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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #391316
Research Project: Managing Invasive Weeds and Insect Pests Using Biologically-Based Methods

Location: Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research

Title: Eco-based pest management: “push-pull” technology and companion planting in organic vegetables

Author
item Legaspi, Jesusa
item BOLQUES, ALEJANDRO - Florida A & M University
item OSPINA, FANNY - Florida A & M University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/8/2022
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sweetpotato whitefly, thrips and aphids are major insect pests in vegetable crops. The use of “push-pull” technology (PPT) and companion planting is a cultural control method, which may mitigate damage by these insect pests. “Push” crops repel pests away and “pull” crops draw them into trap crops, both components influencing behavior of the pest. Leafy greens were planted in late fall 2019 through winter 2020 in a tropical screenhouse at the Florida Research and Extension Center, Quincy, Florida. In this study, the “push” component of the PPT included potted repellent plants of mustard (var. red giant, caliente), arugula (var. nemat) and society garlic. “Pull” components evaluated included green leaf volatiles (GLV) such as leaf acetate because preliminary laboratory and greenhouse studies showed it is attractive to whiteflies. Additionally, flowering plants, such as marigold (var. French marigold), sweet alyssum and potted basil (var. African blue) were placed on the edges of the screenhouse to attract beneficial insects (as opposed to ‘pull’ factors on pests). Commercial “preda-lure” were placed near the basil plants. Population densities of insects throughout the season were monitored by taking weekly samples of sticky traps. Preliminary results indicate that sweetpotato whiteflies, aphids and thrips were common at relatively low populations. The pest’s natural enemies collected were mainly lacewing and whitefly parasites, Encarsia spp. and Eretmocerus spp. In general, the eco-based pest management strategy of combining the “push” strategy of the PPT combined with “pull” of companion planting may control major insect pests of organic vegetables in enclosed structures.