Research Projects

HORTICULTURE
Project Leader: George Clough, Research Horticulturist

Research in crop production systems, irrigation, crop nutrition, and quality, with both existing and new high-value crops. Projects include: evaluation of commercially-acceptable varieties of fresh-market and processing crops for adaptability to distinctive Columbia basin climate     (2) development of appropriate uses of drip irrigation, polyethylene mulches and row covers to promote earlier harvest and increased yields of high-quality produce (3) refinement of recommendations for fertilizer sources, rates, and placement with both drip-irrigated, polyethylene-mulched vegetable production systems and sprinkler-irrigated processing crops such as onion and potato (4) improvement of irrigation and fertilization technologies to minimize negative impacts of agricultural practices on the environment testing and evaluation of new production technologies.

RIPARIAN ENTOMOLOGY

Project Leader: Sandra DeBano, Riparian Entomologist

My research focuses on the roles that terrestrial invertebrates play in linking riparian areas with adjacent streams and uplands, especially in arid and semi-arid lands. Current research interests include examining the effect of various aspects of riparian condition on the abundance, diversity and community composition of terrestrial invertebrates, and how these effects are translated through food webs involving fish and wildlife in adjacent streams and terrestrial uplands. I am also interested in how riparian condition affects the density of pest and beneficial invertebrates in agricultural lands next to riparian areas. Other research interests include the development of terrestrial invertebrate indices of riparian condition that can be used for biomonitoring riparian restoration efforts and examining the impacts of livestock grazing on invertebrate communities.

PLANT PATHOLOGY/DIAGNOSTICS
Project leader: Phil Hamm, Extension Plant Pathologist
Laboratory Manager: Stacy Gieck

Field Research Manager: Nick David

Duties include working with diseases of vegetable crops, directing a diagnostic laboratory for crop problems, and cooperating in applied research dealing with virus, fungus and nematode control of diseases in cucurbit, tomato, and potato, onion, and peppers.

POTATO VARIETAL DEVELOPMENT
Project Leader: Dan Hane, Research Agronomist
Research Assistant: Laurie Leroux

Potato variety selection and evaluation trials, and research on the effects of nitrogen fertilization and water rate on tuber yield and quality. Evaluation of advanced selections for field resistance to early dying, potato leaf roll virus, potato virus Y, and nematodes.

RE-USE CONSORTIUM
Project Leader: Don Horneck, Extension Agronomist

Soil and plant nutrition including manure, biosolid, re-use water and fertilizer management. Projects include liming, grass seed, reclamation grasses, general agronomy and irrigation water quality.

IPM - INSECT ECOLOGY - BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

Project Leader: Silvia Rondon, Extension Entomologist

Biological control, insect biology and ecology, and population dynamics; basic and applied field and greenhouse production. Integrated Pest Management including biological control, cultural and pesticide screening with a responsibility for irrigated crops in eastern Oregon.

Interests include the implementation of sustainable practices in the potato crop, insecticide and miticides applications to reduce pest population and their effect in non-target natural enemies. New emerging pests, such as the potato tuberworm, will be holistically approached through the use of integrated pest management practices. Pest biology, population characteristics, modeling, cultural, biological, chemical and implementation and adoption of IPM practices will be studied in collaboration with other entomologists and crop production practitioners.

Problems with the selection of pest management practices for eastern Oregon are serious since many of the control strategies developed for pests in other grass seed production areas are ineffective for Columbia Basin conditions. The impact of insects and mites (pests and beneficials) in the Columbia Basin is basically unknown. We will identify pests and beneficials that are associated with grass seed production that will allow us to select and determine long term sustainable management practices.

Disseminate information on insect and mites pests in various crops, effective control methods through periodic reports, presentations, and field tours with cooperating industry representatives and growers.

AQUATIC ENTOMOLOGY

Project Leader: David Wooster, Aquatic Entomologist

My research interests would be stream ecology, aquatic invertebrate biology,

restoration effectiveness monitoring, stream food webs, stream and riparian linkages.