Ag Research (an Ag Metrics Group Comapny) shared key findings on Chilli Thrips Control in Strawberry: Comparison of Conventional and Organic Treatment Efficacy. The presentation offered a deep dive into:
Explore the findings of the presentation here (Click image below to view file):  Florida Ag Research's first day back in the fields was Monday, October 15, planting strawberries at our Dover facility for the Florida fall research program. After Hurricane Milton's landfall the week before, it’s been a relief to see clear skies and beautiful plant material, allowing our team to get back to the work. Our crew is working to ensure this season’s research stays on track. While our neighbors continue to recover we’re moving forward with optimism and care. Florida Ag Research thanks all of its clients, partners, vendors, friends and family for their continued support. Greenhouse (Controlled Environment Agriculture – CEA) trial research is essential for advancing agricultural practices, improving crop yields, and enhancing sustainability. Our greenhouse trials allow researchers to test new varieties, growing techniques, pest control methods, and nutrient management strategies in a controlled environment. Ag Metrics Group has over 70,000 sq. ft. of greenhouses within its nationwide network of 12 stations serving five major growing regions in the U.S. and Canada. Florida Ag Research Capabilities
Agronomy & Biostimulants
Common Studies:
Plant Pathogens
Common Pathogens:
Entomology
Common Arthropods:
Nematology
Common Nematodes:
Genetics & Plant Breeding
Pacific Ag Research (California) Capabilities
Agronomy & Biostimulants
Common Studies:
Plant Pathogens
Common Pathogens:
Entomology
Common Arthropods:
Nematology
Michigan Ag Research CapabilitiesMichigan Ag Research has 2,000 sq. ft. of greenhouse space. The most common studies are related to:
This is an abbreviated list of our greenhouse capabilities. Most commonly grown crops are possible. If you have a specific need for other CRO services, contact us directly for more information.
Ag Metrics Group provides comprehensive hydroponic testing services. Our expertise in advanced agricultural technologies allows us to offer a wide range of hydroponic systems and trials tailored to your specific needs.  Our Hydroponic Testing Techniques We specialize in various hydroponic systems, including: Water Culture (Deep and Shallow / Raft), Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), Ebb & Flow Systems and Aeroponic Systems. Substrate-Based Hydroponic Trials In addition to the above techniques, we conduct hydroponic trials using drip or wick systems with a variety of substrates: Coir, Perlite, Rockwool, Expanded Clay Pebbles, Oasis, and Peat.  Controlled Greenhouse Environment Our greenhouse facilities allow us to meticulously control various environmental factors to ensure accurate and reliable results: Nutrient Solutions, pH and Electrical Conductivity (EC) Levels, Lighting Conditions, Temperature and Humidity.  What We Can Test For Ag Metrics Group can investigate mode of action, product activity, or efficacy in a highly controlled setting. Our trials are designed to test claims such as: Improved Resistance to Abiotic Stress: Including Drought Tolerance, Nutrient Uptake Efficiency, Salinity Resistance, etc. (Biostimulants), Enhanced Root Growth, Increased Vegetative Growth, Higher Plant/Crop Size and Yield, Improved Crop Quality, Better Flower or Fruit Retention and Enhanced Photosynthetic Activity. Why Choose Ag Metrics Group for Your Hydroponic Trials Conducting your hydroponic trial with us offers several key advantages:
Let's Connect and Talk About Your Hydroponic Trial Needs
 Two pest issues are challenging Florida’s strawberry industry with reoccurring crop losses and very few effective and registered controls. The fungal disease Neopestalotiopsis, and the Chilli Thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis), have become the primary pests of strawberries grown in the southeastern US. Since their introduction, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association has funded several of our annual studies with these pests. Currently, we are planning the Fall 2024 program at our small fruit research station in Dover, Florida. Neopestalotiopsis Trials: Secure A Spot in Our "Add-On" Program If you have a conventional fungicide or biofungicide in development, our “add on” trial program has openings for additional entries. Tractor foliar sprays will begin at crop establishment and continue through the critical Christmas-New Year period. This is when disease episodes are explosive and require repeated sprays to maintain control of fruit infections. Our trials document foliar and fruit diseases weekly and include several commercial standards for comparison with new test products. Trials can be conducted with these reliable natural infestations, or artificially inoculated for greenhouse or open field trials separate from the Dover program. Chilli Thrips Trials: Test Your Product's Efficacy Under Challenging Conditions Chilli Thrips establish immediately after planting despite a month of overhead irrigations for crop establishment. Rain fastness, knockdown efficacy, and systemicity are desirable product attributes during this period. Also, because daily overhead irrigations interfere with foliar applied product efficacy, we are including chemigation and preplant soil drench applications in our protocols with some products. Following crop establishment after sprinkler irrigations are terminated, we use conventional foliar tractor spray applications. Products applied at this time will test efficacy on larvae and eggs, plus knockdown efficacy against adult Chilli Thrips. To summarize, transplant dips, preplant drenches, chemigation via drip tape, and foliar sprays are all possible in our program. As with the Neopestalotiopsis program, we also have Chilli Thrips colonies to populate smaller focused studies in the greenhouse and lab. Join Our Fall Strawberry Program Today If your product has efficacy against Neopestalotiopsis or Chilli Thrips, please give us a call while we are filling slots in our fall strawberry program in central Florida. The industry is searching for products that can help prevent yield losses for this economically important crop in the coming season. There is a lack of effective control measures for both pests so trialing your potential solutions could benefit everyone involved. Please call Balaji Aglave directly at 1(813) 892-1104 or email him at [email protected] or Erin Downey [email protected] to discuss your needs for upcoming Florida trials. For questions regarding trial work at any of our other stations, please contact Brad Booker at [email protected].
New Pacific Ag Research Nematology Research Lab in Five Points, CA in the San Joaquin Valley4/25/2024
Ag Metrics Group Announces Dr. Marja Koivunen as New Science Officer for Pacific Ag Research2/6/2024
 Dr. Marja Koivunen - Science Officer - Pacific Ag Research (Fresno, CA, February 6, 2024) – Ag Metrics Group, formerly known as Pacific Ag Group welcomes Dr. Marja Koivunen as Science Officer for the Western Region of the United States, and as the new Salinas Station Manager for Pacific Ag Research, the company’s West Coast Division.
Key Expertise and Collaborative Leadership Dr. Koivunen is distinguished for her broad knowledge of biopesticide product development and hands-on experience in greenhouse and field research, particularly with California crops and pest systems. In her new role, she will collaborate with senior management, including Dr. Frank Sances, the President and Founder of Ag Metrics Group, as well as with Brad Booker – Western Area Manager/Pacific Ag Research and Oscar Cuevas – Farming and Operations Manager/Pacific Ag Research, to manage the extensive portfolio of field, greenhouse and laboratory activities for the company. Dr. Koivunen is also well integrated into the California crop production industry and holds active Agricultural Pest Control Adviser (PCA) and Certified Crop Consultant (CCA) licenses. Strategic Expansion and Vision This strategic appointment was announced at the 2024 California Plant and Soil Conference in Fresno, California. Dr. Sances commented on her joining the Pacific Ag team, "With the expansion of our West Coast Operations, Dr. Koivunen is joining us at just the right time. We’ve grown both geographically and in our research facilities with almost 50,000 sq. ft of California greenhouses, a new field-lab complex in Fresno County, and now have presence in Davis and the greater Sacramento Valley." Dr. Koivunen, expressing her excitement about the new role, stated, “I have long respected the work of Pacific Ag Research. I look forward to joining Pacific Ag’s science faculty and a stimulating environment that will allow me to develop new techniques and services for our clients' research programs.” A Career Marked by Excellence Dr. Koivunen's career includes significant roles at Vestaron Corporation, AMVAC Chemical Corp, Novozymes Biologicals, Eurofins Agroscience Services, and Marrone Bio Innovations. Her academic accomplishments include a Ph.D. in Soil Science, Plant Nutrition and Soil Microbiology from UC Davis and a M.Sc. in Agricultural Chemistry and Physics/Soil Science from the University of Helsinki. She was also a Fulbright Scholar in Soil Microbiology at Cornell University. Additionally, she is a Fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACS) AGRO Division and has served at the Governing Boards of the ACS AGRO and the American Society of Agronomy's California Chapter. She has authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed articles and patents. F.V. Sances (1), B. Aglave (1), K. Williams (1), C. Boone(1), B. Booker (2), W. Schonborn (3), & E. Rosskopf (3) (1) Florida Ag Research, (2) Ag Metrics Group, (3) US Department of Agriculture (Collaboration Only)
Here, we build on previous work from these and other researchers to develop site-specific “Best Practices” for alternative nematode and pathogenic soil fungi control for Central Florida. Two summer solarization trials took place at the Dover Lab and yields for ASD + Solarization were on par with fumigation. This season we increased precision of applications for manure and molasses and included raised beds or flat ground comparisons.
Flat Ground: In many commercial settings, ASD and Solarization treatments are easier accomplished on flat ground. Here, the chicken manure was applied to the treated area utilizing a cone spreader, followed by mechanical injection of molasses, then the area was disked and plastic mulched.  Methodology
Raised Bed: Planting beds were inoculated with soil-borne diseases, Sting nematodes, and common weed seeds before treatment. Four replicates of five treatments were randomly placed into planting beds previously farmed in strawberries. Following summer solarization/ASD, beds were formed in September (Fumigated) and in October, half of the ASD and Solarization plots with clear plastic were painted black. Flat Ground: Bare ground areas were inoculated with soil-borne diseases, Sting nematodes, and common weed seeds before treatment. Four replicates of four treatments were placed into previously farmed strawberry ground. Each plot comprises one planted bed 120 ft in length. Following summer solarization and ASD plots, beds were formed in September.  Crop Health     Soil Pest Control
Pest control comparison between raised bed and flat ground experiments. Root damage severity due to Macrophomina (a) was greater in the untreated inoculated plots. (b) Fumigated soil had significantly lower incidence of soil pathogens.
Yields       Cumulative Yield data for approximately 6 weeks of harvests at the raised bed (a) and flat ground (b) fields, compared to cumulative annual yield from the previous years’ study at Dover (c) and the Duette, FL, grower site that was a flat ground treatment (d).
F.V. Sances (1), B. Aglave (1), K. Williams (1), C. Boone (1), S. Sances (2), W. Schonborn (3), & E. Rosskopf (3) (1) Florida Ag Research, (2) Ag Metrics Group, (3) US Department of Agriculture (Collaboration Only) Introduction
The recurring strawberry production challenges of managing soil borne pests in commercial Florida strawberry farms have never been greater. In conventionally farmed operations, increasing regulatory pressures on remaining registered chemical soil fumigants, and the costs associated with their use are important factors that reduce the sustainability of the industry going forward. Also, while still in its infancy, organic strawberry production in Florida is now well established, and the 2022-23 season brought numerous examples of severely impacted plantings from both nematodes and soil borne diseases. To meet the demand for domestically produced winter fruit, Florida’s organic strawberry growers have limited options for soil borne pest control and have come to rely on use of new land, field site isolation, high rates of organic soil amendments, and a variety of alternative organically approved soil pest control products with varying levels of efficacy.
 Metagenomic analysis of 16S and ITS sequencing data of soil microbiome. 1149 features detected across 48 samples. Dendrogram determines similarity across samples. Unsupervised clustering (colors) show sample consistency across seasonal timepoints as well as potential outliers (left samples). Processed data was derived from Mr. DNA pipeline. Final timepoint had the clearest separation in soil treatments indicating high reliability of treatment specific species detection. 2022-2023 Data Review
This presentation brings current performance data from these alternative soil management practices, which includes molecular analysis of effects of treatments to the soil food-web, effects on bedding plastics used in solar heating of soil, and a comparison of yield enhancement and pest suppression efficacy of the methods. Cumulative Yield Comparison
Over the 2022-23 season, the period when soil samples were collected, ASD + Solarization resulted in yields on par with the fumigated plots.
Soil Borne Pest Control
Macrophomina and nematode control for solarized plots was improved by “over the top” and ASD methods. Sting nematode suppression in the ASD and “over the top” treatments were on par with fumigant-treated plots. ASD did have a negative effect on certain brands of clear plastic.
 Soil Sample Diversity Data summaries of "stackplot" representations of abundance data from genus level. Each timepoint grouped by treatment and stacked with detectable genera diversity expressed as percent of total abundance. Top 12 out of 349 genera listed. Alternating color bands show diverse genera, thickness is percent abundance ranked from most (bottom) to least (top). EARLY SOIL SAMPLE  MID-SEASON SOIL SAMPLE  LATE-SEASON SOIL SAMPLE  Additional research funding provided by The Florida Strawberry Growers Association Foundation and the USDA
Summary: Management of soil borne pests on commercial Florida strawberry farms has long been a challenge to growers. In recent years, this has been particularly difficult with regulatory pressures on the use of remaining chemical soil fumigants and the costs associated with their use. Also, while still in its infancy, organic strawberry production in Florida has been established by several shippers to try to meet the demand for this strawberry market segment. To provide growers with alternative non-fumigant soil pest management techniques, this project builds on previous work from these and other researchers with an on-site demonstration of Soil Solarization and Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation for the 2023 grower outreach by our collaborative groups. Click Poster to Download  |
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