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Title: EFFECTS OF THE RENIFORM NEMATODE AND SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY ON COTTON

Author
item Cook, Charles
item Robinson, Arin
item NAMKEN, L - TX AGRIC EXT STN-WESLACO
item WOLFENBARGER, D - COOPERATOR

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/31/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Reniform nematode and silverleaf whitefly are serious constraints to cotton production in south Texas. A field study was conducted from 1995 to 1996 to determine the singular and combined effects of reniform nematodes and silverleaf whiteflies on lint yield and fiber quality. Experimental design was a split-plot, with nematode treatments (Telone II and control) as whole plots and whitefly treatments (imidacloprid and control) as subplots. Reniform nematodes reduced first harvest yield, whereas whiteflies did not. Second harvest and total lint yield were reduced by both reniform nematode and whiteflies. Micronaire, a measure of fiber maturity, was reduced by whiteflies. Fiber elongation was reduced by reniform nematodes. Across years and whitefly treatments, nematodes reduced lint yield 174 lb/acre. Averaged across nematode treatments, whiteflies reduced 124 lb/acre. No significant reniform nematode x silverleaf whitefly interactions were detected; however, some interaction (P LE 0.20) was suggested to occur in the second harvest. Results showed significant lint yield reductions were caused by reniform nematodes and silverleaf whiteflies. Since the later maturing percentage of the crop had the most loss, managing for early maturity should be an effective strategy for reducing yield losses caused by these two pests.

Technical Abstract: The reniform nematode and silverleaf whitefly are serious pests to cotton in south Texas. A two-year study, from 1995-1996, was conducted to determine the singular and combined effects of reniform nematodes and silverleaf whiteflies on lint yield and fiber quality. Experimental design was a split-plot, with nematode treatments (Telone II and control) as whole plots and whitefly treatments (imidacloprid and control) as subplots. First harvest yield was reduced by reniform nematodes, but not whiteflies. Second harvest and total yield were reduced by both reniform nematodes and whiteflies. Micronaire was reduced by whiteflies and elongation was reduced by reniform nematodes. Across years and whitefly treatments, nematodes reduced yield from 590 lb/acre to 416/acre. Averaged across nematode treatments, whiteflies reduced yield from 565 lb/acre to 441 lb/acre. No significant reniform nematode x silverleaf whitefly interactions were detected; however, there was indication of some interaction (P LE 0.20) in the second harvest. Results indicated lint yield reductions were caused by reniform nematodes and silverleaf whiteflies. Since the later maturing percentage of the crop had the most loss, managing for early maturity should be an effective strategy for reducing yield losses caused by these two pests.