Synopsis

Research at the molecular, cellular, organism, and system levels will provide continuing improvement in agronomic, horticultural, and forestry plant systems. Research in this area will help to meet basic food needs, provide new food and non-food products, enhance environmental protection, and improve the quality of life. Systems science and predictive modeling will help to better manage plants in agroecosystems, including traditional crops and livestock and to better use and preserve wetlands, forests, and rangeland. Improved management will help to achieve optimum levels of production efficiency. Visionary research will be essential for creating plants and plant systems to meet the demands of the 21st century. These will include the discovery of new plant products, new ways to protect and use traditional plants, and plant uses to mediate adverse environmental impacts of human intervention in urban, suburban, and rural settings.

Southern Synopsis The Southern Region is characterized by a long, frost-free growing season, variable rainfall, high humidity, and diverse soils, some which are highly weathered, highly erodible, or have low fertility. These factors result in pest populations that are numerous, unique, extremely diverse, intense, and that can change rapidly. Consequently, more chemicals are used to control these pests than in other regions of the nation. In addition, there is a significant influx of pests and natural enemies from Mexico and Central and South America which may be worsened by increased international trade. To continue the production of important crops the South must develop crop production systems that are sustainable in both economic and ecological terms. The region has opportunities for (1) new crop industries such as ornamentals, turf, herbs and spices, new and novel fiber crops, unique oil crops, and ecologically sound plants for aesthetic uses and (2) for the integration of traditionally important crops into agroforestry systems for the conservation of sensitive sites and enhanced economic stability. The economic and ecological potential of improving forest and woodlands for wildlife and other non-consumptive uses is virtually untapped.

Base Program Dynamics

On the other end of the research spectrum, there has been a major reinvestment of resources for improving overall profitability and environmental soundness of farming systems. This research has reduced the use of chemical inputs and their contribution to degraded water quality and provided component and systems technology for sustainable agriculture interests. Over the last five years, there has been an increasing synergy between research in the public and private sector to take advantage of the products of biotechnology. Increased investment in plant research has enhanced the quality of life for all citizens; in many parts of the United States, the economic activity from plants used in the urban environment is greater than from those used to produce food.

UNDERSTAND FUNDAMENTAL PLANT PROCESSES

• Sustainable Ecosystems
• Biodiversity
• Next Generation of Foods
• Integrated Pest Management

Impact
Increases in quality, efficiency, and sustainability of plant systems will come from fundamental new knowledge about plant processes. New discoveries offer the opportunity to contribute to safer and more effective food and fiber production systems. Targeted research will range from molecular to population levels.

Southern Relevance Understanding the physiology, ecology, and biology of plants in the Southern Region is challenging due to long growing seasons; diverse soils, flora, and fauna; and uneven distribution of rainfall. The long growing season results in a significant pest problems, low soil fertility requires particularly high levels of management, and the erratic distribution of rainfall requires high levels of water management.

Objectives

• Plant population biology and ecology. Determine factors that affect plant population establishment, community structure, biodiversity, succession, and decline to allow their manipulation in designing plant production systems.

• Physiological and biochemical mechanisms. Determine the physiological and biochemical processes affecting plant traits, including growth, development, pest resistance, and stress tolerance to facilitate the development of improved plants and plant systems.

• Plant-associated organisms. Develop understanding of the relationships between plants and other organisms, such as plant pests, beneficials, and symbionts; dynamics of nutrient and water uptake; rhizophere and phylosphere biology; and the impact of environmental factors on these interactions.

IMPROVE PLANTS THROUGH GENETICS

• Sustainable Ecosystems
• Synergy at the Agriculture-Urban Interface
• Biodiversity
• Waste Management
• Risk Management
• Next Generation of Foods
• Integrated Pest Management

Impact
Research should be expanded and accelerated in the development of genome maps, gene transfer techniques, control of gene expression, and application of these technologies. Applications include improved nutrition, quality and performance traits, more stable and sustainable production systems, natural resistance to plant pests, diversification and expansion of markets, and protection of biodiversity.

Southern Relevance Genetic improvement is required for enhanced pest resistance, improved nutritional and storage quality, and improved sustainable yields. Emphasis on yield in the context of sustainable production systems must be continued. Provide economically useful new crops and unique cultivars for niche markets. Development of year-round forage systems.

Objectives

• Improve plant performance. Use both genetic engineering and traditional methods to develop plants that are resistant to pests and more efficient, manageable, and environmentally tolerant.

• Develop new plant products and uses. Develop novel plant oils, carbohydrates, biopolymers, industrial feedstocks, pharmaceuticals, and bioenergy materials. Enhance crop processing and end-product quality, reduce undesirable byproducts, and improve taste and nutritional value of plant products. Develop plants that will contribute to bioremediations of polluted air, soils, and water.

• Preserve genetic diversity. Collect, characterize, evaluate and maintain plant and microbial germplasm to provide genetic diversity for improved plants and new crops.

DEVELOP ALTERNATIVE PLANT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

• Sustainable Ecosystems
• Synergy at the Agriculture-Urban Interface
• Biodiversity
• Waste Management
• Risk Management
• Next Generation of Foods
• Integrated Pest Management
• Global Competitiveness

Impact
Crop, forestry, and rangeland management systems need improved management of inputs, production practices, harvesting, and marketing to maintain producer competitiveness in the marketplace. There is increasing need to provide technology that allows farmers, ranchers, and foresters to use interactive management systems. Fundamental knowledge is needed to develop site-specific management applications in a total systems context. Additional research is needed for more effective management of inputs and byproducts in these systems.

Southern Relevance The complex geography of the South results in equally diverse cropping and livestock systems, all of which come under increasing pressures from such external factors as loss of federal farm and commodity program support and increasing environmental demands. The continuing improvement of production management systems to allow for better use of real time market and weather information and for use of complex technology create major need for systems research for crops in the South.

Objectives

• Management models. Expand and improve mathematical modeling to integrate biological, physical, economic, and meteorological information into overall management systems, allowing objective comparison and selection of options.

• Precision farming. Utilize technologies such as global positioning systems (GPS) to measure and determine the significance of variations in soil biological and physical diversity to enable more cost-effective use of inputs in management systems.

• New and minor crop production systems. Develop strategies for new multiple cropping systems, including minor crops, to create new markers, extend market seasons, and increase overall profitability.

ENHANCE INTEGRATED PLANT PEST MANAGEMENT

• Sustainable Ecosystems
• Synergy at the Agriculture-Urban Interface
• Biodiversity
• Risk Management
• Next Generation of Foods
• Integrated Pest Management

Impact
Protecting useful and life-sustaining plants from insects, diseases, nematodes, and weeds is critical to maintaining food and fiber quality and enhancing U.S. farmers' productivity and international competitiveness. Research should be accelerated in the use of biocontrol, host plant resistance, cultural practices and other safe and effective technologies and strategies, especially in the context of integrated pest management. The overall impact of this research will be to provide scientifically sound, environmentally friendly, economically viable, and publicly acceptable plant protection strategies that result in a safe, dependable, and wholesome food and fiber supply.

Southern Relevance Extremely diverse, intense, and often unique insects, diseases, and weeds impact the many agricultural enterprises in the Southern Region. This pest diversity increases the demand and opportunity for integrated pest management strategies. Many pests in the region have multiple generations, requiring frequent control tactics which may accelerate the development of pesticide resistance or create other imbalances in agroecosystems.

Objectives

• Biologically-based pest management technologies. Discover and develop effective pathogens, parasites, predators, and other biologically based techniques such as host-plant resistance, naturally derived pesticides, and male sterility techniques to mitigate or manage pest populations.

• New and improved cultural management practices. Develop effective cultural management strategies, including crop rotation, multicropping, tillage, sanitation, water management, and similar methods as part of a systems approach to plant pest management.

• Integrated systems. Create biocontrol techniques and integrate them with crop protection chemicals; and, provide safer crop protection chemicals and application methods to improve efficacy, minimize residues, and reduce off-target effects of plant pest control. Develop system-responsive models that predict pest infestations and consequences of treatment for use in management decisions to protect plants against losses from pests, while assuring the quality of food and water supplies.