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CapitalPress.com
Friday, June 17, 2022
People & Places
Researchers team up to thwart thrips
By BRAD CARLSON
Capital Press
Established 1928
ONTARIO,
Ore.
— Anitha Chitturi has
researched thrips for a
decade. Most recently,
she’s focused on managing
the tiny insects in the Trea-
sure Valley onion crop —
including by reducing their
appetites.
The entomologist and
research associate at the
Oregon State University
Malheur Experiment Sta-
tion is on a multi-state team
studying thrips control in
onions. The work focuses on
integrated pest management,
which aims to use fewer
chemicals by applying them
only when the pests are pres-
ent at economically damag-
ing levels.
Chitturi previously stud-
ied thrips in Georgia and
Alabama on crops ranging
from tomatoes and chili pep-
pers to peanuts, cotton, soy-
beans and onions.
“Thrips are a very devas-
tating pest that significantly
affect crop yield,” she said.
In onions, thrips affect
bulb size and quality, and
can reduce yields 45-50%,
Chitturi said.
They cause direct dam-
age by feeding on leaves,
resulting in silvery or white
patches as well as a drop in
photosynthetic activity.
They also spread Iris
Yellow Spot Virus, damag-
ing the yield and grade of
onions.
One of the chemicals
she is testing is a biologi-
cal insecticide that does not
kill thrips directly. Instead,
its bitter taste stays on the
onion plant for one to two
days.
“The insect finds it less
palatable to eat,” Chit-
turi said. “Thus it cannot
reproduce.”
She said reducing the
number of eggs produced
pays off since a thrip can
lay 150-200 eggs during its
30-day life cycle.
Capital Press Managers
Joe Beach ..................... Editor & Publisher
Western
Innovator
ANITHA
CHITTURI
Title: Research associate,
entomology, Oregon
State University Malheur
Experiment Station
Brad Carlson/Capital Press
Anitha Chitturi, an entomology research associate, in an onion research plot at the
Oregon State University Malheur Experiment Station near Ontario.
About 21,000 acres of
onions, worth $110 million
to $140 million in farmgate
revenue, are grown each
year in southeastern Oregon
and southwestern Idaho. The
region is known for large
bulbs.
“Since this is a high-value
crop, traditionally grow-
ers have been using a lot of
insecticides to manage this
pest,” Chitturi said of thrips.
She joined the research proj-
ect in June 2020.
Growers use about a
dozen
government-ap-
proved insecticide chemis-
tries to control thrips. They
are rotated periodically since
thrips can develop resistance
to them.
“A challenge is maintain-
ing the efficiency of existing
insecticides,” Chitturi said.
Researchers have looked
into using insecticides in
specific sequences, “which
has been identified as a
promising control tech-
nique for minimizing onion
thrips,” she said.
The project involves
Washington State and Cor-
nell universities, USDA,
and the OSU Malheur team
Stuart Reitz/OSU
Damage to onion leaves
caused by thrips feeding.
led by Stuart Reitz. Funding
is through a USDA National
Institute of Food and Agri-
culture grant. Chemical
companies and seed suppli-
ers are also participating.
Managing thrips starting
early in the season, when
onion plants are small and
natural predators are pres-
ent, “is critical for growers
to effectively manage the
pest,” she said.
The Orius insect spe-
cies eats thrips and their lar-
vae. Other natural predators
include lady bird beetles.
But both insects “are very
sensitive to insecticides,”
said Chitturi. “So the more
spraying you do, you are
killing the beneficial insects
in the ecosystem.”
The integrated approach
involves applying a chemi-
cal to the onion plant when
a threshold of one thrip per
leaf is reached.
That approach contrasts
with calendar-based spray-
ing at intervals per label
guidelines. The spray-
ing is often done no mat-
ter whether the insects are
present.
Researchers found the
integrated approach reduced
the number of chemical
applications by 26% com-
pared to calendar spraying
and increased marketable
yield substantially in super
colossal and colossal onions.
“In IPM, we are target-
ing the thrips with different
modes of action,” Chitturi
said.
For example, the bio-
logical insecticide that dis-
courages feeding may fol-
low an earlier application of
another insecticide, she said.
Education: B.S., agri-
culture, Acharaya N.G.
Ranga Agricultural Uni-
versity, Hyderabad, India,
1999; M.S., 2005 and
Ph.D., 2010, entomology,
University of Georgia.
Hometown: Guntur,
Andhra Pradesh, India.
ROSEBURG, Ore. —
Classrooms and study were
recently moved to the out-
doors for 55 FFA high school
students.
They participated in the
Oregon State FFA Forestry
Competition and were chal-
lenged by tests in eight dif-
ferent areas involving forestry
and natural resources.
The May 23 event was
held on the Umpqua Commu-
nity College campus and on
surrounding forested land.
“We’re teaching a lot of
these principles in the class-
room, in biology and natu-
ral resources, but this is the
hands-on application piece
for the students, their oppor-
tunity to be a forester for the
day,” said Angela Chenoweth,
the Glide, Ore., High School
ag science teacher and FFA
advisor.
The students were tested
on General Forestry Knowl-
edge, Math Problem, Map
Reading, Forest Plant Iden-
tification, Equipment Iden-
tification, Timber Cruising,
Forest Management Evalua-
tion-Timber Stand Improve-
Craig Reed/For the Capital Press
Students study a variety of tools at the Equipment Identification table during the
recent FFA State Forestry Competition held on the Umpqua Community College cam-
pus. Students were tested in eight different areas.
ment and Compass Orien-
teering Practicum. Working
individually, they had 40 min-
utes at each station to decide
on how to answer the posed
problems.
Audrey Van Houten, a
junior at Oakland, Ore., High
School, claimed top honors
and led Oakland to first in the
team standings. Junior Emily
Weaver (sixth individually),
sophomores James Bain-
bridge and Jake Chenoweth,
and freshman Aurianna Van
Houten (fourth individually)
completed the Oakland team
that qualified for the National
FFA Forestry Competition.
That event will be part of the
National FFA Convention that
is scheduled for late October
in Indianapolis, Ind.
“I’m real proud of our
team for getting us to nation-
als,” said Audrey Van Houten,
who qualified for the national
competition a year ago. “Our
team placed third at district,
but since then we did a lot of
practicing and studied hard.
It’s super exciting to be going
back to nationals, to meet peo-
ple and to listen to great indus-
try speakers. It’s a great learn-
ing experience.”
Makaela Carter of Rose-
burg High School finished sec-
ond individually and Camille
Peters of Elkton High School
placed third.
Mark Buckbee, a co-co-
ordinator of the state forestry
event, said it’s important to
have it because of Oregon’s
combination of “having a great
FFA program and a great for-
estry tradition and industry.”
“This program keeps kids
interested and active,” he said.
“Some may go into agricul-
ture, some into forestry, some
into natural resources. This is a
good event to help funnel stu-
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
JUNE 17-18
PNWCTA Summer Meeting
and Farm Tour: Chehalis and Mos-
syrock, Wash. The Summer Meet-
ing and Farm Tour offers attendees
the chance to meet and visit the farm
operations of fellow growers. On Fri-
day of this two-day event attendees
will have the opportunity to partici-
pate in educational sessions and enjoy
dinner at Mistletoe Tree Farm. On Sat-
urday growers will tour Skookum View
Nobles, Bear Canyon Tree Farm and
Hunter Christmas Trees. Field demon-
strations and a catered lunch will be
offered. Contact: 503-364-2942 Web-
site: https://bit.ly/3N57gGT
FRIDAY-SUNDAY JUNE
17-19
Wenatchee River Bluegrass Fes-
tival: Chelan County Expo Center,
5700 Wescott Drive, Cashmere, Wash.
The Annual Wenatchee River Blue-
grass Festival features national award
winners, Appalachian Roadshow; Po’
Ramblin’ Boys; Dave Adkins; Fast Track,
and NW favorites Thunder Ridge and
Rusty Hinges Bluegrass. Events also
include Taylor’s Camp for Kids, Band
Scramble and Slow Jam. Camping
opens Monday June 13. Call: 509 421-
0494. Website: www.WenatcheeRiver-
Bluegrass.com
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
JUNE 18-19
Huckleberry Mountain Invita-
tional Dog Trial: 11684 Huckleberry
Loop, Baker City, Ore. One of the high-
est paying stand alone cow dog tri-
als in the nation is happening near
Sumpter, Ore. Handlers from all over
the western U.S. will gather to show
their dogs’ skills and compete for big
money. Last year first place paid just
under $8,000. With $6,000 added for
2022 and entry fees of $500 per dog
the competition will be steep. The abil-
SUNDAY-TUESDAY
JUNE 26-28
National Onion Association Sum-
mer Convention: Grove Hotel, 245
S. Capitol Blvd., Boise. Discussion top-
ics to include updates to food-safety
guidelines for dry bulb onions, immi-
gration reform, USDA National Potato
and Onion Report methodology. Indus-
try facility tours planned. Registration
price to increase after June 15. Website:
https://bit.ly/3M8SgH7
Caneberry Field Day: 1 p.m.
North Willamette Research & Exten-
sion Center, 15210 NE Miley Road,
Aurora, Ore. Sponsored by the Ore-
gon Raspberry and Blackberry Com-
mission and the Oregon State Univer-
sity Extension. Meet at the Columbia
Star research plot (directly south of
the main building; follow signs). Come
early to have time to pick up hand-
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Her interest in agriculture
and insects came naturally,
she said.
Chitturi grew up in Gun-
tur, India. Her father’s fam-
ily had a farm that grew
rice primarily, “and it was
attacked by a lot of pests,”
she said. “That’s how I
really started to know about
insects, and that’s how my
passion for insects and agri-
culture started.”
She came to the U.S. in
2003 to pursue graduate
studies at the University of
Georgia, which she com-
pleted in 2010. She returned
to India to work for the Inter-
national Crops Research
Institute for the Semi-Arid
Tropics, and with industry.
She returned to the U.S. in
2016 to work for Auburn
University.
dents into these areas. I think
the skill areas we have here are
the most relevant.”
Randall Gritton of Elkton
said what he has learned in the
classroom and then outdoors
would “help me weigh my
options for a career.”
Braden Groth, the ag sci-
ence teacher and FFA advisor
at Elkton, said these types of
events provide students with
the opportunity to learn skills
they can take into a career in a
forestry field.
In addition to the skill
areas, the students also had
time to visit and ask ques-
tions of representatives from
the Umpqua National Forest,
the Bureau of Land Manage-
ment, the Douglas County
Small Woodlands Associa-
tion, the Douglas Forest Pro-
tective Association, Oregon
Women in Timber, the Soci-
ety of American Foresters,
the Oregon State University
Extension Service and the
UCC Recruiting Department.
“After what they’ve learned
and experienced, I’m confident
a number of these students will
go on to UCC or Oregon State
and pursue careers in forestry
or natural resources,” Buck-
bee said.
News Staff
Idaho
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Western Washington
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Eastern Washington
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Oregon
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FarmSeller.com
outs. Contact: Darcy Kochis, 503-208-
5589, darcy@oregon-berries.com
Website: http://extension.oregonstate.
edu/NWREC/
WEDNESDAY JUNE 29
Entire contents copyright © 2022
CapitalPress.com
ities these dogs and handlers have
will impress. Admission is free. Con-
cessions will be on site. Bring a lawn
chair as the trial is held on a real work-
ing ranch out in the pasture. No pets,
please. Website: www.huckleberry-
mtn.com
Western Governors’ Associa-
tion Annual Meeting: Coeur d’Alene,
Idaho. The meeting will focus on pub-
lic conversations about the most sig-
nificant issues facing the region. Web-
site: https://www.westgov.org
Samantha Stinnett .....Circulation Manager
POSTMASTER: send address changes to
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Submit upcoming ag-related
events on www.capitalpress.com or by
email to newsroom@capitalpress.com.
Carl Sampson .................. Managing Editor
Residence: Ontario, Ore.
FFA students go outside for state forestry competition
By CRAIG REED
For the Capital Press
Anne Long ................. Advertising Director
WEDNESDAY-
SATURDAY JULY 6-9
JULY 15-31
California State Fair & Food Fes-
tival: Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd.,
Sacramento, Calif. The California State
Fair is dedicated as a place to celebrate
the best the state has to offer in agri-
culture, technology, and the diversity
of its people, traditions, and trends
that shape the Golden State’s future.
Website: https://calexpostatefair.com/
MONDAY JULY 18
Farm & Ranch Succession Plan-
ning and Working Lands Easements
Workshop, Harney County Court-
house, 12:30 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. Attor-
ney Maria Schmidlkofer will present
on the topics of succession and estate
planning, and how to prepare your
operation to be resilient for future
generations. Easement specialist Marc
Hudson will answer your questions
about working lands conservation
easements.
MarketPlace.capitalpress.com
facebook.com/CapitalPress
facebook.com/FarmSeller
twitter.com/CapitalPress
youtube.com/CapitalPressvideo
Index
Opinion ...................................................6
TUESDAY JULY 19
Farm & Ranch Succession Plan-
ning and Working Lands Easements
Workshop, Vale City Library, Mal-
heur County, Ore. 9:30 a.m. — 1 p.m.
Attorney Maria Schmidlkofer will pres-
ent on the topics of succession and
estate planning, and how to prepare
your operation to be resilient for future
generations. Easement specialist Marc
Hudson will answer your questions
about working lands conservation
easements.
Correction policy
Accuracy is important to Capital Press
staff and to our readers.
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caption, please call the Capital Press news
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