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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Florence, South Carolina » Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #403873
Research Project: Effective Cotton Genetics and Management Practices for Improved Cotton Quality and Production

Location: Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research

Title: Perennial cover crops in cotton to manage early season thrips and reduce herbicide usage

Author
item REAY-JONES, FRANCIS - Clemson University
item Billman, Eric

Submitted to: Clemson Integrated Pest Management Program Newsletter
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/10/2023
Publication Date: 4/13/2023
Citation: Reay-Jones, F.F., Billman, E.D. 2023. Perennial cover crops in cotton to manage early season thrips and reduce herbicide usage. Clemson Integrated Pest Management Program Newsletter.

Interpretive Summary: .

Technical Abstract: Integrated pest management (IPM) emphasizes the value of using multiple control tactics to manage pests. While pesticides are valuable tools and are important parts of IPM programs, alternative management tactics can help to avoid or reduce the need to use pesticides. This integrated approach can be essential when pests develop resistance to commonly used pesticides. This is the case with thrips, which are common insect pests of cotton early in the season. Thrips injury can lead to severely stunted plants and yield loss or delays in maturity. Management of thrips in cotton has traditionally relied heavily on the use of insecticides. However, the main pest species of thrips that can feed on cotton, tobacco thrips (Frankiniella fusca), has developed resistance to the most commonly used insecticides used for their management. On-going research at the USDA-ARS in Florence, SC, and at the Clemson University Pee Dee REC is investigating the potential of perennial cover crops as a cultural practice to minimize both the need for insecticides for thrips control and herbicides.