Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Over the project we have identified controls for mealybug wild, nematodes, and fungi. Most recently, we have shown that Procure and Procure Energy provided good control of three different Pythium diseases of pineapple in the laboratory. In a small field test, a compost tea increased pineapple plant loss to Phytophthora. The SAR inducing agent BTH protected the pineapples from Phytophthora as well Aliette. An international collaborative research project was initiated with South African scientists to study Black Spot/Fruitlet Core Rot disease and its control. Rearing methods of a destructive invasive the little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata were investigated. In field test, Melocon, a formulation of Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251, reduced crop loss associated with renifrom and root-knot nematodes in both the plant crop and first ratoon crops. Some lines of pineapple genetically engineered to resist nematodes support lower levels of reniform and root-knot nematode reproduction, but the plants do not grow as vigorously as the untransformed plants. No commercially acceptable lines have yet to be identified. PARTICIPANTS: Brent Sipes served as the Project director supervising the project, analyzing data, and reporting for the project. Glenn Taniguchi conducted research on black spot and other pineapple diseases. D. Meyer, M. Young, and G. Nagai provided technical nematological assistance on the project. Two graduate students worked on and completed degrees on the project. Undergraduate students have provided assistance and received professional training. S. Schenk, C. Nagai, and M.-L. Wang with the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, R. Paull, and extension personnel A. Arakaki, R. Arce, J. Sugano, and S. Fukuda were collaborators on the project. Dole Fresh Fruit Hawaii and Maui Pineapple were cooperators hosting the field evaluations. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience of this project includes pineapple growers, potential pineapple growers, and scientists. These audiences were reached through direct contact and workshops. Presentations of results were held in both written and oral scientific forums. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The project has contributed to the needs of sustainable pineapple production in Hawaii and the world. Disease has been controlled. Current pineapple producers have tested the control alternatives and may incorporate some into their practices. People interested in pineapple production have gained information allowing them to make business decisions regarding pineapple production.

Publications

• Follett, P. A. and G. Taniguchi. 2007. Effect of irradiation on the longevity and reproduction of Pheildole megacephala (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) queens. Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society. 39:43-47.
• C. Rabovich, R. Paull, and B. Sipes. 2008. Protease inhibitors and reproduction of reniform nematode in pineapple. Annals of Applied Biology 153: published online Sep 1 2008 12:31pm.
• Tonia Quintero. 2008. Assessment of four soil nematode communities in Hawaii by different methods. Ph.D. Thesis. University of Hawaii.

Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Nematodes have a tremendous potential to serve as biomarkers of soil health. As healthy pineapple soil should have less potential for damage by plant-parasitic nematodes. Traditional nematode community analysis requires specialized extraction equipment and experience in nematode identification. A molecular approach could open the way to a rapid assessment of soil health. Sampling for nematodes usually requires 200 cm3 (~200 g) of soil but many molecular analysis for soil utilize samples of 0.5 to 1.0 g. As suspected, low prevalence taxa such as predatory nematodes are missed when the soil sample is even 200g. Small nematodes often do not provide sufficient quality DNA from which the 18S ribosomal DNA gene can be amplified. As an example, only 200 g soil samples containing 1000 Steinernema glaseri provided sufficient quantities of DNA to amplify the 18S ribosomal DNA gene. One line of Oc-IΔD86 cystatin transgenic pineapple supported less rootknot reproduction than wild type pineapple, but the transgenic plants did not grow as well as the wild-type plants. An other aspect of the project involves the evaluation of products for disease control. LCF, an organic liquid compost slurry, and Melocon, a commercial formulation of Paecilomyces lilacinus, provided promising nematode control in a commercial pineapple plantation. The plant crop fruit in the LCF and Melocon treatments were similar to the 1,3-D treatment. Experiments were initiated to evaluate control of black spot disease in Hawaii and South Africa. Information was disseminated directly to grower and at scientific meetings. PARTICIPANTS: Brent Sipes served as the Project director supervising the project, analyzing data, and reporting for the project. Glenn Taniguchi conducted research on black spot and other pineapple diseases. Donna Meyer, Michael Young, and Gareth Nagai provided technical nematological assistance on the project. Tonia Quintero conducted the molecular nematode community analysis. Corey Bloomerik and Dana Ogle provided general laboratory and greenhouse assistance. Susan Schenk with the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center was a collaborator on the LCF and Melocon work. Dole Fresh Fruit Hawaii was a cooperator hosting the field evaluation. Professional development was provided to Tonia Quintero as a graduate student and to Corey Bloomerik and Dana Ogle as undergraduate students. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience of this project includes pineapple growers and scientists. These audiences were reached through direct contact and the presentation of results in scientific forums.

Impacts
The project helps to maintain profitable pineapple production in the state. For the low acid hybrid pineapples planted today, root health is of the utmost importance. The project strives to provide growers with tools that are safe and effective.

Publications

• T. Quintero and B. Sipes. 2007. Molecular and morphological examination of a pineapple agricultural system in Hawaii. Journal of Nematology 39:100.

Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06

Outputs
The fungicides Vangard and Switch are very effective in preventing Penicillium growth on stored fruit. Vangard and Scala did not prevent Cladosporium growth on stored fruit, although both were effective in laboratory studies. A soil survey found Pythium splendence, P. arrenomonis, and P. gramanicola to be most prevalent in Oahu pineapple fields. Phytophthora nicotiana and P. cinnamomi were also found occasionally. In pineapple plots treated with Melocon the incidence of Pythium infect and subsequent plant loss was greater than in those plots treated with LCF or nothing. Surviving plant growth was similar in all treatments, however Melocon treated pineapple had a higher percentage of precocious fruit compared to the LCF and untreated plots. Whereas plant-parasitic nematodes are quite damaging to pineapple, molecular analysis of the nematode soil community has a tremendous potential to serve as a biomarker indicative of soil health. DNA from various nematode trophic groups was extracted and the 18S ribosomal DNA gene amplified. Pratylenchus penetrans DNA was often below the threshold level to be visualized on an agarose gel. Only those soil samples containing 1000 Steinernema glaseri nematodes delivered sufficient quantities of DNA to amplify the 18S ribosomal DNA gene.

Impacts
Pineapple is Hawaii's major agricultural product and pests cause major reductions in its yield. Recent efforts directed at finding replacement products or practices that are socially and economically acceptable are yielding compelling results. We have demonstrated that Vangard and Switch fungicides can be used for post-harvest disease control. We have correctly identified Pythium species as the most common oomycetes in Oahu pineapple soil. We are developing assay, both molecular and plating, to rapidly identify organisms in the soil. The project has taken and shared this information with growers encouraging their adoption. The project helps to maintain profitable pineapple production in the state.

Publications

• B. Chinnasri, D.A. Christopher, and B.S. Sipes. 2006. Induction of a pathogenesis-related gene (PR-1) in pineapple. Fifth International Pineapple Symposium. Acta Horticulturae 702:151-156.
• B. Chinnasri, B.S. Sipes, and D.P. Schmitt. 2006. Effects of inducers of systemic acquired resistance on reproduction of Meloidogyne javanica and Rotylenchulus reniformis in pineapple. Journal of Nematology 38:319-325.
• B. Sipes and J. Uchida. 2006. Sustainable control of soil-borne pathogens with cover crops Hawaii Conservation Alliance meeting.

Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05

Outputs
Bait stations are an economical and environmentally sound method to control ants in pineapple as many insecticides are deregistered. Pineapple has a SAR pathway which in the greenhouse reduces nematode reproduction. Fungal disease control remains necessary in pineapple. Several products are being evaluated as potential replacements to Bayleton. Soil amended with vermicompost reduced reniform nematode reproduction on pineapple compared to plants grown in unamended soil. Greenhouse evaluations have begun on the potential of imidaclorprid to induce resistance to nematodes. Other nematode control products being evaluated in the greenhouse or field include Pylon, Dragonfire, LCF, and Melocon. Informational meetings were held with clientele to present information on the biology and control of pests as well as cultural practices for pineapple.

Impacts
Pineapple remains Hawaii's major agricultural product and pests cause major reductions in yield. Controls that have historically been employed are often unacceptable or banned. Consequently, efforts are directed at finding replacement products or practices that are socially and economically acceptable today. The project has begun to identify alternative methods to control ants, nematodes, and fungal diseases in pineapple. In addition to identifying alternatives, the project has taken and shared these alternatives to growers encouraging their adoption. The project helps to maintain profitable pineapple production in the state.

Publications

• Chinnasri, B., Sipes, B. and Christopher, D. 2005. Time course of the induction of pathogenisis-related gene 1 (PR-1) in pineapple treated with acibenzolar-s-methyl. Phytopathology. 95:S19.
• Sipes,B.S. 2005. Nematode control for the early 21st century. Fifth International Pineapple Symposium.
• Sipes, B.S., Mueller, J.P. and Schmitt, D.P. 2005. Post-plant nematode control in pineapples. Journal of Nematology. 37: (in press).
• Taniguchi, G., Thompson, T. and Sipes, B. 2005. Control of the big-headed ant, Pheidole megacephala (Hymenoptera:Formicidae) in pineapple cultivation using Amdro in bait stations. Sociobiology. 45:1-7.
• Taniguchi, G., Thompson, T. and Sipes, B. 2005. Prevention and control of the big-headed ant, Pheidole megacephala (Hymenoptera:Formicidae) in pineapple cultivation using bait stations with Amdro. Acto Horticulturae. (in press).

Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04

Outputs
For ant control, bait stations are being evaluated to reduce pesticide usage. In a 12-month period, 3 applications of ant bait and one application of diazinon for mealybug control to a control field compared to no applications in the bait station field. In a large scale test, control is possible with bait stations but not effective. For nematode control, acibenzolar-s-methyl activated a nucleotide sequence in pineapple homologous to the barley basic PR-1 gene sequence. The amino acid sequence deduced from the fragment revealed 73%, 70%, 69%, 67%, 67% and 61% identity to the maize PR-1, barley PR-1, wheat PR-1, rice PR-1, tobacco PR-1, and Arabidopsis PR-1 genes respectively. It is likely that a PR-1 gene is expressed in pineapple treated with acibenzolar and that pineapple has a SAR pathway and this pathway is able to reduce nematode reproduction by 50%. Dragon fire, a sesame oil product, reduced nematode populations and increased pineapple growth warranting further evaluation. Methyl iodide reduced nematode numbers at planting but subsequent plant growth was reduced compared to other treatments. Emulsifiable 1,3-D continues to prove valuable as a postplant treatment. Efficacy and utility of vermicompost and a LCF (liquid compost factor) experiments have begun. For fungal disease control, 15 products are being evaluated for Bayleton replacement. Informational meetings were held with clientele to present information on the biology and control of pests as well as cultural practices for pineapple.

Impacts
Pineapple is Hawaii's major agricultural product with a farm gate value of $102 million. Pests cause major reductions in yield and can be expensive to control. We have provided current information of the biology and control of pests to growers assisting growers in being profitable. Pesticide minimal alternatives are being explored which will protect the environment and assist the pineapple industry in its competitiveness.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03

Outputs
No progress to report. This project was initiated on October 1, 2003.

Impacts
No impact to report. This project was initiated on October 1, 2003.

Publications

• No publications reported this period