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Editor: Kelly Sprute December 1, 2021
Making a Difference
 Bhabesh Dutta examines onion seedlings in research facilities on the UGA Tifton campus. Courtesy of University of Georgia.
New “Onion Devourer” Bacteria Found by University of Georgia Researchers
University of Georgia (UGA) researchers have identified a new species of bacteria, which they have named Pseudomonas alliivorans — from “allium vorans,” which translates as onion devourer or eater. As part of a multistate, four-year project, UGA Cooperative Extension vegetable disease specialist Bhabesh Dutta and his team surveyed onions at every stage of production, from seedling to mature bulb and all the way to storage, to understand what diseases are present, how they manifest and what can be done to prevent them.
The researchers found bacteria during the onion seedling stage that looked just like the type that causes bacterial streak and bulb rot, known as Pseudomonas viridiflava. However, when they analyzed the DNA of these bacteria, they were surprised to see that they were not the familiar bacteria, or indeed any known bacteria, but a new species.
“Onions represent a $150 million industry in Georgia, and every year 2-4 percent of the profits can potentially be lost to bacterial diseases that affect onions,” said Dutta. This work was supported in part by a Specialty Crop Research Initiative award from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, read this UGA CAES Newswire article.
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USDA Announces American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Partnerships Focused on Underserved Producers
The USDA is helping to ensure that underserved farmers, ranchers, and foresters have the tools, programs and support they need to succeed in agriculture. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced USDA will provide approximately $75 million in American Rescue Plan funding to 20 organizations to provide technical assistance to connect underserved producers with USDA programs and services. Organizations were selected for their proven track records working with underserved producer communities, such as veterans, beginning farmers, limited-resource producers, and producers living in high-poverty areas. These organizations will work with underserved producer communities on business and tax planning, financial assistance planning, market planning, farmer advocacy, and business curriculum development. For more information, read the USDA press release.
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A Tribal College Student’s Path to Leadership
Little Priest was the last war chief of the Winnebago Tribe, and the namesake of Little Priest College, one of 35 Tribal Colleges and Universities with land-grant status. Freshman Trey Blackhawk, an enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, is pursuing a degree there in Environmental Science. He balances his studies with raising a family, managing the Winnebago Tribal Farm, and now serving as a 1994 Tribal Scholar at the USDA. “I want to be a leader in agriculture. My goal is to help people, I have always been taught to help in any way I can,” said Blackhawk. For more information, read the USDA blog.
Freshman Trey Blackhawk, an enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, courtesy of USDA.
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USDA Announces Agricultural Outlook Forum Theme and Program
The USDA recently announced the theme and program of the 98th Agricultural Outlook Forum, a virtual event that will be held on February 24-25, 2022. The 2022 Forum theme is “New Paths to Sustainability and Productivity Growth,” and the program will focus on innovations to minimize the environmental footprint of agriculture and ensure sustainability while improving crop yields. For more information, read the USDA press release.
Don't Let Stress Steal the Holiday Good Times
The holidays can be a very stressful time, but there are ways to reduce that stress level. USDA’s Gary Crawford talks with Kansas State University Extension behavioral health specialist Bradley Dirks on this edition of Agriculture USA. For more information, listen to this USDA broadcast.
Worried woman thinks of the holidays, courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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Creating a ‘Super Potato’
The University of Maine (UMaine) has devoted valuable agricultural research to studying how to improve potato crops, a central element of the state’s agricultural economy. Over the past year, the focus of the program’s mission has ramped up with one particular goal in mind: make potatoes that are resistant to climate change. UMaine Professor Gregory Porter is the lead investigator for the school’s potato breeding program, which works on projects from improving marketing opportunities for growers to developing potatoes that are more resistant to diseases like potato virus Y. UMaine received a total of $510,104 to conduct research on potato breeding in Maine through the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, read the UMaine news article.
Organic mixed medley of potatoes, courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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OSU Receives Grant to Study Impact of Smoke on Grapes and Wine
Oregon State University (OSU) researchers and a team of West Coast university collaborators have received a $7.65 million grant to study the impact of smoke exposure on grapes, a project that will provide critical knowledge to grape growers and winery owners severely impacted by widespread wildfire smoke in recent years. Oregon State researchers will work with scientists at Washington State University and the University of California, Davis, on the four-year project, funded by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, read this OSU Newsroom article.
A row of ripe wine grapes ready for harvest, courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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New Research Takes Aim at Devastating Citrus Greening
Citrus greening, or Huanglongbing disease (HLB), is the most devastating disease for orange and grapefruit trees in the U.S. Prevention and treatment methods have proven elusive, and a definitive cure does not exist. Since HLB was detected in Florida in 2005, Florida’s citrus production has fallen by 80 percent. The disease also threatens other citrus producing states. A public-private collaboration across Texas, Florida, California, and Indiana will draw on prior successes in research and innovation to advance new, environmentally friendly and commercially viable control strategies for citrus greening. Leading the work are scientists from Texas A&M AgriLife Research. The $7 million, four-year AgriLife Research project is part of an $11 million suite of grants from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, to combat HLB. For more information, read this AgriLife Today article.
A healthy grapefruit compared to one affected by citrus greening, courtesy of Texas A&M AgriLife.
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Notice of Intent to Extend Currently Approved Information Collection
The Federal Register on November 29 published a notice entitled, "Notice of Intent to Extend Currently Approved Information Collection.” The National Institute of Food and Agriculture's intention is to extend and revise a currently approved information collection entitled, “Reporting Requirements for State Plans of Work for Agricultural Research and Extension Formula Funds.” NIFA is also proposing to modify the collection in response to audit findings of the USDA Office of Inspector General. Written comments on this notice must be received by January 28, 2022 to be assured of consideration. For more information, read the full Federal Register notice.
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Notice of Intent to Extend and Revise Currently Approved Information Collection
The Federal Register on November 29 published a notice entitled "Notice of Intent to Extend and Revise Currently Approved Information Collection.” The National Institute of Food and Agriculture's intention is to request a new information collection titled, “Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Lifecycle Certification.” This information collection replaces an existing information collection, "Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Lifecycle Certification," in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget regulations. Written comments on this notice must be received by January 28, 2022 to be assured of consideration. For more information, read the full Federal Register notice.
Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities (AgrAbility)
NIFA will host a webinar for applicants interested in applying to the Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities (AgrAbility) competitive program on December 9, at 1 p.m. ET. The webinar will focus on the FY 2022 AgrAbility Request for Applications, general program guidelines and application process. For more information, go online to the AgrAbility webinar announcement.
Webinar graphic, courtesy of Adobe Stock.
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Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program Request for Applications Informational Webinar
December 3, 12 p.m. ET. For more information, go to the Hispanic-Serving Institutions webinar announcement.
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NIFA’s mission is to invest in and advance agricultural research, education, and extension that solve societal challenges. NIFA’s investments in transformative science directly support the long-term prosperity and global preeminence of U.S. agriculture. Keep informed about NIFA, USDA, our land-grant and non-land-grant university partners, and stakeholders with the NIFA Update. Read past issues online, sign up for email updates or follow us on Twitter @USDA_NIFA, #NIFAImpacts or LinkedIn @usda-nifa.
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