TSU - UT Collaborative Research Teams

Research and Collaboration Plan for 2003-2004

Tennessee State University Cooperative Agricultural Research Program

The University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station

The Tennessee State University Cooperative Agricultural Research Program, hereafter referred to as TSUCARP, and the University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station, hereafter referred to as UTAES, were included in the settlement of the Civil Action #5077, Geier et al. v. Sundquist et al. The Consent Decree resulting from this case instructs both TSUCARP and UTAES to expand agricultural research collaboration.

This research and collaboration plan describes joint efforts to be undertaken for the 2003-2004 fiscal year. The plan was prepared through face-to-face discussions regarding potential collaborations and through collective revisions of several drafts. Dr. Stephen H. Kolison, Jr., representing TSUCARP and Dr. Jack Britt, representing UTAES agreed on the final version of the plan.

I. Establishment of the Tennessee Fire Ant Research and Education Team

The Tennessee Fire Ant Research and Education Team will comprise faculty members, postdoctoral associates and staff from TSUCARP and UTAES as well as a network of Extension agents and program leaders from the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service. The team will focus on controlling fire ants in the State’s nursery industry and on providing educational programs for nursery producers in counties impacted by fire ant infestation and in areas where emerging infestations are likely. The research activity will be conducted primarily at the Otis L. Floyd Nursery Crop Research Center in McMinnville with additional technical support provided by laboratories in Knoxville and Nashville. Educational programs will be conducted by Agricultural Extension Agents in all of the quarantined counties in Tennessee.

The Core Team members and project leaders will include:

Karen Vail, Associate Professor, UT Entomology and Plant Pathology

Patrick Parkman, IPM Coordinator, UT Entomology and Plant Pathology

Jason Oliver, Research Assistant Professor, TSUCARP Nursery Crop Research Center

To Be Named, Postdoctoral Fellow from UT to be located at the TSUCARP Nursery Crop Research Center in McMinnville

To Be Named, Postdoctoral Fellow from TSUCARP to be located at the TSUCARP Nursery Crop Research Center in McMinnville

The Research Component will focus on developing strategies to control fire ants in nursery production. Examples of efforts include:

A. Evaluation of nonchemical controls, such as cold, nematodes, and flooding, to produce fire ant-free ball and burlap trees.

B. Support of on-going evaluations of cost-effective chemical controls that would reduce chemical exposure to workers and the environment.

C. Development of strategies to ensure the orderly movement of nursery stock from fire ant infested areas to non-infested areas.

The Educational Component will focus on developing educational materials for producers and employees working in infested counties and adjacent counties. Agricultural Extension Agents will serve as leaders of educational programs within their respective counties and will work with the Research Team in developing programs. Examples of educational programs include:

A. Development of educational materials that provide information to help distinguish fire ants from similar-looking native ants and other mound producers. Ant images will be made using the UT Entomology and Plant Pathology Auto Montage unit.

B. Establishment of guidelines for initiating community-wide abatement programs (modify existing guidelines from other states using TN rules and regulations). The team will work with Extension Agents in affected areas to conduct abatement programs.

C. Maintenance and updating of newly developed fire ant web site to be located on the UT Entomology and Plant Pathology server.

Budget:

The proposed budget for the Tennessee Fire Ant Research and Education Team totals $657,011. The University of Tennessee will contribute $328,911 toward the team’s work through allocation of Geier Funds and state- or federal-appropriated funds. Tennessee State University will contribute $328,100 toward the project from Geier Funds and state- or federal-appropriated funds.

Progress:

Pesticides Applied To Individual Fire Ant Mounds During Winter Months As Potential Treatments For Certifying Nursery Stock - 2003 Tennessee Trial

II. Creation of TSU-UT Agricultural Faculty Research Working Groups

The agricultural administrators from TSUCARP and UTAES have identified four broad areas of potential agricultural research collaboration. The administrators will organize four working groups of faculty who will be charged with developing research plans for submission to USDA and other agencies for funding. Each working group will comprise faculty from both campuses and meetings will be convened on the UT campus in Knoxville and on the TSU campus in Nashville. The four working groups will include the following:

1. Animal genetics - convene in Knoxville

2. Plant genomics - convene in Knoxville

3. Agricultural policy - convene in Nashville

4. Disease and insect diagnostics - convene in Nashville

Each working group will be charged with developing a plan for collaboration, including a plan for preparation and submission of competitive grants to acquire additional funding.

III. Expansion of Disease and Insect Diagnostics Network

The University of Tennessee currently operates a state-wide distance diagnostic network for diagnosing plant diseases and insects using digital cameras, microscopic equipment and computer technology at approximately 50 locations throughout the state. This network will be expanded during the 2003-2004 fiscal year through funds generated from external grants. As part of the expansion, a site will be added at TSUCARP in Nashville. Entomologists and plant pathologists at TSUCARP will become part of the statewide diagnostic team. Tennessee State University requests an additional $57,200 from Geier Funds to add expertise in disease and diagnostic work associated with section III of this plan.

IV. Acquisition of Funds for Joint Collaborations

The TSUCARP and the UTAES will continue to seek federal and state funding in areas of mutual interest. Pursuit of funding for horticultural research will be as detailed in the ‘Addendum to Memorandum of Understanding on Expanding Agricultural Research Collaboration Between Tennessee State University Cooperative Agricultural Research Program and the University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station’. Also, we will also seek joint funding in specific areas identified by the four faculty working groups described in Section II of this plan. Funding will be sought from federal and state sources as well as from industry groups, organizations and agencies.

V. Establishment of a Nursery Advisory Group

The TSUCARP and the UTAES will establish a Nursery Advisory Group comprising nursery producers from across the state. The group will meet at least twice annually with faculty and administrators from the two universities to review research and outreach efforts related to nursery programs and to provide recommendations for programs and projects.

VI. Reporting

A joint annual report of accomplishments and activities will be prepared in June of each year and submitted to University, State and Federal officials as well as leaders of agricultural groups in Tennessee. In addition, the TSUCARP and UTAES will prepare joint press releases regarding accomplishments and activities, and these will be distributed to statewide media sources.