Abstract
The strategy for the control of cotton pests, notably Helicoverpa spp., in Australia is insecticide-dependent with limited consideration of the role of beneficial insects. A programme for the development of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach commenced in cotton fields at Norwood near Moree in New South Wales in 1992. In this approach, an alternative crop, lucerne (Medicago sativa), was used in an interplant system plus spraying of cotton with a supplementary food (Envirofeast®), which served to attract and retain predators in treated plots. The predator complex consisted of predatory beetles, bugs, lacewings and spiders. The deployment of these two components, interplants and predator retention, reduced the number of Helicoverpa spp. eggs, very small and small larvae (first, second and third stages), medium and large larvae (fourth and fifth stages) and resulted in a cotton yield (2.72 bales ha−1) that was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than the yield from the untreated control plot (0.59 bales ha -1 ). However, the yield from the interplants and food sprayed plot was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than in the insecticide-managed plot (7.12 bales ha−1). Whenever the ratio of predators to Helicoverpa spp. (pests) per metre row of cotton was S 0.5, Helicoverpa pest numbers were maintained below the economic damage threshold. Though not successful in suppressing Helicoverpa spp. numbers, to avoid significant yield loss, further improvement could be made by introducing other potential components to the IPM strategy.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.