Meta-analysis of yield response of hybrid field corn to foliar fungicides in the U.S. Corn Belt

Investigations into Economic Returns Resulting from Foliar Fungicides and Application Timing on Management of Tar Spot in Indiana Hybrid Corn

Tar spot, caused by Phyllachora maydis, is the most significant yield-limiting disease of corn (Zea mays L.) in Indiana. Currently, fungicides are an effective management tool for this disease, and partial returns from their use under different disease severity conditions has not previously been studied. Between 2019 and 2021, two separate field experiments were conducted in each year in Indiana to assess the efficacy of nine foliar fungicide products and nine fungicide application timings based on corn growth stages on tar spot symptoms and stromata, canopy greenness, yield, and influence on partial returns. All fungicides evaluated significantly suppressed tar spot development in the canopy and increased canopy greenness over the nontreated control. Additionally, applications of mefentrifluconazole + pyraclostrobin, metconazole + pyraclostrobin, cyproconazole + picoxystrobin at tassel, and propiconazole + benzovindiflupyr + azoxystrobin between the tassel and dough growth stages were the most effective at significantly reducing disease severity, increasing canopy greenness, protecting yield, and offered the greatest partial return. Fungicide products varied in their ability to protect yield under low and high disease severity conditions relative to the nontreated control. Consistently, positive yield increases were observed when disease severity was high, which translated to greater profitability relative to low severity conditions. On average, the yield increases across foliar fungicide products and timed application treatments were 544.6 and 1,020.7 kg/ha greater, and partial returns using a grain value of $0.17/kg were $92.6/ha and $173.5/ha greater, respectively, when high severity conditions occurred. This research demonstrates that foliar fungicides and appropriately timed fungicide applications can profitably be used to manage tar spot in Indiana under high disease severity conditions.

Old but Gold: Captan Is a Valuable Tool for Managing Anthracnose and Botrytis Fruit Rots and Improving Strawberry Yields Based on a Meta-Analysis

Botrytis fruit rot (BFR) and anthracnose fruit rot (AFR) are diseases of concern to strawberry growers. Both diseases are managed mainly by fungicide applications from the nursery (plant production) to the end of the growing season (fruit production). In Florida, captan is the main broad-spectrum fungicide used to control BFR and AFR. It has been tested in many trials over the years in various programs in alternation with single-site fungicides or weekly applications. Due to its broad-spectrum activity, captan is a pivotal tool in fungicide resistance management, because resistance to several fungicides has been reported in populations causing BFR and AFR. Our objective was to determine the effectiveness and profitability of applications of captan for controlling BFR and AFR based on a univariate meta-analysis considering data from 25 field trials conducted from 2005 to 2021 in Florida. Captan applications significantly improved marketable yields and reduced BFR and AFR incidence during late- and total-season periods. Marketable yields were significantly improved even when the effect on disease control was not significant. Our results indicate 100% probability that weekly captan applications would return the investment during low, medium, and high strawberry pricing regimes, although the magnitude of the return will depend on strawberry market prices. However, the probabilities of reducing BFR, AFR, and culls were lower. Results from our meta-analysis demonstrate the value of captan as an important tool for strawberry growers. Captan applications, in addition to effectively controlling BFR and AFR and improving marketable yields, will result in investment returns at any strawberry price level.

Foliar Fungicides Containing FRAC 11 Mitigate Phomopsis Stem Canker in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Phomopsis stem canker reduces yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) up to or exceeding 40%; however, management recommendations have not been developed for U.S. farmers. Between 2009 and 2020, foliar fungicide trials were conducted in Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota for a total of 49 location-years. Random effects meta-analyses were performed on the disease severity index (DSI) and yield data collected from the foliar fungicide trials to determine the overall and individual effectiveness of the tested fungicides. Effect sizes, Cohen's f or Hedges' g, were calculated as the difference in DSI or yield between the fungicide treatment and nontreated control (NTC) divided by the pooled SD. The pooled Cohen's f for DSI and yield was 0.40 (95% CI = [0.29, 0.42]), indicating a large effect size and that fungicide treatments had a significant effect on DSI and yield (P < 0.0001). Among the fungicide groups, quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) (DSI [k = 45; g = -0.47] and yield [k = 46; g = 0.41]) is moderately effective and premixes of demethylation inhibitors (DMI), succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHI), and QoI (DMI + SDHI + QoI) (DSI [k = 3; g = -0.79] and yield [k = 3; g = 0.94]) are largely effective in comparison with NTC. Upon performing prediction analyses, the probability of not recovering the fungicide application cost (P_loss) associated with QoI (pyraclostrobin) was <0.35 for a range of sunflower grain prices suggesting a greater probability of return on investment from a single application of fungicide. Overall, our study suggests that the use of QoI fungicides is likely to be profitable in the presence of Phomopsis stem canker (DSI > 5%).

Control Efficiency and Yield Response of Chemical and Biological Treatments against Fruit Rot of Arecanut: A Network Meta-Analysis

Fruit rot disease (FRD) in arecanut has appeared in most of the arecanut growing regions of India in the last few decades. A few comprehensive studies on the management of FRD under field conditions have examined various treatment combinations for disease control and yield response analysis. This study aimed to compare the control efficiencies and yield responses of treatments applied over multiple locations and compute the probable returns of investment (ROIs) for treatment costs. Data were gathered from 21 field trials conducted across five main arecanut growing regions of India in the period 2012−2019. The collected data were subjected to analysis with a multivariate (network) meta-analytical model, following standard statistical protocols. The quantitative, synthesized data were evaluated for the estimated effects of disease pressure (DPLow ≤ 35% of FRDInc in the treatments > DPHigh), mean disease control efficiencies (treatment mean, C), and yield responses (R) corresponding to the tested treatments. Based on disease control efficacy, the evaluated treatments were grouped into three efficacy groups (EGs): higher EGs were observed for the Bordeaux mixture (C, 81.94%) and its stabilized formulation (C, 74.99%), Metalaxyl + Mancozeb (C, 70.66%), while lower EGs were observed in plots treated with Biofight (C, 29.91%), Biopot (C, 25.66%), and Suraksha (C, 29.74%) and intermediate EGs were observed in plots to which microbial consortia (bio-agents) had been applied. Disease pressure acted as a significant moderator variable, influencing yield response and gain. At DPLow, the Bordeaux fungicide mixture (102%, 22% of increased yield) and Metalaxyl + Mancozeb (77.5%, +15.5%) exhibited higher yield responses, with absolute arecanut yield gains of 916.5 kg ha−1 and 884 kg ha−1, while, under DPHigh, Fosetyl-AL (819.6 kg ha−1) showed a yield response of 90.5%. To ensure maximum yield sustainability, arecanut growers should focus on the spraying of fungicides (a mixture of different active ingredients or formulations or products) as a preventative measure, followed by treating palms with either soil microbial consortia or commercial formulations of organic fungicides.

Meta-Analysis of the Field Efficacy of Seed- and Soil-Applied Nematicides on Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis Across the U.S. Cotton Belt

Meta-analysis was used to compare yield protection and nematode suppression provided by two seed-applied and two soil-applied nematicides against Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis on cotton across 3 years and several trial locations in the U.S. Cotton Belt. Nematicides consisted of thiodicarb- and fluopyram-treated seed, aldicarb and fluopyram applied in furrow, and combinations of the seed treatments and soil-applied fluopyram. The nematicides had no effect on nematode reproduction or root infection but had a significant impact on seed cotton yield response ([Formula: see text]), with an average increase of 176 and 197 kg/ha relative to the nontreated control in M. incognita and R. reniformis infested fields, respectively. However, because of significant variation in yield protection and nematode suppression by nematicides, five or six moderator variables (cultivar resistance [M. incognita only], nematode infestation level, nematicide treatment, application method, trial location, and growing season) were used depending on nematode species. In M. incognita-infested fields, greater yield protection was observed with nematicides applied in furrow and with seed-applied + in-furrow than with solo seed-applied nematicide applications. Most notable of these in-furrow nematicides were aldicarb and fluopyram (>131 g/ha) with or without a seed-applied nematicide compared with thiodicarb. In R. reniformis-infested fields, moderator variables provided no further explanation of the variation in yield response produced by nematicides. Furthermore, moderator variables provided little explanation of the variation in nematode suppression by nematicides in M. incognita- and R. reniformis-infested fields. The limited explanation by the moderator variables on the field efficacy of nematicides in M. incognita- and R. reniformis-infested fields demonstrates the difficulty of managing these pathogens with nonfumigant nematicides across the U.S. Cotton Belt.

Lengthening of maize maturity time is not a widespread climate change adaptation strategy in the US Midwest

Increasing temperatures in the US Midwest are projected to reduce maize yields because warmer temperatures hasten reproductive development and, as a result, shorten the grain fill period. However, there is widespread expectation that farmers will mitigate projected yield losses by planting longer season hybrids that lengthen the grain fill period. Here, we ask: (a) how current hybrid maturity length relates to thermal availability of the local climate, and (b) if farmers are shifting to longer season hybrids in response to a warming climate. To address these questions, we used county-level Pioneer brand hybrid sales (Corteva Agriscience) across 17 years and 650 counties in 10 Midwest states (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, MO, ND, OH, SD, and WI). Northern counties were shown to select hybrid maturities with growing degree day (GDD°C) requirements more closely related to the environmentally available GDD compared to central and southern counties. This measure, termed "thermal overlap," ranged from complete 106% in northern counties to a mere 63% in southern counties. The relationship between thermal overlap and latitude was fit using split-line regression and a breakpoint of 42.8°N was identified. Over the 17-years, hybrid maturities shortened across the majority of the Midwest with only a minority of counties lengthening in select northern and southern areas. The annual change in maturity ranged from -5.4 to 4.1 GDD year^-1 with a median of -0.9 GDD year^-1 . The shortening of hybrid maturity contrasts with widespread expectations of hybrid maturity aligning with magnitude of warming. Factors other than thermal availability appear to more strongly impact farmer decision-making such as the benefit of shorter maturity hybrids on grain drying costs, direct delivery to ethanol biorefineries, field operability, labor constraints, and crop genetics availability. Prediction of hybrid choice under future climate scenarios must include climatic factors, physiological-genetic attributes, socio-economic, and operational constraints.

Meta-Analysis of Soybean Yield Response to Foliar Fungicides Evaluated from 2005 to 2018 in the United States and Canada

Random-effect meta-analyses were performed on data from 240 field trials conducted between 2005 and 2018 across nine U.S. states and Ontario, Canada, to quantify the yield response of soybean after application of foliar fungicides at beginning pod (R3) stage. Meta-analysis showed that the overall mean yield response when fungicide was used compared with not applying a fungicide was 2.7% (110 kg/ha). Moderator variables were also investigated and included fungicide group, growing season, planting date, and base yield, which all significantly influenced the yield response. There was also evidence that precipitation from the time of planting to the R3 growth stage influenced yield when fungicide was used (P = 0.059). Fungicides containing a premix of active ingredients from multiple groups (either two or three ingredients) increased the yield by 3.0% over not applying a fungicide. The highest and lowest yield responses were observed in 2005 and 2007, respectively. Better yield response to fungicides (a 3.0% increase) occurred when soybean crops were planted not later than 21 May and when total precipitation between planting and the R3 application date was above historic averages. Temperatures during the season did not influence the yield response. Yield response to fungicide was higher (a 4.7% increase) in average yield category (no spray control yield 2,878 to 3,758 kg/ha) and then gradually decreased with increasing base yield. Partial economic analyses indicated that use of foliar fungicides is less likely to be profitable when foliar diseases are absent or at low levels.

Identification of Loci That Confer Resistance to Bacterial and Fungal Diseases of Maize

Crops are hosts to numerous plant pathogenic microorganisms. Maize has several major disease issues; thus, breeding multiple disease resistant (MDR) varieties is critical. While the genetic basis of resistance to multiple fungal pathogens has been studied in maize, less is known about the relationship between fungal and bacterial resistance. In this study, we evaluated a disease resistance introgression line (DRIL) population for the foliar disease Goss’s bacterial wilt and blight (GW) and conducted quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. We identified a total of ten QTL across multiple environments. We then combined our GW data with data on four additional foliar diseases (northern corn leaf blight, southern corn leaf blight, gray leaf spot, and bacterial leaf streak) and conducted multivariate analysis to identify regions conferring resistance to multiple diseases. We identified 20 chromosomal bins with putative multiple disease effects. We examined the five chromosomal regions (bins 1.05, 3.04, 4.06, 8.03, and 9.02) with the strongest statistical support. By examining how each haplotype effected each disease, we identified several regions associated with increased resistance to multiple diseases and three regions associated with opposite effects for bacterial and fungal diseases. In summary, we identified several promising candidate regions for multiple disease resistance in maize and specific DRILs to expedite interrogation.

Relationship Between Sudden Death Syndrome caused by Fusarium virguliforme and Soybean Yield: A Meta-Analysis

In total, 52 uniform field experiments were conducted in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, South Dakota, and Wisconsin in the United States and Ontario, Canada from 2013 to 2017 comparing crop protection products against sudden death syndrome (SDS) of soybean. Data were analyzed using meta-analytic models to summarize the relationship between foliar disease index (FDX) and yield. For each study, correlation and regression analyses were performed separately to determine three effect sizes: Fisher's transformation of correlation coefficients (Z r ), intercept (β0), and slope (β1). Random- and mixed-effect meta-analyses were used to summarize the effect sizes. Study- and location-specific moderator variables FDX (low < 10% and high ≥ 10%), date of planting (early = prior to 7 May, conventional = 7 to 21 May, and late = after 21 May) cultivar (susceptible and partially resistant to SDS), study location, and growing season were used as fixed effects. The overall mean effect sizes of transformed correlation coefficient [Formula: see text] r was -0.41 and different from zero (P < 0.001), indicating that yield was negatively correlated with FDX. The [Formula: see text] r was affected by disease level (P < 0.01) and cultivar (P = 0.02), with a greater effect at higher disease levels and with susceptible cultivars. The mean [Formula: see text] 0 was 4,121 kg/ha and mean [Formula: see text] 1 was -21 kg/ha/% FDX and were different from zero (P < 0.01). Results from these data indicate that, for every unit of FDX increase, yield was decreased by 0.5%. Study locations and year affected the [Formula: see text] 0 , whereas none of the moderator variables significantly affected [Formula: see text] 1.

Response of soil microorganisms and enzymes to the foliar application of Helicur 250 EW fungicide on Horderum vulgare L

The use of fungicides bears the risk of many undesirable outcomes that are manifested in, among other things, changes in the structure and activity of microorganisms. This study aimed at determining the effect of a Helicur 250 EW preparation, used to protect crops against fungal diseases, on the microbiological and biochemical activity of soil and on the development of Horderum vulgare L. The fungicide was sprayed on leaves of spring barley in the following doses (per active substance, i.e. tebuconazole, TEB): 0.046, 0.093, 0.139, 1.395, and 2.790 mg TEB plant^-1. The following indices were analyzed in the study: index of microorganisms resistance (RS) to the effects of fungicide, microorganisms colony development index (CD), microorganisms ecophysiological diversity index (EP), genetic diversity of bacteria, enzymatic activity, and effect of the fungicide on spring barley development (IF_H). The most susceptible to the effects of the fungicide turned out to be fungi. The metagenomic analysis demonstrated that the bacterial community differed in terms of structure and percentage contribution in the soil exposed to the fungicide from the control soil even at the Phylum level. However, Proteobacteria appeared to be the prevailing taxon in both soils. Bacillus arabhattai, B. soli, and B. simplex occurred exclusively in the control soil, whereas Ramlibacter tataounensis, Azospirillum palatum, and Kaistobacter terrae - exclusively in the soil contaminated with the fungicide. Helicur 250 EW suppressed activities of all soil enzymes except for arylsulfatase. In addition, it proved to be a strong inhibitor of spring barley growth and development.

Modeling Yield Losses and Fungicide Profitability for Managing Fusarium Head Blight in Brazilian Spring Wheat

Fusarium head blight (FHB) and wheat yield data were gathered from fungicide trials to explore their relationship. Thirty-seven studies over 9 years and 11 locations met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis: FHB index in the untreated check ≥ 5% and the range of index in a trial ≥ 4 percentage points. These studies were grouped into two baseline yields, low (Yl ≤ 3,631 kg ha^-1) or high (Yh > 3,631 kg ha^-1), defined based on the median of maximum yields across trials. Attainable (disease-free) yields and FHB index were predicted using a wheat crop and a disease model, respectively, in 280 simulated trials (10 planting dates in a 28-year period, 1980 to 2007) for the Passo Fundo location. The damage coefficient was then used to calculate FHB-induced yield loss (penalizing attainable yield) for each experiment. Losses were compared between periods defined as before and after FHB resurge during the early 1990s. Disease reduction from the use of one or two sprays of a triazole fungicide (tebuconazole) was also simulated, based on previous meta-analytic estimates, and the response in yield was used in a profitability analysis. Population-average intercepts but not the slopes differed significantly between Yl (2,883.6 kg ha^-1) and Yh (4,419.5 kg ha^-1) baseline yields and the damage coefficients were 1.60%^-1 and 1.05%^-1, respectively. The magnitudes and trends of simulated yield losses were in general agreement with literature reports. The risk of not offsetting the costs of one or two fungicide sprays was generally higher (>0.75) prior to FHB resurgence but fungicide profitability tended to increase in recent years, depending on the year. Our simulations allowed us to reproduce trends in historical losses, and may be further adjusted to test the effect and profitability of different control measures (host resistance, other fungicides, etc.) on quality parameters such as test weight and mycotoxin contamination, should the information become available.

A Quantitative Synthesis of the Efficacy and Profitability of Conventional and Biological Fungicides for Botrytis Fruit Rot Management on Strawberry in Florida

Botrytis fruit rot (BFR) is a major disease that affects strawberry production in Florida and worldwide. BFR management relies on frequent fungicide applications. A meta-analysis was conducted on the outcomes from nine field trials to evaluate the efficacy and profitability of conventional and biological fungicides compared with a nontreated control (NTC). All trials were conducted in Florida between the 2005/06 and 2016/17 growing seasons. Fungicide treatments were applied weekly, and plots were harvested twice a week for yield and BFR incidence quantification. Treatments were grouped into four categories: NTC, multisite only (Thiram), Standard (captan alternated with fludioxonil + cyprodinil), and Bacillus. Following primary analyses, a random effects network meta-analytical model was fitted to estimate the mean yield and BFR incidence responses for each treatment group and to compare means between pairs of groups. The Thiram and the Standard treatment groups increased yield by 378.8 and 502.2 kg/ha/week, respectively, compared with the NTC. The yield difference between Bacillus and NTC was not statistically significant. Besides increasing yield, Thiram and Standard also reduced BFR incidence by approximately 10% compared with the NTC. The mean yield responses and among-study variability from the meta-analysis were used to estimate the probability of a given yield response in a new future trial. The Standard and Thiram treatment groups showed higher estimated probabilities of increasing yield and resulting in a profitable return on application investments than the Bacillus group of treatments. The results from this study provide growers with information that will aid their decision-making process regarding BFR management.

Performance and Profitability of Fungicides for Managing Soybean White Mold: A 10-Year Summary of Cooperative Trials

White mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a yield-limiting disease of soybean in Brazil. Uniform fungicide trials have been conducted annually since 2009. Data from 74 cooperative field trials conducted over a 10-year period were assembled. We selected five fungicides applied two times around flowering: dimoxystrobin plus boscalid (DIMO+BOSC), carbendazim plus procymidone (CARB+PROC), fluazinam (FLUZ), fluopyram (FLUO), and procymidone (PROC). For comparison, thiophanate-methyl (TMET) applied four times was also included as a low-cost treatment. Network models were fitted to the log of white mold incidence (percentages) and log of sclerotia mass data (grams/hectare) and to the nontransformed yield data (kilograms/hectare) for each treatment, including the untreated check. Back-transformation of the meta-analytic estimates indicated that the lowest and highest mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) percent reductions in incidence and sclerotia mass were 54.2 (49.3 to 58.7) and 51.6% (43.7 to 58.3) for TMET and 83.8 (79.1 to 87.5) and 87% (81.9 to 91.6) for CARB+PROC, respectively. The overall mean (95% CI) yield responses ranged from 323 kg/ha (247.4 to 400.3) for TMET to 626 kg/ha (521.7 to 731.7) for DIMO+BOSC, but the variance was significantly reduced by a binary variable (30% threshold) describing disease incidence in the untreated check. On average, an increment of 352 kg/ha was estimated for trials where the incidence was >30% compared with the low-disease scenario. Hence, the probability of breaking even on fungicide costs for the high-disease scenario was >65% for the more effective, but more expensive fungicide (FLUZ) than TMET. For the low-disease scenario, profitability was less likely and depended more on variations in fungicide cost and soybean price.

Meta-Analytic and Economic Approaches for Evaluation of Pesticide Impact on Sclerotinia Stem Rot Control and Soybean Yield in the North Central United States

As complete host resistance in soybean has not been achieved, Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum continues to be of major economic concern for farmers. Thus, chemical control remains a prevalent disease management strategy. Pesticide evaluations were conducted in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Wisconsin from 2009 to 2016, for a total of 25 site-years (n = 2,057 plot-level data points). These studies were used in network meta-analyses to evaluate the impact of 10 popular pesticide active ingredients, and seven common application timings on SSR control and yield benefit, compared with not treating with a pesticide. Boscalid and picoxystrobin frequently offered the best reductions in disease severity and best yield benefit (P < 0.0001). Pesticide applications (one- or two-spray programs) made during the bloom period provided significant reductions in disease severity index (DIX) (P < 0.0001) and led to significant yield benefits (P = 0.0009). Data from these studies were also used in nonlinear regression analyses to determine the effect of DIX on soybean yield. A three-parameter logistic model was found to best describe soybean yield loss (pseudo-R2 = 0.309). In modern soybean cultivars, yield loss due to SSR does not occur until 20 to 25% DIX, and considerable yield loss (-697 kg ha-1 or -10 bu acre-1) is observed at 68% DIX. Further analyses identified several pesticides and programs that resulted in greater than 60% probability for return on investment under high disease levels.

Meta-analysis of yield response of foliar fungicide-treated hybrid corn in the United States and Ontario, Canada

Background

Foliar fungicide applications to corn (Zea mays L.) occur at one or more application timings ranging from early vegetative growth stages to mid-reproductive stages. Previous studies indicated that fungicide applications are profitable under high disease pressure when applied during the tasseling to silking growth stages. Few comprehensive studies in corn have examined the impact of fungicide applications at an early vegetative growth stage (V6) compared to late application timings (VT) for yield response and return on fungicide investment (ROI) across multiple locations.

Objective

Compare yield response of fungicide application timing across multiple fungicide classes and calculate the probability of positive ROI.

Methods

Data were collected specifically for this analysis using a uniform protocol conducted in 13 states in the United States and one province in Canada from 2014–2015. Data were subjected to a primary mixed-model analysis of variance. Subsequent univariate meta-analyses, with and without moderator variables, were performed using standard meta-analytic procedures. Follow-up power and prediction analyses were performed to aid interpretation and development of management recommendations.

Results

Fungicide application resulted in a range of yield responses from -2,683.0 to 3,230.9 kg/ha relative to the non-treated control, with 68.2% of these responses being positive. Evidence suggests that all three moderator variables tested (application timing, fungicide class, and disease base level), had some effect (α = 0.05) on the absolute difference in yield between fungicide treated and non-treated plots (D¯). Application timing influenced D¯, with V6 + VT and the VT application timings resulting in greater yield responses than the V6 application timing alone. Fungicide formulations that combined demethylation inhibitor and quinone outside inhibitor fungicides significantly increased yield response.

Conclusion

Foliar fungicide applications can increase corn grain yield. To ensure the likelihood of a positive ROI, farmers should focus on applications at VT and use fungicides that include a mix of demethylation inhibitor and quinone outside inhibitor active ingredients.

Meta-Analysis of the Effects of QoI and DMI Fungicide Combinations on Fusarium Head Blight and Deoxynivalenol in Wheat

Field trials were conducted in 17 U.S. states to evaluate the effects of quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) and demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicide programs on Fusarium head blight index (IND) and deoxynivalenol (DON) toxin in wheat. Four DMI-only treatments applied at Feekes 10.5.1, five QoI-only treatments applied between Feekes 9 or Feekes 10.5, three QoI+DMI mixtures applied at Feekes 10.5, and three treatments consisting of a QoI at Feekes 9 followed by a DMI at Feekes 10.5.1 were evaluated. Network meta-analytical models were fitted to log-transformed mean IND and DON data and estimated contrasts of log means were used to obtain estimates of mean percent controls relative to the nontreated check as measures of efficacy. Results from the meta-analyses were also used to assess the risk of DON increase in future trials. DMI at Feekes 10.5.1 were the most effective programs against IND and DON and the least likely to increase DON in future trials. QoI-only programs increased mean DON over the nontreated checks and were the most likely to do so in future trials, particularly when applied at Feekes 10.5. The effects of QoI+DMI combinations depended on the active ingredients and whether the two were applied as a mixture at heading or sequentially. Following a Feekes 9 QoI application with a Feekes 10.5.1 application of a DMI reduced the negative effect of the QoI on DON but was not sufficient to achieve the efficacy of the Feekes 10.5.1 DMI-only treatments. Our results suggest that one must be prudent when using QoI treatments under moderate to high risk of FHB, particularly where the QoI is used without an effective DMI applied in combination or in sequence.

Perceptions of Midwestern Crop Advisors and Growers on Foliar Fungicide Adoption and Use in Maize

Foliar fungicide use in hybrid maize in the United States was rare before 2000. The decade from 2000 to 2010 saw foliar fungicides increasingly applied to maize in the absence of appreciable disease pressure, a practice seemingly at odds with integrated pest management philosophy. Yet, it is commonly believed that growers do not employ management strategies unless there are perceived benefits. Maize (corn) growers (CGs) and certified crop advisors (CCAs) across four Midwestern states (Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin) were surveyed to better understand their practices, values and perceptions concerning the use of foliar fungicides during 2005 to 2009. The survey results demonstrated the rapid rise in maize foliar fungicide applications from 2000 through 2008, with 84% of CGs who sprayed having used a foliar fungicide in maize production for the very first time during 2005 to 2009. During 2005 to 2009, 73% of CCAs had recommended using a foliar fungicide, but only 35% of CGs sprayed. Perceived yield gains, conditional on having sprayed, were above the break-even point on average. However, negative yield responses were also observed by almost half of CCAs and a quarter of CGs. Hybrid disease resistance was a more important factor to economically successful maize production than foliar fungicides. Diseases as a yield-limiting factor were more important to CGs than CCAs. As a group, CGs were not as embracing of foliar fungicide as were CCAs, and remained more conservative about the perceived benefits to yield.

Evaluating the Profitability of Foliar Fungicide Programs in Mid-Atlantic Soft-Red Winter Wheat Production

In mid-Atlantic soft-red winter wheat (SRWW) production, the standard timing for a fungicide application is between flag leaf emergence (Feekes growth stage [FGS] 8) and heading (FGS 10.5). However, two-pass and anthesis (FGS 10.5.1) applications are becoming common, although these programs have not been thoroughly evaluated for disease control, yield, and profitability. Experiments were conducted in the mid-Atlantic in 2015 and 2016 to evaluate fungicide programs with applications at FGS 8, FGS 10.5.1, and two-pass programs with an early application at green-up (FGS 5) followed by (FB) applications at either FGS 8 or FGS 10.5.1. Fungicide programs that included an application at FGS 10.5.1 resulted in the highest probability of no disease on the flag leaf (0.29 to 0.40). The estimated mean yield increases ( D¯ ) relative to the nontreated check ranged from 253.65 to 634.16 kg ha^-1. Using a grain price of $0.18 kg^-1 ($5 bushel^-1), probabilities were similar between applications at FGS 8 (0.49 to 0.56) and FGS 10.5.1 (0.53). The probability of profitability ranged from 0.48 to 0.57 for FGS 5 FB FGS 8 applications and 0.52 to 0.59 for FGS 5 FB FGS 10.5.1 applications, indicating limited benefit to two-pass programs.

Benefits and Profitability of Fluopyram-Amended Seed Treatments for Suppressing Sudden Death Syndrome and Protecting Soybean Yield: A Meta-Analysis

A meta-analytic approach was used to summarize data on the effects of fluopyram-amended seed treatment on sudden death syndrome (SDS) and yield of soybean (Glycine max L.) in over 200 field trials conducted in 12 U.S. states and Ontario, Canada from 2013 to 2015. In those trials, two treatments-the commercial base (CB), and CB plus fluopyram (CBF)-were tested, and all disease and yield data were combined to conduct a random-effects and mixed-effects meta-analysis (test of moderators) to estimate percent control and yield response relative to CB. Overall, a 35% reduction in foliar disease and 295 kg/ha (7.6%) increase in yield were estimated for CBF relative to CB. Sowing date and geographic region affected both estimates. The variation in yield response was explained partially by disease severity (19%), geographic region (8%), and sowing date (10%) but not by the resistance level of the cultivar. The probability of not offsetting the cost of fluopyram was estimated on a range of grain prices and treatment cost combinations. There was a high probability (>80%) of yield gains when disease level was high in any cost-price combinations tested but very low when the foliar symptoms of the disease were absent.

Fusarium graminearum Mycotoxins in Maize Associated With Striacosta albicosta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Injury

Western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Smith; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has become a key pest of maize, Zea mays (L.), in Ontario, Canada which is challenging to control due to its lack of susceptibility to most Bt-maize events. Injury by S. albicosta may exacerbate Fusarium graminearum (Schwabe; Hypocreales: Nectriaceae) infection through provision of entry points on the ear. The objectives of this study were to: investigate the relationship between injury by S. albicosta and deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation; evaluate non-Bt and Bt-maize hybrids, with and without insecticide and fungicide application; and determine optimal insecticide-fungicide application timing for reducing S. albicosta injury and DON accumulation. The incidence of injury by S. albicosta and ear rot severity were found to increase DON concentrations under favorable environmental conditions for F. graminearum infection. Incidence of S. albicosta injury was more important than severity of injury for DON accumulation which may be due to larval consumption of infected kernels. The Vip3A × Cry1Ab event provided superior protection from the incidence and severity of S. albicosta injury compared to non-Bt or Cry1F hybrids. Insecticide application to a Vip3A × Cry1Ab hybrid did not reduce injury further; however, lower severity of injury was observed for non-Bt and Cry1F hybrids when pyrethroids or diamides were applied at early VT or R1 stages. DON concentrations were reduced with application of prothioconazole fungicide tank-mixed with insecticide at late VT (before silk browning) or when insecticide was applied at early VT followed by prothioconazole at R1. The application of an insecticide/fungicide tank-mix is the most efficient approach for maize hybrids lacking high-dose insecticidal proteins against S. albicosta and F. graminearum tolerance. Results demonstrate that reducing the risk of DON accumulation requires a strategic approach to manage complex associations among S. albicosta, F. graminearum and the environment.

Development and validation of a weather-based warning system to advise fungicide applications to control dollar spot on turfgrass

Dollar spot is one of the most common diseases of golf course turfgrass and numerous fungicide applications are often required to provide adequate control. Weather-based disease warning systems have been developed to more accurately time fungicide applications; however, they tend to be ineffective and are not currently in widespread use. The primary objective of this research was to develop a new weather-based disease warning system to more accurately advise fungicide applications to control dollar spot activity across a broad geographic and climactic range. The new dollar spot warning system was developed from data collected at field sites in Madison, WI and Stillwater, OK in 2008 and warning system validation sites were established in Madison, WI, Stillwater, OK, Knoxville, TN, State College, PA, Starkville, MS, and Storrs, CT between 2011 and 2016. A meta-analysis of all site-years was conducted and the most effective warning system for dollar spot development consisted of a five-day moving average of relative humidity and average daily temperature. Using this model the highest effective probability that provided dollar spot control similar to that of a calendar-based program across the numerous sites and years was 20%. Additional analysis found that the 20% spray threshold provided comparable control to the calendar-based program while reducing fungicide usage by up to 30%, though further refinement may be needed as practitioners implement this warning system in a range of environments not tested here. The weather-based dollar spot warning system presented here will likely become an important tool for implementing precision disease management strategies for future turfgrass managers, especially as financial and regulatory pressures increase the need to reduce pesticide usage on golf course turfgrass.

Differences in Small Plot and On-Farm Trials for Yield Response to Foliar Fungicide in Soybean

Soybean yield response variability to foliar fungicide applications was evaluated in on-farm replicated strip trials (OFTs) and small-plot trials (SPTs) from 2008 through 2015 in Iowa. A total of 230 OFTs and 49 SPTs were compared for yield response to pyraclostrobin, pyraclostrobin + fluxapyroxad, or trifloxystrobin + prothioconazole fungicides. OFTs (18 to 55 m wide and 200 to 800 m long strips) were harvested with farmers' combines equipped with yield monitors and GPS, while SPTs (3.0 to 4.6 m wide and 10.7 to 15.3 m long plots) were harvested by small research plot combines. Variance component and power analyses were conducted with a subset of data consisting of 12 OFTs and SPTs, each with pyraclostrobin and evaluated in 2008 and 2009. While average yield responses were similar, the residual random yield variation was smaller in OFTs than SPTs. Power analysis showed that SPTs need more replications than OFTs to detect the same overall treatment differences. To detect a yield response of 134 kg/ha, it would require at least three treatment replications with 12 locations in OFTs and seven replications with 12 locations in SPTs. Researchers need to acknowledge the differences in statistical power of detecting yield responses to foliar fungicide on soybean in different types of field experiments, especially with smaller plot sizes in situations with less foliar disease.

Meta-Analysis of a Web-Based Disease Forecast System for Control of Anthracnose and Botrytis Fruit Rots of Strawberry in Southeastern United States

Strawberry production in Florida and South Carolina is affected by two major diseases, anthracnose fruit rot (AFR) and Botrytis fruit rot (BFR), caused by Colletotrichum acutatum and Botrytis cinerea, respectively. The effective management of both diseases traditionally relied on weekly fungicide applications. However, to improve timing and reduce the number of fungicide sprays, many growers follow the Strawberry Advisory System (StAS), a decision support system for forecasting fungicide applications based on environmental conditions and previously developed models. The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to determine the effectiveness of the StAS for AFR and BFR management compared with a calendar-based spray program. Thirty-nine trials were conducted from 2009 to 2014 in Florida and South Carolina commercial strawberry fields. Meta-analysis was conducted to quantify the treatment effects on four effect sizes, all based on the difference in response variables for StAS and the calendar-based treatments in each trial. The mean difference in BFR incidence, AFR incidence, yield, and number of marketable fruit between the two treatments was not significantly different from 0 (P < 0.05). However, the number of fungicide applications per season was reduced by a median of seven when using the StAS, a 50% reduction in sprays compared with the calendar-based approach. Effect sizes were not influenced by location or the favorability of the environment for disease development. These findings indicate that use of StAS in commercial fields is effective in controlling fruit rot diseases with no reduction in yield while substantially reducing fungicide applications.

Quantitative Review of the Effects of Triazole and Benzimidazole Fungicides on Fusarium Head Blight and Wheat Yield in Brazil

Triazole and benzimidazole fungicides have been used for controlling Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat for over two decades. In Brazil, it was only during the last five years that uniform fungicide trials for FHB control have been established yearly, thus contributing to a new large body of fungicide efficacy data for this country. A systematic review of both peer- and non-peer-reviewed studies on chemical control conducted since 2000 in Brazil was performed. Fungicides of interest were the triazoles tebuconazole (TEBU_1x and TEBU_2x) and propiconazole (PROP_2x), and the benzimidazole carbendazim (CARB_2x). Most fungicides were applied twice, the first at early to mid-flowering and the second 7 to 10 days later. Only TEBU was tested as one or two applications, and thus four treatments were evaluated. For these fungicides, there were 35 trials reporting FHB index and 48 reporting mean yield. Network meta-analytic models were fitted to the data of the log of the means of FHB index for each fungicide and for the nontreated check. The meta-analytic estimates were used to obtain control efficacy ( C¯ ), or percent disease reduction relative to the nontreated check. The absolute mean difference ( D¯ ) in yield (kg/ha) between the fungicide-treated and the nontreated check plots was also estimated. Yield response relative to the nontreated check ( Y¯ ) was also calculated based on the difference in the logs of the means of yield between fungicide-treated and nontreated check. The TEBU_1x, TEBU_2x, and CARB_2x treatments performed similarly with regards to control efficacy (= 59%, 53% and 55%, respectively), and although better than PROP_2x (47%), the difference was marginally significant. Yield response ( D¯ ) was highest for TEBU_2x, ( D¯ = 558 kg/ha, Y¯ = 19.2%) followed by PROP_2x (497 kg/ha, 16.0%), TEBU_1x (457 kg/ha, 17.3%), and CARB_2x (456 kg/ha, 12.8%). For an average 2016 scenario of fungicide plus application costs (F_C = $18 U.S./ha) and average wheat price (W_P = $215 U.S./MT), the probability of breaking even on the financial investment in the four treatments ranged from 59 to 63%. For 140 scenarios (four fungicides) created based on the combination of five W_P ($133 to 266 U.S./MT) and seven F_C ($5 to 35 U.S./ha), the probability of breaking even was >50% for all but two scenarios. The information may serve as a guide for planning future trials and provides a baseline and first step toward optimizing FHB management in Brazil.

Pollen viability, physiology, and production of maize plants exposed to pyraclostrobin+epoxiconazole

The use of fungicides in maize has been more frequent due to an increase in the incidence of diseases and also the possible physiological benefits that some of these products may cause. However, some of these products (e.g., strobilurins and triazoles) may interfere with physiological processes and the formation of reproductive organs. Therefore, the effect of these products on plants at different developmental stages needs to be better understood to reduce losses and maximize production. The effect of the fungicide pyraclostrobin+epoxiconazole (P+E) was evaluated at different growth stages in meiosis, pollen grain viability and germination, physiology, and production of maize plants in the absence of disease. An experiment was carried out with the hybrid DKB390 PROII and the application of pyraclostrobin+epoxiconazole at the recommended dose and an untreated control at 3 different timings (S1 - V10; S2 - V14; S3 - R1) with 5 replications. Gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, pollen viability and germination, as well as the hundred-grain weight were evaluated. Anthers were collected from plants of S1 for cytogenetic analysis. The fungicide pyraclostrobin+epoxiconazole reduced the viability of pollen grains (1.4%), but this was not enough to reduce production. Moreover, no differences were observed in any of the other parameters analyzed, suggesting that P+E at the recommended dose and the tested stages does not cause toxic effects.

Resposta de híbridos de milho ao uso de piraclostrobina na ausência de doenças

RESUMO: Objetivando-se avaliar o efeito da aplicação de piraclostrobina em diferentes épocas e combinações de aplicação em dois híbridos simples de milho cultivados na safra de verão, realizou-se um experimento no município de Jataí, Goiás. Adotou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso no esquema fatorial 2 x 9 (híbridos x aplicações de piraclostrobina), com 4 repetições. As aplicações foram realizadas em diferentes combinações de fungicidas: presença ou ausência de piraclostrobina + tiofanato metílico + fipronil (100 g i.a.100 kg semente-1) no tratamento de sementes (V0) combinado com a aplicação de piraclostrobina (150 g i.a.ha-1) antes ou após a adubação de cobertura (V4 ou V6) combinado ou não com a aplicação de piraclostrobina + ciproconazole (137,25 g i.a.ha-1) em pré-pendoamento (VT) e uma testemunha (sem uso de piraclostrobina). Foram avaliados: atividade da enzima redutase do nitrato, índice de clorofila, altura de plantas, altura de inserção de espiga, diâmetro de colmo, porcentagem de folhas senescentes, severidade de Puccinia polysora Underw, massa de mil grãos, densidade e produtividade de grãos. Submeteram-se os dados ao teste F para verificação de significância; e para comparação de médias utilizou-se o teste de Tukey, ambos a 5% de probabilidade. Para a maioria dos caracteres avaliados observou-se diferença entre híbridos. Não foi observado efeito das aplicações de piraclostrobina e interação entre os fatores em questão. Conclui-se que não há efeito benéfico ou deletério da aplicação de piraclostrobina em diferentes épocas e combinações de aplicação sobre os dois híbridos simples de milho cultivados na safra de verão.

Statistical Models and Methods for Network Meta-Analysis

Meta-analysis, the methodology for analyzing the results from multiple independent studies, has grown tremendously in popularity over the last four decades. Although most meta-analyses involve a single effect size (summary result, such as a treatment difference) from each study, there are often multiple treatments of interest across the network of studies in the analysis. Multi-treatment (or network) meta-analysis can be used for simultaneously analyzing the results from all the treatments. However, the methodology is considerably more complicated than for the analysis of a single effect size, and there have not been adequate explanations of the approach for agricultural investigations. We review the methods and models for conducting a network meta-analysis based on frequentist statistical principles, and demonstrate the procedures using a published multi-treatment plant pathology data set. A major advantage of network meta-analysis is that correlations of estimated treatment effects are automatically taken into account when an appropriate model is used. Moreover, treatment comparisons may be possible in a network meta-analysis that are not possible in a single study because all treatments of interest may not be included in any given study. We review several models that consider the study effect as either fixed or random, and show how to interpret model-fitting output. We further show how to model the effect of moderator variables (study-level characteristics) on treatment effects, and present one approach to test for the consistency of treatment effects across the network. Online supplemental files give explanations on fitting the network meta-analytical models using SAS.

Meta-analysis Reveals That the Genus Pseudomonas Can Be a Better Choice of Biological Control Agent against Bacterial Wilt Disease Caused by Ralstonia solanacearum

Biological control agents (BCAs) from different microbial taxa are increasingly used to control bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. However, a quantitative research synthesis has not been conducted on the role of BCAs in disease suppression. Therefore, the present study aimed to meta-analyze the impacts of BCAs on both Ralstonia wilt disease suppression and plant (host) growth promotion. The analysis showed that the extent of disease suppression by BCAs varied widely among studies, with effect size (log response ratio) ranging from -2.84 to 2.13. The disease incidence and severity were significantly decreased on average by 53.7% and 49.3%, respectively. BCAs inoculation also significantly increased fresh and dry weight by 34.4% and 36.1%, respectively on average. Also, BCAs inoculation significantly increased plant yield by 66%. Mean effect sizes for genus Pseudomonas sp. as BCAs were higher than for genus Bacillus spp. Among antagonists tested, P. fluorescens, P. putida, B. cereus, B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens were found to be more effective in general for disease reduction. Across studies, highest disease control was found for P. fluorescens, annual plants, co-inoculation with more than one BCA, soil drench and greenhouse condition were found to be essential in understanding plant responses to R. solanacearum. Our results suggest that more efforts should be devoted to harnessing the potential beneficial effects of these antagonists, not just for plant growth promoting traits but also in mode of applications, BCAs formulations and their field studies should be considered in the future for R. solanacearum wilt disease suppression.

Interaction of Basal Foliage Removal and Late-Season Fungicide Applications in Management of Hop Powdery Mildew

Canopy management is an important aspect of control of powdery mildew diseases and may influence the intensity of fungicide applications required to suppress disease. In hop, powdery mildew (caused by Podosphaera macularis) is most damaging to cones when infection occurs during bloom and the juvenile stages of cone development. Experiments were conducted over 3 years to evaluate whether fungicide applications could be ceased after the most susceptible stages of cone development (late July) without unduly affecting crop yield and quality when disease pressure was moderated with varying levels of basal foliage removal. In experimental plots of 'Galena' hop, the incidence of leaves with powdery mildew was similar whether fungicides were ceased in late July or made in late August. Disease levels on leaves were unaffected by the intensity of basal foliage removal, whereas the intensity of basal foliage removal interacted with the duration of fungicide applications to affect disease levels on cones. Similar experiments conducted in large plots of 'Tomahawk' hop in a commercial hop yard similarly found no significant impact on disease levels on leaves from either the duration of fungicide applications or intensity of basal foliage removal. In contrast, on cones, application of fungicides into August had a modest, suppressive effect on powdery mildew. There was also some evidence that the level of powdery mildew on cones associated with fungicide treatment was influenced by the intensity of basal foliage removal. When fungicide applications ceased in late July, there was a progressive decrease in the incidence of cones with powdery mildew with increasing intensity of basal foliage removal. Removing basal foliage two to three times allowed fungicide applications to be terminated in late July rather than late August without diminishing disease control on cones, yield, or cone quality factors. Thus, this study further establishes that fungicide applications made during the early stages of hop cone development have the strongest effect on suppression of powdery mildew on cones. The additive effect of fungicide applications targeted to the periods of greatest cone susceptibility and canopy management to reduce disease favorability may obviate the need for fungicide applications later in the season. This appears to be a viable strategy in mature hop yards of certain cultivars when disease pressure is not excessively high.

Revisiting Fungicide-Based Management Guidelines for Leaf Blotch Diseases in Soft Red Winter Wheat

Standard foliar fungicide applications in wheat are usually made between flag leaf emergence (Feekes [FK] 8) and heading (FK10.5) to minimize damage to the flag leaf. However, over the last few years, new fungicide programs such as applications prior to FK8 and split half-rate applications have been implemented, although there are few data pertaining to the efficacy of these programs. Eight experiments were conducted in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin from 2010 to 2012 to compare new programs to standard FK8 and FK10 programs in terms of disease control and yield response. The programs evaluated consisted of single full-rate applications of 19% tebuconazole + 19% prothioconazole (Prosaro) or 23.6% pyraclostrobin (Headline) at FK5 (pseudostem strongly erected), FK8, or FK10, or split half rates at FK5 and 8 (FK5+8), plus an untreated check (CK). Leaf blotch (LB) severity and yield data were collected and random effects meta-analytical models fitted to estimate the overall log odds ratio of disease reaching the flag leaf ( L¯OR ) and mean yield increase ( D¯ ) for each fungicide program relative to CK. For all programs, L¯OR was significantly different from zero (P < 0.05). Based on estimated odds ratios (OR = exp[ L¯OR ]), the two FK8 programs reduced the risk of LB reaching the flag leaf by 55 and 75%, compared with 62 and 69% and 67 and 70% for the two FK10 and FK5+8 programs, respectively, and only 32 and 37% for the two FK5 programs. D¯ was significantly different from zero (P ≤ 0.003) for all FK8, FK10, and FK5+8 programs, with values of 233 and 245, 175 and 220, and 175 and 187 kg ha^-1 for the FK10, FK5+8, and FK8 programs, respectively. Differences in mean yield response between Headline and Prosaro were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The probability of profitability was estimated for each program for a range of grain prices and fungicide application costs. All FK8, FK10, and FK5+8 programs had more than an 80% chance of resulting in a positive yield response, compared with 63 and 67% for the two FK5 programs. The chance of obtaining a yield increase of 200 kg ha^-1, required to offset an application cost of $36 ha^-1 at a grain price of $0.18 kg^-1, ranged from 44 to 60% for FK8, FK10 and FK5+8 programs compared with 22 and 25% for the two FK5 programs. These findings could be used to help inform fungicide application decisions for LB diseases in soft red winter wheat.

Effect of Maize Hybrid and Foliar Fungicides on Yield Under Low Foliar Disease Severity Conditions

Foliar fungicide use in the U.S. Corn Belt increased in the last decade; however, questions persist pertaining to its value and sustainability. Multistate field trials were established from 2010 to 2012 in Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, and Wisconsin to examine how hybrid and foliar fungicide influenced disease intensity and yield. The experimental design was in a split-split plot with main plots consisting of hybrids varying in resistance to gray leaf spot (caused by Cercospora zeae-maydis) and northern corn leaf blight (caused by Setosphaera turcica), subplots corresponding to four application timings of the fungicide pyraclostrobin, and sub-subplots represented by inoculations with either C. zeae-maydis, S. turcica, or both at two vegetative growth stages. Fungicide application (VT/R1) significantly reduced total disease severity relative to the control in five of eight site-years (P<0.05). Disease was reduced by approximately 30% at Wisconsin in 2011, 20% at Illinois in 2010, 29% at Iowa in 2010, and 32 and 30% at Ohio in 2010 and 2012, respectively. These disease severities ranged from 0.2 to 0.3% in Wisconsin in 2011 to 16.7 to 22.1% in Illinois in 2010. The untreated control had significantly lower yield (P<0.05) than the fungicide-treated in three site-years. Fungicide application increased the yield by approximately 6% at Ohio in 2010, 5% at Wisconsin in 2010 and 6% in 2011. Yield differences ranged from 8,403 to 8,890 kg/ha in Wisconsin 2011 to 11,362 to 11,919 kg/ha in Wisconsin 2010. Results suggest susceptibility to disease and prevailing environment are important drivers of observed differences. Yield increases as a result of the physiological benefits of plant health benefits under low disease were not consistent.

Meta-analysis and other approaches for synthesizing structured and unstructured data in plant pathology

The term data deluge is used widely to describe the rapidly accelerating growth of information in the technical literature, in scientific databases, and in informal sources such as the Internet and social media. The massive volume and increased complexity of information challenge traditional methods of data analysis but at the same time provide unprecedented opportunities to test hypotheses or uncover new relationships via mining of existing databases and literature. In this review, we discuss analytical approaches that are beginning to be applied to help synthesize the vast amount of information generated by the data deluge and thus accelerate the pace of discovery in plant pathology. We begin with a review of meta-analysis as an established approach for summarizing standardized (structured) data across the literature. We then turn to examples of synthesizing more complex, unstructured data sets through a range of data-mining approaches, including the incorporation of 'omics data in epidemiological analyses. We conclude with a discussion of methodologies for leveraging information contained in novel, open-source data sets through web crawling, text mining, and social media analytics, primarily in the context of digital disease surveillance. Rapidly evolving computational resources provide platforms for integrating large and complex data sets, motivating research that will draw on new types and scales of information to address big questions.

Efficacy and value of prophylactic vs. integrated pest management approaches for management of cereal leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in wheat and ramifications for adoption by growers

Cereal leaf beetle, Oulema melanopus L., can be effectively managed in southeastern U.S. wheat, Triticum aestivum L., with scouting and a single insecticide treatment, applied at the recommended economic threshold. However, many growers eschew this approach for a prophylactic treatment, often tank mixed with a nitrogen application before wheat growth stage 30. The efficacy of a prophylactic and an integrated pest management (IPM) approach was compared for 2 yr using small plot studies in North Carolina and regional surveys across North Carolina and Virginia. Economic analyses were performed, comparing the total cost of management of each approach using the regional survey data. From a cost perspective, the prophylactic approach was riskier, because when cereal leafbeetle densities were high, economic loss was also high. However, fields under the prophylactic approach did not exceed threshold as often as fields using IPM. Total cost of prophylactic management was also $20.72 less per hectare, giving this approach an economic advantage over IPM. The majority of fields under the IPM approach did not exceed the economic threshold. Hence, from an economic perspective, both the prophylactic and IPM approaches have advantages and disadvantages. This helps explains the partial, rather than complete, adoption of IPM by southeastern U.S. wheat growers. Cereal leaf beetle was spatially aggregated across the region in 2010, but not in 2011. As a result, from an economic standpoint, prophylaxis or IPM may have a better fit in localized areas of the region than others. Finally, because IPM adoption is favored when it has a strong economic advantage over alternative management approaches, more emphasis should be placed on research to reduce costs within the IPM approach.

Multiple routes of pesticide exposure for honey bees living near agricultural fields

Populations of honey bees and other pollinators have declined worldwide in recent years. A variety of stressors have been implicated as potential causes, including agricultural pesticides. Neonicotinoid insecticides, which are widely used and highly toxic to honey bees, have been found in previous analyses of honey bee pollen and comb material. However, the routes of exposure have remained largely undefined. We used LC/MS-MS to analyze samples of honey bees, pollen stored in the hive and several potential exposure routes associated with plantings of neonicotinoid treated maize. Our results demonstrate that bees are exposed to these compounds and several other agricultural pesticides in several ways throughout the foraging period. During spring, extremely high levels of clothianidin and thiamethoxam were found in planter exhaust material produced during the planting of treated maize seed. We also found neonicotinoids in the soil of each field we sampled, including unplanted fields. Plants visited by foraging bees (dandelions) growing near these fields were found to contain neonicotinoids as well. This indicates deposition of neonicotinoids on the flowers, uptake by the root system, or both. Dead bees collected near hive entrances during the spring sampling period were found to contain clothianidin as well, although whether exposure was oral (consuming pollen) or by contact (soil/planter dust) is unclear. We also detected the insecticide clothianidin in pollen collected by bees and stored in the hive. When maize plants in our field reached anthesis, maize pollen from treated seed was found to contain clothianidin and other pesticides; and honey bees in our study readily collected maize pollen. These findings clarify some of the mechanisms by which honey bees may be exposed to agricultural pesticides throughout the growing season. These results have implications for a wide range of large-scale annual cropping systems that utilize neonicotinoid seed treatments.