Bug Damage Research Articles

Unrevealing the Halyomorpha halys Damage Fingerprint on Hazelnut Metabolome by Multiomic Platforms and AI-Aided Strategies.

The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) poses a significant threat to hazelnut crops by affecting kernel development and causing quality defects, reducing the market value. While previous studies have identified bitter-tasting compounds in affected kernels, the impact of stink bug feeding on the hazelnut metabolome, particularly concerning aroma precursors, remains underexplored. This study aims to map the nonvolatile metabolome and volatilome of hazelnut samples obtained by caging H. halys on different cultivars in two locations to identify markers for diagnosing stink bug damage. Using a multiomic approach involving headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOF MS), and liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS), both raw and roasted hazelnuts are analyzed, with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools employed to explore data correlations. The study finds that the hazelnut metabolome and volatilome exhibit high chemical complexity with significant classes of compounds such as aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, and terpenes identified in both raw and roasted hazelnuts. Multivariate analysis indicates that the orchard location significantly impacts the metabolome, followed by damage type, with cultivar differences being less pronounced. Partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models achieve high predictive accuracy for orchard location (99%) and damage type (≈80%), with the roasted volatilome showing the highest predictive accuracy. Correlation matrices reveal significant relationships between raw hazelnut metabolites and aroma compounds in roasted samples, suggesting potential markers for stink bug damage that could guide the quality assessment and mitigation strategies. Data fusion techniques further enhance classification performance, particularly in predicting damage type, underscoring the potential of integrating multiple data sets for comprehensive quality assessment.

Spectral Analysis of Pink Mealy Bug Damaged Mulberry Plants Using Hyperspectral Radiometry

Mulberry (Morus spp.) foliage forms a sole food to silkworms, Bombyx mori L. Its quality plays a pivotal role in superior silk fiber production. Like any other plants, mulberry is susceptible to detrimental diseases and infested by insect pests. Many sucking pests cause damage to mulberry among which, pink mealybug causes severe damage leading to significant loss in mulberry leaf yield (12-25 %). Conventional approaches to assess and manage damage caused by pink mealybugs demand substantial manpower and expertise, resulting in time-consuming and inefficient processes. However, leveraging modern tools and technologies like remote sensing has emerged as a remarkably effective strategy for crop protection and management.Specifically, hyperspectral remote sensing proves invaluable by furnishing insights into the biophysical and biochemical traits of crops. This is achieved through the recording of narrow wave bands that reflect specific plant characteristics. The main objectives were to understand the spectral reflectance characteristics of healthy and pink mealy bug damaged mulberry crops, to identify the optimal spectral bands and vegetative indices for detecting pink mealy bug damage in mulberry and to explore the feasibility of estimating pest damage levels based on the spectral properties of mulberry crops. Top of FormAt the mulberry garden of the Department of Sericulture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, studies were conducted on spectral analysis of pink mealy bug damaged mulberry plants using hyperspectral radiometry during 2018. In this trial, at 15-day intervals during the active damage stage, the percentage damage was observed in plots infested with pink mealy bugs and those that were healthy. Measurements of spectral reflectance across various wavelengths and vegetation indices (VIs) were taken using a hyperspectral radiometer. The analysis included evaluating the sensitivity of different spectral bands and VIs to pink mealybug damage, along with employing correlation and regression analyses between the extent of pest damage and the VIs. The findings revealed distinct differences in the spectral reflectance profiles of mulberry plants compared to their healthy counterparts. Typically, affected plants exhibited increased reflectance in the red (620–680 nm) and green (520–590 nm) bands and reduced near-infrared (NIR) reflectance (770–860 nm). The average values of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Green Red Vegetation Index (GRVI), and Ratio Vegetation Index (RVI) were significantly lower in the pink mealybug-damaged plants across all measurements. Notably, red reflectance demonstrated the greatest sensitivity to pink mealybug-induced damage. The study highlighted the Simple Ratio (SR) index as particularly effective for identifying pest damage. Damage estimation by pink mealybugs was refined using linear regression models based on spectral indices, specifically NDVI, RVI, and GRVI. The correlation intensity analysis pinpointed the green region at 516.73 nm as showing the most significant negative correlation (r = -0.02), whereas the highest positive correlation with pink mealybug damage was observed in the NIR region (r = 0.77), underscoring the precise wavelengths and indices most indicative of pest impact. Thus, using hyperspectral radiometry identification of damage caused by pink mealy bug possible, through analysis of spectral bands and indices.

Lipoxygenases regulate digestive enzyme inhibitor activities in developing seeds of field-grown soybean against the southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula).

Soybean (Glycine max ) is the world's most widely grown seed legume. One of the most important pests that decrease seed quality and reduce yield of soybean crops is the southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula ). Insect damage triggers accumulation of defensive compounds such as protease inhibitors (PIs), isoflavonoids and reactive oxygen species, which are regulated by the lipoxygenase (LOX)-regulated jasmonic acid (JA) to stop insect feeding. This study identified and characterised the role of LOX isoforms in the modulation of chemical defences in seeds of field-grown soybean that decreased digestive enzyme activities of N. viridula after insect attack. Stink bugs attack increased LOX 1 and LOX 2 expression, and activities of LOX 1 and LOX 3 isoenzymes in developing soybean seeds. In addition, stink bug damage and methyl jasmonate application induced expression and activity of both cysteine PIs and trypsin PIs in developing soybean seeds, suggesting that herbivory induced JA in soybean seeds. High PI activity levels in attacked seeds decreased cysteine proteases and α-amylases activities in the gut of stink bugs that fed on field-grown soybean. We demonstrated that LOX isoforms of seeds are concomitantly induced with JA-regulated PIs by stink bugs attack, and these PIs inhibit the activity of insect digestive enzymes. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the participation of LOX in modulating JA-regulated defences against stink bugs in seeds of field-grown soybean, and our results suggest that soybean PIs may inhibit α-amylase activity in the gut of N. viridula .

First report of yeast spot caused by Eremothecium coryli on soybean in South Korea

An ascomycete yeast was isolated from tissue cultures of soybean explants (cv. Williams 82) exhibiting blanching and discoloration. Stink bug damage was confirmed in soybean seeds that were grown and harvested simultaneously in the same field as the soybeans used for tissue culture, and the same yeast was isolated from areas of stink bug damage, indicating seed contamination. The seed infection rate was 20%, and all infected seeds had been damaged by stink bugs. The yeast was identified as Eremothecium coryli (Peglion) Kurtzman based on morphological and biochemical characteristics and homology analysis of the internal transcribed spacer sequence of the ribosomal RNA gene and the large ribosomal subunit D1/D2 domain regions. Disease symptoms were reproduced by inoculating this yeast into healthy soybeans (cv. Williams 82). Eremothecium coryli has been reported to cause yeast spot disease in soybeans, but has not been reported in Korea. Among the fungicides recommended for plant tissue culture, we recommend imazalil for addressing E. coryli contamination. The results of this study suggest that yeast spot caused by E. coryli presents a significant risk to soybean production.

Investigating sensory-classified roasted arabica coffee with GC × GC-TOFMS and chemometrics to understand potato taste defect

The presence of flavor defects in coffee beans can negatively impact quality, the consumer experience, and commercial trade. Potato taste defect (PTD), a flavor defect specific to East African coffee, is often characterized by a musty, vegetable-like aroma. While previous work has correlated PTD with the presence of 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (IPMP), additional changes in the volatile profile of these beans can further amplify the distinct odor of this defect. The aim of this work was to develop a volatile fingerprint of PTD in roasted arabica coffee using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC × GC-TOFMS) and chemometrics. Examination of the HS-SPME-GC × GC-TOFMS data with tile-based Fisher ratio (F-ratio) analysis discovered 359 analytes that differentiated clean coffee samples from those impacted by severe PTD (p-value < 0.01). It was determined that 327 of the identified analytes were more prevalent in the clean coffee samples while 32 analytes, including IPMP, exhibited higher signals in the impacted coffee samples. Principal components analysis (PCA) of the F-ratio results demonstrated that the coffee samples clustered based on the presence of PTD. Partial least squares (PLS) regression modeling further demonstrated that the compounds discovered by F-ratio analysis were correlated with PTD by accurately predicting the concentration of IPMP in the samples. Investigation of the compounds highly weighted in both the PCA and PLS loadings suggest that the presence of microorganisms on coffee beans after antestia bug damage could be a potential pathway for PTD. This damage results in an overall decrease of analytes that are known to have positive sensory contributions to coffee aroma. Collectively, the volatile fingerprint shown herein illustrates that PTD alters the biochemical process in coffee beans.

Detecting bug damage on hazelnut

Detecting bug damage on hazelnut

Effect of exclusion net timing of deployment and color on Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) infestation in pear and apple orchards

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive pest species native to East Asia that has become the major pest for many crops, causing serious economic damage. The occurrence of this invasive pest leads to an increase in broad-spectrum insecticides applications, often with limited results in H. halys management. Exclusion netting based on insect-proof nets is considered an environmentally friendly tactic that may potentially reduce H. halys infestation and damage. In a first experiment, during two growing seasons we investigated whether the timing of exclusion netting deployment affected season-long H. halys infestation and impact on apple and pear production. A second experiment considered the effect of netting color. Our results confirm that insect-proof nettings are effective in controlling H. halys infestations in fruit orchards, also observing an effect of timing of netting deployment on H. halys adult infestation, especially in apple orchards. Netting deployment could be delayed until the growing fruit phase on pear orchards, while on apple orchards it should be performed at flower fading phase. Brown marmorated stink bug infestation and damage were also influenced by the netting color, with black nets having higher infestation levels and fruit damage than white ones. Within an integrated pest management framework, early net deployment and the use of clear color nettings should be considered to reduce H. halys infestation and its damage in pome fruit crops.

Reproductive biology of overwintering leaffooted bug Leptoglossus zonatus (Hemiptera: Coreidae) in California.

Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Coreidae) is a polyphagous insect pest attacking a wide variety of crops. In California's Central Valley, it is now the dominant leaffooted bug on almonds, pistachios, and pomegranates. Leptoglossus zonatus pest status depends largely on overwintering adult survival and reproductive potential, which determines its population size in spring and early summer when nut crops are particularly susceptible to bug damage. Here, we investigated the overwintering reproductive biology of L. zonatus in laboratory and field experiments to gain information about its ovary development, time of mating, and the impact of low temperatures on egg hatch. With dissections of laboratory-reared L. zonatus, we established a baseline for ovarian development and determined that the size of the spermathecal reservoir is larger in mated than in unmated females. Dissections and behavioral experiments of field-collected material provided evidence of mating events before dispersal from overwintering sites. Laboratory trials showed that temperature significantly impacted L. zonatus egg hatch. Leptoglossus zonatus reproductive biology presented provides valuable information on its population dynamics and dispersal from overwintering sites, and will contribute to the development of monitoring and management tools.

Plant Bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae) Development and Damage to Cotton Crop in Uzbekistan

This article provides information on the types of plant bugs, their damage, and measures to combat them in cotton agrobiocenoses of Uzbekistan. As a result of the conducted research, 15 species of bugs, of which Eurystylus bellevoyei (Reuter, 1879) species were identified for the first time in the cotton fields of Uzbekistan. In special experiments in the cages, it was determined that when 100-150 bugs correspond to 100 cotton plants during the vegetation stage of the cotton plant, cotton yield decreases to 32.3-36.4% owing to the effect of alfalfa bug (Adelphocoris lineolatus) and 8.6-13.5% owing to the plant bug (Lygus. protensis). If cotton is infected with a cotton shredder bug (Creontiades pallidus) in the early period (June), the yield of cotton decreases from 61.6% to 88.9%, if there are 30 to 150 plant bugs per 100 cotton plants. If it is infected later (July-August), the yield of cotton decreases from 38.0 to 50.2%. If fine fiber cotton is damaged by bugs (100-150 specimens per 100 cotton plants) during the vegetation stage, the cotton yield will decrease by 55.5-65.3% compared to the control variant. The most effective drugs against plant bugs are: Safegor, 40% (98.3%), Ribo Super, 25% (93.4%), Transform, 50% (92.5%), and Mosetam 20 (82.8-81.9%). Arvilmek 1.8 (active substance- abamectin), Lead, 5% (substance-pymetrozine), Imido Star, 20% (imidacloprid) were found to have unsatisfactory (below 70.0%) results against cotton bugs.

Forewarning models of tea mosquito bug {Helopeltis antonii (Signoret)} in cashew

Field experiment was conducted to monitor tea mosquito bug damage with respect to weather variables for seven years from 2013 to 2020 at Cashew Research Station, Madakkathara. A seasonal pattern was observed in tea mosquito bug incidence, coinciding the crop phenophase, initiating from 24th October to 5th November, continuing till 18th to 30th March of the succeeding year. Peak damage and high seasonal indices were recorded during 16th to 28th December, 28th December to 10th January and11th to 23rd January respectively in early, mid and late flowering types. Night temperature between 19.2 and 22.50C, morning relative humidity of 70-80 per cent, evening relative humidity between 40 and 60 per cent, a day length of 11.5 to11.7 hours, sunshine within 7 to 9 hours, and prevalence of low or no rainfall were the triggering factors for pest build up and infestation. The best fit regression with minimum temperature and morning relative humidity predicted the damage with 80-83 per cent accuracy. The models were validated with dataset for the year 2019-20 and RMSE, and other validation statistics revealed no significance difference between observed and predicted values of tea mosquito bug damage. Hence, the models could be utilized to disseminate the insect advisories to the farmers.

The sycamore lace bug Corythucha ciliata Say, 1832 (Hemiptera: Tingidae) — is a potentially dangerous invasive species in the phytocenoses of Kyiv

Goal. To improve the methodology of effective phytosanitary monitoring of plane trees growing in botanical gardens, parks, garden squares and street plantings of Kyiv.&#x0D; Methods. Observations of the phytosanitary condition of plane trees were carried out by the method of route surveys in botanical gardens, parks, garden squares and street plantations in Kyiv (2019—2021). During the growing season, the lower side of the leaves and branches up to 1.5—2.0 m from the soil surface were inspected. Photographic equipment with the function of zooming in on the object (at least 10× «zooms») and subsequent computer processing was used to examine the leaves damaged by bedbugs on the treetops above.&#x0D; Results. Data on the degree of sycamore lace bug damage of plants in different localities of growth of plane trees in the megalopolis and the resistance of phytophagous to the extreme influence of abiotic environmental factors in this geographical area. Mass reproduction of bugs and significant damage to the leaves of plane trees we noted on the old plane trees on Holosiivskyi Avenue and Holosiivskyi Park named after M. Rylsky. Young plantations of plane trees (near the metro station «Exhibition Center», near the park named after M. Zankovetskoi and Velyka Vasylkivska Street) are damaged by lace bugs to a much lesser extent than the above-mentioned old ones. Survey of the collection of plane trees (Platanus occidentalis L., P. orientalis L., P. × acerifolia Ait., Willd.) in the Botanical Garden named after Acad. O.V. Fomina showed that no bug C.ciliata was found during all these years. In the National Botanical Garden named after M. Grishka of NAS of Ukraine the first damage to single leaves of the lower tier of plane trees was discovered only in September 2021 in the area of lilacs.&#x0D; Conclusions. For the first time in Kyiv, the invasive bug Corytucha ciliata Say was found on plane trees, and its distribution in botanical gardens, parks, squares and street plantings was also established. It should be considered that the primary source of penetration of the phytophage into the phytocenoses of the city was sycamore plants imported from nurseries of Europe. It was studied that on old plants under the bark in autumn, more than 80—90% of the total number of imago bugs can be found, and not a single one on young plants. This fact can be used to improve the system of protection of old and young plane trees from pests.

Weather based pest forewarning models for mealybug infestation in Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora)

&#x0D; An investigation was carried out to study the effect of weather parameters on mealybug infestation in Robusta coffee and to develop forewarning model using 39 years (1977 to 2015) pest data on mealy bug damage in coffee plantations collected at Regional Coffee Research Station, Chundale, Wayanad district of Kerala were recorded at fortnightly intervals during 1977 to 2015 (39 years). The results revealed that mealybug infestation was found to vary with season and also year to year. Fruit setting and budding stages of coffee were severely damaged by mealy bug. Analysis indicated that annually, average damage due to mealy bug was 6.4 per cent and ranged between 5.4 per cent in 1984 to 9.7 per cent in 2011. The mealybug damage was maximum during summer season and lowest during South-West Monsoon (June-September) season. Season wise regression models were developed using data up to 2013 for forewarning per cent damage of mealy bug and validated for 2014 and 2015. The model for summer season mealybug damage has maximum R2=0.79 which can be used for operational forecasting of mealy bug damage.&#x0D;

The Impact of Brown Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Damage during the Seedling Stage on Field Corn Growth and Yield.

Brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a common insect that can infest corn fields in the Mid-South and Southeastern U.S. Infestations and damage are sporadic, thus little research has been conducted on the impact of brown stink bug infesting corn seedlings. Two experiments were conducted in eleven commercial corn fields in the Mississippi Delta to evaluate the impact of damage from natural stink bug infestations during the seedling stage (<V4) on corn yield and growth during 2018 and 2019. Single plants and 3-meter sections of the row were marked at each location. Plant damage for the single plant experiment was rated on a 0-3 scale and every single plant was given a damage rating based on visible symptomology. As damage severity increased, plant height and yield decreased. Some plants with the most severe damage did not produce any grain. At each location, sections of row (plots) with 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% damaged plants were identified. All levels of damaged plants resulted in lower yield compared to the nondamaged control. These results demonstrate the brown stink bug infestations during the seedling stage (<V4) can reduce corn yield. The magnitude of yield reductions can be dependent on several factors including the severity of damage to individual plants and the percentage of plants with damage within the field. Although detecting infestations with current scouting methods is difficult, fields should be scouted and infestations managed to minimize yield loss.

Evaluating resistance of the soybean block technology cultivars to the Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (F.)

Laboratory studies were conducted with the Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (F.), to evaluate nymphal and adult biology on immature pods of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill (Fabaceae), bearing the block technology (resistant to stink bug damage – cvs. BRS 391, BRS 543 RR and BRS 1003 IPRO) compared to a susceptible cultivar (BRS 5601 RR). Results indicated that nymphs’ developmental time and survivorship were similar on all cultivars tested. The same was observed for adult survivorship and reproductive performance. However, data from electropenetrography (EPG) demonstrated that adults of E. heros spent significantly less time in feeding activities on resistant plants compared to the susceptible one. Large differences were observed in feeding activities on seeds; on resistant plants, the insects dedicated a shorter period of time to feed on seed endosperm than on BRS 5601. In addition, when bugs fed on seeds of block cultivars, the majority of probes were composed of only laceration/maceration activities (Eh3a waveform) without ingestion events of the cell contents (Eh3b waveform). In contrast, on the susceptible cultivar, Eh3a waveform events were repeated much more frequently (3-5X) with more probes also containing ingestion of seed contents. These results suggest that the soybean cultivars bearing the block technology presented a lower preference (antixenosis) by the bugs with fewer feeding activities, primarily in the seed endosperm, compared to the susceptible one tested.

Efecto de los daños causados por el insecto escudo verde (Palomena prasina L.) en las características cualitativas de la avellana

Este estudio se realizó en 2018 para determinar el efecto del daño del insecto escudo verde (DV) en las propiedades químicas del cultivar de avellana "Tombul". La composición proximal, proteína, lípidos totales (LT), carbohidratos, relación total de cenizas (CT), vitamina E (VE), fenólicos totales, valores de energía (E), color, composición de ácidos grasos, ácidos grasos totales, oxidación de lípidos e índice de calidad nutricional se determinaron en relación con los daños causados por el insecto. Se encontró que el nivel de LT, CT, VE, E, ácidos grasos monoinsaturados (MUFA) y ácidos grasos insaturados/saturados (UFA/SFA) fue menor en los granos de DV que en los granos buenos (GB). Aunque los granos de DV tienen niveles más altos de yodo, acidez, grasa libre y peróxidos, tienen niveles más bajos de la relación ácido oleico/linoleico y de los valores de rancimat. Además, los granos de DV tienen una relación más baja PUFA/SFA y de hipocolesterolémica/hipercolesterolémica, pero tienen valores de índice de aterogenicidad y trombogenicidad más altos.

Brown Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Damage to Seedling Corn and Impact on Grain Yield.

Brown stink bugs, Euschistus servus, are an important early-season pest of field corn in the southeastern United States. Feeding in the early stages of corn development can lead to a number of growth deformities and deficiencies and, ultimately, a reduction in yield. An observational and two experimentally manipulated trials were conducted in 2017 and 2018 to 1) determine optimal timing for assessing brown stink bug damage, 2) assess the level of damage from which yield compensation can occur, and 3) examine the relationship between brown stink bug density and early-season damage and yield. Fields were identified with infestations of brown stink bugs and a damage rating system for early stages of corn was established. Varying rates of brown stink bug densities were introduced using field cages and damage was assessed throughout the season. The density and duration of stink bug infestations were critical factors for damage potential, with each day of active feeding per plant resulting in a loss of ~14 kg/ha in yield. The level of damage in early stages of corn was categorized into easily identifiable groups, with only the most severe damage leading to a reduction in yield. Moderate and minimal feeding damage did not result in yield loss. This study emphasizes the need for early and frequent scouting of corn to determine the risk of damage and yield loss from brown stink bugs. Results from this study can be used to help develop management programs for brown stink bugs in the early vegetative stages of field corn.

Evaluation of Insecticides to Reduce Tarnished Plant Bug Damage in North Alabama Cotton, 2020

Evaluation of Insecticides to Reduce Tarnished Plant Bug Damage in North Alabama Cotton, 2020

The impact of adjacent habitats on population dynamics of red cotton bugs and lint quality.

Red cotton bugs [Dysdercus spp. (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae] are among the most destructive pests of cotton and many other crops. Red cotton bugs (RCBs hereafter) damage cotton plants by sucking sap and deteriorate lint by staining. The incidence of RCBs causes boll injury along the field margins neighboring with various peripheral areas. The adjacent habitat/crops strongly mediate the population dynamics of RCBs. However, limited is known about the impact of adjacent habitat on population dynamics of RCBs and lint quality. This two-year field study evaluated the impact of adjacent habitat (okra, unpaved road, water channel and Eucalyptus trees) on population dynamics of RCBs and lint quality of cotton. The RCBs were sampled weekly from margins to 4 meter inside the cotton field. The RCBs’ populations were monitored and plucked cotton bolls were examined for internal damage. The highest incidence of RCBs was recorded for cotton field adjacent to okra and water channel. Similarly, the highest number of damaged bolls were observed for the field side neighboring with okra and water channel. Furthermore, the highest number of unopened bolls were recorded for okra and water channel sides with higher percentage of yellowish lint. Field sides bordering with Eucalyptus trees and unpaved road had lower RCBs incidence and lint staining. Nonetheless, RCBs incidence was higher at field margins compared to field center indicating that population was strongly affected by adjacent habitat. It is concluded that sowing okra and weedy water channels adjacent to cotton would support RCBs population and subsequent lint staining. Therefore, water channels must be kept weed-free and okra should not be sown adjacent to cotton. Nonetheless, detailed studies are needed to compute monetary damages caused by cotton pests to the crop. Furthermore, effective management strategies must be developed to manage RCBs in cotton to avoid lint-staining problem.

Integrated management protocol for New Zealand endemic wheat bug (Nysius huttoni) in forage brassicas

Wheat bug, Nysius huttoni, is considered as an economic pest of forage Brassicas and many other cultivated crops, such as wheat, kale, and vegetables in New Zealand. Insecticides- as seed coatings and sprays are frequently used to manage this pest, but a high proportion of these insecticidal compounds enter the soil and leads to pesticide resistance, and they may impact beneficial arthropods and soil microorganisms, creating an adverse effect on ecosystem services (ES). In this paper, we discuss a technology, that we have developed to trap , for example, wheat bug away from kale seedlings, and integrating these in less susceptible kale cultivars that can potentially reduce over-reliance on orthodox pesticides on brassicas. Laboratory studies were conducted to screen the suitable trap crop among nine other plants (alyssum, wheat, phacelia, buckwheat, coriander, white clover, alfalfa, and kale) mainly by considering growth stages (vegetative and flowering), and select less susceptible kale cultivars among six other (Kestrel, Gruner, Sovereign, Regal, Corka and Colear). Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) were the most favoured potential trap plants for the wheat bug in a laboraotry study. Flowering stage of alyssum is the most susceptible growth stage by the bug damage. Kestrel and Coleor are the most popular kale cultivars used as forage brassicas in New Zealand, but they are the most susceptible to the wheat bug. Corka and Regal were the least susceptible cultivars. The integration of trap cropping technology by using alyssum as the trap crop, preferably depolying flowering stage, along with sowing less susceptible kale cultivars such as Corka and Regal in main fields have been suggested to protect brassica seedlings from bug damage.

High Tunnel and Grafting Effects on Organic Tomato Plant Growth and Yield in the Subtropics

Although grower interest in high tunnel tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production has increased in recent years, systematic high tunnel research conducted in humid, subtropical regions has been limited. The potential of tomato grafting to mitigate biotic and abiotic stresses makes it complementary to high-value production systems in high tunnels. In this 2-year study, grafted vs. nongrafted organic tomato production in high tunnels and open fields was investigated to determine possible synergistic effects of these two technologies. In 2016, high tunnels resulted in a significant increase of total and marketable yields, by 43% and 87%, respectively, over open field production. Grafting also significantly increased total and marketable yields over nongrafted plants by 34% and 42%, respectively. Cultivar effects demonstrated greater benefits with the implementation of high tunnel and grafting technologies for ‘Tribute’ (a beefsteak-type tomato) than for ‘Garden Gem’ (a plum-type tomato), as the increase in marketable yield was 33% greater for ‘Tribute’ in high tunnels and 45% greater for ‘Tribute’ with grafting. In 2017, a delayed effective transplanting date and the lack of high tunnel summer season extension produced results that were generally cultivar specific. While grafting increased the total yield of both cultivars (by 18%), marketable yield was increased by grafting only for ‘Tribute’ in high tunnels (by 42%). Additionally, high tunnels improved marketable yield of ‘Tribute’ by 129% but had no effect on ‘Garden Gem’. This demonstrated the consistent trend of the beefsteak-type tomato benefiting more from the combination of high tunnel and grafting technologies than the plum-type tomato. High tunnels reduced fruit decay and cracking by up to 71% compared with open field production. Stink bug (Pentatomidae) damage had the greatest impact on marketable yields each season, reaching 13% and 34% of total yields in 2016 and 2017, respectively, and was unaffected by high tunnel production or grafting. This study revealed the benefits of integrating high tunnel and grafting technologies for enhancing organic production of fresh-market tomato in the humid subtropics, and demonstrated more research is warranted to establish regional planting dates and further optimize this high-value cropping system.