In the second year of the project, we achieved the following:
1. We were able to continue our sampling program, both at the site level, as well as field sampling. In 2020, we obtained samples from eight locations.
2. To date, we have collected approximately 196 isolates of S. sclerotiorum that will enable us to commence with looking at the genetic diversity in the state, which will be important for making best recommendations. We further have another 120 isolates from the spatial studies on white mold that will be used to understand the genetic diversity at the local scale.
3. At the end of 2020, we launched our survey to improve our knowledge and understanding of white mold in Pennsylvania, as well as learn what management practices are most likely to be considered as part of the overall farm production practices across the state.
4. We successfully tested the Sporecaster model, developed in the Midwest, across 23 locations in Pennsylvania. Results showed that the model overestimated the risk of white mold, which led to the developers to examine the primary weather data source given the spatial scale that is needed for accurate estimates across microclimates. We expect to validate the new forecasts again in 2021.
5. Both students (Karen Luong and Tyler McFeaters), working on thesis research for white mold, presented their research at the Plant Health 2020 Online conference in August 2020.