Spatial Variation of Soil Health Indices in a Commercial Potato Field in Eastern Canada

AbstractVertical gradients in biotic and abiotic factors may create small-scale spatial variation in arthropod communities, a phenomenon that continues to be understudied. We investigated heterogeneity in the vertical distribution of spider and beetle assemblages in the canopy of sugar maples (Acer saccharum Marshall) (Aceraceae) in a deciduous forest in eastern Canada. Comparisons across four strata (understorey [UN] through upper canopy [UC] crown) documented variation in density, diversity, and species composition. Density of all common families decreased significantly with height and overall species richness of both spiders and beetles was highest in the UN and lowest in the UC crown. We observed greater spatial variation in spider assemblages compared with beetle assemblages and documented differences in spider guild structure: web-spinning spiders were most common in the UN and jumping spiders dominated the canopy. Our results suggest that arthropod assemblages are not homogeneous with respect to vertical space and that heterogeneity exists even at the scale of several metres.

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Control of Resistant Colorado Potato Beetle in Early Market Potato, Big Lake, Mn, 1993

Arthropod Management Tests ◽

10.1093/amt/19.1.115 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 115-115

Author(s):

David Noetzle ◽

Jennifer Miller

Keyword(s):

Colorado Potato Beetle ◽

Block Design ◽

Potato Field ◽

Synthetic Materials ◽

Potato Beetle ◽

Commercial Potato ◽

Row Width ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

The Individual ◽

Early Market

Abstract Continued failure of most insecticides for control of CPB in the Anoka Sand Plains growing area stimulated further comparisons of biologicals, inorganics, and synthetic materials for CPB management. Soils are sands at this location. Plots were established in an irrigated commercial potato field. The individual plot consisted of 4—25 ft rows with a row width of 3 ft. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and were replicated 4 times. The grower treated all of the field, including the plots, with Thiodan and Asana XL at 1.0 lb and 0.5 lb Al/acre respectively on 8 Jul and 16 Jul. Plot treatments were applied on 25 Jun, 6 and 19 Jul using a CO2 hand sprayer with about 20 gals total material/acre and 40 psi pressure. Larval ratings and defoliation estimates were taken on 6 and 19 Jul. Vines were killed on 3 Aug and yields collected on 18 Aug. The center 2 rows of each plot were harvested for yield.

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Control of Resistant Colorado Potato Beetle, Big Lake, Mn, 1995

Arthropod Management Tests ◽

10.1093/amt/21.1.146 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 146-146

Author(s):

David M. Noetzel ◽

Jennifer Miller

Keyword(s):

Colorado Potato Beetle ◽

Potato Field ◽

Total Material ◽

Potato Beetle ◽

Commercial Potato ◽

Field Plots ◽

Very High

Abstract A trial was established in an irrigated commercial potato field adjacent to a commercial planting of a NatureMark NewLeafⓇ field. Plots were 4-36 inch rows by 25’ in length. Treatments were arranged in a RCB and replicated 4 times. Treatments were applied on 8 & 26 June and 8 July using a CO2 hand held sprayer. Total material per acre was approximately 20 gal applied using 40 psi. CPB populations were very high at this site and late readings are confused by non-random feeding. Yields were not taken.

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Recent Genotypes of Phytophthora infestans in the Eastern United States Reveal Clonal Populations and Reappearance of Mefenoxam Sensitivity

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-03-11-0156-re ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 96 (9) ◽

pp. 1323-1330 ◽

Cited By ~ 71

Author(s):

Chia-Hui Hu ◽

Frances G. Perez ◽

Ryan Donahoo ◽

Adele McLeod ◽

Kevin Myers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

New York ◽

North Carolina ◽

Phytophthora Infestans ◽

Eastern United States ◽

Ras Gene ◽

Eastern Canada ◽

Commercial Potato ◽

Close Proximity ◽

The Us

Isolates of Phytophthora infestans (n = 178) were collected in 2002 to 2009 from the eastern United States, Midwestern United States, and eastern Canada. Multilocus genotypes were defined using allozyme genotyping, and DNA fingerprinting with the RG-57 probe. Several previously described and three new mulitilocus genotypes were detected. The US-8 genotype was found commonly on commercial potato crops but not on tomato. US-20 was found on tomato in North Carolina from 2002 through 2007 and in Florida in 2005. US-21 was found on tomato in North Carolina in 2005 and Florida in 2006 and 2007. US-22 was detected on tomato in 2007 in Tennessee and New York and became widespread in 2009. US-22 was found in 12 states on tomato and potato and was spread on tomato transplants. This genotype accounted for about 60% of all the isolates genotyped. The US-23 genotype was found in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware on both tomato and potato in 2009. The US-24 genotype was found only in North Dakota in 2009. A1 and A2 mating types were found in close proximity on potato and tomato crops in Pennsylvania and Virginia; therefore, the possibility of sexual reproduction should be monitored. Whereas most individuals of US-8 and US-20 were resistant to mefenoxam, US-21 appeared to be intermediately sensitive, and isolates of US-22, US-23, and US-24 were largely sensitive to mefenoxam. On the basis of sequence analysis of the ras gene, these latter three genotypes appear to have been derived from a common ancestor. Further field and laboratory studies are underway using simple sequence repeat genotyping to monitor current changes in the population structure of P. infestans causing late blight in North America.

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Long-Term Biosolids Applications to Overgrazed Rangelands Improve Soil Health

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11071339 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 1339

Author(s):

Cassidy M. Buchanan ◽

James A. Ippolito

Keyword(s):

Soil Health ◽

Organic Amendments ◽

Application Rate ◽

Land Application ◽

Health Index ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Health Indices ◽

Application Rates ◽

Biosolids Application

Overgrazed rangelands can lead to soil degradation, yet long-term land application of organic amendments (i.e., biosolids) may play a pivotal role in improving degraded rangelands in terms of soil health. However, the long-term effects on soil health properties in response to single or repeated, low to excessive biosolids applications, on semi-arid, overgrazed grasslands have not been quantified. Using the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF), soil physical, biological, chemical, nutrient, and overall soil health indices between biosolids applications (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 21, or 30 Mg ha−1) and application time (single: 1991, repeated: 2002) were determined. Results showed no significant changes in soil physical and nutrient health indices. However, the chemical soil health index was greater when biosolids were applied at rates <30 Mg ha−1 and within the single compared to repeated applications. The biological soil health index was positively affected by increasing biosolids application rates, was overall greater in the repeated as compared to the single application, and was maximized at 30 Mg ha−1. The overall soil health index was maximized at rates <30 Mg ha−1. When all indices were combined, and considering past plant community findings at this site, overall soil health appeared optimized at a biosolids application rate of ~10 Mg ha−1. The use of soil health tools can help determine a targeted organic amendment application rate to overgrazed rangelands so the material provides maximum benefits to soils, plants, animals, and the environment.

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Management-intensive Grazing Affects Soil Health

10.5194/soil-2019-91 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Casey Shawver ◽

James A. Ippolito ◽

Joe Brummer ◽

Jason Ahola ◽

Ryan Rhoades

Keyword(s):

Negative Impact ◽

Soil Analysis ◽

Soil Health ◽

Commodity Prices ◽

Public Lands ◽

Organic C ◽

Soil P ◽

Health Indices ◽

Western Us ◽

Management Intensive Grazing

Abstract. Management-intensive Grazing (MiG) on irrigated, perennial pastures has steadily increased in the western US due to pressure for reducing public lands grazing, overall declining land available for pasture, and decreasing commodity prices. However, there are still many unknowns regarding MiG and its environmental impact, especially with regards to soil health. Over a two-year period, we studied changes in soil health under a full-scale, 82 ha pivot-irrigated perennial pasture system grazed with ~ 230 animal units (AUs) using MiG. Soil analysis included 11 soil characteristics aggregated into the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF), which outputs results for soil biological, physical, nutrient, chemical, and overall soil health indices (SHI). Positive impacts were observed in the biological SHI due to increases in microbial and enzymatic activities, even though soil organic C (SOC) remained relatively unchanged; however, positive biological SHI changes are likely precursors to future SOC increases. The nutrient SHI declined due to a reduction in plant-available soil P over time, potentially due to greater plant uptake. A negative impact was also observed in the physical SHI, driven primarily by increasing bulk density due to hoof pressure from cattle grazing. If managed correctly, results suggest that irrigated, MiG systems have the potential for success with regards to supporting grazing while promoting soil health for environmental and economic sustainability.

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Delineating soil management zones using a proximal soil sensing system in two commercial potato fields in New Brunswick, Canada

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.1139/cjss-2018-0063 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 98 (4) ◽

pp. 724-737 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

I. Perron ◽

A.N. Cambouris ◽

K. Chokmani ◽

M.F. Vargas Gutierrez ◽

B.J. Zebarth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spatial Variability ◽

Physicochemical Properties ◽

New Brunswick ◽

Precision Agriculture ◽

Clustering Algorithm ◽

Solanum Tuberosum L ◽

Eastern Canada ◽

Management Zones ◽

Commercial Potato ◽

Yield Difference

Stagnating potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yields in eastern Canada have resulted in loss of competitive advantage in global potato markets. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the potential to increase yield by adopting precision agriculture technology. This study evaluated the efficiency of an apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa) sensor to delineate management zones (MZs) in two commercial potato fields in New Brunswick, Canada, using an unsupervised fuzzy k-means clustering algorithm. Georeferenced soil samples from 0 to 15 cm depth were analyzed for physicochemical properties. Tuber yields were recorded using a yield monitor. The two MZs delineated using soil ECa differed significantly in soil physicochemical properties for both fields; however, tuber yield differed significantly between MZs only in Field 1. The yield difference (7.1 Mg ha−1) in Field 1 was attributed to a difference in soil moisture (23.5% vs 28.5%) resulting from a difference in clay content (141 vs 189 g kg−1). The lack of a yield difference between MZs in Field 2 may reflect relatively low within-field spatial variability. The soil ECa sensor showed promise for use in commercial potato production in New Brunswick, especially in fields with high spatial variability.

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Control of Colorado Potato Beetle, 1997A

Arthropod Management Tests ◽

10.1093/amt/23.1.127a ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 127-127

Author(s):

Craig A. Longtine ◽

David W. Ragsdale ◽

Edward B. Radcliffe

Keyword(s):

Colorado Potato Beetle ◽

Potato Field ◽

Plant Spacing ◽

Single Treatment ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Potato Beetle ◽

Commercial Potato ◽

Completely Randomized Design ◽

Direct Counts ◽

Flat Fan Nozzle

Abstract This trial was located in a non-irrigated commercial potato field near Hollandale in southern Minnesota. Plots consisted of a single treatment row 25 ft in length bordered on each side by two untreated guard rows. Plant spacing was 36 inches between rows and 12 inches between plants within rows. Treatments were replicated four times in a completely randomized design. Treatments were applied with a CO2-pressurized backpack sprayer fitted with a single Teejet 8003-E flat-fan nozzle delivering 40 gpa/acre at 35 psi. All treatments were applied on 2 Jul. Spraying conditions were windy, but winds were constant. In evaluating the treatments, direct counts of early instars (first and second) and late instars (third and fourth) were made on every plant in each plot on 3 Jul. The data were subjected to analyses of variance following log10(x +1) transformation.

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