Invited Presenter
Darcy E. P. Telenko 1
1. Purdue University, Botany and Plant Pathology, West Lafayette, Indiana
Corresponding Author: Darcy Telenko, dtelenko@purdue.edu
Telenko, Darcy E. P.
Organic grain production is a growing sector in U.S. agriculture, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast. Although it still accounts for a small fraction of total grain acreage, the sector is expanding rapidly. In 2021, over 17,000 farms managed 4.9 million acres under organic production, with 811,676 acres dedicated to organic grain and oilseed with an
estimated value of $737 million. To support this growth and improve yield, quality, and sustainability, targeted research on disease management in organic grain systems is critical.
Organic grain producers face several unique challenges in managing disease effectively. One major issue is variable disease pressure; in low-pressure years or regions, the benefits of disease control products can be difficult to demonstrate, which then require greater effort in generating data from multiple locations and years to determine effectiveness. Additionally, organic-approved (OMRI-listed) products often lack standardized application guidelines for
timing and rate, complicating cross-study comparisons and on-farm implementation. Biological product performance can further be affected by formulation, shelf life, and environmental factors, introducing variability in efficacy.
Cultural practices—central to organic systems—also influence disease dynamics, and trials that fail to incorporate these elements may yield misleading results. In addition, we are unable to inoculate in organic certified land which limits ability to determine pathogen specific efficacy of products in research. Moreover, cost and labor constraints limit the feasibility of large, replicated, multi-site trials on many organic farms, slowing the pace of evidence generation.
Key research priorities include first identifying the major disease issues to then develop integrated disease management (IDM) strategies tailored to organic systems, identifying and breeding disease-resistant crop varieties
suited for organic-certified seed production, and evaluating alternative cultural practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, soil fertility management, soil health and suppressive soils. There is also significant opportunity to assess the efficacy and practical use of biocontrol agents and other alternative inputs within real-world organic farming contexts.
Collaborative, interdisciplinary research will be essential to address these challenges and gaps. By aligning efforts across plant breeding, agronomy, and plant pathology—while engaging organic producers in participatory research—scientists can help build more resilient, productive organic grain systems. Advancing knowledge in these areas will empower organic farmers with effective tools and strategies for disease management, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and economically viable organic grain sector.
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