An Overview of Pathogens Associated with Biotic Stresses in Hemp Crops in Oregon, 2019 to 2020.

Hemp () acreage in Oregon has increased by approximately 240 times in the last 5 years, and a greater number of hemp diseases have been observed. This special report documents pathogens, particularly those causing virus and virus-like diseases, that have been detected from field and greenhouse-grown hemp crops in Oregon, based on plant samples submitted to the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center Plant Clinic of Oregon State University in 2019 and 2020. Symptoms and signs were used to evaluate disease types and determine diagnostic assays used on each submission.

Characterization of R2R3 S23 MYB Transcription Factors as Novel Targets of the Ubiquitin Proteasome-Pathway and Regulators of Salt Stress and Abscisic Acid Response.

Rapid response to environmental changes and abiotic stress to coordinate developmental programs is critical for plants. To accomplish this, plants use the ubiquitin proteasome pathway as a flexible and efficient mechanism to control protein stability and to direct cellular reactions. Here, we show that all three members of the R2R3 S23 MYB transcription factor subfamily, MYB1, MYB25, and MYB109, are degraded by the 26S proteasome, likely facilitated by a CUL3-based E3 ligase that uses MATH-BTB/POZ proteins as substrate adaptors.

Baseline Susceptibility of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to Commonly Used Insecticides in the Columbia Basin.

Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is one of the most challenging pests of potato, Solanum tuberosum L., largely due to its propensity to develop insecticide resistance. Historically, L.

Capabilities and limitations of using DNA metabarcoding to study plant-pollinator interactions.

Many pollinator populations are experiencing declines, emphasizing the need for a better understanding of the complex relationship between bees and flowering plants. Using DNA metabarcoding to describe plant-pollinator interactions eliminates many challenges associated with traditional methods and has the potential to reveal a more comprehensive understanding of foraging behaviour and pollinator life history. Here we use DNA metabarcoding of ITS2 and rbcL gene regions to identify plant species present in pollen loads of 404 bees from three habitats in eastern Oregon.

Antioxidants in Potatoes: A Functional View on One of the Major Food Crops Worldwide.

With a growing world population, accelerating climate changes, and limited arable land, it is critical to focus on plant-based resources for sustainable food production. In addition, plants are a cornucopia for secondary metabolites, of which many have robust antioxidative capacities and are beneficial for human health. Potato is one of the major food crops worldwide, and is recognized by the United Nations as an excellent food source for an increasing world population.

Partial shading by solar panels delays bloom, increases floral abundance during the late-season for pollinators in a dryland, agrivoltaic ecosystem.

Habitat for pollinators is declining worldwide, threatening the health of both wild and agricultural ecosystems. Photovoltaic solar energy installation is booming, frequently near agricultural lands, where the land underneath ground-mounted photovoltaic panels is traditionally unused. Some solar developers and agriculturalists in the United States are filling the solar understory with habitat for pollinating insects in efforts to maximize land-use efficiency in agricultural lands.

Selection for high levels of resistance to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) using non-transgenic foliar delivery.

Insecticidal double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) silence expression of vital genes by activating the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism in insect cells. Despite high commercial interest in insecticidal dsRNA, information on resistance to dsRNA is scarce, particularly for dsRNA products with non-transgenic delivery (ex. foliar/topical application) nearing regulatory review.

StPIP1, a PAMP-induced peptide in potato, elicits plant defenses and is associated with disease symptom severity in a compatible interaction with Potato virus Y.

The role of small secreted peptides in plant defense responses to viruses has seldom been investigated. Here, we report a role for potato (Solanum tuberosum) PIP1, a gene predicted to encode a member of the pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-induced peptide (PIP) family, in the response of potato to Potato virus Y (PVY) infection. We show that exogenous application of synthetic StPIP1 to potato leaves and nodes increased the production of reactive oxygen species and the expression of plant defense-related genes, revealing that StPIP1 triggers early defense responses.

Strip-width determines competitive strengths and grain yields of intercrop species in relay intercropping system.

Maize/soybean relay intercropping system (MSR) is a popular cultivation method to obtain high yields of both crops with reduced inputs. However, in MSR, the effects of different strip widths on competitive strengths and grain yields of intercrop species are still unclear. Therefore, in a two-year field experiment, soybean was relay-intercropped with maize in three different strip-width arrangements (narrow-strips, 180 cm; medium-strips, 200 cm; and wide-strips, 220 cm), and all intercropping results were compared with sole maize (SM) and sole soybean (SS).

Host plants and shape the population genetics of sympatric herbivore populations.

Changing climate and land-use practices have the potential to bring previously isolated populations of pest insects into new sympatry. This heightens the need to better understand how differing patterns of host-plant association, and unique endosymbionts, serve to promote genetic isolation or integration. We addressed these factors in populations of potato psyllid, (Šulc), a generalist herbivore that vectors a bacterial pathogen ( Liberibacter solanacearum, causal pathogen of zebra chip disease) of potato ( L.

Vertical Distribution of Insect Pests Using Insect Towers Placed Near Potato Fields in the Lower Columbia Basin.

This study was conducted at the Oregon State University Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Hermiston, Umatilla County, OR, during the 2016 and 2017 potato, Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanales: Solanaceae), growing seasons. The objective was to determine the vertical distribution of hemipteran (Bactericera cockerelli Šulc, Circulifer tenellus Baker, Myzus persicae Sulzer, Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas, and Lygus spp.

Molecular and Alkaloid Characterization of Sensu Lato From Grass Seed Production Areas of the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

Ergot, caused by sensu lato, is an economically important seed replacement disease of Kentucky bluegrass () and perennial ryegrass () seed crops. sensu stricto is considered the primary species responsible, but genetic diversity and cryptic species within sensu lato have previously been reported. Fifty-six sensu lato isolates collected from ( = 21) and ( = 35) in Oregon and Washington between 2010 and 2014 were characterized via random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), partial internal transcribed spacer (ITS), β-tubulin and elongation factor-1α (EF-1α) sequences, conidial size, and ergot alkaloid chemotype.

Linking omics and ecology to dissect interactions between the apple proliferation phytoplasma and its psyllid vector Cacopsylla melanoneura.

Phytoplasmas are bacterial plant pathogens that are detrimental to many plants and cause devastating effects on crops. They are not viable outside their host plants and depend on specific insect vectors for their transmission. So far, research has largely focused on plant-pathogen interactions, while the complex interactions between phytoplasmas and insect vectors are far less understood.

Characterization of the spatial distribution of alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica, and its natural enemies, using geospatial models.

Background: Understanding the spatio-temporal dynamics of prey and predator distributions can provide valuable insights into pest management strategies and conservation of natural enemies in agro-ecosystems. The alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), is an economically important pest of alfalfa throughout the western United States. Coccinellids and nabids are among the most important natural enemies of this species, contributing to the biological control of H.

Wireworm (Coleoptera: Elateridae) genomic analysis reveals putative cryptic species, population structure, and adaptation to pest control.

The larvae of click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae), known as "wireworms," are agricultural pests that pose a substantial economic threat worldwide. We produced one of the first wireworm genome assemblies (Limonius californicus), and investigated population structure and phylogenetic relationships of three species (L. californicus, L.

Floral Resources for , a Parasitoid of .

The egg parasitoid is the main candidate for classical biocontrol of the invasive agricultural pest . The efficacy of classical biocontrol depends on the parasitoid's survival and conservation in the agroecosystem. Most parasitoid species rely on floral nectar as a food source, thus identifying nectar sources for is critical.

Population Genetic Structure of in Cool-Season Grass Seed Crops of Oregon.

Ergot, caused by , is a primary disease concern in irrigated cool-season grass seed production systems of Oregon. In order to better understand the genetic diversity, population structure, and the epidemiology of in grasses grown for seed, 226 isolates were obtained using a hierarchical sampling strategy from two fields each of Kentucky bluegrass ( = 102) and perennial ryegrass ( = 124) and characterized using 12 microsatellite markers. A total of 194 unique multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were identified in this study.

Seasonal Population Dynamics of Potato Psyllid (Hemiptera: Triozidae) in the Columbia River Basin.

Understanding factors that affect the population dynamics of insect pest species is key for developing integrated pest management strategies in agroecosystems. Most insect pest populations are strongly regulated by abiotic factors such as temperature and precipitation, and assessing relationships between abiotic conditions and pest dynamics can aid decision-making. However, many pests are also managed with insecticides, which can confound relationships between abiotic factors and pest dynamics.

Elimination of from viruliferous in greenhouse pot experiments through cultivation of castle russet.

Corky ringspot (CRS) is a widespread potato tuber necrotic disease caused by (TRV) infection. In the Pacific Northwest, this virus is transmitted by the stubby root nematode (SRN) within the genus . Remediating CRS affected fields is a major challenge that can be mitigated by growing plant varieties that are resistant to TRV infection.

Correction to: Transcriptome profiling of resistance response to Meloidogyne chitwoodi introgressed from wild species Solanum bulbocastanum into cultivated potato.

Following the publication of this article [1], the authors noted an error in Figure 11.

Establishment in an Introduced Range: Dispersal Capacity and Winter Survival of , an Adventive Egg Parasitoid.

The herbivorous brown marmorated stink bug, , has spread globally, and one of its key parasitoids, , has recently been detected in the pest's introduced range. For an exotic natural enemy to impact its targeted host in a novel environment, it must disperse, locate hosts, and potentially be redistributed to susceptible sites. Through intentionally releasing across four Oregon eco-regions, we investigated an introduced parasitoid's dispersal capacity in urban sites and in two perennial crops, hazelnut and raspberry.

Transcriptome profiling of resistance response to Meloidogyne chitwoodi introgressed from wild species Solanum bulbocastanum into cultivated potato.

Background: Meloidogyne chitwoodi commonly known as Columbia root-knot nematode or CRKN is one of the most devastating pests of potato in the Pacific Northwest of the United States of America. In addition to the roots, it infects potato tubers causing internal as well as external defects, thereby reducing the market value of the crop. Commercial potato varieties with CRKN resistance are currently unavailable.

HCPro Suppression of Callose Deposition Contributes to Strain-Specific Resistance Against Potato Virus Y.

Potato virus Y (PVY; Potyviridae) is a continuing challenge for potato production owing to the increasing popularity of strain-specific resistant cultivars. Hypersensitive resistance (HR) is one type of plant defense responses to restrict virus spread. In many potato cultivars, such as cultivar Premier Russet (PR), local necrosis at the site of infection protects against the most common PVY strain, but the HR often fails to restrain necrotic strains, which spread systemically.

Effects of contemporary agricultural land cover on Colorado potato beetle genetic differentiation in the Columbia Basin and Central Sands.

Landscape structure, which can be manipulated in agricultural landscapes through crop rotation and modification of field edge habitats, can have important effects on connectivity among local populations of insects. Though crop rotation is known to influence the abundance of Colorado potato beetle (CPB; Say) in potato ( L.) fields each year, whether crop rotation and intervening edge habitat also affect genetic variation among populations is unknown.