Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research has included work in IPM, systems level studies, and sustainability of Midsouth cotton. Production systems that promote an early maturing crop are an important tactic for IPM because an earlier maturing crop will allow avoidance of high insect pest pressures of late summer as well as fall weather risks that can impede harvest. One output from this project has been creation and refinement of end of season decision rules for terminating insect control for tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris, a key pest in Arkansas cotton. The Lygus termination rule has been accepted by other Midsouth states as well as TX and MS. Another output included development of techniques for screening promising cotton lines for host plant resistance to Lygus. These techniques ultimately should allow breeders to screen plant cuttings from field plantings to evaluate varietal susceptibility, ultimately saving time and research resources and speeding development of commercial cotton varieties that present pesticide alternatives for Lygus pest management. Another output has been supporting creation and validation of decision rules for timing the final crop irrigation. This is an important component in cotton IPM because late season irrigation may extend the crop protection season. The irrigation termination decision rule was based on over 10 years of applied research conducted throughout the Midsouth. Other collaborative studies included evaluation of long term records of a large NE Arkansas farm to evaluate pest management improvements following adaption of transgenic cotton varieties and boll weevil eradication. Conservation tillage practices on that farm were implemented following adoption of herbicide tolerant transgenic varieties. Using a scan level Life Cycle Assessment approach the analysis assessed greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Using detailed production and yield records from over 100 fields, results showed the carbon equivalents to produce 1 lb of cotton decreased by 49% from 1997 to 2008. Another multidisciplinary, on-farm study featured field level comparisons of cotton production with and without an array of soil and water conservation practices. These practices included use of cover crops, site specific fertility management, conservation tillage, IPM, crop monitoring with COTMAN expert system and irrigation tools that have been shown to improve water use efficiency. The work has included edge-of-field water quality monitoring and was supported by USDA-NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant to improve nutrient management on agricultural fields through the Mississippi River Healthy Water Initiative. The conservation practices were focused on reducing cotton's environmental footprint and moving toward a more sustainable system Research results have provided education and technology assistance to cotton producers and their advisers that encourage expanded adoption of crop and pest management practices that enable them to improve on-farm efficiency while reducing cotton's environmental footprint. Dissemination of the research results has been accomplished through presentations at scientific as well as producer conferences and field study days. PARTICIPANTS: Partner organizations included Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, the Judd Hill Foundation, Judd Hill, AR, and Wildy Farms, Manila, AR, and the University of Arkansas Lon Mann Cotton Research Station. Laboratory. The Judd Hill Foundation and Lon Mann Station provided office and field laboratory support. Wildy Family Farms supplied field and office space as well as services associated with crop production and protection for field experiments. Collaborators on the sustainability research included USDA ARS scientists Ken Fisher (ag engineering, Stoneville, MS), Seth Dabney (systems agronomist, Oxford, MS), Michele Reba (hydrologist, Jonesboro/Oxford, MS) and Randy Raper (ag engineering, Booneville, AR). Research collaborators also included University of Arkansas scientists Craig Rothrock (plant pathology), Lanier Nalley (economics), Archie Flanders (economics), Morteza Mozzafari (soils), Fred Bourland (plant breeding) and UA Experiment Station at Arkansas State University scientists, Jenifer Bouldin (water quality), Steve Green (soil quality), Calvin Shumway (agronomy), and Arkansas State University scientist, Keith Morris (engineering). TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include cotton producers and their crop advisors, agricultural service providers, industry sales and research personnel as well as education professionals from Cooperative Extension and USDA-NRCS field staff. Formal and informal educational programs included presentations at the Judd Hill Foundation Field Day, the Arkansas Soil and Water Education Conference as well as presentations at the Beltwide Cotton Conference and Cotton Incorporated Crop Management Seminar. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Work in this CRESS project has included applied field research to refine and develop decision guides for crop and insect pest management in cotton in the Midsouth. The research has included irrigation and soil fertility impacts on insect pests and crop maturity, as well as use of host plant resistance as a tactic in an integrated pest management strategy. The COTMAN crop monitoring system was used in field studies, and a portion of the research effort was directed to refining end-of-season decision making. COTMAN is used by Arkansas cotton producers and their crop advisers most commonly for crop termination decisions. Crop production becomes more efficient when expensive and unnecessary late season irrigation and protection inputs are avoided. One outcome from this project was reduction in insecticide use in late season for Lygus lineolaris following development of a insect control termination rule which recommends that producers terminate control of new infestations of Lygus after the crop has reached the final stage of crop susceptibility. This endpoint, cutout + 250 DD60s, is determined based on the flowering date of the last cohort of flowers that produce fruit (bolls) that contribute to economic yield. The decision rule was validated through both small plot and on farm research and demonstration trials and is now included in Extension recommendations. Setting an early crop to avoid late season insect pest risks is a goal of IPM programs for cotton, and a key to crop earliness is appropriate irrigation management. This project included extensive evaluations of interactions of irrigation timing and pests. Results indicated that producers should time irrigation initiation to avoid pre-flower water deficits and irrigation termination to avoid late season re-growth. Poor timing resulted in crop delay. In other work, results from a 3 year cotton sustainability study indicate no benefit from use of automatic pesticide applications for Lygus control across either conventional tillage, no-till and cover crop-reduced tillage systems. Such applications result in unneeded additional expense and risks for environmental contamination. In long term multi-disciplinary systems studies designed to evaluate the impact of winter cover crops and conservation tillage on cotton production and protection, lower incidence of thrips were associated with cover crops compared to cotton with no cover crops. Water quality and soil quality improvements also were observed. This work, in cooperation with USDA-NRCS and USDA-ARS included both the economic and environmental impact of on farm adoption of cover crops, use of precision agriculture methods and extensive in-season crop and insect pest monitoring.
Publications
- Nalley, L.L, D.M. Danforth, Z. Niederman, T. G. Teague. 2012. A Scan level cotton carbon life cycle assessment - has bio-tech reduced the carbon emission from cotton production in the USA Accepted September 2012 to Journal of Cotton Science.
- Reba, M. L, M. Daniels, Y. Chen, A. Sharpley, J. Bouldin, T.G. Teague, P. Daniel, & C.G. Henry. 2012. A statewide water quality and water quantity monitoring network in Arkansas accepted to Journal of Soil & Water Conservation. (ARIS log number 287100)
- Reba, M.L., M. Daniels, Y. Chen, A. Sharpley, T. Teague and J. Bouldin. 2012. A network for monitoring agricultural water quantity and water quality in Arkansas, Eos, Transactions of the American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting Supplement, Abstract H31G-1204.
- Reba, M.L, J. Bouldin, T. Teague and J. Choate. 2011, Reducing runoff and nutrient loss from agricultural land in the Lower Mississippi River Basin, Eos, Transactions of the American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting Supplement, Abstract H41B-1021
- Teague, T.G., L. Espinoza, C.S. Rothrock, A. Flanders, and L.A. Fowler. 2012. Nitrogen fertilizer timing and tillage - focusing management to build sustainable cotton systems. pp.100-111. in: Derrick M. Oosterhuis (ed), Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research 2011, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 602.
- Teague, T.G., C. Rothrock and C.R. Shumway. 2012. Cotton response to irrigation timing and use of enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizer and biosolids - Year II. pp.80-91. in: Derrick M. Oosterhuis (ed), Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research 2011, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 602.
- Teague, T.G. and K. D. Neeley. 2012.Evaluation and utilization of resistance of resistance to tarnished plant bug in cotton - Survival of nymphs on a frego bract compared to a nectariless line in field & laboratory trials. pp.808-816. in: S. Boyd, M. Huffman, B. Robertson (eds.), Proc. of the 2012 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research in 2011 included work in IPM, systems level studies, and sustainability of Midsouth cotton. Research work examined how production and protection decisions affect crop maturity,yield and profit as well as environmental impact. Production systems that promote an early maturing crop are an important tactic for IPM because an earlier maturing crop achieves the final stage of susceptibility earlier in the summer avoiding higher insect pest pressures of late season and reducing weather risks that can impede harvest. Crop monitoring with the Arkansas developed, COTMAN expert system, allows users to document crop maturity response to production and protection inputs. Current COTMAN crop termination guidelines are based on "cutout", the flowering date of the last effective boll (fruit) population, that last cohort of flowers that produce bolls that contribute to economic yield. Results from a 10-year study were published in 2011 with a final recommendation that final crop furrow irrigation can be timed at cutout + 350 DD60s. Results from another late season irrigation study, also published in 2011, show that pest pressure from tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris, a key pest in Arkansas cotton, is exacerbated by late irrigation. Added irrigations in late season did not help the plant compensate from early season injury from pests or from pre-flower water deficit stress. In other work, applications of the plant growth regulator, mepiquat chloride, were shown to have a greater effect on fruit retention and yield than insecticide applications directed season long against low population levels of Lygus. Host plant resistance studies also were continued with evaluations of a promising screening technique that uses plant apical main stem cuttings placed in waterfoam arenas to assess resistance properties of cotton breeding lines to Lygus. Other field experiments included continuation of a long term multi-disciplinary systems study designed to evaluate the impact of winter cover crops and conservation tillage on cotton production. In small plot studies with conservation tillage systems, no significant impact of tarnished plant bug was observed across conventional, no-till and cover crop fields. Water quality improvements were documented with adoption of the conservation tillage systems compared to conventional tillage. Other collaborative studies included evaluation of long term records of a large NE Arkansas farm to evaluate pest management improvements following adaption of transgenic cotton varieties and boll weevil eradication. Conservation tillage practices on that farm were implemented following adoption of herbicide tolerant transgenic varieties. Using a scan level Life Cycle Assessment approach the analysis assessed greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Using detailed production and yield records from over 100 fields, results showed the carbon equivalents to produce 1 lb of cotton decreased by 49% from 1997 to 2008. While the results of this study are only from one farm, this farm is representative of the Midsouth in adoption of technology and representative of best management practices for northeast Arkansas cotton production. PARTICIPANTS: Partner organizations included Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, the Judd Hill Foundation, Judd Hill, AR, and Wildy Farms, Manila, AR, and the University of Arkansas Lon Mann Cotton Research Station. Laboratory and greenhouse space was provided by ASU. The Judd Hill Foundation and Lon Mann Station provided office and field laboratory support. Wildy Farms supplied field and office space as well as services associated with crop production and protection for field experiments. Collaborators on the sustainability research included USDA ARS scientists Ken Fisher (ag engineering, Stoneville, MS), Seth Dabney (systems agronomist, Oxford, MS) and Randy Raper (ag engineering, Booneville, AR). Research collaborators also included University of Arkansas scientists Craig Rothrock (plant pathology), Lanier Nalley (economics), Archie Flanders (economics), Morteza Mozzafari (soils), Fred Bourland (plant breeding) and UA Experiment Station at Arkansas State University scientists, Jenifer Bouldin (water quality), Steve Green (soil quality), Calvin Shumway (agronomy), and Arkansas State University scientists, Keith Morris (engineering) and Richard Warby (soil chemistry). TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include cotton producers and their crop advisors, agricultural service providers, industry sales and research personnel as well as education professionals from Cooperative Extension and USDA-NRCS field staff. Formal and informal educational programs included presentations at the Judd Hill Foundation Field Day, the Arkansas Soil and Water Education Conference as well as presentations at the Beltwide Cotton Conference. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Work in this CRESS project has included applied field research to refine and develop decision guides for the COTMAN expert system - a crop monitoring tool for in-season decision making. COTMAN is used by Arkansas cotton producers and their crop advisers most commonly for crop termination decisions. COTMAN crop monitoring results are used to define the flowering date last cohort of bolls that contribute to economic yield. Protection and production inputs can be timed based on maturity of those bolls. Crop production becomes more efficient if unnecessary late season applications of insecticides and irrigation are avoided. Both economic and environmental benefits will accrue to rural communities. Research published in 2011 presented a formal termination rule for timing the final crop irrigation. This work, which originated in Arkansas, was based on over 10 years of applied research conducted throughout the Midsouth, and a significant source of supporting data for the new decision guide came from this CSREES project. Other research in this project resulted in establishment and field validation of the termination rule for insect control for tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris. The Lygus termination rule has been accepted by other Midsouth states as well as Texas. In other work, results from a 3 year cotton sustainability study indicate no benefit from use of automatic pesticide applications for Lygus control across either conventional tillage, no-till and cover crop-reduced tillage systems. A sustainable cotton system incorporates an IPM strategy which does not include automatic, preventative foliar applications of insecticides. Such applications result in unneeded additional expense and pose risks for environmental contamination. While insecticides remain the chief method for managing tarnished plant bugs in Midsouth cotton, on-going research programs are directed at improving host plant resistance (HPR) to this important pest. This project includes a collaborative research effort with the state's cotton breeder to improve techniques for screening promising cotton lines for HPR to tarnished plant bug. These techniques and others under study ultimately should allow breeders to screen plant cuttings from field and greenhouse plantings to evaluate susceptibility, ultimately saving time and research resources and speeding development of commercial cotton varieties that present pesticide alternatives for Lygus pest management.
Publications
- Teague, T.G. 2011. Irrigation Timing and Tarnished Plant Bug Management: Implications for Late Season Susceptibility to Tarnished Plant Bug and Crop Termination Decisions, Year III. pp.1346-1353. in: S. Boyd, M. Huffman, B. Robertson (eds.), Proc. of the 2011 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis.
- Teague, T. G., K. Neeley, A. Flanders, and L. Fowler. 2011. Tarnished plant bug and the plant growth regulator, mepiquat chloride: Influence on cotton fruiting dynamics and yield. 2011. pp 158-170 in: Derrick M. Oosterhuis (ed), Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research 2010, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 589.
- Teague, T.G. and C.R. Shumway. 2011. Cotton response to irrigation timing and use of enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizer and biosolids. pp.1346-1353. in: S. Boyd, M. Huffman, B. Robertson (eds.), Proc. of the 2011 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis.
- Teague, T.G., J. Bouldin, C.R. Shumway, S. Green, R. Warby, K. Morris, A. Flanders. 2011. Crop Protection and Tillage:Focusing management to build sustainable cotton systems,year three pp.848-861. in: S. Boyd, M. Huffman, B. Robertson (eds.), Proc. of the 2011 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis.
- Bouldin, J. G. R.A.F. Warby, P. Yu, and T. G. Teague. 2011. Sustainable cotton production: The effects of best management practices on water, sediment and soil quality. pp 100-109. in: Derrick M. Oosterhuis (ed), Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research 2010, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 589.
- Luttrell, R.L., K.C. Allen, P. OLeary, T.G. Teague. 2011. Insect infestations, crop development and evolving management approaches on a northeast Arkansas cotton farm p.1185. in: S. Boyd, M. Huffman, B. Robertson (eds.), Proc. of the 2011 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis.
- Nalley, L.L, D.M. Danforth, Z. Niederman, T. G. Teague, 2011. Has bio-tech reduced the carbon emission from cotton production in the USA pp 25-28 in: Derrick M. Oosterhuis (ed), Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research 2010, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 589.
- Nalley, L.L, D.M. Danforth, Z. Niederman, T. G. Teague, David Wildy. 2011. A Scan level cotton carbon life cycle assessment; has bio-tech reduced the carbon emission from cotton production in the USA pp. 346-347. in: S. Boyd, M. Huffman, B. Robertson (eds.), Proc. of the 2011 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis.
- Raper, R. L., J. L. Snider, T. G. Teague, and S. S. Kulkarni. 2011. Effects of east Arkansas production systems on soil strength and electrical conductivity. 2011. pp 176-180. in: Derrick M. Oosterhuis (ed), Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research 2010, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 589.
- Vories, E. D., J. K. Greene, T. G. Teague, J. H. Stewart, B. J. Phipps, H. C. Pringle, E. L. Clawson, R. J. Hogan, P. F. O'Leary, T. W. Griffin. 2011. Determining the optimum timing for the final furrow irrigation on mid-south cotton. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 27(5): 737‐745.
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Field studies in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) to validate pest management guides for control of tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois)) continued in NE Arkansas in 2010 with the final year of a three year project to evaluate how early season water deficit stress affects late season crop susceptibility to Lygus. Current crop management termination guidelines are based on the flowering date of the last effective boll (fruit) population, that last cohort of flowers that produce bolls that contribute to economic yield. This date, termed cutout, is defined using either plant or weather oriented decision rules depending on the crop condition and season. Waiting until first flowers to start weekly furrow irrigation resulted in a delay in crop maturity. Such delays should be avoided because they extend the time the crop is attractive and vulnerable to late season insect pests. Number of days to physiological cutout was 9 days longer if irrigation was delayed compared to early initiation. Non-irrigated, rainfed cotton was water stressed in much of 2010, and plants reached cutout at 68 days after planting - 28 days earlier than early irrigated cotton. Irrigation starting at first flowers (61 days after planting (DAP)) resulted in a 26% increase in yield compared to rainfed cotton, but early irrigation initiation (48 DAP) resulted in a 61% increase in yield compared to rainfed cotton. Extending the irrigation season by providing an extra week of irrigation after cutout did not increase yields or compensate for the pre-flower water deficit stress. Early irrigation initiation and an early termination (103 DAP) yielded 1675 lbs lint/acre compared to 1351 lbs for late initiation followed by late termination (111 DAP). Lygus bug feeding damage resulted in significant reductions in yield in 2010 in the untreated check. Highest yields were observed when cotton was protected from Lygus from the first week of flower through cutout. Insecticide applied to control a late season infestation at seasonal cutout +330 DD60s, did not impact yield. There was no significant irrigation * plant bug interaction. This study provided validation for the COTMAN Expert System crop termination rules for insect control and irrigation. Other field experiments included continuation of a long term multi-disciplinary systems study directed at improving sustainability of Mid-south cotton designed to evaluate the impact of winter cover crops and conservation tillage on cotton production including impacts on water and soil quality. In a component study to evaluate insect pest control in each of the tillage systems, feeding injury by low to moderate Lygus population densities over three years resulted in no yield penalties - lint production was similar among treatments receiving either weekly automatic insecticide applications, threshold based insecticide sprays or no sprays. Host plant resistance studies also were continued in 2010 with evaluations of a promising lab technique that uses plant apical main stem cuttings placed in waterfoam arenas to assess resistance properties of cotton breeding lines. PARTICIPANTS: Partner organizations included Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, the Judd Hill Foundation, Judd Hill, AR, and Wildy Farms, Manila, AR, and the University of Arkansas Lon Mann Cotton Research Station. Laboratory and greenhouse space was provided by ASU. The Judd Hill Foundation and Lon Mann Station provided office and field laboratory support. Wildy Farms supplied field and office space as well as services associated with crop production and protection for field experiments. Collaborators on the sustainability research included USDA ARS scientists Ken Fisher (ag engineering, Stoneville, MS), Seth Dabney (systems agronomist, Oxford, MS) and Randy Raper (ag engineering, Booneville, AR). Research collaborators also included University of Arkansas scientists Craig Rothrock (plant pathology), Lanier Nalley (economics), Archie Flanders (economics), Morteza Mozzafari (soils), Fred Bourland (plant breeding) and UA Experiment Station at Arkansas State University scientists, Jenifer Bouldin (water quality), Steve Green (soil quality), Calvin Shumway (agronomy), and Arkansas State University scientists, Keith Morris (engineering) and Richard Warby (soil chemistry). Training and professional development included special high school teacher training within the University of Arkansas Little Rock STRIVE program. High school science teacher, Michele Guinn, Paragould,AR participated in a 4 week field cotton sustainability research project at the Judd Hill Foundation. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include cotton producers and their crop advisors, agricultural service providers, industry sales and research personnel as well as education professionals from Cooperative Extension and USDA-NRCS field staff. Formal and informal educational programs included presentations at the Judd Hill Foundation Field Day, the Arkansas Soil and Water Education Conference as well as presentations at the Beltwide Cotton Conference. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The COTMAN crop termination guide is helpful in defining the final stage of crop susceptibility for a number of important insect pests of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). It allows crop advisors to answer two questions: When is a cotton crop safe from new infestations of insect pests When is scouting no longer necessary With this decision aid, producers save money by avoiding unnecessary late season applications, but they also protect yield by knowing when the crop remains susceptible, allowing them to know when to take action to protect still vulnerable fruit (bolls). The cutout + 250 DD60s endpoint for boll protection appears valid for tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois)) control termination. In 2007, based on results from long term studies in this project, region-wide recommendations were made to adjust the definition of the final stage of crop susceptibility to be cutout+250 DD60s compared to the older Midsouth recommendations of cutout+350 DD60s. Research results in 2010 showed that adjustments in defining the cutout date - when to start heat unit accumulation - may be required when a crop has experienced pre-flower water deficits. Because cotton is a perennial plant, if the stress is relieved, through either rainfall or delayed start of irrigation, a pattern of late season indeterminate crop growth may follow. Pre-flower stress should be avoided, but in the event of crop maturity delays, seasonal cutout guides should be employed. For cotton producers, adoption of the cutout+250 guide essentially shortens the crop protection season by five to seven days. In many parts of the Midsouth, this will easily eliminate at least one late season insecticide application. Reductions in pesticide load will yield both economic and environmental benefits to rural communities. In other work, results from a 3 year cotton sustainability study indicate no benefit from use of automatic pesticide applications for Lygus control. A sustainable cotton system incorporates an IPM strategy which does not include automatic, preventative foliar applications of insecticides. Such applications result in unneeded additional expense and pose risks for environmental contamination. While insecticides remain the chief method for managing tarnished plant bugs in Midsouth cotton, on-going research programs are directed at improving host plant resistance (HPR) to this important pest. This project includes a collaborative research effort with the state's cotton breeder to improve techniques for screening promising cotton lines for HPR to tarnished plant bug. These techniques and others under study ultimately should allow breeders to screen plant cuttings from field and greenhouse plantings to evaluate susceptibility, ultimately saving time and research resources and speeding development of commercial cotton varieties that present pesticide alternatives for Lygus pest management.
Publications
- Teague, T.G. and D.M. Danforth. 2010. Irrigation timing and tarnished plant bug management: Implications for late season susceptibility to tarnished plant bug and crop termination decisions- Year II. in: S. Boyd, M. Huffman, B. Robertson (eds.), pp. 825-840. Proc. of the 2010 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis.
- Teague, T.G., J.L, Willers, F.M. Bourland, and G. Milliken. 2010. Investigation of field lot size on variation in white flower anther injury associated with tarnished plant bug host plant resistance evaluations in Arkansas cotton. in: S. Boyd, M. Huffman, B. Robertson (eds.), pp. 841-842. Proc. of the 2010 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis.
- Teague, T.G., V.S. Green, J.L. Bouldin, C.R. Shumway, and L. Fowler. 2010. Crop protection and tillage: focusing management to build sustainable cotton systems. in: S. Boyd, M. Huffman, B. Robertson (eds.), pp. 892-904. Proc. of the 2010 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis.
- Sappington, D.R., T.R. Brueggen, J.L. Bouldin, S. Green, C. Shumway, T.G. Teague. 2010. Improving water quality with better management practices in Midsouth cotton. in: S. Boyd, M. Huffman, B. Robertson (eds.), pp. 622-627. Proc. of the 2010 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis.
- Teague, T.G., C. Shumway, S. Green, J. Bouldin, and L. Fowler. 2010. Crop Protection and Tillage: Focusing Management to Build Sustainable Cotton Systems pp. 142-150 in: Derrick M. Oosterhuis (ed), Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research 2008, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 582.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research in 2009 included field studies in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) to validate late season management guides for control of tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois)). Current recommendations suggest producers may terminate control of new infestations of Lygus after the crop has reached the final stage of crop susceptibility. This endpoint, cutout + 250 DD60s, is determined based on the flowering date of the last effective boll population, that last cohort of flowers that produce fruit (bolls) that contribute to economic yield. Cutout is defined using either plant or weather oriented decision rules depending on the crop condition and season. Validation work in 2009 included continuation of field experiments to evaluate how early season water deficit stress brought on by delayed irrigation initiation affect crop maturity and late season tolerance to feeding injury by Lygus. Results in 2009 showed that lint yield was significantly higher (ca. 40%) with an early irrigation start compared to a delayed start (first flowers) or no irrigation. Extended irrigations after cutout did not increase yield compared to irrigation termination at cutout. Plant bug infestations significantly reduced yield under all irrigation regimes. Pre-flower manually applied bugs reduced lint yield compared to treatments receiving season long insecticide applications. With the delayed dates of planting cause by rains across the Midsouth in 2009, time dependent compensation for early season loss of fruiting forms was not achieved. Yield reductions (ca. 14%) also were observed where the at-cutout infestation of plant bugs was not controlled. The cutout + 250 DD60 endpoint for boll protection appears valid for plant bug control termination. When a crop has suffered pre-flower stress, and exhibits an indeterminate physiological cutout, then seasonal cutout guides should be employed. Setting an early crop to avoid late season risks has long been a goal of IPM programs for Arkansas cotton. Producers should time irrigation applications to avoid pre-flower water deficits that can delay the crop and reduce yields. Other 2009 field experiments included continuation of a long term soil conservation and pest management systems study. Component studies included evaluations of pest control programs across the three different tillage systems: conventional, no-till and a wheat/clover cover crop system. Tillage systems significantly impacted lint yields in 2009 with highest production in the cover crop. Pest conditions were such that automatic combinations of insecticide and fungicide programs offered no agronomic benefit in any tillage systems. Work also continued in improvements in host plant resistance screening procedures with Lygus. Monitoring levels of white flower anther injury is a simple and rapid field evaluation technique used by plant breeders. Findings from a 2 year study to determine if Lygus preferences would be altered by plot sizes of field tests say there was no effect of plot size, which is an advantageous finding. Research findings were reported to producers and crop advisors at field days and technical conferences. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The COTMAN crop termination guide is helpful in defining the final stage of crop susceptibility for a number of important insect pests of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). It allows crop advisors to answer two questions: When is a cotton crop safe from new infestations of insect pests When is scouting no longer necessary With this decision aid, producers save money by avoiding unnecessary late season applications, but they also protect yield by knowing when the crop remains susceptible, allowing them to know when to take action to protect still vulnerable fruit (bolls). The cutout + 250 DD60 endpoint for boll protection appears valid for tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois)) control termination. In 2007, based on results from long term studies in this project, region-wide recommendations were made to adjust the definition of the final stage of crop susceptibility to cutout+250 DD60s compared to the older Midsouth recommendations of cutout+350 DD60s. Expanded research in this project in 2009 showed that adjustments in defining the cutout date - when to start heat unit accumulation - may be required when a crop has suffered through pre-flower water deficits. Because cotton is a perennial plant, if the stress is relieved, through either rainfall or delayed start of irrigation, a pattern of late season indeterminate crop growth may follow. Should the decision maker encounter indeterminate physiological cutout, seasonal cutout guides should be employed, and heat unit accumulations started at that date. For cotton producers, adoption of the cutout+250 guide essentially shortens the crop protection season by five to seven days. In many parts of the Midsouth, this will easily eliminate at least one late season insecticide application. Reductions in pesticide load will yield both economic and environmental benefits to rural communities. While insecticides remain the chief method for managing tarnished plant bugs in Midsouth cotton, on-going research programs are directed at improving host plant resistance (HPR) to this important pest. This project includes a collaborative research effort with the state's cotton breeder to improve techniques for screening promising cotton lines for HPR to tarnished plant bug. A laboratory technique using waterfoam arenas to assess preference has been developed and was used to evaluate a range of breeding lines and commercial cultivars in2009. Results duplicate findings from 2008 tests; the technique appears to allow rapid identification of highly susceptible lines.It features a simple no-choice, single square assessment. This technique and others under study ultimately should allow breeders to screen individual flower buds from greenhouse plantings to evaluate susceptibility, ultimately saving time and research resources and speeding development of commercial cotton varieties that present insecticide alternatives for Lygus pest management.
Publications
- Teague, T.G., V.S. Green, J.L. Bouldin, C.R. Shumway, and L.Fowler. 2009. Tillage and pest control:Where should we focus management in building a sustainable cotton system p 137-147 in: Derrick M. Oosterhuis (ed), Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research 2008, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 573.
- Teague, T. G. and F. M. Bourland 2009. Feeding Damage and Survival of Tarnished Plant Bug Nymphs in Frego Bract Compared to a Nectariless Cotton Line.in: S.Boyd, M. Huffman, D.A. Richter, B. Robertson (eds.), p. 768-782. Proc. of the 2009 Beltwide Cotton Conferences,National Cotton Council, Memphis.
- Teague, T. G. and D. M. Danforth. 2009. Irrigation timing and tarnished plant bug management: mplications for late season susceptibility to tarnished plant bug and crop termination decisions. in: S. Boyd, M. Huffman, D. A. Richter, B. Robertson (eds.), p.787-801. Proc. of the 2009 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research in 2008 included field studies to validate a 2007 proposed management guide for late season control of Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) in cotton. Previously, state recommendations as well as regional guides in the COTMAN Expert System suggested termination of control of new infestations of Lygus at the crop stage physiological cutout+350DD60s. Physiological cutout was defined as when the crop reaches an average of nodes above white flower = 5. The updated guide suggests termination at cutout+250DD60s, approximately one week earlier. Validation work in 2008 included two experiments designed to evaluate how early season stresses affect late season susceptibility and tolerance of cotton plants to feeding injury by Lygus, and whether the recommendation should be modified when special growing conditions result in late season crop re-growth. Work was conducted in central eastern Arkansas at the Lon Mann Experiment Station in Marianna in Lee County and at a commercial farm located further north in Mississippi County. The experiment was designed as a 5 * 5 factorial with 3 replications with bug injury/control (5 factors) and irrigation timing (5 factors) arranged in a split plot with irrigation as main plots. To obtain different levels of pre-flower square loss among insect treatments at the Mississippi County site, natural bug populations were augmented with laboratory reared nymphs released during the first week of squaring. The Lee County experiment included only the native field population. Insect treatments were 1) bugs followed by (FB) continued late season insecticide sprays 2) bugs FB early control termination, 3) early sprays FB late sprays 4) early sprays FB early termination and 5) untreated. Timing of insect control termination was relative to date of physiological cutout. Early termination timing was at cutout+20 DD60s; late insecticide sprays were made until cutout+350 DD60s. Irrigation timing was related to start time (initiated pre-flower or delayed until after first flowers) and quitting time (final irrigation at cutout+350 DD60s compared to late at cutout+500 DD60s). A non-irrigated control was included. At the northern site, Lygus treatments had no effect on yield. At Marianna, Lygus pressure remained low until the week of physiological cutout at which time pest numbers were 3 to 10 times higher than action thresholds. Bug numbers in insecticide protected treatments remained at sub-threshold levels. No differences in yield were observed among bug treatments. Rainfall patterns were such that late season irrigation was not a factor, but irrigation timing pre-flower significantly increase yields at both sites compared to delayed or no irrigation. Lint yields ranged from 1100 to 1800 kg/ha; delays in irrigation initiation at both sites resulted in no better yield than not irrigating. Results from two additional large scale validation trials in commercial fields Mississippi County in 2008 also supported the new termination timing. Results from 2008 indicate that the insect control termination guide in COTMAN (physiological cutout+250 DD60s) is more than sufficient for late season plant bug management in the Midsouth. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include Midsouth cotton producers, crop advisors, and other consultant and service providers that make recommendations for management of insect pests. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Effective implementation of this end-of-season decision guide for insect pest management in cotton will result in reductions in unnecessary and uneconomical applications of insecticide. Adjusting late season management to time final stage of crop susceptibility at physiological cutout + 250 DD60s compared to the current recommendation of cutout+ 350 DD60s essentially shortens the crop protection season by five to seven days. In many parts of the Midsouth, this could eliminate one to two late season insecticide applications. Reductions in pesticide load will yield both economic and environmental benefits to rural communities.
Publications
- Teague, T. G. 2008. Final irrigation timing 2007 - COTMAN and crop termination in Arkansas cotton. Pp 114-122 in: Derrick M. Oosterhuis (ed), Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research 2007, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 562.
- Teague, T.G., J. Lund, J.T. Sangepogu, F.M. Bourland. 2008. Techniques for evaluating feeding preferences of Lygus lineolaris in midsouth cotton. In: Goodell P.B., Ellsworth, P.C. eds. 2008. Second International Lygus Symposium, Asilomar. 27 pp. Journal of Insect Science 8:49, online insectscience.org/8.49.
- Teague, T. G. , J. Smith, D.M. Danforth and P.F. O'Leary. 2008. Manually applied infestations of tarnished plant bug nymphs in late season cotton to identify the final stage of crop susceptibility in: S. Boyd, M. Huffman, D. A. Richter, B. Robertson (eds.), pp. 1239-1250. Proceedings of the 2008 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A focus of 2007 research was to examine how early season stresses affect susceptibility and tolerance of cotton plants to feeding injury by tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois). Objectives were: 1) Reconcile how irrigation timing and bug feeding prior to first flower affects the crop's carrying capacity and timing of physiological cutout, 2)Evaluate compensation capacity of plants is affected by pre-flower stress and determine if COTMAN crop termination decision guides for crop termination should be adjusted in cases where stress or injury has delayed crop development. Work was conducted at the Lon Mann Experiment Station in Marianna to take advantage of increased pest pressure in that production area. The experiment was designed as a 4 * 5 factorial with 3 replications with bug injury/control (4 factors) and irrigation timing (5 factors) arranged in a split plot with irrigation as main plots. To obtain different levels of pre-flower square loss among
insect treatments, natural bug populations were augmented with laboratory reared nymphs (from USDA-ARS, Mississippi State, MS) released 50 days after planting. Insect treatments were 1) bugs followed by (FB) continued late sprays 2) bugs FB early control termination, 3) early sprays FB late sprays 4) early sprays FB early termination. Timing of insect control termination was relative to date of physiological cutout(mean nodes above white flower=5). Early termination timing was at cutout+20 DD60s; late insecticide sprays were made until cutout+350 DD60s. Irrigation timing was related to start time (initiated pre-flower or delayed until after flowers) and quitting time (final irrigation early at cutout+225 DD60s compared to late at cutout+545 DD60s). A non-irrigated control was included. Late season numbers of plant bugs were above the action levels (1 bug/2 ft of row); however, no differences in yield were observed among bug treatments. Rainfall patterns were such that yields did not
differ among irrigation treatment timing treatments; however, yields were higher than the non-irrigated control. Yields across irrigated treatments were among the highest ever recorded at the research site (>1600 lbs lint/ac). Results from this research indicate that the insect control termination guide in COTMAN (cutout+350 DD60s) is more than sufficient for late season plant bug management. From these results and from previous work, the following change in recommendations were made: decision makers should consider adjusting termination timing to suspend insect control for new infestations of plant bugs after cutout+250 DD60s in fields of uniform maturity. The COTMAN 350 guide should be followed in variable fields. In timing for final irrigation, in previous studies, early termination timing before cutout+360 DD60s resulted in yield and profit loss. No penalty was noted in 2007; however; in a parallel study conducted at another Arkansas site, timing the final irrigation at cutout+300
DD60s reduced yield compared to cutout+450 DD60s. Decision makers should evaluate for final furrow irrigation at 350 to 500 DD60s after cutout.
PARTICIPANTS: One graduate student, Juan Monge, MS Agricultural Economics, University of Arkansas completed his thesis based on research findings generated through this project.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Cotton producers as well as crop advisers and cooperative extension personnel are target audience.
Impacts
Effective implementation of these end of season decision guides in cotton will result in reductions in unnecessary and uneconomical applications of insecticide and irrigation. Adjusting late season management to time final stage of crop susceptibility at physiological cutout + 250 DD60s compared to the current recommendation of cutout+ 350 DD60s essentially shortens the crop protection season by five days. In many parts of the Mid south, this could eliminate one late season insecticide application. Earlier termination timing for irrigation potentially could allow producers to eliminate one late season irrigation application. Savings in water resources along with reductions in pesticide load will yield both economic and environmental benefits to rural communities.
Publications
- Monge, Juan Jose, T. G. Teague, M.J. Cochran, D.M. Danforth, 2007. Economic impacts of termination timing for irrigation and plant bug control. Proc. Beltwide 2007. pp. 1396-1405. in: C. Paul Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. of the 2006 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Monge, Juan J., T. G. Teague, Mark J. Cochran and Diana M. Danforth. 2007. Economic Impacts of termination timing for irrigation and plant bug control. Pp 161-168 in: Derrick M. Oosterhuis (Ed), Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research 2006, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 552.
- Lund, Jennifer, T. G. Teague, T.J. Sangepogu, Donald C. Steinkraus, and Jarrod E. Leland Control of the Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus lineolaris) in Cotton Using the Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana, the Insect Growth Regulator Novaluron, and Early-Season Trap Crop Practices pp.176-183 in: Derrick M. Oosterhuis (Ed), Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research 2006, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 552.
- Lund, Jennifer, T. G. Teague, Donald C. Steinkraus, and Jarrod E. Leland. 2007. Control of the Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus lineolaris) in Mid-South Cotton Using the Entomopathogenic Fungus (Beauveria bassiana) and the Insect Growth Regulator Diamond. Pp. 169-175 in Derrick M. Oosterhuis (Ed), Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research 2006, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series 552.
- Teague, T. G. , Jennifer Lund, Twinkle Joan Sangepogudavid, and Diana M. Danforth. 2007. COTMAN Crop Termination Timing for Insecticidal Control of Tarnished Plant Bug. pp. 106-117 in: C. Paul Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. of the 2007 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Research in 2006 included continuation of field trials to evaluate cotton crop response to feeding by tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris(Palisot de Beauvois)) in a research project focused on improving integrated pest management guides for the Midsouth production region. In one study, interactions of plant bug induced injury and irrigation were evaluated in a highly variable commercial cotton field in NE Arkansas by releasing plant bug nymphs onto plants subjected to water deficits, or on plants that had received irrigation. Variable soil types through the field allowed evaluations of injury and irrigation effects on plants from high and low biomass classifications. Plant biomass was considered an indicator of crop vigor with the high biomass category reflecting an estimate of greatest vigor. This was the second year of this study. Sample sites were selected based on a mid-season GNDVI (Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) classed aerial image from the
previous season. Natural populations of plant bug were augmented with laboratory reared nymphs; other treatments received insecticide applications. Plant bug injury was measured as % shed of first position squares and was at levels above 25% at first flowers where bugs were released in high biomass, irrigated cotton. Beginning at 1st flowers all plots received similar insecticide applications the remainder of the season. Greater levels of injury observed with high vigor plants, but that injury failed to significantly reduce yield. Insect induced injury did reduce yields in the non-irrigated, low vigor plants. Plant compensation effects were not apparent in these low vigor areas. In an adjacent experiment with irrigation interactions, nymphs were released at 350 DD60s after physiological cutout (nodes above white flower = 5 (NAWF=5) at densities of 1 or 3 bugs per foot. Neither plant bug treatments nor irrigation significantly affected lint yield. In the 3rd year of a 3-year study,
interactions of late season irrigation and insect control were examined in a field trial on the Lon Mann Cotton Research Station in Marianna. In a season characterized by low rainfall and high levels of late season plant bug pest pressure, termination of insecticide and irrigation prior to physiological cutout resulted in significant yield penalties compared to later termination dates. Extending insecticide sprays or irrigation beyond 350 DD60s after NAWF=5 did not significantly improve yields. Late irrigations delayed boll opening. Results from this research in Central Eastern Arkansas indicate that the insect control termination guide in COTMAN (Cotton Management Crop Monitoring Expert System) that has been in use for heliothine caterpillars (NAWF=5 +350 DD60s) was more than sufficient for late season plant bug management. Results from this study indicate timing of final furrow irrigation also may be appropriate at this same crop stage. Effective implementation of these end of
season decision guides in cotton will result in reductions in unnecessary and uneconomical applications of insecticide and irrigation.
Impacts
End of season decision guides for insect control for tarnished plant bug and for timing the final irrigation were validated in 2006 research efforts. Effective implementation of these guides in Midsouth cotton producing states will result in reductions in unnecessary and uneconomical applications of insecticide and irrigation. Savings in water resources along with reductions in pesticide load will yield both economic and environmental benefits to rural communities.
Publications
- Teague, T. G. 2006. Final irrigation timing 2005 - Using COTMAN to make crop termination decisions. In:D. M. Oosterhuis (ed.). Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research in Progress, Univ. of Arkansas, Ark. Agri. Exp. Sta., Special Report. In press.
- Teague, T. G., D. Wildy, M.Ismanov, J. Lund, L. Hendrickson, N. Emanuel, J. Willers, and M. Mozaffari. 2006. Comparison of Broadcast and Image-based, Variable Rate Application of Mepiquat Chloride on Crop Growth and Fruit Retention Using the COTMAN Crop Monitoring System: Year 2. pp.1739-1759 in:C. Paul Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. of the 2006 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Teague, T. G., J. Lund and D. M. Danforth. 2006. Final irrigation timing and late season crop susceptibility to tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris Palisot de Beauvois)- using COTMAN to make crop termination decisions: Year 2. pp.1059-1072 in:C. Paul Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. of the 2006 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Lund, J., T. G. Teague, D. Steinkraus, J. Leland. 2006. Control of the tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris) in Midsouth cotton using the entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana, and the insect growth regulator, Diamond. pp.1037-1042 in:C. Paul Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. of the 2006 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Luttrell, R. G., K. C. Allen, Tina Gray Teague, and P. F. OLeary. 2006. Large farm management of cotton insects via the use of insect samples and COTMAN information. pp.1326-1336 in:C. Paul Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. of the 2006 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Vories, Earl, T. G. Teague, J. Greene, J. Stewart, E. Clawson, L. Pringle, B. Phipps and S. Hague. 2006. Determining the optimum timing for the final irrigation on MidSouth Cotton:2005. pp.516-521 in:C. Paul Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. Beltwide Cotton Conf., National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Research in 2005 included continuation of field trials to evaluate cotton crop response to feeding by tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris [Palisot de Beauvois]), in a research project focused on improving integrated pest management guides for the Midsouth production region. In one study, interactions of irrigation and injury induced by plant bug were evaluated in a highly variable, commercial, cotton field in NE Arkansas, by releasing plant bug nymphs onto plants subjected to water deficits, or on plants that had received irrigation. Variable soil types through the field allowed evaluations of injury and irrigation effects on plants from high- and low-biomass classifications. Plant biomass was considered an indicator of crop vigor, with the high-biomass category reflecting an estimate of greatest vigor. Sample sites were selected based on a mid-season Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index-classed aerial image from the previous season. Natural populations of
plant bug were augmented with laboratory reared nymphs; other treatments received insecticide applications. Plant bug injury was measured as % shed of first position squares and was at levels above 30% at first flowers where bugs were released in high biomass, irrigated cotton. Beginning at 1st flowers all plots received similar insecticide applications the remainder of the season. Greater levels of injury observed with high vigor plants, but that injury failed to significantly reduce yield. Insect induced injury across this experiment in all plant types was not a limiting factor; plant vigor effects were highly significant with highest yield associated with high biomass. In an adjacent experiment with irrigation interactions, nymphs were released during the week of physiological cutout (nodes above white flower = 5 (NAWF=5) at densities of 1 or 3 bugs per foot. Neither plant bug treatments nor irrigation significantly affected lint yield. In the 2nd year of a planned 3-year study,
interactions of late season irrigation and insect control were examined in a field trial on the Lon Mann Cotton Research Station in Marianna. In a season characterized by moderate temperatures, rainfall and plant bug pest pressure, termination of insecticide and irrigation prior to physiological cutout resulted in no significant yield penalties compared to later termination dates. Extending insecticide sprays or irrigation beyond 350 DD60s after NAWF=5 did not significantly improve yields. Late irrigations delayed boll opening. Results from this research in Central Eastern Arkansas indicate that the insect control termination guide in COTMAN (Cotton Management Crop Monitoring Expert System) that has been in use for heliothine caterpillars (NAWF=5 +350 DD60s) was more than sufficient for late-season plant bug management. Results from this study indicate timing of final furrow irrigation also may be appropriate at this same crop stage.
Impacts
End of season decision guides were validated in 2005 research efforts. Effective implementation of these guides in Midsouth cotton producing states will result in reductions in unnecessary and uneconomical applications of insecticide and irrigation. Savings in water resources along with reductions in pesticide load will yield both economic and environmental benefits to rural communities.
Publications
- Teague, T. G., D. M. Danforth. 2005. Final irrigation timing and late season crop susceptibility to tarnished plant bug ( Lygus lineolaris Palisot de Beauvois)- using COTMAN to make crop termination decisions. pp.1743-1753 in: C. P. Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. of the 2005 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Teague, T. G., D. Wildy, S. Coy, D. M. Danforth, M. Mozaffari and M. Ismanov. 2005. Comparison of Broadcast and Image-based, Variable Rate Application of Mepiquat Chloride on Crop Growth and Fruit Retention Using the COTMAN Crop Monitoring System. pp. 2124-2135 in: C. P. Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. of the 2005 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Teague, T. G., S. Coy and D. M. Danforth, 2005. Interactions of Water Deficit Stress and Tarnished Plant Bug Induced Injury in Midsouth Cotton. Pp. 1275-1289 in: C. P. Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. of the 2005 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/30/04
Outputs
ARK01645 Research in 2004 in Arkansas cotton included continuation of field trials to evaluate cotton crop response to feeding by tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris(Palisot de Beauvois)). Natural populations of plant bug were augmented with laboratory reared nymphs. Interactions of bug induced injury and early season furrow irrigation were evaluated by releasing plant bug nymphs onto plants subjected to pre-flower water deficits, or on plants that had received early irrigation. Plant bug injury was measured as % shed of first position squares and was at levels above 50% at first flowers. Treatments were terminated at 1st flowers, and all plots received similar irrigation and insecticide applications the remainder of the season. Early irrigation increased yields in 2003 but not in 2004. Plant bug induced injury resulted in delayed crop maturity, but not always reductions in yield. Plants without water stress were able to tolerate and/or recover from moderate levels
of insect injury in 2003; yields produced were similar to those produced in cotton receiving weekly applications of insecticide. In 2004, yields from non-infested plants were greater than in similar 2003 treatments, and differences between infested and non-infested plants were significant. To maximize the capacity of the crop to tolerate and also recover from early season insect attack, crop managers must make management choices that do not decrease the crop compensation capacity. In an adjacent experiment with delayed irrigation, nymphs were released after flowers. These infestations of plant bug (2 to 4 bugs/ft) beginning the 1st and 2nd week of flowering and the 3rd week of flowering resulted in no significant yield loss compared to protected (sprayed) and untreated plots (1100 to 1300 lbs lint/acre). Higher bug infestation levels were achieved in a separate post-flower experiment where nymphs were released during the week of physiological cutout (nodes above white flower = 5
(NAWF=5) at densities of 3 or 9 bugs per foot in a high yielding drip irrigated field. Significant yield reductions of 13% and 23%, respectively, resulted compared to untreated and to sprayed treatments which (1723 lbs lint/acre). In the first year of a planned 3-year study, interactions of late season irrigation and insect control were examined in a field trial on the University of Arkansas Cotton Branch Experiment Station in Marianna. Termination of insecticide and irrigation prior to physiological cutout resulted in significant yield penalties compared to later termination dates. Extending insecticide sprays past 240 DD60 past NAWF=5 or irrigation beyond 350 DD60s after NAWF=5 did not significantly improve yields. Late irrigations delayed boll opening. Results from this one season of research in the Central Eastern Arkansas indicate that the insect control termination guide in COTMAN (Cotton Management Crop Monitoring Expert System) that has been in use for heliothine caterpillars
(NAWF=5 +350 DD60s) is more than sufficient for late season plant bug management. Results from this study indicate timing of final furrow irrigation also may be appropriate at this same crop stage.
Impacts
Midsouth cotton producers sometimes apply insecticides against low population densities of tarnished plant bugs and other mirids in order to maintain a near perfect square set in preflowering cotton. Such applications likely are unneeded, but decision-makers lack the confidence not to spray during this vulnerable time in the season. Research efforts in Arkansas have been focused on refinement of plant based decision guides for incorporation into the COTMAN crop monitoring system. This research is focused on refining existing plant based economic injury levels and incorporating new plant based action levels into the system. Growers and their crop advisors need updated decision guides for managing square retention prior to first flowers, and they need evidence, real time data, that their crop is doing well, even without protective insecticide sprays. Plant monitoring using COTMAN allows decision-makers to monitor and document shed rates in a systematic and repeatable
manner. Determining presence or absence and relative abundance of plant bugs in the field is a challenging and difficult sampling chore. By adding systematically collected, crop monitoring information to the decision-making process, crop advisors and growers will be more confident in deciding whether to spray or not to spray costly insecticides. Unnecessary and uneconomical insecticide applications will be eliminated.
Publications
- Luttrell, R.G., Tina Gray Teague, Diana Danforth, Bryce Blackman, Dale Wells, David Wildy, Steven Wall, Thad Freeland and Patricia OLeary. 2004. Further examination of COTMAN and grower production records as a basis for farm-wide management of cotton insects. Pp 1395-1403 in Proceedings of the 2004 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- McFall, A., T.G. Teague, S. Coy, David Wildy, D.M. Danforth, Bill Robertson, F. Bourland and Dale Wells. 2004. Determining optimal timing of site-specific applications of cotton harvest aid materials using remotely sensed imagery and the COTMAN plant monitoring system. Pp 302-307 in Proceedings of the 2004 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Oosterhuis, Derrick, Fred Bourland, Diana M. Danforth and Tina Gray Teague. 2004. Growth and fruiting of cotton relative to COTMAN. Pp 215-219 in Proceedings of the 2004 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Danforth, Diana M., Mark J. Cochran, Ray Benson, Greg Smith, Tina Gray Teague and Jeremy Greene. 2004. Economics of COTMAN insecticide termination in Bt and boll weevil eradication systems. Pp 1761-1763 in Proceedings of the 2004 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Danforth, Diana M., Tina Gray Teague, Ray Benson and William Robertson. 2004. Field guide to COTMAN data collection. Pp 208-214 in Proceedings of the 2004 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Teague, Tina Gray, Steven Coy, N.P. Tugwell, Diana M. Danforth, N.P. Tugwell and Eric J. Villavaso. 2004. Consequences of square shed following pre-flower infestations of tarnished plant bug (Lygus linneolaris Palisot de Beauvois) in Arkansas cotton. pp 1706-1716 in Proceedings of the 2004 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Teague, Tina Gray, Earl J. Vories, Diana M. Danforth and N.P. Tugwell. 2004. Furrow irrigation initiation in Arkansas cotton: a five-year evaluation using COTMAN. P 277 in Proceedings of the 2004 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Research in 2003 in Arkansas cotton included field trials to evaluate plant response to feeding by tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois)). Cotton crop response to varying levels of square loss resulting from tarnished plant bug (TPB) feeding was assessed using standardized COTMAN procedures in a study conducted in northeast Arkansas. Natural populations of plant bug were augmented with laboratory reared TPB nymphs. Each treatment received different numbers of TPB nymphs over the first 3 weeks of squaring or was untreated or was sprayed with insecticides. Plants were irrigated daily (as needed) with sub-surface drip irrigation. Plant bug feeding resulted in as much as 50% shed of 1st position squares by the time of 1st flowers compared to less than 6% shed in protected treatments. Highest levels of shed resulted in significant yield loss; however, square shed levels of 25% were found not to reduce final yield. No differences in numbers of
pre-flower sympodia were noted in response to TPB feeding; however, terminal growth after first flowers, as reflected in nodes above white flower (NAWF) measures, was higher where pre-flower shed rates were high, resulting in a delay of physiological cutout and crop maturity. Results from this study indicate that high yields do not require complete annihilation of all pest insects, and that low to moderate levels of square shed pre-flower are easily tolerated. Similar results were recorded in a 2002 field experiment. In a separate field study, interactions of bug induced injury and early season furrow irrigation were evaluated. Plant bug nymphs were released on plants subjected to pre-flower water deficit, or on plants that had received irrigation early in the squaring stage. Plant bug injury was measured as % shed of first position squares and was at levels above 50% at first flowers. High shed rates significantly reduced yield in water stressed treatments compared to non-injured
treatments; however, plants were able to compensate for injury if water stress was avoided by initiating irrigation prior to first flowers. In a study where plant bug injury came after flower, there was compensation for fruit loss that occurred during the first week of flowering, but prolonged infestations of plant bug beginning the 2nd week of flowering resulted in a yield loss of over 400 lbs compared to protected and untreated plots. This injury came too late in the season for plants to compensate for the damage. In an irrigation termination study, highest yields were associated with irrigation termination occurring at NAWF=5 + 350 DD60s. Later irrigations resulted in higher insect pest numbers and delays in defoliation.
Impacts
Midsouth cotton producers sometimes apply insecticides against low population densities of tarnished plant bugs and other mirids in order to maintain a near perfect square set in preflowering cotton. Such applications likely are unneeded, but decision-makers lack the confidence not to spray during this vulnerable time in the season. Research efforts in Arkansas have been focused on refinement of plant based decision guides for incorporation into the COTMAN crop monitoring system. This research is focused on refining existing plant based economic injury levels and incorporating new plant based action levels into the system. Growers and their crop advisors need updated decision guides for managing square retention prior to first flowers, and they need evidence, real time data, that their crop is doing well, even without protective insecticide sprays. Plant monitoring using COTMAN allows decision-makers to monitor and document shed rates in a systematic and repeatable
manner. Determining presence or absence and relative abundance of plant bugs in the field is a challenging and difficult sampling chore. By adding systematically collected, crop monitoring information to the decision-making process, crop advisors and growers will be more confident in deciding whether to spray or not to spray costly insecticides. Unnecessary and uneconomical insecticide applications will be eliminated.
Publications
- Vories, Earl, J. Greene, T. G. Teague, W. Robertson, P. Tacker, T.G. Teague, B. Phipps, L. Pringle, S. Hague. 2003. Determining the optimum timing for the final irrigation on Mid South Cotton:2002. In: C. Paul Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. Beltwide Cotton Conf., National Cotton Council, Memphis TN. pp. 548-553.
- Teague, T. G., D. M. Danforth, and E. J. Villavaso. 2003. Changes in cotton fruiting dynamics following pre-flower injury from tarnished plant bug. In: Dm Oosterhuis (ed.), Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research 2002, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Research Series 507, pp. 245-253.
- Coy, Steven, T.G. Teague, N.P. Tugwell, E.J. Villavaso, and L. Hilburn. 2003. Response to mechanical and tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris) injury of seedling cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). In: C. Paul Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. Beltwide Cotton Conf., National Cotton Council, Memphis TN. pp. 1393-1400.
- McFall, A., R.G. Luttrell, T.G. Teague, W. Baker, D. Danforth, D. Wildy, D. Wells, and P. OLeary. 2003. Examination of production and COTMAN records on a large Arkansas farm: A foundation for area-wide insect management. In: C. Paul Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. Beltwide Cotton Conf., National Cotton Council, Memphis TN. pp. 1385-1392.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Research in 2002 in Arkansas cotton included field trials to evaluate crop response to feeding by tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris(Palisot de Beauvois)).Research to validate COTMANT crop termination rules regarding the definition of final stage of suceptibility to fruit feeding insects showed that the cutout (NAWF=5) + 350 DD60 rule used for boll weevil and Heliothines was sufficient for tarnished plant bug.Other research was focused on development of decision guides in COTMANT for managing square retention prior to first flowers, concentrating on how square and boll retention affects crop carrying capacity and yield potential. Different levels of square retention at 1st flowers were achieved by allowing tarnished plant bug to feed on plants during the 1st three weeks of squaring. Nymphs (2 and 3rd instar) were released weekly at rates of 1, 3 and 9 bugs per row ft at 46,53 and 61 days after planting. Plants with lowest square retention at 1st flower produced
lowest yield, but plants with highest retention at first flower did not produce highest yields showing us that pre-flower square shed can affect crop carrying capacity in a positive as well as negative way. In an irrigation termination study, highest yields were associated with irrigation termination occuring at NAWF=5 + 350 DD60s. Later irrigations resulted in higher insect pest numbers and delays in defoliation.
Impacts
Crop termination guides from the COTMAN expert system are used by 60% of the cotton producers in Arkansas according to the Cooperative Extension Service. Work in this project to validate the termination rules for tarnished plant bug answer the farmer's question of when a cotton crop is 'safe'from late season plant bug attack. Previous extensive field research in several cotton producing states has shown that at 350 heat units (DD60s) after physiological cutout (NAWF=5), bolls are safe from new infestations of bollworm, tobacco budworm, and boll weevil. Both 2001 and 2002 research results from this project provide validation that insect control termination rules are quite conservative and should be more than sufficient for late season plant bug management.
Publications
- Luttrell, R. G. T. G. Teague, N. P. Tugwell, D. Wells, S. Coy, S. Wingard, C. Yates 2002. Observations of the Cotton Fleahopper in Arkansas. In: C. Paul Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. Beltwide Cotton Conf., National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Coy, S., T. G. Teague, N. P. Tugwell, E. J. Villavaso & S. Wingard. 2002. Cotton response to early season terminal injury from infestations of tarnished plant bug nymphs (Lygus lineolaris (Palisot De Beauvois)) of various ages. In: C. Paul Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. Beltwide Cotton Conf., National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Teague, T. G., N. P. Tugwell, Eric J. Villavaso, and S. Coy. 2002. Comparison of cotton plant response to square loss following manual removal or tarnished plant bug feeding - results from field trials in 2001. In: C. Paul Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. Beltwide Cotton Conf., National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Teague, T. G., N. P. Tugwell, D. M. Danforth, Eric J. Villavaso, and S. Coy. 2002. Crop susceptibility to injury by late season infestations of tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris (Palisot De Beauvois)) - Insect control termination studies in Northeast Arkansas Cotton. In: C. Paul Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. Beltwide Cotton Conf., National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Vories, Earl, J. Greene, W. Robertson, T. G. Teague, B. Phipps, and S. Hague. 2002. Determining the optimum timing for the final irrigation on Mid South Cotton. In: C. Paul Dugger and D. A. Richter (eds.), Proc. Beltwide Cotton Conf., National Cotton Council, Memphis TN.
- Coy, S., T. G. Teague. N. P. Tugwell, and E. J. Villavaso. 2002. Cotton response to pre-square terminal injury from various sizes of tarnished plant bug nymphs. In: D. M. Oosterhuis (ed.). Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research in Progress, Univ. of Arkansas, Ark. Agri. Exp. Sta., Special Report 497, pp 253-258.
- Teague, T. G., N. P. Tugwell, E. J. Villavaso. 2002. Late-season tarnished plant bug infestations: When is the crop safe? In: D. M. Oosterhuis (ed.). Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research in Progress, Ark. Agri. Exp. Sta., Special Report 497, pp 164-177.
- Teague, T. G., N. P. Tugwell, E. J. Villavaso. 2002. Mortlity of tarnished plant bug adults following differential exposure to Centric, Steward, and Leverage in Field Cages. In: D. M. Oosterhuis (ed.). Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research in Progress, Univ. of Arkansas, Ark. Agri. Exp. Sta., Special Report 497, pp 161-163.
- Vories, Earl, J. Greene, T. G. Teague, and W. Robertson. 2002. Determining the optimum timing for the final irrigation on Mid South Cotton. In: D. M. Oosterhuis (ed.). Summaries of Arkansas Cotton Research in Progress, Ark. Agri. Exp. Sta., Special Report 497, pp 48-53.
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