Research and Extension on the Integrated Management of Wheat Stem Sawfly, Fusarium Crown Rot, and Grassy Weeds in the Northern Great Plains.

Fabian Menalled¹, Alan Dyer¹, David Weaver¹, Richard Smith², Dale Woods², Eric Eriksmoen³, Juan Manuel Alvarez⁴, and Juliet Windes⁴

¹ Montana State University

² University of Wyoming

³ North Dakota State University

⁴ University of Idaho

Project summary

Stakeholders across the Northern Great Plains identified wheat stem sawfly, Fusarium crown rot, and grassy weeds as major burdens threatening the economic and environmental sustainability of the small grain production system. A main reason for the importance of these pests is the lack of effective chemical management options for wheat stem sawfly and Fusarium crown rot as well as an increased abundance of herbicide-resistant weed biotypes. Also, these pests form a multitrophic complex whose synergistic impact on yields and grain quality varies with management. Because of these interactions, there are evident limitations in current single-pest control recommendations.

We propose an integrated research and education program to determine the joint impact of several easy-to-adopt management practices on the joint management of wheat stem sawfly, Fusarium crown rot, and weeds. In plot-level experiments we will evaluate interactions among these pests and the existence of synergistic impacts on wheat growth and yield. In field-level studies conducted across Wyoming, North Dakota, Montana, and Idaho we will determine the impact that wheat variety, stand density, and herbicide management have on wheat production and pest abundance. Results will be used to parameterize a computer-based model that incorporates management practices, environmental conditions, and pest dynamics to predict yields and grain quality. Finally, we will develop and deliver an education and outreach program that provides science-based information on the joint management of wheat stem sawfly, Fusarium crown rot, and grassy weeds.

This project fulfills the principles of the National Roadmap for IPM as it will 1) address the multidisciplinary nature of pest management, 2) enhance the economic and environmental sustainability of the farming enterprise by assessing the ecological basis of IPM practices, and 3) provide research-based information to develop and deliver an education and outreach program. Because our research focuses on simple management tactics, we expect that producers will readily incorporate the results of this multidisciplinary research into their production systems.