Source: UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA submitted to NRP
INSECT MANAGEMENT OF GRAIN, FORAGE AND ALTERNATIVE/MINOR CROPS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0193333
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Aug 1, 2002
Project End Date
Jul 31, 2008
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
200 D.W. BROOKS DR
ATHENS,GA 30602-5016
Performing Department
ENTOMOLOGY
Non Technical Summary
Insect pests cause millions of dollars in lost productivity of field crops in Georgia. The ultimate purpose is to develop environmentally and economically sound systems for managing insect pests of grain and minor crops in Georgia.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2111510113025%
2111542113040%
2111649113010%
2111848113025%
Knowledge Area
211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
1510 - Corn; 1542 - Soft red wheat; 1649 - Forage legumes, general/other; 1848 - Canola;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;
Goals / Objectives
Improve sustainable management systems of insect pests of winter wheat and other small grain crops with emphasis on Hessian fly and aphids in wheat. Evaluate wheat germplasm and develop lines with resistance to Hessian fly. Evaluate efficacy and effects on non-target arthropods of genetically modified corn containing Bt-toxins for control of lepidopterous and coleopteran pests. Develop and improve tactics for the management of insect pests of selected minor crops including canola, sericea lespedeza, perennial clovers, and other crops.
Project Methods
Various field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments will be conducted as appropriate to achieve the described objectives.

Progress 08/01/02 to 07/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: this project is being continued on the project geo001675 'insect management of grain, forage and alternative agronomic crops' PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
this project is continued on geo001675

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
Wheat:soybean double-cropping and minimum tillage farming systems have been widely adopted in the southeastern United States during the past 30 years. A crop rotation study was initiated in 1994 with 12 double-cropping sequences to identify sustainable alternatives to the continuous wheat:soybean system that would provide acceptable management of wheat and soybean pest such as take-all disease and Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor, of wheat. Take-all was severe in rotations with continuous wheat each year. A 1-year rotation with canola significantly reduced take-all incidence and severity and prevent yield loss. Similar but less dramatic results were found for Hessian fly of wheat. Canola can be a valuable rotational crop for management of take-all and other pests of wheat in the southeastern U.S. Experiments were conducted in Georgia to determine if pendimethalin injury from 2 day delay in application to cotton would reduce insecticide, aldicarb or imidacloprid, efficacy thus leading to increased thrips injury and subsequent delayed cotton growth. Large significant differences occurred in early-season cotton growth relative to herbicidal injury and lack of thrips control. However, there were no significant insecticide by herbicide interactions indicating that injury from thrips and pendimethalin were additive with no apparent loss of insecticide efficacy after pendimethalin injury. Parasitoid species composition of the cabbage seedpod weevil, Ceutorhynchus obstrictus Marsham was examined in winter canola in Georgia. Five families and 13 species of Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) were reared from cabbage seedpod weevil samples over the 3-year period. Lyrcus maculatus (Gahan) (Pteromalidae) was the most prevalent species comprising about 86% of total parasitoid fauna. This species plus three others, Lyrcus perdubius (Girault), Neocatolaccus tylodermae (Ashmead) and Eurytoma tylodermatis Ashmead (Eurytomidae), account for over 96% of the total parasitoid fauna. Nevertheless, total larval parasitism by all species did not exceed 7% in any year suggesting that parasitoids have a limited impact on C. obstrictus populations in Georgia.

Impacts
Natural control of cabbage seedpod weevil is low in Georgia. Introduction of additional natural enemy species could increase levels of control. Winter canola is useful as a rotational crop in preventing the build up of disease and insect pest of winter wheat. Use of pendimethalin for weed control in cotton will not reduce the effectiveness of insecticide normally applied to control insects in cotton.

Publications

  • Buntin, G. D. and L. G. Higley. 2006. Arthropod sampling and decision making, pp. 20-24. In J. N. All and M. F. Treacy [ed.]. Handbook of Insecticides, Acaricides, and Transgenic Crops. Entomological Society of America & APS Press, Lanham, MD.
  • Grey, T. L., G. D. Buntin, P. M. Roberts, and D. C. Bridges. 2006. Potential interaction of pendimethalin and systemic insecticides for thrips control in cotton. Agronomy Journal 98:141-147.
  • Cunfer, B. M., G. D. Buntin, and D. V. Phillips. 2006. Effect of crop rotation on take-all of wheat in double-cropping systems. Plant Disease. 90: 1161-1166.
  • Gibson, G. A. P., M. W. Gates, and G. D. Buntin. 2006. Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of the cabbage seedpod weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Georgia. J. Hymenoptera Research 15:187-207.
  • Buntin, G. D. 2006. Grain millet insect control, p. 73; Grain sorghum insect control, pp. 74-76; Small grain insect control, pp. 81-85; Alfalfa insect control, pp. 93-97; Temporary winter grazing insect control, p. 110; Canola , p. 114; Sunflower, p. 166. In P. Guillebeau (ed.). 2006 Georgia Pest Control Handbook, Commercial Edition. UGA Coop. Extension Service Special Bulletin 28.
  • Buntin, G. D. and J. N. All. 2006. Corn insect control, pp. 20-25. In P. Guillebeau (ed.). 2006 Georgia Pest Control Handbook, Commercial Edition. Georgia Coop. Extension Service Special Bulletin 28.
  • Buntin, G. D. 2006. Insects, pp. 9-11. In. P. A. Rose, J.L. Day, and A. E. Coy (eds). 2005-2006 Small grain performance tests. Georgia Agric. Experiment Station Research Report 705.
  • Johnson, J. W., R.D. Barnett, G. D. Buntin, and Z. Chen. 2006. Wheat research update in Georgia. Annual Wheat Newsletter. 52: 142-143.
  • Lee, R. D., D. Buntin, S. Culpepper, G. Harris, A. Martinez, and N. Smith. 2006. 2006:2007 Wheat Production Guide. Georgia Coop. Extension Service, CSS-06-10.


Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
Transgenic corn hybrids expressing either the Cry1Ab or Cry1F insecticidal protein of Bacillus thuringiensis were evaluated for control of fall armyworm and corn earworm in multiple locations and years. Generally, corn containing Cry1F protein prevented whorl damage by fall armyworm better than the Cry1Ab protein but was less effective in preventing kernel damage by corn earworm. The effect of these insecticidal proteins on preventing damage to silage corn in normal and late plantings found that Bt corn prevented loss of silage yield in late plantings. Infestations in normal plantings were too low to prevent loss of silage yield. Multiple trials of at-planting insecticides revealed that the new neonicotinoid insecticide clothianidin at the rate of 0.25 mg a.i. per seed provided effective control against a range of soil insects. Cutworm especially black cutworm control was problematic in 2005. Insects continue to cause losses to grain sorghum. The main pests are sorghum midge and several species of stink bugs (Pentatomidae). The effect of columbine species and cultivars on infestation and parasitism of columbine leafminer, Phytomyza aquilegivora, were studied over two years. A native columbine, Aquilegia canadensis, was moderately resistant. Eleven parasitoid species were recovered with Chrysocharis pentheus being the most prevalent. Leafminer parasitism rates often reach high levels in late spring.

Impacts
Results indicate that Bt corn containing the Cry1F protein may be more useful in the southeastern coastal plain area than the currently deployed Cry1Ab protein. Bt corn also prevented yield loss of corn silage in later plantings. Studies allow more effective use of neonicotinoid seed treatments on corn in the southeastern United States.

Publications

  • Braman, S. K., G. D. Buntin, and R. D. Oetting. 2005. Species and cultivar influences on infestation by and parasitism of a columbine leafminer (Phytomyza aquilegivora Spencer). J. Environmental Horticulture 23: 9-13. Buntin, G. D. and D. L. Lee. 2005. Effect of seeding rate and Gaucho seed treatment on aphid and BYD incidence and yield parameters in winter wheat. Proc. Eastern Wheat Workers and Southern Small Grain Workers Meeting, May 9-12, 2005, Bowling Green KY.
  • Grey, T. L., P. L. Raymer, and G. D. Buntin. 2005. Tolerance of traditional and imidazolinone resistant canola to soil applied residual herbicides in the southeastern United States. Groupe Consultatif Internat. Recherche Colza (GCIRC) Bulletin 22. (abstract).
  • Buntin, G. D. and J. N. All. 2005. Corn insect control, pp. 19-22. In P. Guillebeau (ed.). 2005 Georgia Pest Control Handbook, Commercial Edition. Georgia Coop. Extension Service Special Bulletin 28.
  • Buntin, G. D. 2005. Grain millet insect control, p. 68; Grain sorghum insect control, pp. 69-71; Small grain insect control, pp. 76-80; Alfalfa insect control, pp. 90-93; Temporary winter grazing insect control, p. 108; Canola , p. 110; Sunflower, p. 162. In P. Guillebeau (ed.). 2005 Georgia Pest Control Handbook, Commercial Edition. UGA Coop. Extension Service Special Bulletin 28.
  • Buntin, G. D., J. N. All, and J. K. Lance. 2005. Evaluation of insecticides for southern corn rootworm control in seedling corn, 2004. Arthropod Management Tests (Entomological Society of America). F10, 2p. (www.entsoc.org/Protected/AMT/AMT30/AMT30.aspx?Report=F10.htm)
  • Lance, J. K., J. N. All, and G. D. Buntin. 2005. Evaluation of selected insecticides applied at-planting for control of soil pests in field corn at two different geographical locations in Georgia, 2004. Arthropod Management Tests (Entomological Society of America). F26, 2p. (www.entsoc.org/Protected/AMT/AMT30/AMT30.aspx?Report=F26)
  • Buntin, G. D. 2005. Insects, pp. 9-11. In. P. A. Rose, J.L. Day, and A. E. Coy (eds). 2004-2006 Small grain performance tests. Georgia Agric. Experiment Station Research Report 699.
  • Johnson, J. W., G. D. Buntin, and D. Bland. 2005. Winter wheat production update in Georgia. Annu. Wheat Newsletter. 1p.
  • Lee, R. D., B. Cunfer, G. A. Shumaker, S. Culpepper, G. Harris, and G. D. Buntin. 2005. 2005-2006 Wheat Production Guide. Georgia Coop. Extension Service, CSS-05-10a.
  • Daly, T. and G. D. Buntin. 2005. Effect of Bacillus thuringiensis transgenic corn for lepidopteran control on non-target arthropods. Environmental Entomology 34:1292-1301.
  • Buntin, G. D. 2005. Sorghum insect pests and their management. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Bulletin. B 1283. 12p.


Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
Transgenic corn hybrids expressing the Cry1Ab insecticidal protein of Bacillus thuringiensis were evaluated for control of fall armyworm and corn earworm in multiple locations and years. All events, MON810, Bt11 and E176, consistently reduced whorl infestation and damage by fall armyworm except E176 did not prevent whorl damage in late plantings in southern Georgia. E176 is not effective against ear infesting insects. The MON810 and Bt11 events reduced grain damage by corn earworm an average of 53%. Bt event only consistently prevented yield loss in corn plants more than 1 month after the recommended planting time, which makes later corn plantings in double crop systems feasible. Novel Bt events alone and pyramided with MON810 also were evaluated in multiple trials. MON84006 pyramided with MON810 provided superior prevention of whorl damage by fall armyworm and ear damage by corn earworm. Deployment of new events and genes could improve insect control in corn and aid in managing the potential of insect resistance to Bt toxins. Multiple trials of at-planting insecticides revealed that the new neonicotinoid insecticide clothianidin at the rate of 0.25 mg a.i. per seed provided effective control against a range of soil insects with the exception of southern corn billbug which required the higher rate of 1.25 mg a.i. per seed for effective control. Clothianidin marketed as Poncho 250 was used on about 30% of corn acreage in Georgia during its first year of use in the United States. Studies in Georgia and Alabama examined the yield loss potential of cereal leaf beetle, Oulema melanopus, in winter wheat. Defoliation before spike emergence caused more yield loss than after spike emergence. Flag leaf also caused more loss than defoliation of lower leaves. Wheat grain yield loss averaged 12.7% or 459 kg per ha per larva per stem. At current application costs and commodity process the economic threshold is 0.4 larva per stem during spike emergence to anthesis.

Impacts
Studies showed that transgenic Bt corn for caterpillar control only provided a consistent economic benefit when used in late corn plantings. The benefit of plant incorporated Bt resistance was variable in recommended time plantings. Information on new Bt events will be immediately useful if and when these new events are made available to farmers. The new calculated economic threshold for cereal leaf beetle should minimize unneeded insecticide applications for this insect in winter wheat.

Publications

  • Buntin, G. D., K. L. Flanders, R. W. Slaughter, and Z. D. DeLamar. 2004. Damage Loss assessment and control of the cereal leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in winter wheat. J. Economic Entomology 97: 374-382.
  • Buntin, G. D., K. L. Flanders, and R. E. Lynch. 2004. Assessment of experimental Bt events against fall armyworm and corn earworm in field corn. J. Economic Entomology 97: 259-264.
  • Buntin, G. D. and J. K. Greene. 2004. Abundance and species composition of stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Georgia winter wheat. J. Entomological Science 39: 287-290.
  • Buntin, G. D., J. N. All, R. D. Lee, and D. M. Wilson. 2004. Plant incorporated Bt resistance for control of fall armyworm and corn earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in corn. J. Economic Entomology 97: 1603-1611.
  • Grey, T. G., P. Raymer, and G. D. Buntin. 2004. Tolerance of ALS-Resistant canola to soil applied residual herbicides used in row crop production in the southeastern United States. GCIRC Bulletin 21: 26-32.
  • Buntin, G. D. and J. N. All. 2004. Corn insect control, pp. 19-22. In P. Guillebeau (ed.). 2004 Georgia Pest Control Handbook, Commercial Edition. Georgia Coop. Extension Service Special Bulletin 28.
  • Buntin, G. D. 2004. Grain millet insect control, p. 66; Grain sorghum insect control, pp. 67-69; Small grain insect control, pp. 74-77; Alfalfa insect control, pp. 88-91; Temporary winter grazing insect control, p. 105; Sunflower, p. 156. In P. Guillebeau (ed.). 2004 Georgia Pest Control Handbook, Commercial Edition. UGA Coop. Extension Service Special Bulletin 28.
  • Buntin, G. D., J. N. All, and J. K. Lance. 2004. Southern corn rootworm control in seedling corn, 2003. Arthropod Management Tests (Entomological Society of America). F15, 2p. (www.entsoc.org/Protected/AMT/AMT29/text/amt29.asp? Report=F15).
  • Lance, J. K., J. N. All, and G. D. Buntin. 2004. Evaluation of selected insecticides applied at-planting for control of soil pests in field corn at different geographical locations in Georgia, 2003. Arthropod Management Tests (Entomological Society of America). F32, 2p. (www.entsoc.org/Protected/AMT/AMT29/text/amt29.asp? Report=F32).
  • Buntin, G. D. 2004. Insects, pp. 9-10. In. P. A. Rose, J. L. Day, A. E. Coy and R. D. Lee (eds). 2003-2004 Small grain performance tests. Georgia Agric. Experiment Station Research Report 688.
  • Johnson, J. W., G. D. Buntin, B. M. Cunfer, D. Bland. 2004. Winter wheat in doublecrop systems. Annu. Wheat Newsletter.
  • Lee, R. D., B. Cunfer, G. A. Shumaker, S. Culpepper, G. Harris, and G. D. Buntin. 2004. 2004-2005 Wheat Production Guide. Georgia Coop. Extension Service, CSS-04-10a.


Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
Short stature grain-type varieties of pearl millet are being developed as an alternate summer crop for Georgia. Field studies in 2003 found that chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus, is a key pest causing severe plant injury and stand loss. Striped grassworm, Mocis latipes, larvae defoliated plants. Seed on grain panicles were damaged by corn lepidopteran larvae, mainly corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea and sorghum webworm, Nola sorghiella. Several species of stink bugs, Pentatomidae, and leaf-footed bugs also fed on and injury developing seed. Only three insecticides are currently registered for use on pearl millet. Both spinosad and zeta-cypermethrin effectively controlled striped grassworms and lepidopteran on grain spikes. Zeta-cypermethrin was effective against lepidopterans, stink bugs and other heteropteran insects. Azadiractin was not effective against any pests tested. Chinch bug control by registered insecticides usually was poor. Studies of stink bugs in winter wheat during grain filling found that three species, Oebalus pugnax, Nezera viridula and Euschistus servus, accounted for 82-90% of stink bugs collected. Populations in all fields were a magnitude lower than the estimated economic threshold suggesting that insecticidal control typically is not needed.

Impacts
Grain type pearl millet would provide a new summer grain crop that can be grown under drought conditions and without irrigations. Development of effective insect pest management information is a vital component of a successful production system for this new crop. Results of stink bug study in wheat will help prevent unnecessary insecticide treatments for this insect.

Publications

  • Buntin, G. D., P. L. Raymer, C. W. Bednarz, D. V. Phillips, and R. E. Baird. 2003. Winter crop, tillage and planting time effects on doublecrop cotton stand and yield, p. 901-903, Proc. 11th International Rapeseed Congress. Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Phillips, D. V, B. M. Cunfer, G. D. Buntin, and P. L. Raymer. 2003. Diseases of oilseed rape and other crops in the rotation in southeastern USA, p. 1099, Proc. 11th International Rapeseed Congress. Copenhagen, Denmark. (Abstract).
  • Buntin, G. D., B. M. Cunfer, D. V. Phillips, and J. R. Allison. 2003. Sequence and rotation effects on pest incidence and yield of winter canola and wheat double-cropped with soybean and pearl millet. In Proceeding of the U.S. Canola Research Conference, Washington, D.C. Feb. 23-25, 2003. Index of Abstracts, p.6. (Abstract)
  • Raymer, P. L., G.D. Buntin, S. Ramachandran, J.N. All and C. N. Stewart. 2003. Development of transgenic canola producing a Bacillus thuringiensis toxin for lepidopteran control. In U.S. Canola Research Conference, Washington, D.C. Feb. 23-25, 2003. Index of Abstracts, p.24. (Abstract)
  • Buntin, G. D. 2003. Southern corn rootworm control in seedling corn, 2002. Arthropod Management Tests. F22, 1p.
  • Lance, J. K., K. H. Lohmeyer, J. N. All and G. D. Buntin. 2003. Evaluation of selected insecticides for control of soil pests in field corn at different geographical locations in Georgia, 2002. Arthropod Management Tests, F21, 3p.
  • Chen, Z., J. W. Johnson, K. Wook, D. Bland, and G. D. Buntin. 2003. Inheritance of powdery mildew and wheat curl mite resistance in GA011638. Amer. Soc. Agronomy Abstracts. 1p.
  • Buntin, G. D. and J. N. All. 2003. Corn insect control, pp. 19-22. In P. Guillebeau (ed.). 2003 Georgia Pest Control Handbook, Commercial Edition. Georgia Coop. Ext. Ser. Special Bulletin 28.
  • Buntin, G. D. 2003. Grain millet insect control, p. 65; Grain sorghum insect control, pp. 66-68; Small grain insect control, pp. 73-76; Alfalfa insect control, pp. 87-89; Temporary winter grazing insect control, p. 101; Sunflower, p. 152. In P. Guillebeau (ed.). 2003 Georgia Pest Control Handbook, Commercial Edition. Georgia Coop. Ext. Ser. Special Bulletin 28.
  • Buntin, G. D. 2003. Insects, pp. 9-10. In. P. A. Rose, J.L. Day, A. E. Coy and R. D. Lee (eds). 2002-2003 Small grain performance tests. Georgia Agric. Experiment Station Research Report 688.


Progress 08/01/02 to 12/31/02

Outputs
A new winter oat `Horizon 314' previously released by the Georgia and Florida Ag. Exp. Stations, was commercially grown in 2002. Horizon 314 oat has improved winter hardiness and excellent crown rust resistance. Short stature grain type varieties of pearl millet are being developed as an alternate summer crop for Georgia. These varieties are drought-tolerant and short season. Field studies in 2002 found that chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus is a key pest. Stand losses also were caused by the lesser cornstalk borer, Elasmopalpus lignosellus, but millet compensated by producing more tillers which limited yield loss. Grain panicles were damaged by corn lepidopteran larvae, mainly corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea and sorghum webworm, Nola sorghiella. Various stink bugs, Pentatomidae, and leaf-footed bugs also fed on and injury developing seed. Only two insecticides are currently registered for use on pearl millet. Both spinosad and zeta-cypermethrin effectively controlled lepidopteran on grain spikes. Only zeta-cypermethrin reduced chinch bug populations and neither was effective against lesser cornstalk borer.

Impacts
Grain type pearl millet would provide a new summer grain crop that can be grown under drought conditions and without irrigations. Development of effective insect pest management information is a vital component of a successful production system for this new crop.

Publications

  • Barnett, R. D., A. R. Blount, P. L. Pfahler, J. W. Johnson, B. M. Cunfer, and G. D. Buntin. 2002. Registration of `Horizon 314' oat. Crop Sci. 42: 1749-1750.