Grafting in the US: SCRI-USDA
Program Overview, Challenges and
Opportunities.
Frank J. Louws
Director NSF Center for IPM, Department of Plant Pathology
North Carolina State University
Raleigh NC USA 27695-7616. [email protected]
NC STATE UNIVERSITY
Grafting in the US: SCRI-USDA Program
Overview, Challenges and Opportunities.
Outline:
I. Overview of the USDA funded
project
II. International Activities (Current)
III. Challenges and Opportunities for
Discussion
Symposium Objectives
•Summarize the current status and expected future
of grafting
•Increase understanding of challenges and
opportunities associated with preparing and using
grafted vegetable plants
•Strengthen and diversify partnerships required to
widen the application of vegetable grafting as
cornerstone technology
•Describe Team goals and approaches
Generation 1 – TACTIC SUBSTITUTION:
finding non-ozone depleting fumigant alternatives
Generation 2 – TACTIC DIVERSIFICATION:
finding non-fumigant tactics and focus on IPM
tactics
Generation 3
TACTIC DEVELOPMENT:
microbial ecology and farming
systems research
Generation 4 –
SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS
MB Alternatives research
Development of IPM programs
PRACTICE: Grafting of vegetable crops: Translating
international knowledge and experience and adapting it to
USA systems of production.
SCIENCE: Understanding the mechanisms –
e.g. population structure and dynamics of pathogens
e.g. host genetics and physiology
OUTCOMES HAVE: Direct and Indirect Benefits
The Practice can direct the Science and the Science can
inform the Practice
Practice
Science
Project Director(Frank Louws)
Executive Team
Project Coordinator (Dr. Olya Sydorovych)
CAP Advisory Team
Propagation &
distribution
Effective Use &
Management
Economic &
Social Metrics
Adoption,
Education &
Evaluation
Grafting Technologies
WG
(Kubota)
Decision Support Sys.
Grafting
methods
Propagatio
n methods
Propagatio
n GAP
Tom
ato
Cu
curb
its
Tomato Evaluation and Growing Systems WG (Freeman)
Rootstock
evaluation
Growing sys. optimization
Cucurbit Evaluation and
Growing Systems WG
(Hassell)
Rootstock
evaluation
Growing sys. optimization
Postharvest
Quality and
Health
Benefit WG
(Perkins)
Economics and
Social Analysis
WG
(Sydorovych)
Extension, Outreach and
Education WG (Kleinhenz)
Enterprise
economics
Social &
environ.
impacts
Grafting
website
On-farm
evaluation &
demonstration
Digitalprint media
products
Evaluation WG (Jayaratne)
Hands-on
workshop
Stakeholder
based
regional
education
programs
Working Group Leader Institutional Leader
Grafting
Technologies
Chieri Kubota The University of
Arizona
Tomato Systems Josh Freeman (formerly V-Tech)
Cucurbit Systems Richard Hassell Clemson University
Postharvest Quality Penny Perkins
Economic and
Social Analysis
Olya Sydorovich
Extension,
Outreach, Education
Matt Kleinhenz The Ohio State
University
Evaluation Dr. Jayaratne
Nancy Burelle
Erin Rosskopf
USDA-ARS Fort
Pierce FL
Xin Zhao Univ. of Florida
Frank Louws NC-State University
USDA SCRI CONTACTS
Goal: Is to be expansive and build a national to
international network of Universities, programs,
companies, growers and other stakeholders
e.g. other key University leaders:
Cary Rivard – Kansas State University
Carol Miles – Washington State University
Carl Sams – University of Tennessee
Gene Miyao – University of California
Etc…..
USDA SCRI CONTACTS
Partners – (Third Party Match)
53 private partners representing the global diversity
of the industry including:
•Multiple farmers throughout the US (OFR)
•Grower Associations
•Automation/Robotics companies
•Seed companies (especially rootstock seeds)
•Propagators/transplant growers
•Consultants & other Stakeholders
Expand or create profitable business opportunities
Practice
Science
Grafting Technology Membership –
Communication NetworkInvestigators
Univ. of AZ: Chieri Kubota (chair), Young Jun Son & Russell Tronstad
Clemson: Richard Hassell & Anthony P. (Tony) Keinath
University of Florida: Xin Zhao, John Schueller & Monica Ozores-Hampton
North Carolina State Univ.: Frank Louws & Olya Sydorovych
The Ohio State Univ.: Matt Kleinhenz & Sally Miller
Washington State Univ.: Carol Miles
Industry members
Jardin, Japan: Yukihiko Higuchi
IAM-BRAIN, Japan (with ISEKI): Keita Yoshinaga
ISO Group, The Netherlands: Wim van der El
Log House Plants, USA: Alice Doyle
Ontario Plants Propagation, Canada: Tim Vanderkooy
Plug Connection, USA: Tim Wada
RediPlants, USA: Bob Poklemba
Rocket Farms, USA: Marc Clark
Salus Tarim, Ltd., Turkey: Hande Saganak
Syngenta Seeds, USA: Dean G. Liere
Verdant Earth Technologies, USA: Myles Lewis
Grating Technology (propagation/distribution)
WG Goals and Objectives
GoalsTo reduce the costs of grafted seedlings
To improve the availability to US open-field producers
Objectives Problem-solving for grafting propagation
Research and evaluate new propagation and distribution methods
Development of decision support system for propagators to plan, design and optimize grafting propagation operations, logistics and supply chains
Good agricultural practices development on seed treatment and grafting hygiene
Cucurbit WG Membership –
Communication Network• Investigators
• Univ. of Florida: Xin Zhao, Steven Olson
• USDA/ARS HRL: Erin Rosskopf, Nancy Kokalis-Burelle
• Clemson Univ.: Richard Hassell, Anthony Keinath, Gilbert Miller
• NC State Univ.: Jonathan Schultheis, Allan Thornton, Chris Gunter, Penny
Perkins-Veazie
• The Ohio State Univ.: Matt Kleinhenz
• Industry members • Dean G. Liere, Syngenta, Full Count Plant Program
• Luther McLaughlin, Abbott & Cobb, Inc.
• John Schoenecker, Harris Moran Seed Company
• Pepe Gomez, Nunhems Seed Company
• National Watermelon Association
• Brent Jackson, Jackson Farming Co. Autryville NC
• Bradley O’Neal, Coosaw Farms, Fairfax, SC
Cucurbit Use and Management WG
Goals and Objectives
• Goals:
• To provide a grafted transplant to the final user that will meet or exceed the needs of the cucurbit industry
• Objectives:
• 1) Evaluate resistance of rootstocks and grafted seedlings to selected diseases of regional importance.
• 2) Develop horticultural practices to maximize the efficacy of grafted plants in conventional and organic cropping systems.
• 3) Determine if fruit quality parameters of cucurbits are enhanced by specific rootstock/scion combinations.
GOAL: To engage industry leaders to enhance the
exchange of ideas; discuss challenges and
opportunities; facilitate business relationships
2012 Florida
Conference
FUTURE OF THE PROJECT?
CURRENT: Funded 9/2011 to 8/2014 (with
Extension)
FUTURE:
•SCRI funding is in the current farm bill
•Appears to have high support
•May be a rapid turn-around if the farm bill
passes
•Competitive process
•Opportunity to become a formal third party
partner
NC STATE UNIVERSITY
Introduction to the Conference and
Project Goals.
Outline:
I. Overview of the USDA funded
project
II. International Activities (Current)
III. Challenges and Opportunities
for Discussion
http://www.vegetablegrafting.unitus.it/index.php/meetings-and-conferences/murcia.html
Athens 2012
How do you think we can link with the European programs?
NC STATE UNIVERSITY
Introduction to the Conference and
Project Goals.
Outline:
I. Overview of the USDA funded
project
II. International Activities (Current)
III. Challenges and Opportunities
for Discussion
Conv. Organic Home
Garden
Field + ++ ++
Tunnel ++ +++ NA
Specialty
(heirloom)
++ +++ +++
e.g. Tomatoes
Where will grafting be most useful?
What are the core areas of research/extension?
Field Conv.
Disease +
Value Added
(yield; fruit quality)
++
Where will grafting be most useful?
What are the core areas of research/extension?
Major issues:
•Level of risk prior to harvest
•Unsure profitability in the industry
Nov 2012 Florida tomato farmers in fierce battle to stay profitable | Tampa Bay ...
www.tampabay.com/news/business/.../florida-tomato...in.../1260030
There is a time to
graft and a time
not to graft
METRIC: How do we measure adoption?
i.e. Is it possible to track rootstock seed sales?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Wilt
Incid
ence (
%)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Days after transplanting
FL47 Non-grafted
FL47 Self-grafted
CRA66
HI7998
BHN998
BHN1053
BHN1054
DP105
DP106
Shincheong Gang
Cheong Gang
Disease Progress Curves Jackson Co. 2012
LS
D (P
=0.0
5) fo
r final %
Wilt
Is it possible (and productive) to learn about the genetics
of the rootstock?
Efficiency of evaluation programs…
Clinton NC
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
RK
N G
allin
g I
nd
ex (
1-1
2)
Non
Self
Big Power
Beaufort
Maxifort
T-II
Root Knot NematodeMeloidogyne incognita race 1
Caveat: Effect of genome background on Mi gene expression….
Non-grafted 8357 D 1964 Y
Self-grafted 8751 D 1228 Y
Telone II 379 B 1260 Y
Big Power 77 A 40 Z
Beaufort 2680 C 2542 Y
Maxifort 3091 C 1251 Y
First Harvest Terminal Harvest
Root-knot nematode soil populations / 500 cc soil
LSD based on P = 0.01
RKN Populations
Rivard et al. 2010. Plant Disease 94:1015-1021.
NC STATE UNIVERSITY
Introduction to the Conference and
Project Goals.
Outline:
I. Overview of the USDA funded
project
II. International Activities (Current)
III. Challenges and Opportunities
for Discussion (BIOLOGICAL)
Grafting – A component of IPM
Over reliance on specific genes for host resistance:
New races
e.g. bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, root knot
nematodes.
Over reliance on rootstocks that confer “non-host”
resistance:
New Pathogens
e.g. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lagenariae on bottle
gourd rootstock (Lee and Oda, 2003; Sakata et al.
2007)
Over reliance on grafting in the absence of other IPM
tactics:
Re-emergence of minor pathogens. Colletotrichum
coccodes, Rhizoctonia (AG-4) and other pathogens
(Garibaldi et al. 2008; Minuto et al. 2008; Minuto et
al. 2007).
Grafting can double or triple your chances of
spreading seedborne and mechanically transmitted
pathogens (e.g.) Clavibacter, Acidovorax, viruses .
“ shifty enemies” Invasive species
“Know your enemy”
What is the impact of rootstock selection
on foliar disease incidence?
• Downy mildew incidence was decreased using Cucurbita
ficifolia rootstock (Gu et al. 2008).
• Cucumber grafted on a bloomless rootstock increased scion
incidence of target spot (Corynespora sp.) (Hasama et
al.1993)
• Powdery mildew and target leaf spot (Corynespora cassicola)
incidence in cucumber scions increased or decreased
depending on the rootstock used (Hasama et al. 1993; Sakata
et al. 2006)
• Rootstocks have been observed to increase or decrease the
incidence of (non soilborne) virus infection in the scion (Davis
et al. 2008; Sakata et al. 2008)
• Lagenaria rootstock conferred resistance to the carmine
spider mite Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Edelstein et al. 2000)
• Where will grafting be most useful?
• What are the core areas of research/extension?
• How do we measure adoption?
• Is it possible (and productive) to learn about the
genetics of the rootstock?
i.e. how do we enhance the private/public inter-
relationships?
• What is the next step for the Symposium?
• What is the next step for the project team and
partners?
• What is the next step for grafting in the USA?
Summary of Questions