Advantages of Different Tillage Systems and Their Effects on the Economically Important Pests, Thrips tabaci Lind. and Aphis gossypii Glov. in Cotton Fields

Abstract

An experiment to assess advantages of different tillage and their effects on Aphis gossypii Glov. and Thrips tabaci Lind was conducted during the 2000 and 2001 cotton growing seasons in cotton fields at Adnan Menderes University, Agricultural Faculty Research Center, located in Aydin Province, Turkey. The tillage systems examined were conventional, strip, precision and ridge tillage. Two insect population densities were not affected by the type of tillage systems during either year. However, significant differences in populations were observed in thrips populations on 31 May 2000 and 18 May 2001 and aphid populations on 24 May 2000 and 11 May 2001. The results show that the highest yield was observed in all conservation tillage systems in 2000 and ridge tillage system in 2001. Early maturity was higher in both precision and ridge tillage systems. In addition, tillage systems did not affect fibre properties. As a result, the application of conservation tillage is more advantageous in cotton in respect of early maturity and total yield.