GrainsWest Spring 2021

Spring 2021 Grains West 18 PERSON PLACE & THING Boyd Mori and his University of Alberta colleagues use DNA analysis to identify insects that prey on agricultural pests. This will contribute to greater use of beneficial insects by farmers. we can design specific molecular tools to pick out DNA within that beetle. In addi- tion, however, we can use some next-gen- eration sequencing using what’s called meta-barcoding, which will bond to any insect or arthropod DNA within the guts of that beetle. That can be matched up to a database and we can see everything the beetle is feeding on. This is a great way to see what’s really happening in the fields at a macro level. GW: How may this research be applied in farm fields? BM: We’re looking at different crop systems—pulses, canola, cereals—across the different agricultural ecosystems across Alberta. I think if we can identify some of these insects that are doing good things for the crop—in this case, eating pests—we can in turn better dictate agronomic activities. For example, what kind of tilling promotes these beneficial insects? What other practices will help them thrive and therefore eat pests? This is laying the foundation for future work and helping to conserve natural pest enemies, giving producers more tools to manage their crops. GW: What additional projects is your team working on? BM: Another of my PhD students is work- ing on wheat midge, specifically improv- ing the pheromone monitoring tools so producers can better monitor and respond to wheat midge issues. [They can] either respond faster or wait before putting time, money and effort into the field if they don’t have an issue yet. I’m looking at alfalfa weevils. We have a high rate of insecticide resistance in alfalfa weevil populations in some southern Alberta alfalfa seed production fields. It was suspected at least five years ago, and then we confirmed resistance in weevil populations in southern Alberta. We’re looking at how widespread the resistance is, and then we’re looking at other options because we have relied on insecticides so much. Yes, you can rotate chemicals, but what about trying to rely on our natural pest enemies? We’re just starting down this path, but the out- comes could change how producers apply insecticides in these areas depending on their specific field. “The outcomes could change how producers apply insecticides in these areas” —BoydMori