Stink Bug Population in Cotton Plantations with Different Plant Spacings

Izidro Dos Santos De Lima Júnior,Elmo Pontes De Melo,Paulo Eduardo Degrande,Lígia Maria Maraschi Da Silva Piletti,Antonio Luiz Viegas Neto

doi:10.18406/2316-1817v11n420191374

Abstract

The increase in cotton plant population by decreasing the spacing between rows cause some changes in phenotypical characteristics of cotton plants, such as decrease in number of leaves per plant, low-development leaves, and great soil shading. Stink bugs of the Pentatomidae family that migrate from soybean crops seem to benefit from the cotton narrow-row planting system. The objective of the present work was to evaluate adult and nymph stink bug populations in cotton plantations under three plant spacing. The experiment was conducted in the 2010/2011 cotton season at the Experimental Farm of the Federal University of Grande Dourados, in Dourados, MS, Brazil. A randomized block experimental design was used, with three cotton growing systems and eight replications, totaling 24 plots. The cotton growing systems were selected based on spacing between planting rows (0.22, 0.45, and 0.90 m). Five evaluations were conducted to survey the stink bug populations, with two samples per plot. The number of nymphs and adults of Euschistus heros and Edessa meditabunda was counted. The spacing between cotton planting rows affects stink bug populations of the species Euschistus heros and Edessa meditabunda. Increases in cotton plant density decrease the occurrence of stink bug in the plantation. The stink bug population is greater in cotton plantations with spacing of 0.90 m between planting rows.

Highlights

Plant spacing and density have been proposed for the growth of different plants; in the case of cotton, it has sought to meet specific needs regarding cultural practices, increasing yield, and decreasing production cost (BORIN et al, 2017)
The cotton plants were grown in three different planting systems: ultra-narrow row, narrow planting row, and conventional
A total of 1,705 stink bugs were collected: 92% of them were from the species Euschistus heros, and the remainder were from the species Edessa meditabunda

Summary

Introduction

Plant spacing and density have been proposed for the growth of different plants; in the case of cotton, it has sought to meet specific needs regarding cultural practices, increasing yield, and decreasing production cost (BORIN et al, 2017). The increase of plant populations by decreasing the spacing between rows may cause some changes in the phenotypical characteristics of cotton plants, such as decrease in number of leaves per plant, low-development leaves, and great soil shading (ROSOLEM et al, 2012) These factors can be correlated with decreases in number of reproductive structures by the plant but higher number per area; decreases in fertilization and weed control costs; and higher intercepting of solar radiation (CHIAVEGATO et al, 2010). Changes in plant canopy caused by use of narrow-row planting system changes the microclimate on the soil surface, favoring the survival of some insects (PIERCE; MONK, 2007; MOLIN; HUGLE, 2010) Information about these changes are important to understand how microclimatic factors affect feeding behavior, dispersion, oviposition, and development of insect pests, and can contribute to the establishment of new pest management methods (PEDIGO; RICE, 2008)

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