Hawk-simulating kite used in research project

Led by center plant pathologist Dr. Shashika Hewavitharana and Master's student Mary Steele, the Wheat Cover Crop research project is in its second year. The project evaluates the impact of wheat as a cover crop on the severity of Macrophomina root rot of strawberry. Shown here about a week after sowing wheat seeds is protective netting (on top of soil) and a kite simulating a hawk in efforts to keep resident birds from impacting the study.