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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 #392567
Research Project: Managing Invasive Weeds and Insect Pests Using Biologically-Based Methods

Location: Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research

Title: Dual strategy:“Push-pull” technology and companion planting

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

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/11/2022
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sweetpotato whitefly, thrips and aphids are major insect pests in vegetable crops in north Florida. We are developing sustainable and environmentally-friendly technologies to manage these pest populations that reduce dependence on chemical insecticides by deploying plants that naturally repel pests ("push" factor) or attract them to trap plants ("pull" factor) and away from the commercial crops. Three varieties of mustard (giant red mustard, caliente and nemat) and garlic were tested as "push" factors in leafy green vegetables inside a screenhouse. Companion flowering plants included marigold, sweet alyssum and basil; and a commercial product 'Preda-lure’, to attract beneficial insects. Preliminary data indicate that the common insect pests were sweetpotato whiteflies, aphids and thrips, while beneficial insects consisted mostly of parasitic wasps of the whitefly. The dual strategy of “push-pull” technology and companion planting may be part of an integrated pest management program to control major insect pests in organic vegetables.