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  • Ag Contract Research
    • Agronomy
    • Biologicals
    • Biostimulants
    • Entomology
    • Genomics
    • Nematology
    • Plant Pathology
    • Precision Agriculture
  • Facilities
    • Pacific Ag Research
    • Florida Ag Research
    • Michigan Ag Research
  • Crops Studied
    • Almond
    • Brassica
    • Citrus
    • Corn
    • Cucurbit
    • Grape
    • Leafy Greens
    • Soybean
    • Strawberry
    • Tomato
  • About
    • About Ag Metrics Group
    • Our Team
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News & Updates

Explosive Two-spotted Spider Mite Outbreaks – Central Florida. Pest Update: February 2025

2/12/2025

 
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Extremely high populations of Two-spotted Spider Mites are occurring in Central Florida as a result of unusually warm February temperatures. Populations are spreading in plant canopies, including flowers and fruit, causing significant economic losses to growers on many farms.
Two-spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae) is a persistent threat to the strawberry industry nationwide. Their hidden colonization of plant canopies, rapid reproduction, and ability to develop resistance to chemical treatments make them especially difficult to control. Strawberry growers face significant risks because spider mites damage plants by reducing photosynthesis, stunting growth, and feeding directly on fruit causing significant crop losses annually.
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With higher than normal temperatures this past month, damaging populations have broken out across Central Florida strawberry plantings and growers are in need of effective solutions to mitigate this escalating threat.
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In hard hit areas, extensive webbing can be seen on foliage which protects these pests from predators and control sprays. This characteristic coupled with the dense foliar canopy of strawberry plants makes control of this pest very difficult commercially.
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This infested field near Duette, FL exemplifies severe stunting and plant mortality when populations develop early in the season.
Published data developed by Dr. Frank Sances of Ag Metrics Group has shown that an average of 10-15 mites per leaf can cause measurable plant damage and yield loss. The plants shown above have had 100 or more mites per leaf for weeks at a time.
Spider Mite Trials:
​Secure A Spot in Our Spring "Add-On" Program
Currently, we are planning the Spring 2025 program at our Dover, FL strawberry research station. If you have a conventional or alternative acaricide in development, our “add on” trial program has openings for additional entries. Foliar sprays, root drench application and drip irrigation methods are possible. Your product will be compared with industry standards for efficacy against eggs, nymphs and adult stages.  At this time of year, 2-3 applications are normally made to manage this pest.
​Join Our Spring Strawberry Program Today
The industry is searching for products that can help growers manage the area-wide outbreak and prevent further losses economically important crop. If your product has potential efficacy against spider mites, please give us a call while we are filling slots in our field trial program in Central Florida. The industry is searching for products that can help manage the area-wide outbreak and prevent losses to this economically important crop. Two-Spotted Spider Mite is extremely difficult to control on strawberries and there are few effective control measures available to growers. Field trialing your potential solution in these real-world conditions could benefit everyone involved. 
 
Please call Florida Ag Research Director, Dr. Balaji Aglave, directly at (813) 892-1104. You can also email him at [email protected] or Erin Downey at [email protected] to discuss these Florida trials now starting at our Strawberry Research Center in Dover, FL. For questions regarding field trials at any of our other stations nationwide including the California Strawberry research program also with lab and field two spotted spider mite trials please contact Brad Booker at [email protected]

Highlighting Insights from the FSGA Field Day Presentation - Chilli Thrip Control on Strawberry

1/15/2025

 
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:
  • Innovative pre- and post-plant treatment methods.
  • Comparative analysis of organic vs. conventional strategies.
  • Early season agronomic responses to application timing and methodology.
Dr. Sances emphasized the need for ongoing research to fine-tune safe and effective practices tailored to Florida's strawberry crops. We’re proud to support cutting-edge research that directly benefits the agricultural community.
Dr. Frank Sances presents Chilli Thrips Control in Strawberry: Comparison of Conventional and Organic Treatment Efficacy
Dr. Frank Sances presents Efficacy of Conventional and Organic Treatments for Chilli Thrips Control in Strawberries
Dr. Frank Sances presents Chilli Thrips Control in Strawberry: Comparison of Conventional and Organic Treatment Efficacy
Explore the findings of the presentation here (Click image below to view file):
Efficacy of Conventional and Organic Treatments for Chilli Thrips Control in Strawberries

Opportunities for New Product Development in Florida Strawberries

8/15/2024

 
Neopestalotiopsis, and the Chilli Thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) Trials - Ag Metrics Group
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].
Balaji Aglave - Florida Ag Research
Balaji Aglave
Research Director
Florida Ag Research
​
[email protected]
(813) 892-1104
Brad Booker - Pacific Ag Research - Ag Metrics Group
Brad Booker
Western Area Manager
Pacific Ag Research
[email protected]
(805) 471-0537

SOIL SOLARIZATION AND ANAEROBIC SOIL DISINFESTATION FOR CONTROL OF NEMATODES, WEEDS, AND SOIL BORNE PLANT PATHOGENS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA STRAWBERRY: RAISED BED vs FLAT GROUND

1/7/2024

 
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)

Introduction

Management of soil borne pests in commercial Florida strawberry farms is a reoccurring challenge. To meet the demand for domestically produced winter fruit, while remaining in compliance with regulatory pressure and production costs, Florida’s strawberry growers have limited options for soil borne pest control and have come to rely on use of the few remaining fumigants, and, organically,  new land, isolation, high rates of soil amendments, and a variety of organically approved products with varying levels of efficacy.​
SOIL SOLARIZATION AND ANAEROBIC SOIL DISINFESTATION FOR CONTROL OF NEMATODES, WEEDS, AND SOIL BORNE PLANT PATHOGENS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA STRAWBERRY: RAISED BED vs FLAT GROUND
Download Poster
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.​
Florida Ag Research - Direct metered injection of chicken litter and molasses to raised beds. July 2023.
Raised Bed: The beds were formed before the application of materials; A Clamco was utilized to knife the chicken litter directly into the treated plot, followed by molasses pumped directly into the treated area. Beds were then rototilled and reformed then covered with clear or opaque plastic depending on the treatment.​
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. 
Ag Metrics Group - Soil Temperature

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.​
Ag Metrics Group - Control plots were fumigated in September. Beds were formed on the flat ground and strawberries were planted October 14, 2023. Drone image taken August 2023.

Crop Health

Ag Metrics Group - Crop Health - Raised Bed Treatments
Ag Metrics Group - Plant Diameter - Raised Bed Trials
Ag Metrics Group - Cumulative Flowers - Raised Bed Trial
Ag Metrics Group - Dead Plants - Raised Bed Trials

Soil Pest Control

Ag Metrics Group - Soil Pest Control - Macrophomina Root Damage
Ag Metrics Group - CFUs and Nematodes
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. ​
Ag Metrics Group - Untreated root discoloration

Yields

Ag Metrics Group - Raised Bed Trials
Ag Metrics Group - Raised Bed Solarization
Ag Metrics Group - Flat Bed Trials
Ag Metrics Group - Flat Ground Solarization
Ag Metrics Group - 2023 Cumulative Yields
Ag Metrics Group - Duette Grower Site - Flat Ground Graph
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).​

Florida Strawberry Growers Association logo
Additional research funding provided by​ The Florida Strawberry Growers  Association Foundation​ and the USDA
USDA logo

Efficacy of Soil Solarization and Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation for Control of Nematodes, Weeds, and Soil Borne Plant Pathogens in Central Florida

11/11/2023

 
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.
For these reasons, both organic and conventional growers need alternative soil pest management techniques, and this project builds 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. These 2023 studies focused on optimizing Soil Solarization and Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation techniques in replicated field experiments, as well as installation of several grower-site demonstrations of these technologies with Central Florida strawberry growers for 2024.
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Download Poster
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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.
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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.
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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
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MID-SEASON SOIL SAMPLE
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LATE-SEASON SOIL SAMPLE
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Additional research funding provided by The Florida Strawberry Growers Association Foundation and the USDA
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Ag Metrics Group Winter 2023 Newsletter

2/7/2023

 

We’re ready for the 2023 research season!

2023 is shaping up to be the largest data generation season on record across the West, Midwest, and Southeast US. The last few years under Covid have brought new pest outbreaks in key cropping systems coupled with an industrywide pent-up demand for R&D data for product developers and growers alike. In response, our company has doubled down on our core capabilities to give our clients the insights they need to accomplish product development goals and drive new value for our farmers.
The world has reset–leaving an opening for biology to move in new ways. Over the last three years, we have witnessed significant crop losses across our farming regions. This includes a serious new Thrips / INS Virus / Pythium “Pest Complex” on lettuce in the Salinas Valley of California, explosive Tar Spot outbreaks in the Midwest, and strawberry crop losses from newly introduced Neopestalotiopsis in Florida. These and other agronomic challenges surfaced during Covid and have kept us busy working to understand their epidemiology and uncover new opportunities for control.
Thrips / INS Virus / Pythium “Pest Complex” on Salinas Valley Lettuce
Midwest Corn Tar Spot
Frank Sances, President & Founder of Ag Metrics GroupFrank Sances, President
To meet this demand, Ag Metrics Group has significantly increased facilities, professional staff, and methods development to offer an expanded portfolio of experimentation for our sponsors. Research capabilities added this year include five new climate-controlled greenhouses for California and Florida. In Michigan, we built 4,800 sq. ft. of new Entomology and Nematology laboratories, surrounded by 80 additional acres of premium irrigated farmland. All told, Ag Metrics Group has grown to 12 science laboratories, 70 full-time staff, and several hundred acres of company-owned farms in key agricultural regions of the American West, Midwest, and Southeast. Our client base includes most all ag-product manufacturers, many regional grower cooperatives, and governmental agencies that include state universities and the USDA.
​
Now more than ever, we recognize the critical impact data-driven product development has on our industry. These solutions enable growers to respond to new challenges and opportunities with confidence in the stewardship of their land. Privatized science is the key to rapid and robust biological insights to demonstrate value in a dynamic and diverse set of pest and environmental applications into the future. We look forward to our continued partnership with our clients and wish you all a very successful year.

Frank

Ag Metrics Group Provides “First Report of Neopestalotiopsis rosae Causing Crown and Root Rot of Strawberry in California”

Neopestalotiopsis rosae Causing Crown and Root Rot of Strawberry
American Phytopathological Society of America (APS)
Dan Lawrence 1, Greg Brittain 1, Balaji Aglave 2, Frank Sances 3
1 Pacific Ag Research, 2 Florida Ag Research, 3 Ag Metrics Group
 
Following these authors’ research in Central Florida strawberry plantings in late 2019, they found this devastating fungus again in Salinas, California, on newly transplanted strawberries in the winter of 2021. Since their original Florida research, the fungus is now well established throughout the Southeast and has become the key pest for this crop early season. This subsequent finding in California is the first scientific proof that it has moved westward into other US strawberry producing areas, and has the potential to cause crop losses to growers in that region.

Turf & Ornamental Capabilities Expanded Companywide in 2023

The turfgrass and ornamental plant industries demand excellence in performance and safety from pest management and plant health products. This past year, we added specialized staff and test systems that include hoop-house and field plantings of turf varieties for year-round product efficacy and phytotoxicity testing.

Experimentation on ornamentals includes flowering and foliage plant species, succulents, and landscape plants, including trees and vines. When needed, Plant Pathology and Entomology labs support all T&O trials with challenge organisms to facilitate trial success.
Ag Metrics Group Turf & Ornamental Capabilities Expanded Companywide in 2023

California Adds 5,400 sq. ft. of Greenhouses

Pacific Ag Research Adds 5,400 sq. ft. of Greenhouses
To accommodate increased need for greenhouse space for experimentation, the Central Coast greenhouse facilities grew by 30% in 2022, bringing the total controlled environment research area to 15,000 sq. ft. Greenhouses include small, medium, and large individual structures to isolate experiments for individual sponsors or to manage temperatures more closely for special test protocols, sensitive host plants or pest species. One greenhouse is dedicated to research on hydroponics, while others are high enough for tall test plants such as grape vines, hot house tomatoes, or trees. In support of the greenhouse test system is a full-time Horticulturalist managing several greenhouse and science technicians.
Pacific Ag Research greenhouse
Lettuce Hydroponics at Pacific Ag Research

New San Joaquin Valley Field-Lab at Our Five Points Station

New San Joaquin Valley Field-Lab at Pacific Ag Research Five Points Station
In 2022, we remodeled 1,200 ft2 of administrative offices, opened a new 2,500 ft2 climate-controlled field lab, and installed additional fruit, nut, and vine plantings. We added more microscopy, a walk-in cooler, a post-harvest drying unit, and a deep well with a new reservoir for sustainable water at this site going forward. The past year we purchased more off-site equipment including a new tow vehicle, support trucks, and another mobile orchard sprayer platform for off-site trials. Together with a new research biologist, these assets comprise a well-equipped and staffed Central Valley research campus with a wide geographic radius of field activities for product development needs.

Michigan Ag Research Expansion in Final Stage of Completion

Michigan Ag Research Expansion in Final Stage of Completion
To advance our goal to provide the best possible administration and science campus at Albion, Michigan Ag Research is now in the final stages of construction of a 4,800 ft2 building that will include:
  • Specialized and general entomology bioassay lab
  • Nematology soil extraction and microscopy rooms
  • Expansion of the Plant Pathology lab
  • Low humidity storage rooms for electronics and sensors
  • Equipment shop for year-round maintenance of tractors and implements

In addition to the new laboratory facilities, 80 acres of irrigated farm land were added, bringing the total station size to 200 acres.

Publicly Funded Research:
Soil Solarization Proof of Concept

Frank Sances presenting at the Florida Strawberry Grower Association & UF/IFAS Tailgate on January 11, 2023
Frank Sances presenting at the Florida Strawberry Grower Association & UF/IFAS Tailgate on January 11, 2023
Soil Solarization Proof of Concept QR Code

​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 event by our collaborative groups.

Findings were presented at the Florida Strawberry Grower Association & UF/IFAS Tailgate on January 11, 2023.
QR Code to see the Poster for the study:

Post Hurricanes, Florida Ag Research
Adds More Greenhouse Space

More greenhouse space at Florida Ag Research
After cleaning up from two hurricanes (repairing and rebuilding) 40,000 sq. ft. of greenhouse and shadehouses, Florida Ag Research added 5,000 sq. ft. of climate-controlled greenhouses and 7,500 sq. ft. of shadehouses. Within two weeks of Hurricane Ian’s passage we were back in business, thanks to employee crews from Florida Ag Research and California colleagues from Pacific Ag Research!

Charlie Boone Promoted to Station Manager at Florida Ag Research

Charlie Boone - Station Manager at Florida Ag ResearchCharlie Boone
Charlie Boone continues in his supervisory role overseeing the Company’s land and labor resources for East Tampa and Dover sites. As an Environmental Horticulturist, Charlie is particularly well-suited to run our research facility since he grew up on a commercial nursery farm just a few miles from the Florida Ag Research offices. Currently Charlie’s crew manages research greenhouses and shadehouses for our science laboratories experimentation, plus the USDA Quarantine facility.

Florida Strawberry Grower Association & UF/IFAS Tailgate Presentation

1/12/2023

 
Yesterday we were in Dover, Florida, at the Florida Strawberry Grower Association & UF/IFAS Tailgate. Frank Sances presented updated data on Combining Soil Solarization with Conventional Chemical Fumigants and Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD) in Florida Strawberry Production. See the poster here  
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Combining Soil Solarization with Conventional Chemical Fumigants and Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD) in Florida Strawberry Production

1/11/2023

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Combining Soil Solarization with Conventional Chemical Fumigants and Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD) in Florida Strawberry ProductionClick Image to Download
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
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.

Methodology
Planting beds were inoculated with soil borne diseases, Sting and Root Knot nematodes, and common weed seeds prior to treatment. Four replications of six treatments (Table 1) were randomly placed into planting beds previously farmed (2021) in strawberries. Each plot comprises two planted beds (4 plant lines), 40 ft in length (8 ft x 40 ft plots, 320 ft²), in a randomized complete block (RCB) experimental layout. Following summer Solarization and ASD plots, beds were reworked in September, standard fumigation applied to comparison plots, and all plots planted and grown conventionally to maturity on October 15, 2022. Data collection for pest control and yields have begun. AOV with LSD Means comparison, α=0.05.
Summer 2021 - Trial initiation. ASD components; chicken manure and molasses applied under both black and clear plastic mulch. July 2022 trial overview. Standard Solarization (Left two beds) and “Over the Top” Solarization (Right two beds) under clear tarp.
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2022 Methyl Bromide Alternatives Outreach Conference in Orlando - Nov. 2-4, 2022

10/21/2022

 
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Frank Sances will be attending the 2022 MBAO: Fumigation and Alternatives for Production, Storage and Trade Conference in Orlando. Come find out about our "Efficacy of Solarization and Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation" study. Email us to have a meet-up or a pre- or post-conference tour of our Florida Station, less than 2 hours from Orlando. #anaerobicdisinfestation #strawberry #MBAO #Methylbromide #FloridaAg #FloridaAgResearch [email protected]

Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) Field Day Recap – January 12, 2022

1/13/2022

 
Mark Keeley, Ag Metrics Group, presents
Mark Keeley, Ag Metrics Group, presents "Combining Soil Solarization with Conventional Chemical Fumigants and Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD) in Florida Strawberry Production" project at the Florida Strawberry Growers Association 2022 Field Day
​​
​(Dover, Florida)
Strawberry growers, industry leaders, researchers from University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), and researchers from Florida Ag Research (an Ag Metrics Group Company) gathered for the annual Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) Field Day on January 12.
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Click Image to Download
Florida Ag Research presented a “Proof of Concept” field demonstration intended to evaluate the suitability of using solar radiation to enhance soil borne pest control with Conventional Fumigants and Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation in commercial Florida strawberry production. Potential benefits of the system include:
 
a) Solarization and ASD are approved organic soil pest control options
b) Solarization with conventional soil borne pest control inputs may allow reduction in chemical usage
c) ASD is a potential waste recycling system
​The project, which began in June of 2021, was published by Florida Ag Research/Ag Metrics Group scientists and growers: Frank Sances, Balaji Aglave, Mark Keeley, Kaleb Williams, and Charlie Boone.
 
The Solarization Project was presented by Ag Metrics Group’s Mark Keeley (formerly a Station Manager of Florida Ag Research). “It was great to come back out and present this exciting work to growers and researchers since the ‘Field Day’ was cancelled last January,” said Keeley, “And a great opportunity to introduce Mariano [Galla], the new Florida Ag Research Station Manager, to the Florida strawberry grower community.”
L to R: Florida Ag Research / Ag Metrics Group Project Team: Kaleb Williams - Field Operations, Mark Keeley - Special Projects, Brad Booker - Pacific Ag Research Station Manager (former Florida Ag Research Station Manager), Charlie Boone - Assistant Station Manager, Balaji Aglave - Nematology / Plant Pathology, Mariano Galla - Station Manager
L to R: Florida Ag Research / Ag Metrics Group Project Team: Kaleb Williams - Field Operations, Mark Keeley - Special Projects, Brad Booker - Pacific Ag Research Station Manager (former Florida Ag Research Station Manager), Charlie Boone - Assistant Station Manager, Balaji Aglave - Nematology / Plant Pathology, Mariano Galla - Station Manager
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