Recent research in Illinois suggests that yield increase in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max. (L.) Merr.] with strip-till (ST) vs. no-till (NT) could be explained by diff erences in root characteristics and enhanced nutrient uptake in ST. However, the eff ect of these tillage practices on soil properties remains unclear. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of NT and ST on soil organic matter (SOM), penetration resistance (PR), bulk density (BD), water aggregate stability (WAS), and infi ltration rate (INF) from selected treatments of a larger study established in 2007 with two adjacent fi elds in a corn-soybean rotation. Th e eff ect of tillage (NT, ST) on soil properties at four diff erent positions relative to the crop-row and at four successive depths was measured during the corn phase in 2012 and 2013. Averaged across crop-row positions relative to NT, ST increased SOM by 8.6% (3.5 vs. 3.8% SOM), reduced BD by 4% to 1.35 g cm -3 and reduced PR by 18% to 0.94 MPa. Th ere were no diff erences or inconsistent responses to tillage for WAS and INF indicating additional years are likely needed to determine whether these soil properties can be infl uenced with NT and ST. Consistent repeated planting over the same position in the fi eld created substantial diff erences in soil properties in relation to position from the crop-row. We showed that previously observed improved nutrient uptake effi ciency and yields in ST compared with NT is related, at least in part, to improved properties of the soil with ST.

Organized mosquito control programs (MCP) in the United States have been protecting public health since the early 1900s. These programs utilize integrated mosquito management for surveillance and control measures to enhance quality of life and protect the public from mosquito-borne diseases. Because much of the equipment and insecticides are developed for agriculture, MCP are left to innovate and adapt what is available to accomplish their core missions. Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are one such innovation that are quickly being adopted by MCP. The advantages of UAS are no longer conjectural. In addition to locating mosquito larval habitats, UAS affords MCP real-time imagery, improved accuracy of aerial insecticide applications, mosquito larval detection and sampling. UAS are also leveraged for applying larvicides to water in habitats that range in size from multi-acre wetlands to small containers in urban settings. Employing UAS can reduce staff exposure to hazards and the impact associated with the use of heavy equipment in sensitive habitats. UAS are utilized by MCP nationally and their use will continue to increase as technology advances and regulations change. Current impediments include a dearth of major UAS manufacturers of equipment that is tailor-made for mosquito control, pesticides that are optimized for application via UAS and regulations that limit the access of UAS to national airspace. This manuscript highlights the strengths and weaknesses of UAS within MCP, provides an update on systems and methods used, and charts the future direction of UAS technology within MCP tasked with public health protection.