Intercropping improves faba bean photosynthesis and reduces disease caused by Fusarium commune and cinnamic acid-induced stress.

Modern intensive cropping systems often contribute to the accumulation of phenolic acids in the soil, which promotes the development of soilborne diseases. This can be suppressed by intercropping. This study analyzed the effects of intercropping on Fusarium wilt based on its effect on photosynthesis under stress by the combination of Fusarium commune and cinnamic acid. The control was not inoculated with F. commune, while the faba bean plants (Vicia faba L.) were inoculated with this pathogen in the other treatments. The infected plants were also treated with cinnamic acid. This study examined the development of Fusarium wilt together with its effects on the leaves, absorption of nutrients, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, contents of photosynthetic pigments, activities of photosynthetic enzymes, gas exchange parameters, and the photosynthetic assimilates of faba bean from monocropping and intercropping systems. Under monocropping conditions, the leaves of the plants inoculated with F. commune grew significantly less, and there was enhanced occurrence of the Fusarium wilt compared with the control. Compared with the plants solely inoculated with F. commune, the exogenous addition of cinnamic acid to the infected plants significantly further reduced the growth of faba bean leaves and increased the occurrence of Fusarium wilt. A comparison of the combination of F. commune and cinnamic acid in intercropped wheat and faba bean compared with monocropping showed that intercropping improved the absorption of nutrients, increased photosynthetic pigments and its contents, electron transport, photosynthetic enzymes, and photosynthetic assimilates. The combination of these factors reduced the occurrence of Fusarium wilt in faba bean and increased the growth of its leaves. These results showed that intercropping improved the photosynthesis, which promoted the growth of faba bean, thus, reducing the development of Fusarium wilt following the stress of infection by F. commune and cinnamic acid. This research should provide more information to enhance sustainable agriculture.

Combined treatment with amitraz and thymol to manage Varroa destructor mites (Acari: Varroidae) in Apis mellifera honey bee colonies (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

The parasitic mite Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman) is one of the greatest stressors of Apis mellifera (L.) honey bee colonies. When Varroa infestations reach damaging levels during fall, rapid control is necessary to minimize damage to colonies. We performed a field trial in the US Southeast to determine if a combination of registered treatments (Apivar, amitraz-based; and Apiguard, thymol-based) could provide rapid and effective control of Varroa. We compared colonies that received this combination treatment against colonies that received amitraz-based positive control treatments: (i) Apivar alone; or (ii) amitraz emulsifiable concentrate ("amitraz EC"). While not registered, amitraz EC is used by beekeepers in the United States in part because it is thought to control Varroa more rapidly and effectively than registered products. Based on measurements of Varroa infestation rates of colonies after 21 days of treatment, we found that the combination treatment controlled Varroa nearly as rapidly as the amitraz EC treatment: this or other combinations could be useful for Varroa management. At the end of the 42-day trial, colonies in the amitraz EC group had higher bee populations than those in the Apivar group, which suggests that rapid control helps reduce Varroa damage. Colonies in the combination group had lower bee populations than those in the amitraz EC group, which indicates that the combination treatment needs to be optimized to avoid damage to colonies.

History of Discovery and Environmental Role of Ice Nucleating Bacteria.

The phenomenon of biological ice nucleation that is exhibited by a variety of bacteria is a fascinating phenotype, which has been shown to incite frost damage to frost-sensitive plants and has been proposed to contribute to atmospheric processes that affect the water cycle and earth's radiation balance. This review explores the several possible drivers for the evolutionary origin of the ice nucleation phenotype. These bacteria and the gene required for this phenotype have also been exploited in processes as diverse as reporter gene assays to assess environmentally responsive gene expression in various plant pathogenic and environmental bacteria and in the detection of foodborne human pathogens when coupled with host-specific bacteriophage, whereas ice nucleating bacteria themselves have been exploited in the production of artificial snow for recreation and oil exploration and in the process of freezing of various food products. This review also examines the historical development of our understanding of ice nucleating bacteria, details of the genetic determinants of ice nucleation, and features of the aggregates of membrane-bound ice nucleation protein necessary for catalyzing ice. Lastly, this review also explores the role of these bacteria in limiting the supercooling ability of plants and the strategies and limitations of avoiding plant frost damage by managing these bacterial populations by bactericides, antagonistic bacteria, or cultural control strategies.

Cultural Management of Huanglongbing: Current Status and Ongoing Research.

Huanglongbing (HLB), formerly known as greening, is a bacterial disease restricted to some Asian and African regions until two decades ago. Nowadays, associated bacteria and their vectors have spread to almost all citrus-producing regions, and it is currently considered the most devastating citrus disease. HLB management can be approached in terms of prevention, limiting or avoiding pathogen and associated vectors to reach an area, or in terms of control, trying to reduce the impact of the disease by adopting different cultural strategies depending on infestation/infection levels. In both cases, control of psyllid populations is currently the best way to stop HLB spread. Best cultural actions (CHMAs, TPS system) to attain this goal and, thus, able to limit HLB spread, and ongoing research in this regard is summarized in this review.

The Effect of Temperature on Disease Severity and Growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. apii Races 2 and 4 in Celery.

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. apii race 4, which is in F. oxysporum species complex (FOSC) Clade 2, causes a new Fusarium wilt of celery. We compared F. oxysporum f. sp. apii race 4 with race 2, which causes Fusarium yellows of celery and is in FOSC Clade 3. Optimal temperatures for celery yield are 16 to 18°C. Soil temperatures in California celery production areas can range up to 26°C, and the maximal rate of hyphal extension of F. oxysporum f. sp. apii races 2 and 4 in culture are 25 and 28°C, respectively. Here, we compared the effect of temperatures from 16 to 26°C on growth of F. oxysporum f. sp. apii races 4 and 2 in two celery cultivars: Challenger, which is resistant to F. oxysporum f. sp. apii race 2 and susceptible to race 4; and Sonora, which is susceptible to both F. oxysporum f. sp. apii races 2 and 4. Based on linear regressions, as temperature increases, there is an increase in the log of F. oxysporum f. sp. apii race 4 DNA concentration in celery crowns and in the reduction in plant height. Based on logistic regressions, as temperature increases, the incidence of vascular discoloration increases in celery with either F. oxysporum f. sp. apii race 2 or 4 infection. In both cultivars, temperatures of 22°C and above resulted in a significantly (α = 0.05) greater concentration of F. oxysporum f. sp. apii race 4 than race 2 in planta. The concentration of F. oxysporum f. sp. apii race 2 in crowns in 'Challenger' is temperature-independent and comparatively low; consequently, 'Challenger' is, at least partly, resistant rather than tolerant to F. oxysporum f. sp. apii race 2.

Endophytic Bacillus subtilis TR21 Improves Banana Plant Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense and Promotes Root Growth by Upregulating the Jasmonate and Brassinosteroid Biosynthesis Pathways.

The banana (Musa spp.) industry experiences dramatic annual losses from Fusarium wilt of banana disease, which is caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (FOC). Pisang Awak banana 'Fenza No. 1' (Musa spp. cultivar Fenza No. 1), a major banana cultivar with high resistance to F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4, is considered to be ideal for growth in problematic areas. However, 'Fenza No. 1' is still affected by F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 1 in the field. TR21 is an endophytic Bacillus subtilis strain isolated from orchids (Dendrobium sp.). Axillary spraying of banana plants with TR21 controls Fusarium wilt of banana, decreasing the growth period and increasing yields in the field. In this study, we established that TR21 increases root growth in different monocotyledonous plant species. By axillary inoculation, TR21 induced a similar transcriptomic change as that induced by F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 1 but also upregulated the biosynthetic pathways for the phytohormones brassinosteroid and jasmonic acid in 'Fenza No. 1' root tissues, indicating that TR21 increases Fusarium wilt of banana resistance, shortens growth period, and increases yield of banana by inducing specific transcriptional reprogramming and modulating phytohormone levels. These findings will contribute to the identification of candidate genes related to plant resistance against fungi in a nonmodel system and facilitate further study and exploitation of endophytic biocontrol agents.

Biology, Pest Status, Microbiome and Control of Kudzu Bug (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Plataspidae): A New Invasive Pest in the U.S.

Soybean is an important food crop, and insect integrated pest management (IPM) is critical to the sustainability of this production system. In recent years, the introduction into the United States of the kudzu bug currently identified as Megacopta cribraria (F.), poses a threat to soybean production. The kudzu bug was first discovered in the state of Georgia, U.S. in 2009 and since then has spread to most of the southeastern states. Because it was not found in the North American subcontinent before this time, much of our knowledge of this insect comes from research done in its native habitat. However, since the U.S. introduction, studies have been undertaken to improve our understanding of the kudzu bug basic biology, microbiome, migration patterns, host selection and management in its expanding new range. Researchers are not only looking at developing IPM strategies for the kudzu bug in soybean, but also at its unique relationship with symbiotic bacteria. Adult females deposit bacterial packets with their eggs, and the neonates feed on these packets to acquire the bacteria, Candidatus Ishikawaella capsulata. The kudzu bug should be an informative model to study the co-evolution of insect function and behavior with that of a single bacteria species. We review kudzu bug trapping and survey methods, the development of bioassays for insecticide susceptibility, insecticide efficacy, host preferences, impact of the pest on urban environments, population expansion, and the occurrence of natural enemies. The identity of the kudzu bug in the U.S. is not clear. We propose that the kudzu bug currently accepted as M. cribraria in the U.S. is actually Megacopta punctatissima, with more work needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Evaluation of Bunch Protectors for Preventing Insect Infestation and Preserving Yield and Fruit Quality of Dates, Phoenix dactylifera L.

In experiments comparing conventional date paper wraps with polyester mesh bags, date bunches enclosed in polyester mesh bags had lower insect infestations than dates covered by paper wraps. Carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller), infestations of marketable fruit were significantly lower for mesh bags (0.6-3.1%) compared with paper wraps (8.5-15.5%). Other fruit pests [raisin moth, Cadra figulilella (Gregson), and beetles in the family Nitidulidae] were less common than carob moth, and infestation by these insects was consistently lower in fruit protected by mesh bags. Date bunches in mesh bag treatments had a 21-46% net increase in marketable date fruit owing to the fact that the bags prevented marketable dates from falling to the garden floor. The number of abscised kimri fruit was higher in the mesh bag treatment than the paper wrap treatment, yet there were no differences in the incidences of other fruit maladies (black nose, fruit with fungi, shriveled fruit, abscised khalal fruit, infertile fruit, and nonripe fruit). Bunch sanitation, used just prior to bagging and wrapping dates, successfully removed abscised kimri fruit from bunches, which resulted in a significantly lower number of cull dates from one garden, but this response was not present at a second garden. These studies show that mesh bags should be included in an integrated pest management program on dates.

Response of olive fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) to an attract-and-kill trap in greenhouse cage tests.

A novel attract-and-kill trap for olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), was constructed with yellow corrugated plastic in an inverted cylindrical pan shape formed from a disk and collar. The trap components were tested under three greenhouse temperatures and humidities of warm, hot, and very hot for attractiveness to caged young or older adults. A greater proportion of adults regardless of age were found underneath the devices including disks, cylindrical pans, and pans with pheromone lures and test units of cylindrical pans sprayed with water, insecticidal bait spray, and with lures. The effect was related to lower temperatures on the underside compared with the top and the intolerance of the pest to heat. A circular collar added to the perimeter of the disk that formed the top of the inverted cylinder made the attract-and-kill trap more attractive to adults than the disk alone. Pheromone lures or bait sprays did not increase adult attraction, so were not needed for efficacy. The cylindrical pan was especially attractive to adults when temperatures were high by providing shelter from the heat. At very high temperatures, the pan became unattractive, possibly due to heating of the construction materials. Cylindrical pans sprayed with water on the underside attracted the highest number of adults especially at high temperatures. Greenhouse tests showed that the inverted cylindrical pan design has potential as an attract-and-kill device for olive fruit fly control.

Lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) displays negative phototaxis and conditional hygrotaxis.

Arthropods use a variety of environmental cues to navigate between and locate hosts. In agricultural systems, clarifying the relevant cues and their effects on arthropod behavior can inform management practices to reduce or inhibit the activity of arthropod pests. The lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) is a ubiquitous arthropod pest of broiler house chicken production, and while the patterns of movement and behavior of A. diaperinus are well documented, the specific environmental factors that govern these patterns are not known. We conducted behavioral assays testing the response of A. diaperinus adults and larvae to different wavelengths of light and to the presence of water. Alphitobius diaperinus displayed a significant repulsion from white, green, red, and blue light, while larvae consistently sought shelter and displayed no behavioral change in response to light. Dehydrated adult beetles displayed an attraction to water while hydrated beetles displayed a repulsion to water. Regardless of the availability of water, dehydrated beetles displayed a reduced repulsion from light. Taken together, these results indicate that A. diaperinus will hide from sources of light unless they are dehydrated. Knowledge of the environmental cues that influence the behavior of A. diaperinus could be used to improve methods of trapping, monitoring, and controlling populations of A. diaperinus in experimental and commercial settings.

Slime molds (Myxomycetes) causing a "disease" in crop plants and cultivated mushrooms.

Myxomycetes (plasmodial slime molds) are eukaryotic protist predators that are associated with wood, leaf litter, and soil in forests, where they feed on bacteria, protozoans, and (to a more limited extent) fungi. The health of crop plants is essential because they represent a primary food source for humans. However, when myxomycetes produce numerous fruiting bodies on the stems and leaves of crop plants, which is herein referred to as a myxomycete colonization, this has the potential of interfering with plant photosynthesis, transpiration and respiration by blocking out light and covering stomata. Myxomycetes are not pathogens, but their occurrence on plants can be mistakenly interpreted as some type of infection. However, this phenomenon has been largely ignored. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the taxonomic and economic diversity of the organisms involved in myxomycete colonization. In addition, the various types of myxomycete colonization reported in the literature are described and discussed, a number of images provided, and cultural and chemical prevention and control measures are summarized. The latter should be of significant relevance for local production of crops and plant protective stations. While myxomycetes are not pathogens of crop plants, some species can seriously impact commercially grown mushrooms. Reports of myxomycetes affecting mushrooms are also described in this paper.

Nut bush pesticide limits: urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to address current and emerging insect pests and insecticide options in the Australian macadamia industry.

In Australia, macadamia orchards are attacked by four main insect pest groups. Management and control of three of these key pests currently relies on broad-spectrum insecticides whose long-term future is questionable. Of the 23 insecticides registered for use in macadamia in Australia, 19 face issues affecting their availability and 12 are presently not approved in the EU, the USA or Canada. These international markets may refuse produce that does not adhere to their own insecticide use standards, hence Australian produce may be excluded from market access. Many of the potential replacement integrated pest management methods of pest control are generally considered less effective by the industry and have not been adopted. There are 17 insect pest groups identified by the industry, any of which have potential to become major problems if broad-spectrum insecticide options become unavailable. Thirteen pest groups need urgent attention as they are at risk of losing current effective control methods, and no replacement solutions have yet been developed. The lag period for research and development to identify new chemical and biological control solutions means there is now an urgent need for the macadamia industry to craft a strategy for sustainable pest management for each pest. Critically, this industry strategy needs to address the vulnerabilities identified in this paper, identify potential solutions for any cases of market failure and consider funding mechanisms to address these gaps. On economic and sustainability grounds, potential biological control options should be explored, especially in cases where insecticide control options are vulnerable. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Integrated Management of Pathogens and Microbes in Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabis) under Greenhouse Conditions.

The increased cultivation of high THC-containing Cannabis sativa L. (cannabis), particularly in greenhouses, has resulted in a greater incidence of diseases and molds that can negatively affect the growth and quality of the crop. Among them, the most important diseases are root rots (Fusarium and Pythium spp.), bud rot (Botrytis cinerea), powdery mildew (Golovinomyces ambrosiae), cannabis stunt disease (caused by hop latent viroid), and a range of microbes that reduce post-harvest quality. An integrated management approach to reduce the impact of these diseases/microbes requires combining different approaches that target the reproduction, spread, and survival of the associated pathogens, many of which can occur on the same plant simultaneously. These approaches will be discussed in the context of developing an integrated plan to manage the important pathogens of greenhouse-grown cannabis at different stages of plant development. These stages include the maintenance of stock plants, propagation through cuttings, vegetative growth of plants, and flowering. The cultivation of cannabis genotypes with tolerance or resistance to various pathogens is a very important approach, as well as the maintenance of pathogen-free stock plants. When combined with cultural approaches (sanitation, management of irrigation, and monitoring for diseases) and environmental approaches (greenhouse climate modification), a significant reduction in pathogen development and spread can be achieved. The use of preventive applications of microbial biological control agents and reduced-risk biorational products can also reduce disease development at all stages of production in jurisdictions where they are registered for use. The combined use of promising strategies for integrated disease management in cannabis plants during greenhouse production will be reviewed. Future areas for research are identified.

Bermudagrass mite (Acari: Eriophyidae) infestation worsens in response to increasing nitrogen fertility and decreasing irrigation volume but not mowing height.

Severe bermudagrass mite (Aceria cynodoniensis Sayed) infestation stunts turfgrass growth and reduces the aesthetic and recreational value of managed bermudagrass. Management practices, such as fertilization, mowing, and irrigation, may impact bermudagrass mite infestation and damage, but empirical evidence is lacking. Two 20 wk experiments were conducted with potted bermudagrass in a greenhouse or nursery to evaluate the effect of varying nitrogen rates (0, 24.5, or 49 kg N/ha), mowing heights (1.3, 2.5, 3.8, or 5 cm), and irrigation rates (60%, 100%, or 140% evapotranspiration [ET] rate) on the densities of witch's brooms (i.e., stunted and deformed terminals symptomatic of infestation) and bermudagrass mites. Increasing nitrogen fertility from 0 to 49 kg N/ha increased witch's broom and bermudagrass mite densities by 292% and 339%, respectively. Bermudagrass fertilized with nitrogen maintained higher turf quality than unfertilized grass despite greater mite damage. Decreasing irrigation from 140% to 60% of the ET rate also increased witch's broom densities by 124%. Mowing height did not consistently affect witch's broom or mite densities. Witch's broom and mite densities were positively correlated and followed a general trend with greater densities in April-August and a decline in densities in August-October. These findings suggest that nitrogen fertilization and water stress influence bermudagrass mite damage. Thus, limiting nitrogen fertilization to a level necessary to maintain turfgrass health and quality (0.5 kg N/ha) and minimizing turfgrass water stress can complement current chemical control strategies as part of an integrated pest management program.

Evaluating integrated pest management tactics for spotted lanternfly management in vineyards.

BACKGROUND: Spotted lanternfly, an invasive planthopper which was first found in 2014 in the eastern USA, has become a significant pest to vineyards. Sap-feeding by this pest has been associated with plant stress and yield declines, and current management depends entirely on the prophylactic use of insecticides. Our study explored two new integrated pest management (IPM) tactics against spotted lanternfly to reduce the negative effects of frequent chemical applications: the use of exclusion netting and the use of perimeter applications of insecticides. RESULTS: Exclusion netting was installed across five vineyards in 2020 and compared to adjacent vines without exclusion netting. The netting reduced spotted lanternfly on vines by 99.8% and had no effect on air temperature, humidity, fungal disease pressure, or fruit quality. Perimeter applications of insecticides were compared against full-cover applications for both in-season and late-season control of spotted lanternfly in 2020. Residual efficacy with adult spotted lanternfly was evaluated within the vineyard plots, revealing that insecticide efficacy declined after 8 m into the vineyard in the perimeter application. However, there was no difference in the level of control achieved using a perimeter spray compared to a full-cover spray. Additionally, the perimeter spray reduced the area treated with insecticide by 31% in a 1 ha block and took 66% less time to spray. CONCLUSION: Both methods, exclusion netting and perimeter spraying, offer new strategies to alleviate the invasion of spotted lanternfly into vineyards, reducing chemical input and rebuilding IPM in vineyards after invasion by spotted lanternfly. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Planting Date of Cotton in the Brazilian Cerrado Drives Boll Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Infestation.

Although the boll weevil (BW), Anthonomus grandis grandis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) has been attributed to the significant losses caused to cotton yield in the Americas, the categorization as a quarentenary pest in places where it is still not occurring has increased its relevance worldwide. In areas where it is widespread, pest suppression relies on many broad-spectrum insecticide applications. However, other control tactics are sought. Considering that early-flowering cultivars escape from boll weevil infestation, we investigated if three different planting dates (November, December, and January) could alter the plant life cycle, allowing the plants to escape from boll weevil infestation. Field trials were run in two seasons (2014/2015 and 2017/2018), and variables (days required to reach each flowering stage, fruiting plant structures-undamaged and damaged by the BW, and totals-number of boll weevils on plants and that had emerged from fallen structures on the ground) were assessed over 29 and 33 weeks, respectively. Based on the number of days required to initiate and terminate the flowering stage, the time to reach the economic threshold (ET), the number of undamaged, damaged, and the total reproductive structures, we concluded that planting dates in December for the Central Cerrado of Brazil should be preferred over the other two tested dates. Cultivations run at this planting date, anticipating the flowering period initiation and termination, reduced infested flowering structures, and delayed the decision making to control the pest, when compared to the other two planting dates.

Management of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) on a cow-calf farm in East Tennessee, USA.

Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann is an exotic and invasive tick species rapidly expanding across the United States. Large infestations of these ticks on cattle can cause anemia, and in eastern regions of the country, they are transmitting Theileria orientalis Ikeda within herds. Methods for managing H. longicornis in the environment are rarely successful and rely on chemicals. To document population effects from producer management decisions, we investigated the change in H. longicornis populations to different tick management practices chosen by producers at 3 different H. longicornis-infested farms. Farm 1 kept a closed herd, chose to cut brush monthly, used on-animal acaricides, and allowed us to drag weekly. Farm 2 kept an open herd, chose to cut brush yearly, did not use on-animal acaricides, and allowed us to drag for ticks weekly/monthly. Farm 3 kept an open herd, chose to cut brush yearly, used on-animal acaracides, and allowed us to drag for ticks monthly. We assessed H. longicornis populations responding to those methods over time using active surveillance methods at each farm. Management decisions on Farms 1 and 3 significantly reduced H. longicornis on farms. Importantly, Farm 1 management decisions reduced the chance of a tick being present by 90%; the number of questing ticks collected fell from 5,000 to 12 H. longicornis in 2 years. Therefore, combined management strategies such as keeping a closed herd, use of on-animal chemical control, mechanical control, and reducing the amount of vegetation on farms were effective ways for producers to manage Haemaphysalis longicornis Neuman (Ixodidae).

Side Effects of Kaolin and Bunch-Zone Leaf Removal on Generalist Predators in Vineyards.

In vineyards, kaolin application and bunch-zone leaf removal (LR) were effective in the control of leafhoppers and Lobesia botrana, but their side effects on generalist predators are still poorly understood. In north-eastern Italian vineyards, the impact of kaolin and LR on species and functional diversity of spiders, as well as the abundance of spiders and generalist predatory insects, was assessed in one vineyard for two consecutive years and in two vineyards for one year. The ecological indices of the spider community were never influenced by kaolin and only in one case were they influenced by LR. At the spider family level, kaolin reduced the abundance of Araneidae, Oxypidae and Salticidae, but only in single cases. In single cases, kaolin reduced the amount of Orius sp. anthocorids and increased that of Scymninae coccinellids, whereas LR increased the amount of Aeolothrips sp. The moderate use of kaolin and the application of LR had negligible and inconsistent impacts on generalist predatory arthropods in vineyards and were therefore, compatible with IPM strategies.

Frequent and efficient harvesting as an economically viable strategy to regulate coffee berry borer on commercial farms in Hawaii.

Coffee is the second most economically important agricultural crop in Hawaii, valued at around $175M for green and roasted coffee in the 2021-2022 season. With the introduction of coffee berry borer (CBB, Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari) to Hawaii in 2010, growers have faced a significant challenge in producing the specialty coffee that the region is known for. This tiny beetle infests the coffee seed and reduces the yield and quality of coffee products. While field sanitation, frequent harvesting and strip-picking are known to be essential for controlling CBB, the associated costs and benefits of these cultural control practices have not been estimated for Hawaii. In the present study, we examined two CBB management strategies across 10 commercial coffee farms on Hawaii Island: (i) conventional management including frequent sprays of pesticides and few rounds of sanitation and harvesting, and (ii) cultural control-focused management consisting of few sprays of pesticides and frequent sanitation and harvesting. Cultural management resulted in significantly lower mean CBB infestation (4.6% vs. 9.0%), total defects (5.5% vs. 9.1%), and CBB damage to processed coffee (1.6% vs. 5.7%) compared to conventional management. Additionally, yields were higher (mean increase of 3,024 lbs of cherry/acre) and harvested more efficiently (4.8 vs. 7.9 raisins/tree) on culturally managed vs. conventional farms. Lastly, the cost of chemical controls was 55% lower and the net benefit of frequent harvesting was 48% higher on cultural vs. conventional farms. Our findings demonstrate that frequent and efficient harvesting is an effective and economically viable alternative to frequent pesticide applications.

An Evaluation of Cultural and Chemical Control Practices to Reduce Slug Damage in No-till Corn.

Slugs, primarily the gray garden slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Müller), are the most damaging non-arthropod pest of corn grown in conservation tillage systems in the US. These mollusks favor decaying plant residue on the soil surface, which provides food, shelter and optimum microenvironmental conditions for their development and survival. Here, field plot experiments evaluated several cultural and chemical control practices to suppress slug activity and feeding injury during early seedling growth. The use of row cleaners to remove surface residue over the seed row and starter fertilizer applied different ways during planting significantly reduced the percentage and severity of plants damaged by slugs by negatively affecting their activity around emerging seedlings and providing more favorable conditions for plants to outgrow and tolerate feeding injury. As rescue treatments, reduced rates of a 4% molluscicide bait applied as a directed band over the seed row, and broadcasted solutions of urea-based nitrogen applied under calm winds at night provided effective slug control. Practical considerations of these treatments are discussed, as well as changes in weather patterns and current planting practices that have had contrasting effects on slug populations and their potential damage.