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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #380596
Research Project: Systematics of Hemiptera and Related Groups: Plant Pests, Predators and Disease Vectors

Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Title: Investigating the effects of planting date and Aphis gossypii management on reducing the final incidence of Cotton leafroll dwarf virus

Author
item MAHAS, J. - Auburn University
item HAMILTON, F. - Auburn University
item ROBERTS, PHILLIP - University Of Georgia
item RAY, CHARLES - Auburn University
item Miller, Gary
item SHARMAN, MURRAY - Queensland University - Australia
item CONNER, KASSIE - Auburn University
item BAG, SUDEEP - University Of Georgia
item BLYTHE, EUGENE - Auburn University
item TOEWS, MICHAEL - University Of Georgia
item JACOBSON, ALANA - Auburn University

Submitted to: Pest Management Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/19/2022
Publication Date: 5/5/2022
Citation: Mahas, J.W., Hamilton, F.B., Roberts, P.M., Ray, C., Miller, G.L., Sharman, M., Conner, K., Bag, S., Blythe, E., Toews, M., Jacobson, A.L. 2022. Investigating the effects of planting date and Aphis gossypii management on reducing the final incidence of Cotton leafroll dwarf virus. Pest Management Science. 158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2022.106005.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2022.106005

Interpretive Summary: Aphids cause billions of dollars in annual crop damage worldwide. This damage can be the result of direct feeding on a plant or through the transmission of plant pathogens during their feeding. Cotton leafroll dwarf virus is one of the aphid-borne diseases that has become important in the southeastern U.S. This is the first paper to examine aphid management in cotton and cotton planting dates in respect to Cotton leafroll dwarf virus in the southeastern U.S. The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, was found as the dominant species in plots and traps. Aphid population dynamics appeared to be related to virus spread. This paper will be useful for ecologists, entomologists, cotton scouts, farmers, and state and federal regulatory officials.

Technical Abstract: This research is the first study to investigate management strategies for Cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV) in the southeastern U.S. Adjusting the planting date and management of the aphid vector on reducing final CLRDV incidence was investigated concurrent with efforts to monitor aphid population dynamics and timing of CLRDV spread. Planting date and insecticide treatments did not reduce the final incidence of CLRDV, which was confirmed in 60-100% of plants per plot using RT-PCR. Aphid population density was reduced but not eliminated with foliar insecticide applications. Aphis gossypii was the dominant species collected in plots and pan traps. Three distinct periods of virus spread were detected including early, mid-and late-season. Vector management did not disrupt virus transmission to cotton in these experiments. Aphid population dynamics appeared to be related to virus spread, and other aphid species that should be tested for vector competence were identified in this study.