Quarterly Progress Report: First Quarter FY 2009

 

View printer friendly version (PDF 1.07 MB)

EPA Demonstration Project on Hydrilla and Hygrophila in the Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes; EPA Grant #X796433105-1 (Hydrilla / Hygrophila Demonstration Projects - Osceola County, FL)

Project description and Goals:        
This project is a combination of studies that will result in improved water quality and natural habitat in Osceola County lakes.  Hydrilla and Hygrophila are exotic invasive weeds that are dominating the lakes aquatic ecosystem, shading out natural vegetation, reducing oxygen level, increasing the amount of sediments, and impacting flood control in lakes and canals. The project objectives are to evaluate the effectiveness of Experimental Use Permit herbicides, biological controls and application methods of herbicides in the treatment and control of Hydrilla and Hygrophila using small-scale fieldwork, large-scale field demonstrations and public outreach on the progress and findings.

Participants:  Hilda Hatzell, EPA Project Officer, Region 4
Eleanor Foerste, Project Manager, Osceola County

Reporting period:      First Quarter, EPA Fiscal Year 2009 October 1 - December 31, 2008

Project activities during reporting period: 

• What work was accomplished for this reporting quarter?

Element 1

• Continued monitoring Stewart Rd pond treatment with FL EUP number FL08-EUP-01 at a rate of 50ppb. FL08-EUP-01 treatment continues to hold with little to no hydrilla growth (Stewart Rd pond). 
• Continued monitoring Granada Blvd pond treatment with FL EUP number FL08-EUP-02 at a rate of 400ppb and Oak Tree Pond treatment with FL EUP number FL08-EUP-02 at a rate of 400ppb. FL08-EUP-02 treatments continue to hold with little to no hydrilla growth (Granada and Oak Tree ponds).
• Continued monitoring four ponds (#1, 2, 3, 40) in the BVL subdivision treatment with various rates of imazamox and penoxsulam.
• Herbicide screenings continued in Gainesville at the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants (CAIP).

Element 2

• Evaluating demonstration treatments that combined penoxsulam and endothall.
• Attempts to apply endothall to Goblet’s Cove via a novel drip injection system were cancelled due to the inability to coordinate water flows with water managers.  A treatment has been planned for early January 2009 utilizing an aerial application.
• Monitoring continuing in hydrilla/vallisneria grids on Lake Toho.
• Continued sampling of sediments to determine hydrilla tuber populations in sites throughout Lake Cypress, Lake Hatchineha, and Lake Weohyakapka.
• Monitoring herbicide residue and water quality associated with the large-scale hydrilla treatment (approximately 6,000 acres) initiated in mid-December.

Element 3 Task 1

• A controlled temperature aquarium-scale study was completed looking at Mt dry formulation performance on hydrilla to confirm some of the temperature trends detailed by recent collaborative efforts with USDA.
• Mt bioherbicide was applied as part of an integrated treatment plan in two Osceola County ponds to examine potential interaction with two other aquatic herbicides.
• Investigation of an entirely new production process began this quarter in an effort to confirm a more cost-effective method for commercial scale-up and field evaluation.
• Permitting process and business arrangements are being made with two different commercial fermentation companies for evaluation and production scale-up of liquid or dry formulations.

Element 3 Task 2

• The discovery of many new natural enemies of hygrophila, including three defoliating caterpillars, one leaf mining beetle and the rust fungus from states of Assam and West Bengal, India.
• Found plant parasitic nematodes associated with hygrophila.

Element 3 Task 3

• Efforts were initiated in Burundi to colonize two potential insect biological control agents of hydrilla that are chironomid species (midges); Polypedilum wittei and Polypedilum dewufli. 
• In Uganda, hydrilla leaf tissue was identified in fish trapped in an area with hydrilla.  A first attempt to conduct an exclusion study to assess the impact of fish feeding on hydrilla was conducted in October 2008, but failed due to the movement of cages after a large storm.  The experiment will be repeated in January 2009.  
• Hydrilla samples collected from many locations in the world have genotyped at nine microsatellite loci.  These loci were variable across ascensions but were generally less variable within a given area.  A more detailed analysis of Florida samples revealed a surprising level of genetic variability, with loci containing from 3 to 19 alleles.  Out of 205 samples collected from across Florida, there were at least 127 unique genotypes, 104 of which were only found in a single sample.
• We are now convinced by our molecular genetic work that hydrilla is not native to Africa, as we had previously thought. The genetic studies clearly point to China as the center of origin.

Element 4

• The Extension Faculty- Aquatics position was filled by Stacia Hetrick, who started on October 27, 2008.
• Teacher Training workshop on hydrilla and hygrophila and other invasive plants is being planned for July 2009.
• Developed abstracts for submission to professional meetings.
• Attended six meetings with representatives from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC), and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) regarding hydrilla and hygrophila control.
• Displayed project information at two local and state events.
• Working on developing new outreach strategies.
• Significant Findings this Quarter?
• Several EUP herbicides have shown promise in Osceola County ponds.  These herbicides are progressing towards full registration.
• Sampling in Lakes Tohopekaliga, Cypress, and Hatchineha suggest tuber populations throughout Toho and Cypress remain quite robust and widespread, while tuber populations in Lake Hatchineha (~6000 acres) are significantly lower and limited mainly to the northeast lobe of the lake.  This finding would suggest that rigorous scouting and early hydrilla detection and rapid response actions on the main body of Lake Hatchineha should continue to be pursued.   
• Discovery of many new natural enemies of hygrophila, including three defoliating caterpillars, one leaf mining beetle and the rust fungus from states of Assam and West Bengal, India.
• We are now convinced by our molecular genetic work that hydrilla is not native to Africa, as we had previously thought. The genetic studies clearly point to China as the center of origin.
• Hydrilla is not a problematic weed in Africa, which raises the question of whether biotic agents suppress its densities. The Polypedilum midges may be involved, but we believe that herbivorous cichlid fish may play an important role in regulating hydrilla in Africa.  In the coming months we will test that hypothesis.

• Is the project work on schedule?
• This quarter? 

Yes, with some delays in Element 2, Element 3 Task 1, and Element 4 Task 4.  Element 2 is delayed due to cancellation of drip treatment due to water flows.  A treatment has been planned for early January 2009 utilizing an aerial application.  Element 3 Task 1 is behind schedule because a cost-effective production process for Mt has not been determined.  A Spring 2009 window is being targeted for commercial-scale production and field demonstration of Mt bioherbicide produced using a new production process (in development).  Element 4 Task 4, development of a portable kiosk display, was delayed due to the extended extension faculty vacancy but will be completed in FY 2009.

• For the project? Yes

• Does the new schedule require a time extension? A time extension is not necessary at this time.
• Is there a change in the Grantee’s Authorized Representative or any of the key contacts? Yes.

Element 4:  Stacia Hetrick has replaced Dr. Tina Bond as Element 4 coordinator and has been employed by UF/IFAS Osceola County Extension effective 10/27/2008.

Stacia Hetrick,  Faculty-Aquatics
UF/IFAS Osceola County Extension
1921 Kissimmee Valley Lane
Kissimmee, FL 34744
321-697-3000
321-697-3010 fax
Email shet@osceola.org

• Project spending for reporting period:

$151,993.93 was expended this quarter, with total project costs at 12/31/2008 $1,278,627.47.  Project balance is $ 2,881,000 – 1,278,627.47= $1,602,372.53

 

EPA Demonstration Project on Hydrilla and Hygrophila
in the Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes
EPA Grant   #X796433105-1

Reporting period:      ­­First Quarter, EPA Fiscal Year 2009  October 1 – December 31, 2008

Person Reporting:      Sarah Berger, Osceola County         
                                    Dr. Bill Haller, University of Florida

Element:  Element 1 Development and Testing of New Aquatic Herbicide

Project activities during reporting period:

• What work was accomplished for this reporting quarter?

1. The storm-water pond located at the corner of Stewart Rd and Pleasant Hill Rd (Stewart Rd Pond) was treated during the last reporting period on April 30, 2008 with FL EUP number FL08-EUP-01 at a rate of 50ppb (parts per billion).  Plant heights were measured on a bi-weekly basis and this continued through the current quarter.  The trend is shown below.

2. The storm-water pond located at the corner of Granada Blvd and Pleasant Hill Rd (Granada Pond) was treated on June 9, 2008 with FL EUP number FL08-EUP-02 at a rate of 400ppb. Plant heights were measured on a bi-weekly basis and this continued through the current quarter.  The data is shown below.

3. The storm-water pond located across from Pleasant Hill Estates on the east side of Pleasant Hill Rd (referred to as “Oak Tree Pond”) was treated on June 9, 2008 with FL EUP number FL08-EUP-02 at a rate of 400ppb.  Plant heights were measured on a bi-weekly basis and this continued through the current quarter.  The data is shown below.

The trends for both ponds treated with FL08-EUP-02 are shown below.

4. Four ponds (#1,2,3, & 40) in the BVL subdivision were treated during the third quarter of this reporting year with various rates of imazamox and penoxsulam (see 2008 Q4 Report for rates).  The plant height mean for each pond is represented in the following figure.

5. Under the herbicide screening section of this element:

Methodology
Studies were conducted at The Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants (CAIP), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Plants were collected from Rodman Reservoir near Interlachen, FL and experiments were conducted in a shade house (70% sunlight). Five 10-cm-long sprigs of hydrilla were planted in each 25 cm pot, then four pots were placed in each 95 L tank that contained 74 L of water. Treatments consisted of the application of varying concentrations of lactofen (Cobra), isoxaflutole (Balance), oxadiazon (Ronstar), sethoxydim, nicsulfuron (Accent), diclosulam (Strongarm), and acifluorfen (Blazer) to young growing hydrilla in the tanks. Plants were allowed to acclimate for 2 weeks prior to herbicide application. All living plant tissue was harvested at the soil line 8 WAT (weeks after treatment), placed in a drying oven at 90 °C for 1 week and shoot biomass was recorded.

Results and Discussion
Results of these experiments showing activity of seven herbicides on hydrilla are presented in Figures 1-7. Among these herbicides, only lactofen, nicsulfuron, and diclosulam (Figures 1, 5 and 6) looked promising and showed activity on hydrilla. Plants treated with diclosulam and nicsulfuron were dark pink/purplish in color, brittle and did not recover from herbicide injury by the time of harvest. Initial injury symptoms of lactofen included quick destruction of cell walls followed by growth inhibition. The only other herbicide which showed some activity during screening was isoxaflutole (Figure 2). Isoxaflutole has the same mechanism of action as fluridone, i.e. inhibition of phytoene desaturase enzyme in hydrilla, thus fluridone resistant hydrilla might be also cross-resistant to this herbicide. All other herbicides did not have activity on hydrilla and showed no difference in shoot biomass 8 WAT to the untreated plants. Lactofen is effective on hydrilla in greenhouse studies, but this herbicide is toxic to blue gills at concentrations above 50 ppb, so the potential for being registered in aquatic ecosystems is unlikely. The other two herbicides which showed very good efficacy on hydrilla (diclosulam and nicsulfuron) belong to the ALS-inhibitors class of herbicides. These herbicides have a similar mechanism of action in plants by non-competitive inhibition of acetolactate synthase (ALS), the first enzyme in the biosynthesis of branched-chain amino acids valine, leucine and isoleucine. However, during the last three years, we have had two ALS herbicides (penoxsulam and imazamox) registered for aquatic use in the US and two more ALS herbicides (bispyribac-sodium and UF 101) are being evaluated for hydrilla control. One of the major concerns with the extensive use of ALS herbicides is the common development of resistance in many terrestrial weed species. Indeed, there are more confirmed weed species resistant to ALS herbicides than to any other herbicidal mode of action. There is significant cause for concern that hydrilla will develop rapid ALS herbicide resistance if these herbicides are not rotated with alternate modes of action. Our screening program continues to seek alternative modes of action.

Figure 1: Dry weight of hydrilla 56 days after application of lactofen (Cobra) at The Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants Shade House.

Figure 2: Dry weight of hydrilla 56 days after application of isoxaflutole (Balance) at The Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants Shade House.

Figure 3: Dry weight of hydrilla 56 days after application of oxadiazon (Ronstar) at The Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants Shade House.

Figure 4: Dry weight of hydrilla 56 days after application of sethoxydim at The Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants Shade House.

Figure 5: Dry weight of hydrilla 56 days after application of nicsulfuron (Accent) at The Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants Shade House.

Figure 6: Dry weight of hydrilla 56 days after application of diclosulam (Strongarm) at The Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants Shade House.

Figure 7: Dry weight of hydrilla 56 days after application of acifluorfen (Blazer) at The Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants Shade House.

• What Milestones have been met for your Element?

Element 1, Task 1 Milestone:
Hiring/training of personnel will occur in Year 1 and 3 to 4 treatment sites will be located for herbicide treatment the first and second quarter of year 2007.  An additional 3 to 4 sites containing different native aquatic plants will be treated annually (spring) of each year and plant communities monitored for up to 1 year following herbicide application.  Hiring completed April 16, 2007.  Training will be a continuing process.  Several sites from previous quarters are still being evaluated.

Element 1, Task 2 Milestones:
In the first two years, 5-10 compounds will be tested annually for activity against hydrilla and hygrophila.  Concentration/exposure times (CET) will be conducted on these products with the greatest potential for future registration, as well as some of the older products (1-2 products per year).  Greenhouse and shadehouse studies, and phytotoxicity studies will be conducted on the greatest potential for future registration, which may be two to three products annually. Completed throughout year but testing still ongoing.

• Were there any significant problems encountered? No
• Is the project work on schedule? Yes.
  • This quarter?  Yes.        
  • For the project?  Yes.
• Are there any significant findings this quarter? 

Several EUP herbicides have shown promise in Osceola County ponds.  These herbicides are progressing towards full registration.

• What is the future direction of the work?

Continue evaluating EUP herbicides both in the field (Osceola County ponds) and laboratory (UF-CAIP) settings.  Continue studies to help determine how to use these herbicides more effectively.

• Is there a change in the key contacts for this element? No.

 

EPA Demonstration Project on Hydrilla and Hygrophila
in the Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes
EPA Grant   #X796433105-1

Reporting period:   First Quarter, EPA Fiscal Year 2009 October 1 – December 31, 2008

Person Reporting:  Michael D. Netherland, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center

Element:  Element 2: Evaluation of Currently Registered Herbicides for Control of Hydrilla

Project activities during reporting period:
 

• What work was accomplished for this reporting quarter? 
• We are evaluating demonstration treatments conducted by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) in Lake Tohopekaliga that combined penoxsulam and endothall. Treatment areas included protected sites near Goblet’s Cove, Scotty’s Cove, and Cypress Cove and applications were initiated in mid-October.  For the combination work endothall was applied at a rate of 1 ppm (parts per million) and penoxsulam was applied at a rate of 20 ppb (parts per billion).  Cypress Cove (88 acres) was first treated with penoxsulam followed by endothall at 2 weeks and Scotty’s Cove (70 acres) was treated with endothall at 3 ppm.  The back half of Goblet’s Cove (214 acres) was treated with penoxsulam and 50 acre blocks of endothall were applied the same day, at 7 days after penoxsulam application, and at 21 days after penoxsulam application. Water samples were collected in conjunction with the treatment and efficacy assessments are ongoing.   
• The use of treatment combinations of endothall and penoxsulam met the project objective of determining if combinations may provide enhanced efficacy, improved selectivity, or better treatment longevity.  The October treatments were the first large-scale demonstrations utilizing a contact herbicide and an enzyme inhibitor.  Based on these results, future treatment recommendations can be refined.
• We continue to monitor the hydrilla/vallisneria grids (2 x 2 m) that were set up on Lake Toho.  Grids were established with 3 different plant densities, 90% hydrilla and 10% vallisneria, 50% hydrilla and 50% vallisneria, and 10% hydrilla and 90% vallisneria.  In addition, similar grids were established on Lake Hatchineha and Lake Kissimmee.  These sample grids will be monitored over the next year and data will be used to provide improved recommendations for use of endothall when both hydrilla and vallisneria are present.  Lake Toho grid locations are located in areas that received direct herbicide application in December as well as in areas that are not scheduled to receive direct treatment.
• In addition to Lake Tohopekaliga sampling completed last quarter, we continued to sample sediments to determine hydrilla tuber populations in sites throughout Lake Cypress, Lake Hatchineha, and Lake Weohyakapka.  Lake Toho and Cypress continue to support dense hydrilla infestations while the main body of Lake Hatchineha and Lake Weohyakapka continue to support very sparse populations. Tuber density information may be valuable in determining the likelihood of rapid hydrilla regrowth in these large lakes.
• Large-scale hydrilla control operations were initiated in mid-December on Lake Tohopekaliga.    The timing of the treatments was planned to avoid the nesting season of the endangered snail kite.  Large block applications of the liquid herbicide, endothall (Aquathol K), were applied via helicopter to the south end of the lake and the mid-portion of the lake.  Total treatment acreage was approximately 6000 acres and applications occurred over a five-day period.  Herbicide residues, water quality, and efficacy were all collected in conjunction with this application.  Over thirty residue and water quality stations were located both within the treatment blocks and well outside the treated areas.  Sampling efforts and efficacy monitoring are ongoing.
• Large-scale endothall applications in the late fall (mid-December) on Lake Toho met the project objective for evaluation of the impacts of treatment timing on efficacy and selectivity.  Prior large-scale efforts with endothall during this project have included early fall applications (early October) in shallow water, late winter applications (early March), and mid-Spring applications (mid-April).  We will compare herbicide residue behavior, treatment efficacy, and treatment selectivity for the December applications.
• Internal review comments for an article entitled “Response of Hydrilla to Various Field Concentration and Exposure Time Scenarios with the Herbicide Endothall” have been received. Once these comments are addressed, this article will be sent out for peer-review to a scientific journal.

• A paper entitled “Response of Hydrilla to Three Acetolactate Synthase Inhibitors” has been prepared and sent out for internal review.  Once comments are received and addressed, the article will be sent for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
• What Milestones have been met for your Element?

Research efforts for this quarter were directed towards all milestones noted in the work plan with the exception of Hygrophila research.

• Were there any significant problems encountered?

Attempts to apply endothall to Goblet’s Cove via a novel drip injection system were cancelled due to the inability to coordinate water flows with water managers.  A treatment of Goblet’s Cove has been planned for early January 2009 utilizing an aerial application.  We will continue to pursue a drip endothall application in the Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes as described in Element 2, Task 1.  Water flows and water schedules that are managed by the South Florida Water Management District will dictate when a drip application will be possible.

• If so, what measures were taken to correct the problem?

No specific measures have been taken.  Water flows are subject to local rainfall patterns and water schedules maintained by the South Florida Water Management District and US Army Corps of Engineers.  The current lack of water flow through Goblet’s Cove suggests that an aerial application will provide good control of the hydrilla.  We will continue to pursue a future drip endothall application but feasibility and timing of this will depend on rainfall patterns and water schedules as described above.

• Is the project work on schedule?
  • This quarter?
  Other than the cancellation of the drip endothall application in Goblet’s Cove, project work is on schedule.
• For the project? 

Overall project work is on schedule.  In working with currently registered herbicides, we have made the decision to work as closely as possible with operational treatments.  This puts some of the work ahead of schedule and some behind.  Overall project goals are being met on a timely basis.

• Are there any significant findings this quarter?

Sampling in Lakes Tohopekaliga, Cypress, and Hatchineha suggest tuber populations throughout Toho and Cypress remain quite robust and widespread, while tuber populations in Lake Hatchineha (~6000 acres) are significantly lower and limited mainly to the northeast lobe of the lake.  This finding would suggest that rigorous scouting and early hydrilla detection and rapid response actions on the main body of Lake Hatchineha should continue to be pursued.   

• What is the future direction of the work?

We will be involved in rigorous monitoring of the large-scale endothall treatments that were initiated this quarter as well as for treatments planned for Lakes Tohopekaliga, Lake Hatchineha (northeast lobe), and Lake Kissimmee in the upcoming quarter.  We continue to put more emphasis on monitoring residues and water quality changes as well as efficacy and selectivity (vallisneria, Illinois pondweed) following these treatments.  Where feasible, we will continue to evaluate treatment combination of endothall and penoxsulam or imazamox.  Long-term efficacy and hydrilla recovery will remain a strong part of our monitoring program.  We will continue to work with water managers and pursue a drip endothall application as described in Element 2, Task 1.

EPA Demonstration Project on Hydrilla and Hygrophila
in the Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes
EPA Grant   #X796433105-1

Reporting period:   First Quarter, EPA Fiscal Year 2009 October 1 – December 31, 2008

Person Reporting: Mark Heilman

Element:  Element 3 Task 1: Demonstration of Hydrilla Control in Osceola County, Florida using Mycoleptodiscus terrestris (Mt), a new contact bioherbicide, for Aquatic Plant management

Project activities during reporting period:

• What work was accomplished for this reporting quarter?  

Laboratory Studies - As briefly described in last quarter’s report, an aquarium-scale study was performed to better quantify hydrilla control performance under different water temperature regimes.  This study was completed during the current reporting quarter.  Hydrilla was established in 12L aquaria.  Aquaria were maintained in three incubation tanks with different target temperatures—20, 26, 32°C (Figure 8 – upper left).  Incubation tank water temperatures were maintained using a combination of temperature-controlled water heaters and a chilling unit.  A separate set of study treatments (untreated, 0.6, 1.2, 2.4 g Mt formulate per aquaria) was established in each different insulated temperature incubation tank.  The chilling unit had trouble achieving the low-end 20°C temperature. 

Figure 8. Setup (upper left) and representative pictures of hydrilla condition at harvest of aquarium study conducted to document temperature-related efficacy of a dry formulation of stored dry Mt bioherbicide produced originally in April 2007 (18 months prior to this study).  Photo in upper right shows bioherbicide rate response at 21.7°C while the lower photos at left and right show rate responses at 26.1, and 31.5°C.

The realized average study temperatures in incubation tanks were 21.7, 26.1 and 31.5°C as measured using temperature data loggers.

At final harvest, the 1.2 and 2.4 g/L Mt rates at the 31.5°C temperature provided 100% control of treated biomass.  However, this study was conducted statically, and dissolved oxygen dropped near zero in these higher rate aquaria.  The full control achieved may reflect additional water quality-related stress to treated hydrilla at the higher test rates.  Overall, besides the greater control at the two highest test rates, no other temperature-related difference in control was measured.  This outcome does not fully correlate with laboratory growth parameters measured by USDA (see 2008 Q3 Report) that suggested reduced virulence potential at the low and high study temperatures used here.  The temperature-mediated differences in activity noted by USDA were rather sharp at the 20 and 32°C levels.  It may be that slightly greater temperature extremes would have produced a more definitive difference in virulence, and change in study range to 18 – 34°C would be likely focus of a follow-up study.

Figure 9. Reductions in hydrilla shoot biomass at three different water temperatures three weeks after treatment with three rates of Mt bioherbicide.  Rates of 0.6, 1.2, and 2.4 g Mt material per L of treated water correlate to 500, 1000, 2000 lbs dry product per acre.

Collaboration with NC State – An aquarium study was conducted in North Carolina State University (NCSU) greenhouse examining the relative infectivity of Mt dry formulation on 5 different submersed aquatic plants: hydrilla, elodea, cabomba, coontail, Eurasian milfoil.  Study was run at 5 different test rates with some treatments combined with fluridone herbicide.  Final results have not been analyzed to date, but visual observations at six weeks post treatment indicate that treatments provided only limited control (20-50%).

Status of Pilot-scale commercial production – Two different commercial sources have been identified for either liquid or dry Mt formulation scale-up.  Both collaborating companies are in the process of submitting applications for USDA APHIS PPQ526 permits to allow receipt of Mt from USDA in Peoria for the purpose of beginning commercial-scale up.  The permits should be submitted in late January with anticipated approval in late March or early April.  APHIS is unfortunately renowned for permit delays so we’ll update in next quarter report if significant delays there may impact current timeline.  If permits are received approximately April 1, initial pilot production will begin immediately with goal of initial scale-up field evaluations in May.  It is likely that additional test ponds will be needed for these evaluations, so an effort will be made to investigate and secure a handful of additional sites during the coming quarter.  In the interim, anticipated production and handling protocols for Mt will be reviewed with commercial partners for the goal of quick startup of production in the spring. 

Field Evaluations in Osceola County – While investigating alternate production protocols, the fall window for improved Mt performance was utilized to conduct field trials examining the interaction of Mt in combination with two other chemical herbicides: endothall and penoxsulam.  Previous US Army Corps of Engineers lab studies (Nelson and Shearer) have identified positive interaction with both herbicide actives.  Four 10’ x 70’ plots were treated as follows (see text description and figure 10):
           
Pond 1 (Osceola Corrections) – Topped-out hydrilla treated 10/21/08 with 30 ppb (parts per billion) penoxsulam (Galleon SC) applied to ½ of pond (15 ppb whole pond dose).  Also on 10/21, a 1 ppm (parts per million) dose of endothall (Aquathol K) was applied to the same half of the pond.  This first contact application was applied via backpack from the shore. On 11/21, a repeat 1 ppm dose of endothall was applied via in-water injection into same half of pond and two Mt plots were also treated, one in each half of the study pond.  20 liters of Mt liquid formulation was applied in each 700 square-foot plot.  Study goal here was examination of Mt interaction with pnx:endo (penoxsulam: endothall) combination or interaction with penoxsulam only.

Pond 2 (FDOT – US192) – Subsurface hydrilla growth treated 10/21/08.  Of the two study plots in this pond, one was treated with 2 ppm endothall (Aquathol K) and 20 liters of Mt liquid formulation while the other was treated only with 20 liters of Mt.  No systemic herbicide was present.  2 ppm rate of Aquathol was used due to limited size of study plot compared to 1 ppm half pond dose.  This trial was intended to provide evidence of interaction in the field as well as document if applying to subsurface hydrilla would improve control vs. application to more mature or topped-out vegetation.

Figure 10. Design of Fall 2008 Mt:herbicide combination pond treatments in Osceola County.

Pond 1 (Osceola Corrections) – Results Summary

The initial chemical herbicide treatment in late October produced only light injury to hydrilla in the half of the pond where endothall was applied.  Penoxsulam levels were determined through immunoassay analysis (Fig.11).  Penoxsulam was slightly higher in treated half than 30 ppb target on day 4 following treatment, and measured levels on untreated side were less than 2 ppb indicating slow early mixing.  By two weeks later 11/7, whole pond levels were close to target dose. 

Figure 11. Penoxsulam levels in Osceola Corrections Pond – Fall 2008

By November 21, 2008, hydrilla remained topped-out with some tissue injury on surface plants.  Endothall injury was likely reduced by backpack method of application since the treatment produced only a light top-burn on hydrilla.  Growth regulation from penoxsulam (Galleon) herbicide was evident on both sides of the pond within a couple weeks after treatment.  The second endothall application on November 21, 2008 using subsurface injection produced greater injury with indications of faster control in the plot with Mt applied (see Fig 12. open areas of hydrilla canopy in 12/2 Mt+Pnx+Endo photo). By late December, much of the hydrilla on both sides of the pond had collapsed with significant defoliation (see Fig 12. 12/23 photo).  There was some mostly floating hydrilla remaining on pond edge and residual biomass on the bottom.  As expected with penoxsulam present, hydrilla showed no active growth.

For initial 30-day assessment, a presence/absence evaluation combined with measurements of plant canopy height were made in attempt to document differences between the two Mt-treated plots.  Ten (10) locations each along transects through the center of the two plots were assessed.  Results found hydrilla still present at 100% of the sites in both plots.  Height measurements did not detect a significant difference between the two plots (Fig. 13).  At 2 MAT (months after treatment) assessment, full biomass collection from treated plots will be used to further determine any significant difference between plots with and without Mt bioherbicide.

Figure 12. Representative photos from Osceola Corrections pond from fall 2008 (continued below).  Pnx= penoxsulam, Endo= endothall.

Figure 12. Representative photos from Osceola Corrections pond from fall 2008 (continued from above)

Figure 13. Mean hydrilla height above sediments at Osceola County Corrections Pond on 12/23 after 11/24 treatments. On 11/24, hydrilla was topped out in all plots and measured 6 feet in length in Mt plots and 7 feet in assessed adjacent areas without Mt treatment.  P= penoxsulam, E= endothall.

Pond 2 (FDOT – US192) – Results Summary

Applications of Mt and endothall to plots within this site in late November produced little or no visible injury as of late December assessment.  Hydrilla coverage was unchanged, and average plant height of 3.5 feet above sediments did not change in either treatment plot.  The scale of applications or herbicide rates may need to be higher to produce greater injury in future, partial pond treatment designs like this one.   

• What Milestones have been met for your Element?

Laboratory evaluations quantified treated-water temperature effects on Mt bioherbicide performance using dry bioherbicide product stored refrigerated for 18 months.  Efficacy of stored material was again confirmed and performance was not significantly impacted by water temperature in the study.  Field demonstrations of bioherbicide in conjunction with other herbicides were attempted in this quarter.  Results appear inconclusive or show minimal impact.  Investigation of an entirely new production process began this quarter in an effort to confirm a more cost-effective method for commercial scale-up and field evaluation.  Part of this process involved application for and receipt of an additional APHIS containment permit by USDA in Peoria, and initiation of similar activity with two commercial fermentors.

• Were there any significant problems encountered?

Yes.  As has been indicated in previous reports, a cost-effective production process for the bioherbicide has not yet been determined.  Overall field performance has been unsatisfactory at current use rates with the historical production process, so the production process must change significantly to enhance efficacy and reduce cost.  

• If so, what measures were taken to correct the problem?

In order to investigate a new production process in the coming quarter, a new USDA APHIS containment permit was required. This permit was received in December 2008 and initial studies began at the beginning of the 2009 calendar year.  In anticipation of commercial scale-up of a new production protocol on an accelerated timetable, two commercial fermentation partners have been identified and have begun the process to apply for permits to allow Mt production at their facilities.

• Is the project work on schedule?
  • This quarter? 

Yes.  Focus has shifted towards development of a new production process while demonstrating potential new field use patterns (herbicide combinations, timing) that might improve overall field performance.

• For the project? 

No.  Project is at least one-year behind initial schedule in work plan.

• If the project is not on schedule, what is proposed for a revised schedule?

A Spring 2009 window is being targeted for commercial-scale production and field demonstration of Mt bioherbicide produced using a new production process (in development).  If successful and cost-effective, demonstrations will be repeated as conditions allow to confirm performance and begin registration process in late 2009.

• Does the new schedule require a time extension?

While the project is roughly one year behind target schedule, planned activities still fall within the 4-year window of grant.  Overall project status and the need for an extension would be most appropriate for review after completion of spring evaluations using new production protocols.

• Are there any significant findings this quarter?  None to report.
• What is the future direction of the work?

As indicated in several places in the report, a new production process is under early stages of evaluation as of the beginning of the year with an accelerated timetable for evaluation and scale-up.

• Is there a change in the key contacts for this element?  No.

 

EPA Demonstration Project on Hydrilla and Hygrophila
in the Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes
EPA Grant   #X796433105-1

Reporting period:   First Quarter, EPA Fiscal Year 2009 October 1 – December 31, 2008

Person Reporting:  James P. Cuda

Element:  Element 3 Task 2:  Foreign Exploration for Natural Enemies of Hygrophila

Project activities during reporting period:

• What Milestones have been met for your Element?

Element 3, Task 2:  Milestones:
Activity 1 Milestone:  Foreign exploration for natural enemies on Hygrophila spp.
Extensive field surveys to identify candidate natural enemies damaging hygrophila were carried out recently in the states of Assam and West Bengal, India. In total, 34 different survey sites throughout these two Indian states were visited during the ~ 4 month long survey period (13 Sep - 20 Dec 2008). All survey sites were geopostioned and their altitudes from mean sea level were recorded.  During the course of these surveys, several interesting natural enemies were discovered severely damaging this invasive plant. Among various insects collected were two defoliating caterpillars damaging terrestrial hygrophila plants, one caterpillar that completely defoliates submerged hygrophila plants, and a leaf mining beetle (see pictures below); a leaf feeding weevil (not pictured) also was discovered.   The leaf rust fungus, which was included in the previous report, was observed causing extensive damage to hygrophila in the states of Assam and West Bengal.  In most of the locations we visited, both sweep net and Berlese funnel samples were collected. These sampling methods produced a host of insects associated with this plant. The specimens were preserved according to established procedures for subsequent identification. To characterize the ecological niche preferred by hygrophila in its native range, a detailed analysis of the soil (% Organic C, available N, P & K) and water (pH, EC & Dissolved Oxygen) was conducted at the survey sites. We also extracted nematodes from soil samples containing hygrophila roots. To our knowledge, this is the first record of several plant parasitic nematodes associated with hygrophila.

Centre for Agricultural Bioscience International (CABI) Activities:

• Continued negotiations with Kew Herbarium to obtain DNA from Hygrophila polysperma.  Currently DNA has been extracted from only recent herbarium specimen, which was from Sri Lanka.  However, permission was not obtained for samples to be taken from Indian collections, since the specimens were considered too old and valuable.  However, this decision by Kew may be overturned.
• Efforts have continued to find the best pathway for exporting biocontrol agents from India, following the recent Indian Biodiversity Act that prevents the export of any organism.  Unfortunately, the legislation to allow legal export is still in its infancy.  One pathway currently being followed is to use the legislation governing the ‘exchange of genetic material’ between research establishments.  Towards this end, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is currently being drawn up between CABI and Assam Agriculture University.  Additional pathways are being followed-up for other CABI projects collaborating with India, which could help the Hygrophila project.
• Staff at the CABI regional office in Delhi, India is currently helping in obtaining permission to export preserved insect specimens for identification to the USA.
• Literature and fungal herbarium studies are being undertaken to resolve the Hygrophila rust life cycle. 

Activity 2 Milestone:  Domestic survey to identify insects associated with hygrophila
No activity to report in this quarter

Activity 3 Milestone:  Genetic analysis of Hygrophila polysperma using microsatellite primers
In all, 50 samples of silica gel dried hygrophila plants were collected during the field surveys in India. We are currently in the process of extracting DNA from them.

Activity 4 Milestone: Effect of simulated herbivory on growth and biomass of hygrophila
No activity to report in this quarter

• Were there any significant problems encountered?   No
• Is the project work on schedule?    Yes
  • This quarter?  Yes.
    • For the project?  Yes.
• Are there any significant findings this quarter?

The discovery of many new natural enemies, including three defoliating caterpillars, one leaf mining beetle and the rust fungus from states of Assam and West Bengal, India.

• What is the future direction of the work?

Obtain positive identifications of the caterpillar and rust fungus.

• Is there a change in the key contacts for this element?  No

EPA Demonstration Project on Hydrilla and Hygrophila
in the Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes
EPA Grant   #X796433105-1

Reporting period:   First Quarter, EPA Fiscal Year 2009 October 1 – December 31, 2008

Person Reporting:  William A. Overholt

Element:  Element 3 Task 3 Collaborative effort to search for natural enemies of hydrilla in East Africa (Project Ongoing)

Project activities during reporting period:

• What work was accomplished for this reporting quarter? 

Summary

During the reporting period, exploration was continued in Burundi and Uganda to identify insect herbivores of hydrilla.  The species composition of insects reared from hydrilla remained much the same as reported in past reporting periods.  Additionally, efforts were initiated to colonize two chironomid species; Polypedilum wittei and /or Polypedilum dewufli in Burundi.  Adults of these putatively herbivorous species were reared from hydrilla, separated from other chironomids, and released in large cages with clean hydrilla growing in an aquarium. It is not yet known whether colonization efforts were successful.  In Uganda, hydrilla leaf tissue was identified in fish trapped in an area with hydrilla.  A first attempt to conduct an exclusion study to assess the impact of fish feeding on hydrilla failed due to the movement of cages after a large storm.  The experiment will be repeated in January 2009.  

Hydrilla samples collected from many locations in the world have genotyped at nine microsatellite loci.  These loci were variable across ascensions but were generally less variable within a given area.  A more detailed analysis of Florida samples revealed a surprising level of genetic variability, with loci containing from 3 to 19 alleles.  Out of 205 samples collected from across Florida, there were at least 127 unique genotypes, 104 of which were only found in a single sample.  Hydrilla samples located close to each other were more similar to each other than expected if individuals were compared to each other at random.  At increasing distances, hydrilla samples were less similar than expected at random suggesting a clinal pattern across the state. 

Colonization of Polypedilum species in Burundi

Sites around Bujumbura, Burundi produced sufficiently high densities of Polypedilum individuals to justify colonization efforts. Data from 2007 showed a peak in numbers of reared Polypedilum dewulfi from hydrilla collected in Saga Vodo site in November. Therefore we increased Hydrilla collection and rearing capacity for the same period in 2008. An N2 cylinder and gas regulator were purchased in Uganda and transported by road along with extra cages and the project’s inflatable boat and motor. Inert Nitrogen gas was to be used to knock down caged Chironomidae to allow for separation of non-Polypedilum individuals. Large collections of hydrilla were made in mid November from both Saga Vodo and Cercle Nautique sites. Both sites produced P. dewulfi. Our N2 failed to knock down any flies. The cylinder was apparently mislabeled and its use was discontinued. We were able to borrow a cylinder of CO2  from ISABU, the national agricultural research institute in Bujumbura, and used it to gas emerged adults. This method worked well. Between 23-28 November we were able to segregate ca. 110 P. dewulfi adults and these were released into our colonization cage, which contains a large aquarium with a vigorous hydrilla culture. Adults were provided daily with fresh mango slices as a sugar source. Daily harvesting of Chironomid adults from collection cages continues and releases will be made until flies no longer emerge. The Saga Vodo site was collected again in early December 2008 and these rearings from these fresh collections will be integrated with and eventually replace the earlier one.

The N2 cylinder was returned to Uganda for exchange. The project supervisor intends to return to Bujumbura in January for another intense round of rearing and release of Polypedilum. Earlier collections in 2008 indicated that Polypedilum wittei occurred at high densities in February. Efforts to colonize that species will concentrate on the similar period in 2009.

 

Fish exclusion experiment in Lake Bisina, Uganda

Previous collections of hydrilla in lakes in both Uganda and Burundi showed leaf and growing-tip damage. Although the former is presumably caused by fish predation, it was not possible to distinguish the source of damage to the growing tip of the plant. The physical appearance of tips indicated breakage of a sort similar to that found by earlier workers and ascribed to the boring of Polypedilum larvae in stems at or just basal to the growing tip. However, hydrilla stems are easily broken off and it is possible that the physical impact of fish feeding on the growing tip could be responsible for this type of damage. Therefore, as part of the research component of a University of Florida distance-learning Masters candidate, an experiment was designed to test the effect of fish feeding on Hydrilla in Lake Bisina. Earlier work by the student with input from technical experts at the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute in Jinja Uganda, showed that Haplochromine fish were feeding on hydrilla in the area in which the experiment was planned. Six 2x2x3 m steel cage frames were constructed  (Figure 14). For three of the cages, all sides except the top and bottom were covered with fish netting of a mesh size that excluded predators from the interior compartment. Steel extensions at the bottom acted as anchoring feet and were pushed into the lake-bottom substrate. Three other cages were left without netting and served as controls. An area of high hydrilla density was found and the 6 cages were placed at random in that part of the lake. Monthly collections of hydrilla (approximately two handfuls) were to be made from each cage. Hydrilla was harvested from one of the bottom corners of a cage, one corner providing the hydrilla for one month’s collection.  In each cage, monthly samples of hydrilla were taken from corners oriented in the same way with respect to the nearby shoreline. A baseline collection of hydrilla was made in each cage on day one of the experiment. Hydrilla from each cage was placed in separate buckets in lake water and transported to the laboratory. At the laboratory, water was drained until drops appeared at ca. 5 second intervals and wet weight was determined. A sub-sample of 10 entire hydrilla plants was picked haphazardly from each cage collection. On each of the ten plants, the apical 50cm of the plant was examined.  A schematic of the branching pattern was drawn the number of intact and damaged tips counted.  The number of damaged whorls and intact whorls on the main stem was also counted.   There were no differences in numbers of tips, broken tips, whorls or damaged whorls between open and closed cages at the start of the experiment (Figure 15). The remaining hydrilla from each cage was placed in lake water in a separate bucket, aerated and held for 30 days for emergence of Chironomidae and other insects. Insects were identified to species and counted.

Unfortunately, a large storm during the rainy season (October-November) was accompanied by movement of islands of floating vegetation, two of which swept over the area of the experiment tipping over and submerging all the cages.  Three of the cages were recovered, but the other three could not be located.  New cages, with an improved anchoring system, will be constructed and the experiment will be restarted at the advent of the dry season in January 2009.

Genetic characterization of hydrilla

We have recently completed genotyping 526 samples at nine microsatellite loci.  These loci were variable across world-wide ascensions but were generally less variable within a given area, which is most likely due to hydrilla’s ability to spread vegetatively.  We have analyzed the Florida samples in more detail.  Hydrilla infestations in Florida were the result of a single introduction that spreads vegetatively after fragments are dispersed by human or animal vectors.  This scenario suggests Florida should be composed of a single clone and that any genetic variability we observe should be due to somatic mutations arising from vegetative spread.

Our microsatellite data revealed a surprising level of genetic variability in Florida, with loci containing from 3 to 19 alleles (Table 1).  Because hydrilla exhibits varying levels of ploidy and is predominantly clonal we concatenated all nine of these microsatellite loci into one single genotype per individual sample.  Out of 205 samples collected from across Florida there were 145 unique genotypes, 27 of which were shared by more than one individual (average number of individuals sharing = 3).  We then allowed for a low level of genotyping error in our calculations and this resulted in 127 unique genotypes, 104 of which were only found in a single sample (Figure 16).  Nei’s genetic diversity (a measure of genotype richness in this case) was 0.98, which can be interpreted as the probability that two individuals drawn at random will have different genotypes.  Evenness of genotype richness was 0.37 indicating a moderate level of equal representation across Florida.  An evenness index of 1.0 indicates that the number of samples of each genotype is equally represented in the entire sample.  Assuming a complete lack of sexual reproduction, these data suggest that the somatic mutation rate at these microsatellite loci is fairly high.  Genotypes also exhibited strong spatial autocorrelation across Florida (Figure 17).  Hydrilla samples located close to each other (e.g. 1-25 km Figure 17) are more similar to each other than expected if individuals were compared to each other at random.  At increasing distances, hydrilla samples actually become less similar than expected at random suggesting a clinal pattern across the state.  The short distance positive autocorrelation suggests that somatic mutations arising in a particular water body are more likely to be dispersed to nearby water bodies than very far away.  The negative autocorrelation at larger distances and overall clinal pattern revealed in Figure 17 is interesting since one would not expect this pattern simply from somatic mutations at neutral loci that are (presumably) occurring randomly with respect to distance or environmental patterns.  One possibility is that hydrilla has become adapted to differing climatic conditions across the state of Florida (e.g. north to south), and since their entire genomes are linked (since they are clonal) we see this pattern reflected at microsatellite loci.  We are currently working on ways to cluster this data so that it can be mapped and analyzed using GIS.

We plan to have all (world-wide and Florida) genetic data analyzed by Spring 2009 and submitted for publication.  We are also continuing to develop diagnostic markers for the pds gene mutations that confer resistance to fluridone.  We have found a fairly high level of variability in this gene and hope to use this variability as an additional marker to the microsatellite loci to trace patterns of genetic variation across introduced populations.

Table 1.  Number of alleles observed at nine microsatellite loci in 205 hydrilla samples from Florida.

Figure 16.  Number of hydrilla genotypes (N = 127 total) and number of samples sharing these genotypes (N = 205 samples) across Florida.  A 1 indicates that a particular genotype was only found in one individual.

Figure 17.  Spatial autocorrelation of hydrilla genotypes in Florida.  Dashed lines are 95% confidence intervals around r = 0.  Vertical lines are 95% bootstrapped confidence intervals around each calculated r value.  r values falling outside the 95% CI are significantly different from random expectations.

• What Milestones have been met for your Element?

A method has been devised to separate two putatively herbivorous midges of hydrilla (Polypedilum dewulfi and Polypedilum wittei) from other small chironomids reared from hydrilla so that a clean culture can be established for biological studies.  Efforts are currently underway to culture one or both of these insects.

• Were there any significant problems encountered?

Yes, the fish exclusion study failed due to poor cage design.

• If so, what measures were taken to correct the problem?

The cage design has been improved and will include anchors to minimize the possibility of cage movement during the experiment.  The experiment will be repeated in early 2009.

• Is the project work on schedule?  Yes
  • This quarter?  Yes
  • For the project?  Yes
• Are there any significant findings this quarter?
• We are now convinced by our molecular genetic work that hydrilla is not native to Africa, as we had previously thought. The genetic studies clearly point to China as the center of origin.
• Hydrilla is not a problematic weed in Africa, which raises the question of whether biotic agents suppress its densities. The Polypedilum midges may be involved, but we believe that herbivorous cichlid fish may play an important role in regulating hydrilla in Africa.  In the coming months we will test that hypothesis.
• What is the future direction of the work?
  • Colonize one or both of the Polypedilum spp. which will allow us to study their biology and determine whether they are indeed herbivores of hydrilla.
  • Complete the fish exclusion study.
  • Complete the characterization of molecular genetic variation in hydrilla.
  • Begin publishing scientific papers on the results of the project.

• Is there a change in the key contacts for this element? No

EPA Demonstration Project on Hydrilla and Hygrophila
in the Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes
EPA Grant   #X796433105-1

Reporting period:      ­­1st Quarter, EPA Fiscal Year 2009 October 1 – December 31, 2008

Person Reporting:     Stacia Hetrick, UF/IFAS Osceola County Extension
Karen Brown, Beth Hathaway and Amy Richard, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
                                               
Element:  Element 4 Demonstration and Outreach

Project activities during reporting period:

• What work was accomplished for this reporting quarter?

• The Extension Faculty- Aquatics position was filled by Stacia Hetrick, who started on October 27, 2008.
• Attended a variety of meetings including:
• Osceola County Lakes Management Advisory Committee
• Florida Aquatic Plant Management Society Annual Meeting
• New Agent Orientation, Session II
• Natural Resources Committee Meetings for the Extension Office
• Surveyed and toured the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes to keep up to date on the status of hydrilla and hygrophila growth and spread, as well as note problem areas and areas of residential concern.
• Assisted SePRO during an application of herbicide and Mt fungus treatment of hydrilla in Osceola County ponds.
• Attended Osceola County New Employee Orientation and other required county and UF/IFAS trainings.
• Assisted biologist Sarah Berger with collecting GPS points of vegetation sampling plots on Lake Jackson.
• Took the Florida Pesticide Applicator’s Exam (CORE) and obtained Florida Pesticide Applicator’s License on 12/27/08.
• Joined professional organizations including Aquatic Plant Management Society (APMS), Florida Aquatic Plant Management Society (FAPMS), Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC), and Florida Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (FANREP).
• Toured Lake Toho with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) Kissimmee Field Office Administrator and observed herbicide treatment of cattail, pickerelweed and primrose willow.  Discussed FFWCC's goals and responsibilities for aquatic weed management/control.
• Met with South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Aquatic Plant Manager to discuss aquatic plant management on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.
• Had a very informative meeting with SFWMD Community Outreach and Media Specialists regarding the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and the District’s role in aquatic weed management.
• Toured Lake Toho with FFWCC Aquatic Plant Manager to become familiar with past and future treatments for aquatic weeds.
• Toured lakes with Water Quality Specialist from SFWMD to become familiar with the location of the lakes, location of weed problems, and water quality issues in the lakes.
• Participated in an organizational meeting for Leadership Osceola and Legends Environmental Days.
• Met with University of Florida professor regarding endangered snail kites and hydrilla.
• I attended a tour of the Kissimmee River Restoration Project in order to understand downstream impacts of hydrilla management on Kissimmee River.
• Observed large-scale treatment of hydrilla by SFWMD on Lake Toho via aerial application of herbicide (pictures below).  Met the key players from SFWMD, FFWCC and contracting companies involved in the treatment.  Worked with FFWCC to educate boaters on the water about the treatment.

• Met with University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants (CAIP) staff to discuss project elements and the project website.
• Assisted biologist Sarah Berger with data collection after a herbicide treatment performed by SFWMD on Lake Toho to understand what data was being collected, where the samples were taken, what the outcome of the treatments were (visually), how data is collected, etc.
• Prepared required UF/IFAS Extension reports including a Plan of Work for 2009 and Report of Accomplishment for 2008.
• Prepared the budget annual totals for 2007 and 2008 expenses.
• Prepared budget analysis for 2009 Q1 report.

What Milestones have been met for your Element?

Task 1, Year 3-- First Quarter
Demonstration field days and media events to keep stakeholders informed on the progress of hydrilla and hygrophila management work.

• Rob Horsburgh from the CAIP Information Office and Stacia Hetrick, new Extension Faculty in Aquatics, participated in the Great Outdoor Days event on November 8, 2008. Each displayed booths that were staffed for the duration of the event and educational materials were distributed to attendees. The “find the turtle game” was a big hit. (Children were lining up to try and find a toy turtle that was covered up by artificial hydrilla plants in a plastic tub.) Children also enjoyed fishing for plastic fish in pools that represented ponds with and without hydrilla.  Cards were given to the public with the Osceola Hydrilla/Hygrophila project website on it, along with lots of literature about hydrilla and hygrophila control.

Booths at Great Outdoor Days

• Stacia Hetrick displayed an exhibit at the statewide Marine Ecology Event.  Information on aquatic weeds and how to stop or prevent their spread was displayed and educational materials were provided.  Theme: “Help Stop the Spread of Aquatic Weeds.”

Task 2, Year 3 -- First Quarter
An interactive website will keep citizens/agencies informed of the various stages of research and allow citizens to communicate directly with researchers and county officials with questions and/or concerns. 

• According to Google Analytics, the website had 423 visits during the 1st quarter of year 3. The following new web page was created:
  • Quarterly Progress Report: Third Quarter FY 2008,
• Edits to the web site included:
• Listings of new research publications were added to the APIRS Database Citation web page.
• 14 new Meeting Minutes were added to the Kissimmee Interagency Meetings web page.
• A biographical section for new employee, Stacia Hetrick has been added to Project Leaders.
• New web sites were added to the Links page, along with updating/correcting other miscellaneous links already listed.
• Plans for website revisions include:
  • FAQ/Definitions List
  • Grant brochure
  • Calendar
  • Reorganization of website

Task 3, Year 3 -- First Quarter
Database development.

Citations from the APIRS database (i.e., information on hydrilla and hygrophila control) continue to be available online for citizens and researchers worldwide. Copies of publications are available from the CAIP Information office.

Task 4, Year 3 -- First Quarter

Develop portable Aquatic Plant Management Displays/ Kiosks that can be used for local events such as the County Fair, Earth Day, Great Outdoors Days, scientific conferences and at various public areas such as boat ramps, parks, libraries and county offices. 

Now that Stacia Hetrick is in place at the Osceola Extension Office, we can move forward on completing the kiosk displays. Stacia is currently reviewing previous displays and also the four kiosk panels that have been created as a template. Alterations have already been discussed and will be finalized in the next quarter.

Task 5, Year 3 -- First Quarter

Development of interactive science curricula for Osceola County teachers.

Stacia Hetrick (Osceola County) and Amy Richard (CAIP) have met and reviewed the 2008 teacher summer workshop and are now in the process of revising the agenda for the 2009 workshop. A date has been selected (July7-10) and Stacia is researching venues to use for the workshop, as well as vendors for the aquatic plant field trips (i.e., airboat vendors, etc.). A number of guest speakers have already committed to attending (Amy Giannotti and Ed Harris with FFWCC and Ken Langeland with UF/IFAS CAIP).

Curricula: The Hydrilla Game that was tested at the summer workshop (July/Aug 2008) has been reviewed and finalized using the curricula template. Components are now being gathered to create “kits” for teachers to check out on loan from the CAIP Information office and UF/IFAS Osceola County Extension – as well as a list of supplies they can purchase on their own (i.e., supporting graphics and “props” such as beads, string, signage, etc.). The kits are due for completion by the end of the next quarter.

Other activities and curricula will be considered for introduction at the 2009 workshop. Also, part of the upcoming workshop will include a curricula development session to give teachers an opportunity to help adapt curricula and lessons for their community/school.

Task 6, Year 2 -- First Quarter
Development of additional demonstration and outreach strategies.

Viral Marketing about Invasive Species: The following on-line “film festival” (PSA- Public Service Announcement info-mercial) idea has been discussed with Stacia Hetrick and is being considered for the 2009 teacher workshop and classrooms:

The purpose of the proposed project would be to provide educators with an alternative for assessing student retention of information about non-native, invasive plants and animals in Florida. This will be done by showing teachers how rewarding (and fun) it can be to create a new media “phenomenon” in the classroom, school and community. To achieve this goal, CAIP staff will provide teachers with a basic template to follow for assembling the various components (i.e., when they are back in the classroom with their students). At the summer workshop, teachers will learn how to gather all the necessary components for creating presentations with their students (video footage, photography, illustrations, etc.) and CAIP staff will provide technical support for the production of finished presentations. This approach is similar to the production of high school yearbooks; text, photographs and basic design decisions are made by a student yearbook staff (using a template) and then a professional production company finishes the project.

For our project, Phil Chiocchio, professor of film studies at Ringling College of Art and Design, will “capture” the raw footage and edit it into a short, finished program adding graphics and sound effects. Participants will be provided with a short menu of special effects that can be included in the productions.  Sample PSAs will be available on the website by next quarter.

Once teachers take this idea/technique back to their classrooms and their students produce invasive species presentations, they will be reviewed and posted to the CAIP education web page -- a continuous “Film Festival” that will be similar in format to the popular YouTube website. (All presentations will be vetted ahead of time to be sure that all materials are appropriate, etc.) Students tell their friends and family about their newly created presentations that are posted online, creating a “viral” reaction; a competition of sorts is created as students inspire/encourage their friends to create more presentations. Suddenly, students (and their friends and parents) are learning about problems and solutions associated with invasive plants while having fun and being creative at the same time.  For more information about this type of educational tool, see “Guerilla Marketing” by Jay Conrad Levinson.

It has been brought to our attention (by the teachers) that we will need to work with the Osceola County school district to work out the details of publishing any sort of images of students online (i.e., photograph release forms would have to be provided for everyone involved, etc.).

Task 7, Year 2 -- Fourth Quarter
One paper and one poster per year to share research progress and management technology, to be published on EDIS and presented at meetings.
                       

Element 1 Presentations:
Haller, WT.  2008.  Evaluation of New Herbicides for Aquatic Weed Control.  32nd Annual Meeting of the Florida Aquatic Plant Management Society held in Daytona Beach, FL, 13-16 October.

Element 2 Presentations:
Netherland, MD.  2008.  Hydrilla Control with Herbicides: Linking Residues to Efficacy and Recovery. 32nd Annual Meeting of the Florida Aquatic Plant Management Society held in Daytona Beach, FL, 13-16 October.
 
Element 3, Task 2 Presentations:
Cuda, JP, A Mukherjee, WA Overholt and CA Ellision. 2008. Can insect defoliators be effective biocontrol agents of hygrophila?  32nd Annual Meeting of the Florida Aquatic Plant Management Society held in Daytona Beach, FL, 13-16 October.

Element 4 Presentations:
Stacia Hetrick submitted an abstract on the grant for consideration at the 2009 Florida Lakes Management Society Conference (FLMS).

• Were there any significant problems encountered?

A delay in the completion of the kiosk project.

• If so, what measures were taken to correct the problem? A template has been created for four individual kiosk panels about invasive plants. The four designs have been presented to the new faculty member, Stacia Hetrick and are currently under review. Once she provides changes, edits, etc. we will apply them to the template and move forward.
• Is the project work on schedule? No.
  • This quarter?  Yes, except for the kiosk display portion.
  • For the project?  Yes.
  • If the project is not on schedule, what is proposed for a revised schedule?   CAIP staff would like to extend the deadline for completion of the kiosk panels to Q2 2009.
  • Does the new schedule require a time extension? Yes (see above).  Planned activities still fall within the 4-year window of the grant.
• Is there a change in the key contacts for this element?  Yes.  Stacia Hetrick has filled the Extension Faculty- Aquatics position.

Stacia Hetrick,  Faculty-Aquatics
UF/IFAS Osceola County Extension
1921 Kissimmee Valley Lane
Kissimmee, FL 34744
321-697-3000
321-697-3010 fax
Email shet@osceola.org

 

 

• The Problem
• Plant Information
• • Targeted Invasive Plants
  • Plants in Your Region
• About the Project
• FAQ's
• How You Can Help
• Biocontrol Trip Logs
• • Lake Bisina Expedition
  • India Trip Report
  • East African Diaries
  • Photogallery: East African Diaries
• Publications
• For Teachers
• • CAIP Education Initiative
  • 2009 Teacher Training
  • 2008 Teacher Training
• Ask the Experts
• Links