Robert Masson

Interests

Research

Soil Health,= Neutral 3rd party testing of commercial agricultural products . Evaluating anything that the specialists can't take care of.

Teaching

Agricultural Education such as PCA ECU's.

Courses

No activities entered.

Scholarly Contributions

Journals/Publications

• Masson, R. (2022). Yuma Beds for Early Cantaloupe Production. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, 13.
• Dickey, L., Hu, J., & Masson, R. (2021).

  First Report of Beet curly top virus Infecting Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa) in Arizona

  . Plant Disease, 105(4), 1233-1233. doi:10.1094/pdis-11-20-2330-pdn
• Dickey, L., Masson, R., & Hu, J. (2020). First report of beet curly top virus infecting industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) in Arizona. Plant disease, 105, 2. doi:https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-20-2330-PDN
  More info

  In Arizona, industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) is a newly cultivated crop for fiber, oil, cosmetic products, and health food. During July to September 2020, two fields of industrial hemp crops were identified in southern Arizona with 10 to 30% incidence of plants showing witches' broom. Disease incidence was assessed by counting symptomatic plants in 4 randomly selected rows of 25 plants in each field. Symptoms ranged from leaf mottling and yellowing on mildly affected plants to leaf curling and shortened internode length of stem on severely affected plants (Fig. 1). Shoots were randomly collected from eight symptomatic plants and three asymptomatic plants in the same area. Genomic DNA was extracted from 200 mg of each sample using DNeasy Plant Pro Kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Phytoplasma was tested by a real-time PCR assay and TaqMan probe targeting the 23S ribosomal RNA gene that detects a wide range of known Phytoplasmas (Hodgetts et al., 2009). Beet curly top virus (BCTV) was targeted using BCTV-specific primers BCTV1 and BCTV2 following a method by Rondon (Rondon et al., 2016). BCTV was not detected in the plants, but Phytoplasmas were detected in all eight symptomatic plants, but not in the three control plants. The positive DNA samples were used to identify the phytoplasma by nested PCR using universal phytoplasma-specific primer pairs P1/P6 (Deng, S. et al. 1991) and R16F2n/R16R2 (Gundersen et al., 1996) targeting the 16S rRNA gene and the resulting 1.25 kb fragment in 4 positive samples was subjected to Sanger sequencing (Eton Bioscience, San Diego). All 4 sequences were identical and deposited in GenBank under accession MW981356. BLASTn results indicated 100% identity with that of several 'Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii' strains on potato (KR072666, KF178706) in Washington and chile peppers (HQ436488) in New Mexico. It also shared 99.84% identity with the sequence of the reference strain of Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii' (AY390261) that caused clover proliferation. The phytoplasma AZH1 was classified as a member of subgroup A within group16SrVI using iPhyClassifier, an interactive online tool for phytoplasma classification and taxonomic assignment (Zhao et al., 2013). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the phytoplasma AZH1 clustered with other isolates of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii' (Fig. 2), including the strain NV1 associated with witches' broom on C. sativa in Nevada (Feng et al. 2019). This is the first report of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii' related strain associated with yellowing and witches' broom on hemp in Arizona. This finding is significant as the observation of symptoms at 30% incidence in one field suggested that the identified pathogen may pose a significant threat to the production of industrial hemp production in Arizona.
• Masson, R. (2021). CBD Hemp Production in Arizona. Arizona Extension Publication, 5.
• Masson, R. (2021). First Report of Crown and Root Rot Caused by Pythium aphanidermatum on Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa) in Arizona. APS publications, 2.
• Masson, R. (2021). University of Arizona 2020 CBD Hemp Variety Trial. Arizona Extension Publication, 9.
• Masson, R., & Hu, J. (2021). Beet curly top virus of industrial hemp. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Publication, 8. doi:https://extension.arizona.edu/pubs/beet-curly-top-virus-industrial-hemp
• Masson, R., & Hu, J. (2021). Pythium crown and root rot of industrial hemp. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Publication, 4. doi:https://extension.arizona.edu/pubs/pythium-crown-root-rot-industrial-hemp
• Masson, R., Bealmear, S., Nolte, k., & Lane, j. (2020). Planting and Harvesting Calendar for Gardeners of Yuma County. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, 1615, 4.
• Johnson, C. R., Masson, R. D., & Trosset, M. W. (2005).

  On the diagonal scaling of Euclidean distance matrices to doubly stochastic matrices

  . Linear Algebra and its Applications. doi:10.1016/j.laa.2004.10.023
  More info

  We consider the problem of scaling a nondegenerate predistance matrix A to a doubly stochastic matrix B . If A is nondegenerate, then there exists a unique positive diagonal matrix C such that B = CAC . We further demonstrate that, if A is a Euclidean distance matrix, then B is a spherical Euclidean distance matrix. Finally, we investigate how scaling a nondegenerate Euclidean distance matrix A to a doubly stochastic matrix transforms the points that generate A . We find that this transformation is equivalent to an inverse stereographic projection.

Presentations

• Masson, R. (2022, March). Yuma Agricultural Overview Lecture for NEOM delegates from Saudi Arabia . NEOM Delegates. Yuma, AZ: NEOM.
  More info

  5 attendees  30 minutes
• Masson, R. (2022, Summer). Industrial Hemp Field Day. Field Day. Yuma AZ: Yuma Extension.
  More info

  Hemp Trial Update
• Masson, R. (2022, jan). Farm to Family Agricultural Education Event. Farm To Family. Yuma, AZ: Extension.
  More info

  Vermicomposting demonstration
• Masson, R., & Scott, V. (2022, August). Soil Amendments: Science, Guidelines, and Good Neighbor Practices.. Presentation. Yuma,, AZ: AZ Leafy Greens Marketing.
  More info

  34 Attendees 3 speakers live
• Masson, R., & Silverston, K. (2022, june). Desert Control: Liquid Natural Clay Soil Amendment Field Demo. Field Demo. Yuma AZ.
  More info

  27 Attendees
• Masson, R. (2021, Winter). Yuma Agricultural Skill Share. YASS. Yuma AZ.
  More info

  An opportunity for people to get together to share skills5 attendees
• Masson, R. (2021, may 2021). Good neighbor compost handling program. In-person. Yuma, AZ: Yuma Safe Produce Council and YCCE.
  More info

  Good neighbor compost handling program. Yuma, AZ. ~40 attendees (May 2021). 50% effort.
• Masson, R., & Scott, V. (2021, Spring). Good Neighbor Compost Handling Program. Good Neighbor. Yuma AZ.
  More info

  The Science of Compost
• Masson, R. (2019, December). Event organizer. Yuma County End of Year Integrated Pest Management Workshop. Booth Machinery - Yuma Arizona: University of Arizona - Yuma County Cooperative Department.
  More info

  Organized an event to assist pest control advisors (PCAs) attain continuing education credits (CEUs) that are required for their license. Recruited 10 university and industry speakers to make presentations on different integrated pest management topics. Made all arrangements and handled all logisitcs for the event including attaining sponsorship from private industry for catering.
• Masson, R. (2019, December). Plant Breeding for Integrated Pest Management. Yuma County End of Year IPM workshop. Yuma Arizona: Yuma County Cooperative Extension.
  More info

  30 min talk covering: natural selection breeding in native plant populations, plant breeding techniques in domestic agriculture, methods growers can use to extend the life of pest resistance genes in agriculture.

Creative Productions

• Masson, R. (2022. Citrus and date seminars. Yuma and Maricopa: YCCE.
  More info

  Organized speaker seminar:14 speakers, six hours, Live, converted to on-demand. CEUs offered: 4.5 AZDA, CA-DPR, and CCA. 81 in-person attendees and 49 zoom (Dec 2022). 
• Masson, R. (2022. Southwest Ag Summit breakout sessions. inperson, zoom, on-demand. Yuma, AZ: Yuma Fresh Veg Association.
  More info

  Organizer for breakoutsessions. Found speakers for two of the breakout sessions. Each session was 2 hours long. 11 workshops. Live, Converted to on-demand, CEUs offered: 4 AZDA, CA-DPR, and CCA. ~350 in-person attendees, 65 on-demand. Yuma, AZ and zoom. (Jan 2022). 25% effort.
• Masson, R. (2022. Third annual Ag Tech field day. in-person. Yuma, AZ: YCCE, YCEDA, UArizona.
  More info

  14 automated farm equipment vendor demonstrations. CEUs offered: 3.0 AZDA, 2.5 CA-DPR, and 3.0 CCA. 114 in-person attendance (Oct 2022)
• Masson, R. (2022. Yuma Fall IPM Seminar.
  More info

  13 Speakers, live in-person and zoom, converted to on-demand.  CEU's offered: 5.0 AZDA,  CA-DPR and CCA.  46 in person attendance. 48 zoom and 11 on demand
• Masson, R. (2022. Yuma Fall IPM Seminar. in-person, zoom, on-demand. Yuma, AZ: YCCE.
  More info

  13 speakers, live in-person and zoom, converted ot on-demand. CEUs offered: 5.0 AZDA, CA-DPR, and CCA. 46 in-person attendence, 48 zoom, and 11 on-demand (Aug 2022)
• Masson, R., & Wright, G. (2022. Citrus and Date Seminars. Yuma and Maricopa. Yuma and Maricopa Counties.
  More info

  14 Speakers, 6 hours live, converted to on-demand CEU's offered; 4.5 AZDA, CA-DPR and CCA81 in person attendees and 49 Zoom
• Masson, R. (2021. Citrus IPM Seminar. in-person and zoom. Yuma: YCCE.
  More info

  Organized seminar: 12 speakers. Live, Converted to on-demand, CEUs offered: 4 AZDA, 4 CA-DPR, 5 CCA. 115 attendees. Yuma, AZ and Zoom. (Dec 2021). 90% effort.  
• Masson, R. (2021. Desert Southwest Citrus IPM Seminar. live, zoom, on-demand. Yuma and zoom: YCCE.
  More info

  CEUs offered: 4 AZDA, 4 CA-DPR, 5 CCA. 115 attendees. Yuma, AZ and Zoom. (Dec 2021). 90% effort.
• Masson, R. (2021. Desert Southwest Lettuce Impatient Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) seminar. in-person, zoom, on-demand. Yuma, AZ: YCCE, YCEDA, UArizona.
  More info

  Workshop on new disease to Yuma area. Disease is killing lettuce and spread by thrip. Seminar was Live in-person and zoom then Converted to on-demand CEUs offered: 3 AZDA, CA-DPR, and CCA. 175 attendees Yuma, AZ, Zoom, on demand. (Sep 2021).
• Masson, R. (2021. Second annual Ag Tech field day. live. Yuma, AZ: YCCE, YCEDA, UArizona.
  More info

  CEUs offered: 1.5 AZDA, 1.0 CA-DPR, 2.5 CCA. Yuma, AZ. (Oct 2021). 25% effort.
• Masson, R. (2021. Southwest Ag Summit. zoom only. Yuma, AZ: Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association, YCCE, UArizona.
  More info

  Organized a virtual seminar during the peak of covid by organizing and broadcasting 12 workshops, each with two hours of content made from multiple 100% remote broadcasters. Live on zoom and 8 workshops converted to on-demand CEUs offered: 4 AZDA, CA-DPR, and CCA. ~350 attendees on zoom, 81 on-demand. Yuma, AZ and zoom. (Jan 2021).
• Masson, R. (2020. COVID19 compliant baby leaf hemp drive thru tasting. in-person. Yuma, AZ: YCCE.
  More info

  Baby leaf hemp taste testing event. Yuma, AZ. ~200 attendees (Oct 2020). Industrial hemp update
• Masson, R. (2020. Desert Southwest Soil Health Webinar. zoom. Zoom: YCCE.
  More info

  Organized a virtual workshop on my own during the peak of COVID with 18 speakers. 364 attendees. Zoom. CUEs offered: 2 AZDA, 2 CA-DPR, 6 CCA. Online. (jul 2020). 100% effort.
• Masson, R. (2020. End of year desert IPM seminar. Yuma, AZ: YCCE.
  More info

  Organizer for a zoom seminar with 8 speakers to discuss veg IPM. 8 Speakers. Zoom. CEUs offered: 3 AZDA and CA-DPR. Yuma, AZ.  (Dec 2020). 100% effort.
• Masson, R. (2019. End of year desert IPM seminar. Live. Yuma, AZ: YCCE.
  More info

  Organizer for a pre-COVID workshop. 6 Speakers, Yuma, AZ.  ~ 30 attendees. CEUs offered: 3 AZDA and CA-DPR. Yuma, AZ.  (Dec 2019). 75% effort. Hemp IPM Update 
• Masson, R. (2019. Industrial Hemp Workshop. In-person. Yuma, AZ: YCCE.
  More info

  Industrial hemp workshop, field day. 9 Speakers. ~60 attendees. Yuma, AZ (Nov 2019). 50% effort. Industrial hemp update

Others

• Masson, R. (2022, January). Home Grown: USDA approves Arizona hemp production licenses. Kyma News Channel 13. https://kyma.com/news/home-grown/2022/01/18/home-grown-usda-approves-arizona-hemp-production-licenses/
• Masson, R. (2021, February). Home Grown: USDA loosens THC sampling regulations for hemp crops. Kyma news Channel 13. https://kyma.com/news/home-grown/2021/02/15/home-grown-usda-loosens-thc-sampling-regulations-for-hemp-crops/