Source: UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA submitted to NRP
OVERHAULING ALFALFA WEEVIL MANAGEMENT IN IRRIGATED SOUTHWEST DESERT ALFALFA
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1010313
Grant No.
2016-70005-25664
Cumulative Award Amt.
$246,000.00
Proposal No.
2016-06097
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2016
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2020
Grant Year
2016
Program Code
[AFRP]- Alfalfa and Forage Program
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
888 N EUCLID AVE
TUCSON,AZ 85719-4824
Performing Department
Cooperative Extension
Non Technical Summary
The existing threshold for alfalfa weevils in the western region was developed in the 1970s. The information supporting the threshold for this insect is outdated and not corroborated or trusted by agricultural professionals who make pest management decisions in the field.Egyptian alfalfa weevil (EAW) and western alfalfa weevil (WAW), are mostly managed with broad-spectrum insecticides are detrimental to IPM via destruction of natural enemy populations; they also have negative environmental impacts, and pose adverse risk to insecticide applicators. Development of improved use of newer lower-risk, selective insecticides would be beneficial for IPM, the environment and safety.This project has two research objectives and one Extension objective. The research objectives are to: 1) reestablish the economic threshold for EAW and WAW to increase profitability of alfalfa hay crops in the southwest desert production region, and 2) investigate the efficacy of selective vs. broad-spectrum insecticides for the management of EAW and WAW to reduce health and environmental impacts. The Extension component objective is: 3) to conduct outreach program to support adoption of new threshold and reduced-risk EAW and WAW control in alfalfa.The research component will expand upon improved IPM knowledge directed at economically important pests of alfalfa. The Extension component will deliver IPM knowledge obtained to stakeholders and ensuring the adoption of new recommendations for alfalfa IPM.
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
21616401130100%
Knowledge Area
216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1640 - Alfalfa;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;
Goals / Objectives
The main goal of this project is to re-visit the outdated threshold for Egyptian alfalfa weevil (EAW) and Western alfalfa weevil (WAW) in the western region, and disseminate the expected new information about this threshold through Extension programming to growers and agricultural professionals in the region.This project has two research objectives and one Extension objective. The objectives of the proposed research are to:1) reestablish the economic threshold for Egyptian and western alfalfa weevils to increase profitability of alfalfa hay crops in the southwest desert production region,2) investigate the efficacy of selective vs. broad-spectrum insecticides for the management of Egyptian and western alfalfa weevils to reduce health and environmental impacts of broad-spectrum insecticides currently used to manage these pests, and3) The Extension component objective is to conduct outreach program to support adoption of new threshold and reduced-risk EAW and WAW control in alfalfa.
Project Methods
Objective 1: Reestablish the economic threshold for Egyptian and western alfalfa weevilsPlots will be established at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center, the University of California Desert Research and Extension Center and the Utah State University Greenville Research Farm. Several insecticide treatments (plus an untreated check) will be used. The goal is to examine and contrast a variety of weevil densities by establishing a gradient of alfalfa weevil larval populations starting when the larval population is low (~1-2 larvae per sweep). Warrior II® (1.92 oz./A), Lorsban Advanced® (1 and 2 pt./A), Steward EC® (2.6 and 1.3 oz./A), and Cobalt Advanced® (16 and 38 oz./a) or other insecticides as deemed necessary will be used. Populations of other arthropod pests of alfalfa are low at this time; the risk of complicating effects of differential responses of other pests to insecticides should be minimal. Contingencies exist to deal with any coincident aphid populations with selective aphicides that have no impact on weevils and little to no impact on other arthropods. The goal is not to compare insecticide efficacy but rather to remove various proportions of the EAW and WAW larval populations. Treatments will be replicated four times in 20' x 20'plots in a randomized complete block design. Larval populations will be quantified in each plot once per week using the sweep net sampling method. Other methods like egg and stem sampling can be used when warranted to quantify EAW and WAW populations. However, sweep net sampling is the only method used by PCAs and growers in the region. This research is targeting growers and PCAs dealing with EAW and WAW, thus sweep net sampling is the target of our sampling method. Sweep samples will consist of 5 sweeps taken along the diagonal of each plot, using 180° sweeps. Samples will be put in sealable plastic bags and kept in an insulated cooler with freezer packs for transport to the laboratory where they will be frozen prior to sorting and identification.To quantify yield - EAW and WAW larval relationship, the plots will be harvested to coincide with regular cutting cycle (≈ at 28-day intervals). Harvests will continue until the majority of the population has pupated. We anticipate this will be 2 harvests. Plots will be harvested with a flail harvester (3 feet wide and 50 feet long), and yields and nutrient quality [% moisture, crude protein, and in vitro digestible day matter (IVDDM)] will be determined. In the field, stem height, % bloom, and average % defoliation will be rated and recorded. An economic analysis will be conducted based on current hay prices, costs of control, and yield loss parameters.Objective 2: investigate the efficacy of selective vs. broad-spectrum insecticides for the management of Egyptian and western alfalfa weevil to reduce health and environmental impacts of broad-spectrum insecticides currently used to manage these pests. For the second research objective, another set of plots will be established at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center, the University of California Desert Research and Extension Center and Utah State University Greenville Research Farm. The goal is to compare insecticide efficacies on the EAW and WAW. Up to eight treatments, plus an untreated control, will be used. The insecticides to be tested include at least: Fulfill® (2.75 oz./A), Temitry® (18 oz./A), Cobalt Advanced® (32 oz./A), Warrior II® (1.28 oz./A), Beleaf® (2.8 oz./A), Lorsban Advanced® (2 pt./A), Steward EC® (2.6 and 1.3 oz./A), Endigo® (4.5 oz./A), and/or other insecticides as they deem effective. Each treatment will be replicated four times in plots (20 x 20' each) in a randomized complete block design. Sampling procedure will be similar to the one described in Objective 1. Monitoring and economic threshold guidelines will be used to determine the timing of application(s) for each insecticide. Plots will be harvested with a flail harvester (3 feet wide and 50 feet long) at ca. 28-day intervals. Efficacy of each insecticide will be assessed based on impacts on EAW and WAW populations, yields, and nutrient quality (% moisture, % crude protein, % IVDDM).Objective 3: Conduct outreach program to support adoption of new threshold and reduced-risk EAW and WAW control in alfalfa.We will investigate and update the pest management guidelines for major insect pests of alfalfa hay in the low desert region. A new economic threshold and selective insecticides for the management of EAW and WAW will be introduced to growers, Indian Community members, and PCAs. This information will be distributed through demonstration trials, publications, Extension meetings, workshops, and field days to provide updated pest management guidelines to stakeholders. Project team members will sample commercial fields in their area and provide input on EAW and WAW numbers to the grower and PCA as means of heightening awareness of the issue and of the new thresholds and practices. The unique engagement of this project's team with stakeholders will enable effective delivery of the outcomes and assessment of impacts. Also, the PI initiated a pilot experiment in 2014-15 to study the economic threshold of EAW. This pilot examined the proposed experimental design, logistics of conducting the experiments, and methods of data collection. Based on this pilot design, we have optimized practices and refined the experimental design in this proposal.The goals of this objective are as follow:3a. As part of the PIs' Extension and outreach programs, several Extension meetings will be conducted to teach alfalfa pest IPM in AZ, CA and UT, including sharing of any research results that will be available during this project term. During these meetings we will conduct audience response surveys to collect baseline data on the use and adoption of economic thresholds, selective vs. broad-spectrum insecticides, and general principles of IPM.3b. Conduct field days at the research sites of the three states to showcase research results, educate PCAs and growers about the outcome of the studies and their implications for EAW and WAW management programs in alfalfa. Baseline data will be collected at these field days as described in the project evaluation section. Large demonstration trials are under planning at the Maricopa Agricultural Center, AZ where the results of the first and second objects will be demonstrated to growers and PCAs on large scale. Growers and PCAs from across the alfalfa hay production areas of southwestern desert will be invited to these demonstration trials.

Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Alfalfa and forage growers in the southwest desert, Pest Control Advisors, Agrochemical companies investing in managing alfalfa pest, Representatives of different levels of governments responsible for regulating pest management and IPM, Scientists and colleagues interested in alfalfa pest management. Changes/Problems:One of the challenges we faced was that the economic threshold we established is lower than the older one of 1975. To avoid increase in insecticide applications, we established an early-season application approach that mitigate alfalfa weevil population early in the season, without the need to replicate further treatments. This approach proved to decrease number of insecticide applications, compared to the past 4 years according to our surveys of pest control advisors and growers. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? A graduate student has been completing Master's degree and transitioning to PhD,with research related to this project. Several technicians, pest control advisors, students and other ag professionals have been trained on the proper identification, counts, sorting and calculating economic threshold for alfalfa weevil in AZ, CA, NM, UT, and NV. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results of those evaluations have been disseminated to growers through different venues such as research reports, short notes, handouts, and numerous statewide and area extension meetings for growers. Results have been communicated to other scientists via presentations at professional meetings. The results of this project have been shared with colleagues at the University of Arizona, University of California, Utah State University, New Mexico State University, Montana State University, University of Nevada, and during several branch and general meetings of the Entomological Society of America. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Several reduced-risk insecticides compared with broad specturum insecticides have been evaluated for their effectiveness againstalfalfa weeviland for their economic benefits. The effect ofalfalfa weevil was highly negatively correlated to yield of alfalfa. Yields reduction due to weevils were remarkable and significant. Promising results obtained where some reduced-risk insecticides effectively controlled the weevils. An app has been created for calculating theeconomic threshold of alfalfa weevil for agricultural professional dealing with managing alfalfa pests. Over 67% of pest control advisors and growers are now practicing the new economic threshold we established, according to our surveys.

Publications

  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Mostafa, A.M & K. Harrington (2020) Dose Responses of Field Populations of Alfalfa Weevil from Various Western States to Lambda-Cyhalothrin� Using a Feeding and Contacting Assay. University of Arizona Cooperative of Extension Publications.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Mostafa, A.M. (2017) Economics of Winter Insect Pest Management of Alfalfa Hay in the Southwestern Desert of the U.S. 2017 General meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Denver, CO.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Mostafa, A.M. (2017). Integrated Pest Management in Irrigated Desert Alfalfa. The 27th Annual Desert Crops Workshop. El Centro, CA: University of California Cooperative Extension.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Mostafa, A.M. (2017). Pest Management in Alfalfa. Desert Ag Conference. Chandler, AZ: Arizona Crop Protection Association.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Mostafa, A. M., K. Harrington & W. Burayu (2018) Establishing an Economic Threshold for Egyptian Alfalfa Weevil, Hypera Brunneipennis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in Low Desert Alfalfa Hay. University of Arizona CALS Poster Forum.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Mostafa, A.M. (2017) Toward Establishing Biologically Reliant Alfalfa IPM in the Southwest USA. Advances in IPM 2017: Reinventing agriculture to reduce dependency on pesticides. Harper Adams University, UK: Association for Applied Biologists.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Mostafa, A.M. (2017) Progress of Alfalfa Integrated Pest Management in the Southwest Desert. Desert Valleys CAPCA continuing education series. Blythe, CA: The California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Mostafa, A.M. (2017) Economics of the management of alfalfa winter insect pests of the southwest low desert. Entomological Society of America - Pacific Branch. Portland, OR
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Harrington, K., & A.M. Mostafa (2018) Establishing an Economic Threshold for Alfalfa Weevil, Hypera Postica (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in Low Desert Alfalfa Hay. Joint Meetings of Entomological Society of America and Entomological Society of Canada. Vancouver.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Mostafa, A.M. (2018) Overhauling Alfalfa Weevil Management in Irrigated Southwest Desert Alfalfa. In North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Mostafa, A.M. (2019) Approaching IPM Program for Alfalfa Winter Insect Pests of Southwest Desert. Proceedings, Western Alfalfa and Forage Symposium, Reno, NV, 28-30 November, 2019.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: https://weevilcalc.arizona.edu


Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18

Outputs
Target Audience: Scientists and colleagues interested in alfalfa pest management. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? A graduate student has been completing Master's degree with research related to this project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results of those evaluations have been disseminated to growers through different venues such as research report, short notes, handouts, and numerous statewide and area extension meetings for growers. Results have been communicated to other scientists via presentations at professional meetings. The results of this project have been shared with colleagues at the University of Arizona, University of California, Utah State University, New Mexico State University, Montana State University, University of Nevada, and during several branch and general meetings of the Entomological Society of America. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Establish economic threshold of alfalfa weevil in the low desert of the southwest. Create an app for calculating this economic threshold to be available for agricultural professional dealing with managing alfalfa weevil.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Several reduced-risk insecticides compared with broad specturum insecticides have been evaluated for their effectiveness against alfalfa weevil and for their economic benefits. The effect of alfalfa weevil was highly negatively correlated to yield of alfalfa. Yields reduction due to weevils were remarkable and significant. Promising results obtained where some reduced-risk insecticides effectively controlled the weevils.

Publications


    Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17

    Outputs
    Target Audience:1) Growers 2) Pest Control Advisors 3) Farm Managers and Native American Tribe Farms 5) Agricultural Industry 6) Governments and other agricultural professionals. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The PI organized a symposium at the Pacific Branch meeting of the Entomological Society of America. The symposium presentations and speakers can be found at the following link: https://esa.confex.com/esa/2017pb/meetingapp.cgi/Session/29410 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The PI presented in all the extension events in AZ and CA. The CA C0-PI Presented in some of the Extension Events in AZ. Presentations and Extension events in AZ (3) Field Crops "Clinics" Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at Casa Grande, 67 attendees Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at Buckeye, 32 attendees Thursday, January 19, 2017 at Marana, 23 attendees The 2nd Arizona Alfalfa and Forage Crops Workshop, March 16th, 2017, Maricopa Agricultural Center, AZ. 86 attendees The 3rd Arizona Alfalfa and Forage Crops Workshop, March 29th, 2017, Maricopa Agricultural Center, AZ. 81 attendees The 3rd Workshop onNew Technologies for Field Crops, June 8th, 2016, Maricopa Agricultural Center, AZ. 92 attendees Three "Tent Talks" Thursday, July 7th, 2016 at Jason Rovey's Farms, Buckeye, 25 attendees Thursday, July 14th, 2016 at A Tumbling T Ranches, Goodyear, 21 attendees Friday, July 15th, 2016 at Pacheco's Farms, Marana, 28 attendees The 6th Annual Central Arizona Farmer Field Day, October 26, 2016. Maricopa Ag Center. https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/resources/Agenda%20Field%20Day%20Oct%2026%202016.pdf. 102 attendees Natwick, E.T., J. Richardson, M. I. Lopez and A. M. Mostafa. Alfalfa Aphid Management, The 2nd Arizona Alfalfa & Forage Crops Workshop March 16, 2016. https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/resources/Natwick%20March%2016%202016a.pdf. Mostafa, A.M. 2017. Pest Managements in Alfalfa in Arizona. https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/resources/Pest%20Managements%20in%20Alfalfa%20in%20Arizona.pdf. Presentations and Extension events in CA Date Meeting Name/Event Topic Presenter Organizer Location No. of Attendees 4/16/15 Agronomic crops and Water Conservation Field Day Blue alfalfa aphid control Eric Natwick UC ANR Cooperative Extension Imperial County Holtville, CA 69 11/12/15 Desert Valleys CAPCA Fall Continuing Education Meeting Identification and control of various aphids in alfalfa Eric Natwick Desert Valleys CAPCA El Centro, CA 45 1/21/16 Alfalfa & Forage and Chlorpyrifos Regualtory update Workshop Blue Alfalfa Aphid Eric Natwick UC ANR Cooperative Extension Imperial County and UC Statewide IPM Program El Centro, CA 37 Alfalfa IPM Ayman Mostafa Weed Management in Alfalfa Milton McGriffen Jr. 4/13/16 Agronomic Crops and Water Conservation Field Day Alfalfa Insect IPM Eric Natwick UC ANR Cooperative Extension Imperial County Holtville, CA 72 11/15/16 The 27th Annual Desert Crops Workshop Alfalfa seed insect management Eric Natwick UC ANR Cooperative Extension Imperial County El Centro, CA 56 Alfalfa hay insect management Ayman Mostafa 2/28/17 Integrated Pest Management in Irrigated Desert Alfalfa History of alfalfa pest management in the western US Jesse Richardson UC ANR Cooperative Extension Imperial County Holtville, CA ? Alfalfa pest management regulatory issue Rachel Garwal Economics of the management of alfalfa winter insect pests of the southwest low desert Ayman Mostafa Alfalfa weed pest management Pretap Devdota Alfalfa worm pest management Eric Natwick Nematode pests of alfalfa Oli Bachie Management of alfalfa pathogens Mike Matheron Leafhopper management in alfalfa Eric Natwick 3/16/17 Progressive Farmers Meeting Alfalfa IPM winter pests Ayman Mostafa UC ANR Cooperative Extension Riverside County Blythe, CA ? Alfalfa IPM summer pests Eric Natwick 4/11/17 2017 Agronomic crops and water management field day / workshop Alfalfa IPM Eric Natwick UCCE/DREC joint field day / workshop Holtville, CA ? Reestablishing alfalfa IPM treatment thresholds Ayman Mostafa Presentations at Extension events in UT Ramirez, R.A. 2017. Beneficial insects and pest management in alfalfa. Oral presentation (30 min). Weber Co. Crop School. FEB 21. Audience: 15. Farr West, UT. Ramirez, R.A. 2017. Beneficial insects and pest management in alfalfa. Oral presentation (30 min). Rich Co. Crop School. FEB 16. Audience: 12. Randolph, UT. Ramirez, R.A. 2017. Beneficial insects and pest management in alfalfa. Oral presentation (30 min). Box Elder Co. Crop School. FEB 1. Audience: 80. Tremonton, UT. Ramirez, R.A. 2017. Aphid and weevil management in alfalfa. Oral presentation (45 min). Sevier Co. Crop School. JAN 19. Audience: 80. Richfield, UT. Ramirez, R.A. 2017. Alfalfa insect management. Oral presentation (30 min). Beaver Co. Crop School. JAN 18. Audience: 60. Minersville, UT. Ramirez, R.A. 2017. Clover root curculio and alfalfa aphids. Hands-on workshop (Four 30-min sessions). Utah Hay Conference. JAN 26. Audience: 130. St. George, UT. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are planning the next phase of the project based on the proposal. Experimental sites, technical support, equipment and materials are secured. Plans for the next cycle of educational and Extension event are underway.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: Reestablish the economic threshold for alfalfa weevils. Quadra replicated treatments were established in a randomized complete block design at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center. Based on the research plan this first year of research and outreach activities laid the foundation for the project objectives to be accomplished. Five insecticides plus untreated check were used to examine and contrast a variety of weevil densities by establishing a gradient of alfalfa weevil larval populations. Larval populations were quantified in each plot once per week consist of 5 sweeps taken along the diagonal of each plot, using the sweep net sampling method. To quantify yield - larval relationship, the plots were harvested with a flail harvester (3 feet wide and 50 feet long). An economic analysis was conducted based on current hay prices, costs of control, and yield loss parameters. All insecticides significantly controlled the population of larva and adult weevils. Significantly higher yields obtained from insecticides treated plots compared to untreated check. Seasonal larvae of the weevil negatively and highly significantly (P< 0001) correlated to the hay yield of alfalfa at alpha 0.05. Economic loss was calculated assuming a control cost of USD 39.00 per acre corresponding to the cost of application of insecticides at recommended rates and USD 175 per tons alfalfa hay price in March 2017 when alfalfa was cut. The average alfalfa hay yield for the average of all treated plots was 1.56 tons per acre (the range being 1.47 to 1.73 tons per acre). The alfalfa yield on untreated plot was 1.38 tons per acre; loss in the untreated check was 0.2 tons per acre (0.09 to 0.35 tons per acre), so the loss amounted USD 35.00 per acre (with the range of USD 15.75 to 61.25 per acre). During this time the seasonal average of EAW was 40 per sweep on the untreated check and 18 per sweep for the average of all treated plots (the range being 2 to 31 weevil per sweep). The plots where there was significantly lower population of weevils in the season there was significantly corresponding higher yield. For example, the insecticides Endigo™ controlled the weevil effectively, and the population remained below four larval in each four plots through out the experimental period, the seasonal average population being only two larval per sweep. This resulted in the highest yield (1.73 tons per acre) and advantage of 0.35 tons per acre (USD 61.25 per acre) over the untreated control; and obtained net profit of USD 22.25 per acre. Similar result was obtained in 2014 and 2013 where every increase of 12 larvae per sweep resulted in 0.4 ton of hay loss that equals USD 80.00 (based on USD 200.00 per ton) in 2014. In 2013, 8 larvae per sweep were associated with a yield reduction of 0.6 tons of hay that equals USD 120.00 (based on USD 200 per ton). Objective 2: Investigate the efficacy of selective vs. broad-spectrum insecticides for the management of alfalfa weevil to reduce health and environmental impacts of broad-spectrum insecticides currently used to manage these pests. Seven chemical insecticides (Endigo ZCX, Warrior II, Lorsban, Steward, Cobalt advanced, Mustang, Stallion and one bio-insecticides (BotaniGard) plus untreated check were used to compare insecticide efficacies on the EAW and WAW. Larval populations were quantified in each plot once per week consist of 5 sweeps taken along the diagonal of each plot, using the sweep net sampling method. Yield - larval relationship quantified by harvesting with a flail harvester (3 feet wide and 50 feet long). All insecticides except BotaniGard significantly controlled the population of larva, the devastating stage of EAW, and adult weevils (only 9 per sweep) compared to untreated check (28 per sweep). This weevil population resulted in 15 percent yield reduction on untreated check. The three insecticides namely, Cobalt advanced, Endigo ZCX, Warrior II and Mustang significantly resulted in higher yields because of less population of weevil (less than 5 per sweep) compared to Lorsban, Steward, Stallion and BotaniGard. Seasonal larvae of the weevil negatively and highly significantly correlated to the hay yield of alfalfa at alpha 0.05. Objective 3: Conduct outreach program to support adoption of new threshold and reduced-risk EAW and WAW control in alfalfa. With more data collection in the coming two years further investigation will be carried out to update the pest management guidelines for major insect pests of alfalfa hay in the low desert region. Analyzing the three years data together with the previous investigation in 2014 and 2013, a new economic threshold and selective insecticides for the management of EAW and WAW will be introduced for growers, Indian Community members, and PCAs during the ultimate of experimental period. So far investigations and findings were disseminated through demonstration trials, publications, Extension meetings, workshops, and field days to provide updated pest management guidelines to stakeholders. Project team members collected data from commercial fields in their area of expertise and provided input on EAW and WAW numbers to the grower and PCA as means of heightening awareness of the issue and of the new thresholds and practices.

    Publications

    • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: Natwick, E.T., J. Richardson, M. I. Lopez and A. M. Mostafa. Alfalfa Aphid Management, The 2nd Arizona Alfalfa & Forage Crops Workshop March 16, 2016. https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/resources/Natwick%20March%2016%202016a.pdf. Mostafa, A.M. 2017. Pest Managements in Alfalfa in Arizona. https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/resources/Pest%20Managements%20in%20Alfalfa%20in%20Arizona.pdf.