Scholarly Works, Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station

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VAES faculty are located at 11 Agricultural Research and Extension Centers in Virginia and three colleges at Virginia Tech (CALS, CNRE, and VMRCVM).

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Researchers see promise in multi-spectral imaging for latent detection of anthracnose disease on strawberry crop
Aljawasim, Baker; Richardson, Patricia; Samtani, Jayesh; Chandel, Abhilash (Virginia Strawberry Association, 2025-02-01)
Decreasing Preweaning Death Loss in Pigs: Key Management Considerations for Small-Scale Farmers
Estienne, Mark J.; Niblett, Richard T. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2024-01-10)
A cooperative study assessing the effects of a second iron injection administered before weaning on growth performance, hematological status, and tissue mineral concentrations of nursery pigs
Chevalier, T. B.; Adeola, O.; Carter, S. D.; Dove, C. R.; Estienne, Mark J.; Levesque, C. L.; Maxwell, C. V.; Tsai, T.; Lindemann, M. D. (Elsevier, 2024-04-01)
Objective: A study involving 7 experiment stations evaluated the effects of a second iron injection adminis- tered before weaning on growth and hematological mea- sures of pigs. Materials and Methods: Pigs (n = 514) were given an iron injection (100–200 mg) on the first day of life. Piglets were then allotted to pairs of similar-weight, same- sex siblings 3 to 5 d before weaning (on d 18–24) with one piglet from each pair receiving a second iron injection. All pigs received common station-specific postweaning diets. Data were subjected to ANOVA with the model contain- ing the terms treatment, station, pair within station, and treatment × station interaction. Results and Discussion: Postweaning ADG was greater for the added-injection group during during 0 to 14 d after weaning, but the response (212.5 vs. 202.6 g) was largely influenced by a single station as evidenced by a treatment × station interaction. The tendency for a treatment × station interaction for overall ADG (d −4 to 28) indicated that iron status was not the most limiting factor for growth at all stations. Hemoglobin concentra- tion was greater for the added-injection group at weaning and d 14 after weaning. Implications and Applications: An additional iron injection before weaning may lead to improved early nursery growth; however, the beneficial effects of an additional iron injection are not universal and are likely dependent on unique herd characteristics including timing and total dosage of iron injections as well as nursery diet supple- mentation.
Leaf Endophyte Community Composition and Network Structures Differ Between Tolerant and Susceptible English Boxwood
Kong, Ping; Li, Xiaoping; Sharifi, Melissa; Bordas, Adria; Hong, Chuanxue (American Phytopathological Society, 2023-09)
Differential tolerance of English boxwood to boxwood blight has been linked to the ratio of culturable bacterial and fungal dominance in the leaf tissue of representative samples. To further understand how the whole endophyte communities may involve the tolerance of large samples, we extracted DNA from healthy leaf tissue of previously identified 28 tolerant (T), 41 moderately tolerant (M), and 21 susceptible (S) English boxwood plants, then sequenced associated bacterial and fungal amplicons using the Nanopore MinION platform. The endophyte community did not differ in diversity among the T, M, and S plants but differed in the abundance of bacteria and fungi, particularly between T and S samples. The bacterial genera Brevundimonas and Ammonifex had higher relative abundance in the T and M communities than in the S community, in which the fungal genera Botrytis and Thermothelomyces and family Chaetomiaceae were more dominant. The same results were obtained when mother and daughter samples in the T community were compared with controls in the S community, suggesting bacteria as a work force in the T community. Cooccurrence network analyses revealed that the T network had more fungal hubs but was less complex, with more positive connections than the S network, suggesting that the T community was supported by a healthier network. The resistance of English boxwood to blight is likely attributed to bacteria dominance and a synergic community network. This study is foundational to constructing synthetic communities and using whole communities of tolerant plants through vegetative propagation for microbemodulated immunity.
Colletotrichum Species Causing Apple Bitter Rot in Virginia: Crop Losses, Distribution and Efficacy of Biorational and Synthetic Fungicides in Field and in vitro
Borba, Matheus C.; Sempeles, Emmanuel M.; Cosseboom, Scott D.; Aćimović, Srđan G. (American Phytopathological Society, 2025)
Apple bitter rot losses in Virginia range from 20 to 90% annually. Distribution of Colletotrichum species in Virginia showed that the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex dominated in the north and central regions, with 66% and 88% of isolates respectively. Colletotrichum acutatum species complex was more prevalent in the south with a 58% dominance shift in mountainous regions. To determine the efficacy of fungicides against apple bitter rot, we assessed 18 treatments of natural origin biorational materials and synthetic fungicides on 'Idared' (ID) and 'Golden Delicious' (GD) apple trees. Over two years, we applied 5 to 6 consecutive spray applications of 15 individual active ingredients from May to August. Bitter rot incidence was evaluated twice each summer. In the first, very rainy year, the top four synthetic fungicides, Omega, Aprovia, ferbam and a grower standard (GS) on ID, and Omega, Captan, Cabrio and Ferbam on GD, achieved 81% to 91% bitter rot control. Biorational materials showed low to no efficacy, allowing 37% to 89% BRI on ID and 21% to 48% BRI on GD. In the second, much drier year, synthetic fungicides achieved 86% to 100% BRI control on GD and 77% to 96% on ID. Among the biorational materials, only Regalia mixed with JMS Stylet oil and only in the second year provided 58% BRI control. EC50 and EC25 assay values for synthetic fungicides aligned well with the field observations. Given the potential for significant economic losses due to bitter rot, reliable fungicides such as Omega (FRAC 29), Aprovia (FRAC 7), Ferbam, Ziram (FRAC M3), and Captan (FRAC M4) are essential management tools for growers. These fungicides should be incorporated into the spray programs to reduce the risk of Colletotrichum resistance to quinone outside inhibitor fungicides, from which commercial apple farms highly depend now. Regalia mixed with Stylet oil offers an additional rotation option during drier years with lower disease pressure.
New fungicide options for managing Sclerotinia blight of peanut
da Silva, Mychele Batista; Langston, David B. (Scientific Societies, 2024-12-02)
Late leaf spot (LLS), caused by Nothopassalora personata, and Sclerotinia blight (SB), caused by Sclerotinia minor, are significant diseases affecting peanut production in Virginia. Field trials were conducted in 2020 - 2022 at two locations per year to identify fungicide programs that manage both diseases. In 2020, pydiflumetofen applied independently, as well as in combination with a premix of azoxystrobin + benzovindiflupyr, provided effective protection against both LLS and SB. This combination demonstrated potential as a cost-effective alternative to fluazinam. Years 2021 and 2022 focused on the most effective timing of pydiflumetofen and the premix of azoxystrobin + benzovindiflupyr. Results demonstrated that the combination of pydiflumetofen and the premix of azoxystrobin + benzovindiflupyr applied 60 and 90 days after planting was most consistent in providing the greatest efficacy against both diseases while improving yield. The tank-mix/premix combination of pydiflumetofen and azoxystrobin + benzovindiflupyr offers effective and economical management of both LLS and SB compared to fungicide programs where fluazinam is added for SB management only.
Apple Bitter Rot: Biology, Ecology, Omics, Virulence Factors, and Management of Causal Colletotrichum Species
Boeckman, Nathanial J.; Borba, Matheus Correa; Bernal, Valentina Valencia; Khodadadi, Fatemeh; Jurick, Wayne M.; Aćimović, Srđan G. (2025-01-12)
Apple bitter rot is caused by various Colletotrichum spp. that threaten apple production globally resulting in millions of dollars in damage annually. The fungus causes a decline in fruit quality and yield, eventually rotting the fruit and rendering it inedible. The pathogen is difficult to keep out of orchards because of its broad host range and transmissibility by rain splash and insects. Once the disease manifests, pathogen identification is difficult due to evolving taxonomy and similar morphology between species. Current management strategies are threatened by an increase in fungicide resistance and regulations on many multisite fungicides, leading to a pressing need for new management options for control. This review aims to summarise the most current knowledge regarding the biology, virulence factors, ecology, omics and emerging management strategies for Colletotrichum species that cause apple bitter rot.
A Bitter, Complex Problem: Causal Colletotrichum Species in Virginia Orchards and Apple Fruit Susceptibility
Khodadadi, Fatemeh; Santander, Ricardo D.; McHenry, Diana J.; Jurick, Wayne M., II; Aćimović, Srđan G. (American Phytopathological Society, 2023-10-23)
Bitter rot, caused by Colletotrichum species, is one of the most devastating summer rot diseases affecting apple production in the Eastern United States. Given the differences in virulence and fungicide sensitivity levels between organisms belonging to the acutatum species complex (CASC) and the gloeosporioides species complex (CGSC), monitoring their diversity, geographic distribution, and frequency are essential for successful bitter rot management. In a 662-isolate collection from apple orchards in Virginia, isolates from CGSC were dominant (65.5%) in comparison to the CASC (34.5%). In a subsample of 82 representative isolates, using morphological and multilocus phylogenetic analyses, we identified C. fructicola (26.2%), C. chrysophilum (15.6%), C. siamense (0.8%), and C. theobromicola (0.8%) from CGSC and C. fioriniae (22.1%) and C. nymphaeae (1.6%) from CASC. The dominant species were C. fructicola, followed by C. fioriniae and C. chrysophilum. C. siamense followed by C. theobromicola developed the largest and deepest rot lesions on Honeycrisp fruit in our virulence tests. Detached fruit of nine apple cultivars and one wild accession (Malus sylvestris) were harvested early and late season and tested in controlled conditions for their susceptibility to C. fioriniae and C. chrysophilum. All cultivars were susceptible to both representative bitter rot species, with Honeycrisp fruit being the most susceptible and M. sylvestris, accession PI 369855, being the most resistant. We demonstrate that the frequency and prevalence of species in Colletotrichum complexes are highly variable in the Mid-Atlantic and provide regionspecific data on apple cultivar susceptibility. Our findings are necessary for the successful management of bitter rot as an emerging and persistent problem in apple production both pre- and postharvest.
First report of Pseudomonas marginalis causing tuber soft rot of potato in Iran
Ghasemi, Simin; Khodaygan, Pejman; Aćimović, Srđan G.; Basavand, Esmaeil (2024-07-25)
In 2016, potato tuber soft rot symptoms were observed in major potato production fields in Jiroft county (southern Kerman province, Iran). Bacteria, which appeared as white to creamy colonies, were isolated from diseased tissues and shown to be pathogenic on potato tubers after inoculation and re-isolation of the isolates. Based on the assessment of colony morphology, biochemical characteristics, and analysis of 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequences, the pathogen was identified as Pseudomonas marginalis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. marginalis causing potato tuber soft rot disease in Iran.
Solar Appeal
Stallknecht, Eric; Lunt, Richard; Runkle, Erik (Ball Publishing, 2024-06-01)
Solar Appeal, Part 2
Stallknecht, Eric; Lunt, Richard; Runkle, Erik (Ball Publishing, 2024-07-01)
Shifts in water use in grapevine due to an invasive sap-feeding planthopper persist following insect removal
Harner, Andrew D.; Leach, Heather; Briggs, Lauren; Smith, Donald E.; Zweifel, Roman; Centinari, Michela (Elsevier, 2025-02-01)
Increasing outbreaks of invasive insect pests pose a substantial threat to the functioning and viability of cultivated and wild woody perennial species worldwide. In the eastern U.S., the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula White; SLF), an invasive phloem-feeding planthopper, was reported to be able to negatively impact late-season plant carbon dynamics in various woody perennial species following repeated or prolonged infestation and feeding events. However, it remains unclear if SLF infestations also impact plant water relations and if SLF-mediated effects persist when populations are controlled and feeding stops. This study investigated how late-season exposure to SLF impacts whole-plant water relations by assessing diurnal sap flow and trunk radius changes in grapevines subjected to varying infestation densities of adult SLF. In two seasons, vines exposed to high infestation densities (an average of 180 SLFs per vine) for up to 31–32 days of cumulative SLF exposure had significantly lower sap flow rate than those with no SLF, resulting in up to 38 % less daily total water use. Trunk diurnal amplitudes increased under SLF infestation, but impacts were less dependent on infestation density, suggesting that grapevines may be utilizing trunk water storage during infestation to meet both grapevine water use and SLF sap ingestion. In both cases, SLF-mediated effects persisted following removal of SLFs, suggesting that exposure to high populations of SLF can alter patterns of late-season grapevine water use, at least when populations are not effectively controlled. These results indicate that SLF can modify both whole-plant water relations and carbon dynamics concurrently, further defining the implications that intensive infestations by high populations of SLF have for woody perennial whole-plant physiology.
Characterization of Boxwood Shoot Bacterial Communities and Potential Impact from Fungicide Treatments
Li, Xiaoping; Tseng, Hsien Tzer; Hemmings, Ginger; Omolehin, Olanike; Taylor, Chad; Taylor, Amanda; Kong, Ping; Daughtrey, Margery; Gouker, Fred; Hong, Chuanxue (American Society for Microbiology, 2022-08-08)
Phyllosphere bacterial communities play important roles in plant fitness and growth. The objective of this study was to characterize the epiphytic and endophytic bacterial communities of boxwood shoots and determine how they may respond to commonly used fungicides. In early summer and early fall, shoot samples were collected immediately before and 1, 7, and 14 days after three fungicides containing chlorothalonil and/or propiconazole were applied to the canopy. Total genomic DNA from shoot surface washings and surface-sterilized shoot tissues was used as the template for 16S rRNA metabarcoding, and the amplicons were sequenced on a Nanopore MinION sequencer to characterize the epiphytic and endophytic communities. The bacterial communities were phylogenetically more diverse on the boxwood shoot surface than in the internal tissue, although the two communities shared 12.7% of the total 1,649 identified genera. The most abundant epiphytes were Methylobacterium and Pantoea, while Stenotrophomonas and Brevundimonas were the dominant endophytes. Fungicide treatments had strong impacts on epiphytic bacterial community structure and composition. Analysis of compositions of microbiomes with bias correction (ANCOM-BC) and analysis of variance (ANOVA)-like differential expression (ALDEx2) together identified 312 and 1,362 epiphytes changed in abundance due to fungicide treatments in early summer and early fall, respectively, and over 50% of these epiphytes were negatively impacted by fungicide. The two chlorothalonil-based contact fungicides demonstrated more marked effects than the propiconazole-based systemic fungicide. These results are foundational for exploring and utilizing the full potential of the microbiome and fungicide applications and developing a systems approach to boxwood health and production.
Assessment of Water Quality, Growth of Penaeus vannamei, and Partial Budget in Super-Intensive BFT and RAS: A Comparison Between Sustainable Aquaculture Systems
Ramiro, Bianca de Oliveira; Wasielesky, Wilson; Pimentel, Otávio Augusto Lacerda Ferreira; Sun, Taozhu; McAlhaney, Ethan; Urick, Stephen; Gonçalves, Fernando H.; van Senten, Jonathan; Schwarz, Michael H.; Krummenauer, Dariano (MDPI, 2024-12-15)
This study evaluated water quality, growth, and partial budget analysis (PBA) for Penaeus vannamei, comparing super-intensive Biofloc Technology (BFT) and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). The 69-day trial used 100 L units with two treatments (RAS and BFT), each with three replicates. Shrimp were initially reared in a 30-day nursery to a weight of 0.10 ± 0.04 g and then stocked at 500 shrimp m⁻³. Biofloc growth in BFT was promoted by maintaining a C:N ratio of 15:1, adding dextrose when total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) reached 1 mg L⁻¹. Probiotics (3 g m⁻³) were administered daily to both groups. TAN levels in BFT initially spiked but stabilized after 36 days. Vibrio abundance was initially higher in RAS, but by the end of the trial, it was higher in BFT. Final weight, weekly growth ratio, and yield were greater in BFT, whereas feed conversion ratio (FCR) and water use were higher in RAS. Survival rates were 83.33% in BFT and 88% in RAS. BFT achieved a superior net benefit/cost compared to RAS. Although RAS more effectively controlled nitrogenous compounds, BFT exhibited better growth performance, with higher final weights, lower FCR, and better Vibrio management. The partial budget analysis indicated an economic advantage for BFT, with a net positive benefit of $2270.09 when shifting from RAS to BFT due to lower operating costs and higher shrimp yield. Among these two sustainable production systems, BFT was more productive while utilizing less natural resources.
Identifying an Early Leaf Removal Threshold for Grüner Veltliner, a High-Yielding, High-Vigor Cultivar
Harner, Andrew D.; Smith, Maria S.; Keller, Stephanie T.; Hopfer, Helene; Centinari, Michela (American Society for Enology and Viticulture, 2024-03-11)
Background and goals: Early leaf removal (ELR) is a canopy management practice that can reduce bunch rot and improve fruit maturity by modifying cluster architecture and fruit zone microclimate. The goal of this study was to identify an ELR threshold that balances improvements to fruit quality and reductions in yield for a highly vegetative and high-yielding Vitis vinifera cultivar grown in the eastern United States, Grüner Veltliner. Methods and key findings: Over two consecutive years, we applied a wide range of ELR severities (three to 12 leaves per shoot) at trace bloom (Eichhorn-Lorenz [E-L] stage 19) and evaluated relationships between increasing ELR severity and fruit set, yield param-eters, fruit maturity, bunch rot, and juice volatile composition at harvest. In the first year, increasing ELR gradually reduced fruit set, subsequently lowering yield via reducing berry number and cluster weights. Additionally, ELR increased fruit ripeness while reducing rot incidence. However, extreme ELR (10 to 12 leaves per shoot) negatively affected inflorescence floret number and fruitfulness in the following year. In the second year, only high ELR severities (eight to 12 leaves per shoot) reduced yield parameters, and improvements in fruit ripeness or bunch rot were not observed, likely because of poor weather conditions during fruit ripening. The impact of increasing ELR severities on juice volatile composition was largely limited to benzaldehyde (a volatile phenylpropanoid), which was negatively affected by ELR in both years. Conclusions and significance: Removal of six to eight leaves per shoot appeared to be the optimal ELR severities for grapegrowers seeking crop management and rot reduction for high-yielding cultivars like Grüner Veltliner. However, as reported in the second year of this study, the effects of ELR may vary by year and be limited by unfavorable weather conditions.
Modeling the Impacts of Weather and Cultural Factors on Rotundone Concentration in Cool-Climate Noiret Wine Grapes
Harner, Andrew D.; Vanden Heuvel, Justine E.; Marini, Richard P.; Elias, Ryan J.; Centinari, Michela (Frontiers, 2019-10-15)
The sesquiterpenoid rotundone is the compound responsible for the "black pepper" aroma of many plant species, including several economically important wine grape varieties. Since its identification in wine in 2008, there has been an increased interest in understanding how individual climatic or cultural factors affect the accumulation of rotundone in grapes and subsequently the level of wine "pepperiness." However, no study has assessed climatic and viticultural factors together to identify which variables have the strongest influence on rotundone accumulation. Our study aimed to fill this knowledge gap by developing a predictive model that identified factors that explain rotundone concentrations in Noiret (Vitis sp.) grapes at harvest. Over the 2016 and 2017 seasons, we measured 21 viticultural, meso- and microclimatic variables and concentrations of rotundone in Noiret wine grapes at seven vineyards in the northeastern U.S. Vineyard growing degree days (GDD _v ) and the amount of solar radiation (cumulative solar exposure; CSE_v) accumulated from the beginning of fruit ripening to harvest were the variables best correlated (r = 0.70 and r = 0.74, respectively) with rotundone concentrations. Linear correlations between microclimatic parameters and rotundone concentrations were weaker, but overall rotundone was negatively correlated with low (<15°C) and high (>30°C) berry temperatures. Using the 2-year data set we were able to develop a four-variable model which explained more than 80% of the variation in rotundone concentration at harvest. The model included weather [growing degree days during fruit ripening (GDD _v )] and plant-related variables (concentrations of phosphorus and calcium in the leaf petiole, and crop load). The model we developed could be used by wine producers to identify sites or cultural practices that favor rotundone accumulation in Noiret grapes after performing a model validation with an additional, external data set. More broadly, the statistical approach used here could be applied to other studies that also seek to assess the effects of multiple factors on a variable of interest under varying environmental conditions.
Influence of Region on Sensory and Chemical Profiles of Pennsylvania Gruner Veltliner Wines
Keller, Stephanie T.; Harner, Andrew D.; Centinari, Michela; Elias, Ryan J.; Hopfer, Helene (MDPI, 2021-04-10)
The influence of cultural and environmental factors on the sensory and chemical profiles of wines has been the subject of research investigation for many years, and an examination of these relationships can help determine whether wine regional trends exist. The present study investigated the chemical and sensory factors that drive regional differences in Pennsylvania Grüner Veltliner wines through a controlled winemaking study across two vintages in 2018 and 2019. Descriptive analysis was used to identify key sensory attributes of Pennsylvania Grüner Veltliner. Intensities of these attributes were evaluated in wines vinified under identical conditions from grapes harvested across nine Pennsylvania vineyards. Chemical profiles of finished wines were examined through volatile, phenolic, and color analyses. Significant sensory differences were found between wine regions, with some trends consistent across both vintages; however, regionality based on compositional analyses was less clear. As the first study to examine Pennsylvania Grüner Veltliner wines sensorially, results revealed sensory characteristics that can be useful for wineries and their tasting room staff in marketing these lesser-known white wines to wine consumers as the variety grows in popularity in the state.
Prolonged phloem feeding by the spotted lanternfly, an invasive planthopper, alters resource allocation and inhibits gas exchange in grapevines
Harner, Andrew D.; Leach, Heather L.; Briggs, Lauren; Centinari, Michela (Wiley, 2022-10-05)
Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula White; SLF) is a phloem-feeding planthopper invasive to the Eastern United States that can feed on a range of wild and cultivated plant species. Since its 2014 introduction in the United States, large infestations and subsequent economic damage have been reported in cultivated grapevines, but no studies have detailed grapevine physiological responses to SLF phloem feeding. This study investigated grapevine-SLF interactions, detailing how different infestation densities affect leaf gas exchange and end-season concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates and nitrogen in vegetative and perennial tissues of two Vitis species. Effects on fruit ripeness parameters and dormant bud freeze tolerance were examined, in addition to other year-after effects. Phloem feeding by low densities (≤4 SLF shoot−1) had minimal effects, whereas greater densities (5–15 SLF shoot−1) increasingly affected carbohydrate and nitrogen dynamics in both Vitis species. Phloem feeding substantially affected starch and, to a lesser extent, total nitrogen concentrations of woody roots. Prolonged exposure strongly reduced leaf gas exchange. We conclude that intensive late-season phloem feeding by large adult SLF population densities (≥8 SLF shoot−1) can induce carbon limitation, with the potential for negative year-after effects in cases of severe belowground carbon depletion. This work presents novel insights into SLF-grapevine interactions, identifies avenues of future SLF-plant research, and assists the development of action thresholds for SLF management in vineyards.
Evaluation of Giant Knotweed Extract, Regalia, and Antibiotics in Control of Shoot Blight and Fire Blight Canker Phases on Apple
Boeckman, Nathanial; Borba, Matheus Correa; Aćimović, Srđan G. (MDPI, 2024-09-26)
We evaluated the effectiveness of three different treatment groups at managing apple shoot blight, and the resulting canker incidence and canker length on wood caused by Erwinia amylovora. Preventative foliar sprays or trunk injections of giant knotweed extract (Regalia), oxytetracycline (Arbor-OTC or FireLine + Regulaid), or streptomycin (Agri-mycin/FireWall + Regulaid) were applied to mature ‘Fuji’ trees. Regalia and oxytetracycline were ineffective at reducing shoot blight severity, showing poor disease reductions of 18.2% and 24.3% compared to untreated controls across both years. Streptomycin was effective at controlling shoot blight severity when applied as a spray application, reducing necrosis by up to 93.9% across both years. Canker incidence was also poorly reduced by Regalia and oxytetracycline with an average decrease of 33.3% and 52.4%, respectively. Again, spray applications of streptomycin were most effective at reducing canker incidence (95.2%). When present, canker length was best controlled by spray applications of streptomycin, showing an average reduction of 95.7%. The effectiveness of Regalia and oxytetracycline was poor, reducing canker length by only 30.4% and 43.5%, respectively. Trunk injections of Regalia were consistently less effective than spray applications. Compared to their spray application counterpart, Regalia injections were, on average, 12.5%, 26.3%, and 25.1% less effective at reducing shoot blight severity, canker incidence, and canker length, respectively. Injected Arbor-OTC was more effective than spray applications of oxytetracycline. On average, Arbor-OTC injections were up to 28.3%, 40.1%, and 30% more effective at reducing shoot blight severity, canker incidence, and canker length compared to spray applications. Overall, Regalia and oxytetracycline were not as effective as streptomycin at controlling fire blight. The search for organic antibiotic alternatives for shoot blight and canker control continues, as cankers are increasing in economic importance by causing bearing wood and young tree death.
Seafood Purchasing Behavior in the U.S. during the Early Recovery Period from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Uzmanoglu, Mustafa Selcuk; Hegde, Shraddha; Engle, Carole; van Senten, Jonathan; Kumar, Ganesh; Dey, Madan (MDPI, 2024-09-03)
This study examined seafood consumption during the early period of economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, surveys of U.S. consumers compared seafood purchasing behavior of the first two quarters of 2021 (Q1, 1 January through 31 March 2021, and Q2, 1 April through 30 June 2021) with those of 2020. Each survey included 100 seafood consumer respondents in each of the 20 U.S. metropolitan market areas. Following data cleaning, there were 1885 valid responses for Q1-2021 and 1940 for Q2-2021. A majority (57%) of respondents had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before March 2021 and 70% had received at least one dose as of June 2021. Regardless of vaccination status, few respondents (6% to 9.5% for food generally and 4% to 6.5% for seafood) reported changes in seafood consumption. Seafood consumption away from home increased significantly in Q1-2021 as compared to 2020 and continued to increase but to a lesser degree in Q2-2021. Demographic differences were found in shopping behaviors by age, education, income, and gender, but not by ethnic group. Generally, higher-income females with higher education tended to purchase more seafood. Respondents reported increased numbers of shopping trips per year in Q1-2021 as compared to 2020, which continued into Q2-2021 for general food, but shopping trips for seafood decreased as compared to 2020. The frequency of takeout purchases (times/year) of prepared meals for home consumption of seafood decreased during Q1 from 2020 and remained at that level in Q2-2021, but home delivery purchases of prepared meals of seafood increased during this period. Approximately 50–55% of respondents reported no change in overall seafood consumption levels, while 28% noted an increase in seafood consumption compared to pre-pandemic periods, a significant increase from the 19% who had reported doing so pre-pandemic. In contrast, those reporting a decrease declined from 31% to 17% in comparison to pre-pandemic levels. Seafood consumption in the U.S. remained stable and recovered in early 2021, with a preference for dining out. Consumer behaviors varied by age, income, education, and gender, but not by ethnicity. These changes were primarily driven by access, availability, and income, indicating the need for further research on long-term consumption patterns. This study found apparent stability of seafood consumption by U.S. consumers, which recovered from pandemic consumption levels in early 2021, and there was little change in seafood consumption, frequency, or the types of seafood consumed. Vaccination status did not appear to affect seafood consumption.

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