Sustainable Crops Educational Programs Diagnostic Services

Project Leader: Kassie Conner

Background/Situation/Issue: Accurate pest diagnosis is the first and most critical step in any integrated pest management (IPM) program. Appropriate IPM recommendations can only be provided once a pest has been properly identified. The Auburn University Plant Diagnostic Lab (AU-PDL) provides Alabama growers with an unbiased identification of plant problems and management recommendations to protect the health and productivity of plants in the state’s agricultural and natural ecosystems.

Outputs: The root cause of plant health issues was determined through on-site visits, phone or email communication, and laboratory diagnostics. Timely responses and assessment of causal agents help determine specific IPM management tactics growers can utilize to correct and prevent future problems and increase productivity. Critical issues include weather abnormalities; insect infestations; disease introduction and spread; and unsound cultural, chemical, and fertilization practices. THE AU-PDL issued pest alerts when trends in disease or insect activity were observed, developed publications to educate growers of possible problems, and gave presentations to educate growers in identifying specific diseases or insects and their management strategies (increased producer adoption of more sustainable pest management strategies in agriculture). The AU-PDL processed 10,271 samples during 2024; 2,328 were routine (1,121 plant samples, 992 nematode samples, and 215 insect samples).

Outcome: Throughout the year 1 percent of clientele are surveyed to determine specific impacts based on recommendations provided through diagnostics. Clients surveyed (n=23) saved an average of $504/ sample by following the lab’s recommendations. With 2,328 routine samples, the AU-PDL saved clientele $1,173,312. Additionally, of the clients surveyed, 96 percent indicated that they adopted or plan to adopt the IPM recommendations provided by the AU-PDL based on their diagnostics.

In addition to the diagnostics performed, the lab published three peer-reviewed journal articles; presented five proceedings at conferences; issued two pest alerts; provided eleven presentations to various groups on disease identification and management with updates from the lab; presented at the AU Outreach and Engaged Scholarship Symposium; identified six first reports for Alabama; consulted on five regulatory action committees for the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI); maintained USDA certification for testing of four regulated pathogens of concern in this area to assist USDA, ADAI, and Alabama growers; and assisted in the National Clean Plant Network to provide Alabama citrus growers with clean (disease-free) budwood. New diseases are constantly being introduced, and new diagnostic methods have to be developed. This requires frequent staff training. Part of the diagnostic service provided to Alabama Extension personnel is one-on-one training to educate agents in recognizing future problems.

Figure 4. Extension provides support for the state’s Christmas tree growers.

Nursery, Greenhouse, and Christmas Tree Support

Project Leader: Jeremy Pickens

Background: Alabama’s nursery, greenhouse, and Christmas tree industries contribute a direct effect of more than $500 million to the state’s economy.

Technique: This program addresses educational and technical assistance needs by providing educational opportunities and consultations.

Output: In partnership with the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association, this program provided a webinar series for green industry professionals. Extension used regional meetings with grower associations to reach clientele across the state. This initiative increased the clientele’s comfort and preference for web-based opportunities. Presenters used Zoom technology to reach agriscience teachers throughout Alabama and collaborated with the Gulf States Horticulture Expo to provide pesticide training to green industry professionals while they were attending a trade show. The program also helped with educational events at the Southern Christmas Tree Association annual meeting and offered a variety of planned activities and responsive assistance to growers through consultations and diagnostics.

Outcome: The webinar series—recorded and viewed 370 times—resulted in 185 training hours. A pest management workshop was held for 150 green industry professionals, offering 720 commercial pesticide license recertification points to 72 participants. The program also supported the Southern Christmas Tree Association at its annual meeting, which attracted 98 attendees from nearly 50 farms. Forty-five percent of survey respondents reported an increase in knowledge by 26 to 50 percent, while 36 percent indicated more than 50 percent knowledge gains. All attendees stated that the meeting would lead to cost savings, with 36 percent estimating savings of $1,000 to $5,000.

Figure 5. Jeremy Pickens leads educational activities in nursery, greenhouse, and Christmas tree production.

Through a web-based workshop, 94 agriscience teachers engaged in continuing education (CE) focused on school plant sales. Of those surveyed, 93 percent indicated the workshop would result in cost savings for their programs, with 33 percent estimating savings of $1,000 to $2,500. More than 200 interactions with clients of the program provided technical assistance and diagnostic services for crops valued at more than $2 million. The broader public benefited from this program through increased profitability for participants and improved pest management resulting in reduced chemical use and enhanced education for future generations through educational opportunities for agriscience teachers.

Improving Peach Production and Marketing in Alabama

Project Leader: Edgar Vinson

Background: Alabama’s peach industry faces several critical issues. These include inadequate chill accumulation due to warmer winters. This can affect bud break and fruit development. Late-season freezes can significantly reduce yields. Additionally, soil-borne diseases, such as Armillaria root rot (ARR) and peach tree short life, continue to affect orchard longevity and productivity, necessitating effective management strategies.

Output: This project evaluated the concentration and time of applying hydrogen cyanamide to alleviate dormancy. It also analyzed the effects of Armillaria root rot mitigating strategies on the growth and development of peach trees. This project also evaluated the use of colored plastic mulches to increase plant growth of ‘MP-29’ rootstock, which is resistant to ARR.

Outcome: The target audience, which is primarily farmers, gained practical knowledge on how to manage their peach crops during seasons when trees might have received inadequate chilling. They also learned effective strategies in mitigating the effects of Armillaria root rot and were given research-based information on how they might produce their own peach trees grafted onto ‘MP-29’ rootstock, the only rootstock with Armillaria tolerance.

In addition, the peach industry is a key player in the state’s economy and the most valuable fruit crop sector. Local Clanton attractions such as Peach Park and Durbin Farms are popular tourist spots and staple entertainment venues, with Durbin Farms conveniently located off Interstate 65. These businesses drive significant revenue and create jobs while boosting nearby businesses through increased visitor traffic. As a result, the community as a whole benefits from the economic growth and employment opportunities generated by the peach industry.

Improving Vegetable Production in Alabama

Project Leader: Andre da Silva

Background: Vegetable production is an important part of the specialty crop industry in Alabama. Different climate and soil conditions across the state are suitable for growing several vegetable crops, but they also bring challenges, including crop management practices (cultivar selection, fertilization, and irrigation) and integrated pest management (weeds, insects, and disease). Key vegetable crops grown in Alabama are watermelons, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, and sweet corn. The availability of fresh and locally grown produce is always in high demand, and growers require guidance and support on several production systems. Alabama’s vegetable production industry consists of more than 1,400 farms representing a combined total of more than 15,000 acres of vegetable production and adding more than $147 million annually to the state’s economy.

Figure 8. Andre da Silva evaluates vegetable cultivars adaptable to Alabama growing conditions.

Outputs: To support and educate growers in overcoming the challenges of vegetable production in Alabama, the Commercial Horticulture team partnered with the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association to host a meeting attended by more than 300 participants. This meeting occurs annually at the beginning of the year before the vegetable season starts. It provides ready-to-use crop management practices and integrated pest management strategies. The Commercial Horticulture team organized several face-to-face multicounty vegetable production meetings during the growing season. Extension educators offered numerous online opportunities for growers to attend live or to watch on-demand recordings as needed, according to the challenges faced on their farms. The most common topics covered in these sessions were pest identification and management, cultivar selection, site selection, fertilizer management, irrigation scheduling, marketing, and other management practices aimed at increasing crop production. Food safety is also important to farmers and consumers. Extension’s Food Safety team educates farmers so they can provide safe produce to the consumer. The Commercial Horticulture team maintained regular contact with growers through farm visits, office visits, emails, and phone calls. Collectively, thousands of producers received assistance from regional Extension agents and specialists.

Outcome: Vegetable growers increased their production by effectively managing pests and growing more marketable crops. On numerous occasions, Extension assisted farmers in reducing pesticide use, which not only benefits the environment but also lowers expenses for the farmers. The educational activities conducted by the Commercial Horticulture team have resulted in increased production and the availability of fresh produce in many communities across Alabama. Particularly, the Alabama Vegetable Handbook is an essential resource for growers, providing detailed information on the selection of vegetable cultivars best suited to the environmental conditions of Alabama. This handbook helps farmers choose the right cultivars to overcome challenges such as weather variability, pests, and diseases. One farmer reported a $100,000 increase in his annual income due to knowledge gained from the help of his local Extension agent.

Testimonials

• “Our regional Extension agent identified bacterial wilt in our soil and encouraged us to try grafted tomato plants. With other recommendations from our Extension agent, we have higher yields than ever before and increased our income by 20 percent, which accounts for about $28,000.”
• “Our city park saved $5,000 in erosion management on a stream by using the advice from the regional Extension agent.”
• “The Extension agent saved our strawberry crop by identifying spider mites and offering management options, which saved much of the crop worth about $40,000.”
• “A disease was in my turf, and I thought I needed to replant, which would have cost $3,000 or more. My agent explained other options which worked without re-sodding and saved me a lot of time and money.”
• “Thank you for coming out to our land and giving me good advice and direction. It really helps to get input from people like yourself to help in this long-term goal. The information you shared with me on irrigation, pruning, fertilizing, and providing the IPM guide saved us $10,000.”
• “Our newly planted strawberry plants had root rot and the agent explained what we should do this season and in the future to manage the problem. The initial savings is around $20,000 but the potential income over the next few years is worth so much more.”

Chip East, Extension Agent, Commercial Horticulture Coordinator, Auburn University

New June 2025, Commercial Horticulture: Outcomes and Impacts 2024, ANR-3147