By Blake Jackson
Three Penn State research teams have been awarded a total of $1.78 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to investigate climate-smart pest control strategies.
The grants are part of the institute's Pests and Beneficial Species in Agricultural Production Systems program, which focuses on developing biological-based pest management solutions.
The projects, led by researchers in the College of Agricultural Sciences, will explore various aspects of herbicide resistance and the role of insects in reducing plant damage.
Caio Brunharo, assistant professor of weed science, will investigate the genetic basis of herbicide resistance in Italian ryegrass, a common weed that has become increasingly resistant to herbicides.
“Understanding the genetic basis of this resistance will help farmers implement more effective weed management strategies, protecting both crop yields and the environment,” he said. “This research not only has national implications but also paves the way for innovations in diagnosing and controlling herbicide resistance across the agricultural landscape.”
Sara Hermann, assistant professor of arthropod ecology and trophic interactions, will explore how predatory insects, such as ladybugs, can be used to deter herbivorous insects that feed on crops. By studying the odors emitted by ladybugs, Hermann hopes to develop a novel approach to pest management that relies on the "ecology of fear."
"Our goal is to investigate a completely novel way to approach pest management by manipulating the ‘ecology of fear," said Hermann. "we will introduce predatory insect odors to fields to deter insect pests from feeding on crop plants."
John Tooker, professor of entomology, will investigate the role of ants in no-till agriculture. Ants can have a significant impact on soil properties and can act as predators of insect pests.
Tooker's research aims to quantify the influence of ant communities in crop fields and to promote the adoption of integrated pest management practices.
“To manage insect pests, growers who use IPM rely on scouting information to justify insecticide use and seek to avoid unnecessary use of insecticides,” Tooker said. “By minimizing unnecessary insecticides, we expect to be able to protect ant communities and allow them to control insect pests, remove weed seeds and enrich soil nutrients to improve crop productivity.”
Photo Credit: usda
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