White Mulch Research Articles

Degradation of an acylated starch-plastic mulch film in soil and impact on soil microflora

Degradation of an acylated starch-plastic mulch film was evaluated in two soil types, a gray lowland soil (A) and a volcanic andosol (V). Weight loss, tensile strength (TS) loss and loss of percentage elongation (%E) were measured under laboratory conditions (black and white mulch films), and in the field (black films). Changes in the counts of total bacteria, total fungi, gram-negative bacteria, total Fusarium, ATP (adenosine triphosphate) content, % nitrification, pH (H2O), and total C and total N contents were determined at 4,8, 12, and 20 months in the field test soils where the mulch was repeatedly applied, and compared with controls. Film weight loss was greater in soil V than in soil A in both the laboratory and the field, and the losses were greater in the laboratory than in the field in both soils A and V. Significant TS losses and considerable %E losses were observed. Values were similar in the laboratory and in the field. No significant changes in the counts of bacteria, fungi, gram-negative bacteria, and Fusarium were observed. The ATP content of the test soils increased slightly compared with the initial values. The ATP content in the control soils initially fell, and then increased in response to weeding. Nitrification remained almost unchanged in the test soils, but fell in the control soils until the last sampling. However, the mulch film underwent a definite process of degradation in the soils, with great loss of physical properties and lesser weight loss. This degradation had no adverse impact on the soil microflora.

Colored Plastic Film Mulches Affect Tomato Growth and Yield Via Changes in Root-zone Temperature

Soil warming is one of the benefits associated with use of plastic film mulches. However, under high temperature conditions during the summer, especially in the southeastern United States, some mulches warm the soil to temperatures that might be deleterious to plant growth. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants grown in the field were exposed to a range of root-zone temperatures (RZTs), resulting from growing the plants in different seasons and by using colored mulches that differed in their soil-warming ability. The objective was to determine the relationship of mean seasonal RZT, as affected by different colored plastic film mulches, with plant growth and fruit yield. The study consisted of experiments carried out in three seasons: Fall 1999 (five mulches, one cultivar), Spring 2000 (eight mulches and three cultivars), and Fall 2000 (four mulches and three cultivars). Treatments were black (n = 2), gray, red, silver (n = 3), and white (n = 2) mulches, and bare soil. Over the season, mean RZT decreased in the fall (from 32 to 24 °C) and increased in the spring (from 20 to 29 °C). Daily mean values of RZT over the season under plastic mulches were higher (1 to 5 °C) than those of air temperature. The highest RZT at midday occurred under black mulch, and the lowest under bare soil and white mulch. Bare soil showed the largest diurnal RZT fluctuation. RZT at midday was up to 4 °C higher under black or gray mulch compared to the other mulches or bare soil. The degree of soil warming was correlated with reflectivity of the mulch. Black mulch had the lowest light reflectance [10% photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)] while silver mulch had the highest (55% PAR). There were, however, differences in reflectance among mulches of the same color depending on the manufacturer. RZT affected vegetative top fresh weight (FW), fruit yield, fruit number, and individual fruit FW. All these growth attributes fitted a quadratic relationship with mean RZT for the season, with an optimal that ranged between 25.4 and 26.3 °C. The effects of colored mulches on plant response depended on the impact of the mulch on RZT. Plant growth and yield were highest as RZT approached the optimal RZT for the plants.

FOLIAR AND SOIL APPLICATIONS OF INSECTICIDES FOR CONTROLLING SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY ON FRESH MARKET TOMATOES, FALL 2000

On 21 Sep, transplants were set 18 inches apart on raised beds of EauGallie fine sand soil covered with white polyethylene mulch. Plots were three-21-ft long rows on 5-ft centers and were irrigated by seepage, subsurface irrigation system. Treatments were replicated four times in an RCB design. Admire and Platinum were applied on 21 Sep to each plant in 4 oz of water. Applaud and Knack were applied once on 15 Nov as the controlling effects of Admire diminished and whitefly densities approached or reached 3 5 whitefly sessile nymphs and/or pupae/10 leaflets. Foliar applications were made with a high-clearance, self-propelled sprayer operated at 200 psi and 3.4 mph. It was fitted with eight Albuz orange nozzles per row and delivered 60 (four nozzles open), 90 (six nozzles open) or 120 (eight nozzles open) gpa, depending upon plant height. Because of a moderate population of southern armyworm larvae, Mattch (2 qt/acre), Javelin (2 lb/acre) or SpinTor (6 oz/acre) were applied weekly. The number of plants in each plot with definite symptoms of whitefly-vectored geminivirus, primarily tomato yellow leaf curl virus, were recorded weekly. The numbers of sessile nymphs (2nd and 3rd instars) and pupae (4th instar or red eye nymphs) of the silverleaf whitefly were counted weekly on the terminal leaflet from the 7th to 8th leaf counting from the top of each of 10 plants in the center row of each plot.

Mulch Color Affects Radicchio Quality and Yield

Interest in the production of the specialty vegetable radicchio (Cichorium intybus L. var. silvestre Bisch.) has increased among vegetable growers in the northeastern United States due to the popularity and consumption of premixed prepared salads. Growing environments with moderate daytime temperature and high light level have been associated with dense, deep red heads. Production problems include the low percentage of plants producing marketable heads and labor costs associated with hand-weeding. Traditional bareground culture was compared with several colored mulches (white, silver, red, black, and blue) for their effects on head formation, size, yield, and color of two Italian cultivars. Field studies were conducted in Freeville (upstate), N.Y., in 1997 and 1998. The percentage of heads harvested ranged from 32% to 82% over the 2 years of experiments and was lowest in black and red plastic mulch treatments. Yields were significantly higher, heads larger, and harvest earlier for plants grown over silver and white mulch compared to the control and other mulch treatments in 1998. In addition, average head weight was greater in all mulch treatments except blue when compared with the control. Cultivar differences were measured for the number and weight of heads, the percent bolting and marketable heads, and head color in 1998. Air and soil temperatures varied significantly around these mulches; however, these differences in microclimate had no effect on head color quality. Despite relatively moderate temperatures in upstate New York, radicchio responded positively to mulches that lowered average soil temperatures (white and silver) compared with the other treatments.

Mulch Type Effects on Strawberries Grown in a Mild Winter Climate

Abstract The influence of several types of plastic mulches in enhancing earliness, maximizing production, and reducing insect infestation of strawberries grown in a tunnel greenhouse in a mild Mediterranean climate was evaluated in two growing seasons. In 1996-1997, yield of ‘Oso Grande’ during the first three weeks of harvest was the highest on the black on white mulch (B/W), followed by black (B) white (W), and clear (C). Total yield was comparable among all mulches. Mite infestation (mites being the main pest of strawberries in the region), and the heaviest weed growth occurred under C, resulting in weaker plants. In 1998-1999, yield of ‘Camaros’a was consistently higher on reflective mulch (R) in comparison to C, B, and green (G). We observed a high degree of resistance to mite infestation in ‘Camaros’a, where mites appeared only during the last week of harvest. The R mulch had the lowest count of mites, thrips, aphids and whiteflies at all sampling dates. The highest counts of those pests were on C m...

Black Polyethylene Mulch Does Not Reduce Yield of Cucumbers Double-cropped with Tomatoes under Heat Stress

Black polyethylene mulch is preferred for producing early spring tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) because of its warming effect on the soil around the roots. However, using the same mulch for double-cropping cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) with tomatoes is considered by some growers to be undesirable because of the belief that heat accumulation under the mulch in midsummer or early fall is detrimental to cucumber yield. Eight studies were conducted from July to September in 1994, 1995, and 1996 to determine the effects of mulching spring tomatoes with black vs. white polyethylene mulch on the growth and yield of subsequent cucumber crops. Soil temperature recorded after planting cucumbers ≈4:00 pm for 3 weeks was higher under black mulch than under white mulch. Color of the mulch did not affect leaf length, leaf width, and plant dry weight of cucumbers in six of the eight studies. Cucumbers grown on black mulch produced longer leaves in one study and wider leaves in two studies, and plant dry weight was lower in two studies. Mulch color had no significant effect on the premium or total yields of cucumbers in all but one study. Cucumbers grown on black mulch produced lower percentages of culls in two studies.

Effect of Ultraviolet-reflective Mulches on Tomato Yields and on the Silverleaf Whitefly

Field studies were conducted for three seasons, Fall 1994, Spring 1995, and Fall 1995, on the effect of ultraviolet (UV)-reflective films (mulches) on the silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii Bellows and Perring), the incidence of tomato mottle virus (ToMoV), and on fruit yields of staked, fresh-market tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). The UV-reflective mulches were metallized aluminum (aluminum) and painted aluminum (silver) on either black or white plastic film. The aluminum and silver mulches were evaluated with and without a white (fall) or black (spring) 25-cm-wide painted band in the bed center. Controls were the conventional white (fall) or black (spring) polyethylene mulches. Highest reflected energy (μmol·m–2·s–1) to the plants at 15 cm from the mulch surface was measured on the aluminum mulch with or without a white painted band. Lowest energy was reflected from the white or black controls and from silver on black mulches with or without a black painted band. Whitefly populations in the fall were lower (P ≤ 0.05) on the aluminum than on the silver mulches. In the spring, when whitefly populations were low, whiteflies were more numerous on the black control and silver on white, than on the aluminum mulches. In the fall seasons, the proportion of plants with symptoms of ToMoV transmitted by the silverleaf whitefly were higher on the controls than on the aluminum mulch. In the spring, the proportion of plants with symptoms was not affected by mulch treatments. Yields in the fall were similar with UV-reflective or white control mulches. In the spring, fruit size and marketable yields were greater (P ≤ 0.05) on plants with silver on white mulch than on the control black mulch.

Effect of reflective mulches and floating row covers on the spread of viral diseases and the production of squash in the United Arab Emirates

Plastic mulches in combination with polyethylene floating row covers were evaluated under the hot weather conditions of United Arab Emirates as a method of controlling aphid-borne mosaic viruses damaging squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). The total fruit yields and the yield of marketable fruits increased significantly with the use of mulch-cover combination. The mulch-cover treatmentssignificantly decreased the population of colonizing aphids on plant leaves and also the number of plants showing mosaic symptoms. Aluminum painted plastic mulch reduced mosaic symptoms the most followed by white, yellow and black plastic mulches. Serological tests indicated the presence of watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and squash mosaic virus (SqMV)

Plastic Mulch Color Effects on Light Micro-environment and Watermelon Plant Growth

This study was conducted to evaluate the spectral properties of various colored plastic color mulches and to determine the effects of upwardly reflected light from the mulch surfaces on watermelon plant growth when differences in root zone temperatures are minimized. Two-week-old watermelon plants were grown with black mulch, red-painted mulch, SRM-Red mulch (Sonoco, Inc., Harstville, S.C.), and white mulch. Total light reflection (58 μmol·m–2·s–1 in 400–700 nm) and red: far-red (R:FR = 0.44) of reflected light were lower in black mulch and highest in white mulch (634 and 0.92, respectively). Both black mulch and white mulch had same blue:red (B:R = 0.6) while white mulch had higher B:FR (0.58) in reflected light compared to black mulch (0.26). Reflective properties of red mulches were somewhat similar, and R:FR, B:R, and B:FR were 0.8, 0.2, and 0.18, respectively. However, SRM-Red mulch had highest total light (355 μmol·m–2·s–1 in 400–700 nm) transmission through the mulch, and R:FR, B:R, and B:FR were 0.84, 0.28, and 0.23, respectively. Light transmission through the other mulches was nonsignificant. Watermelon plants grown with black mulch and red mulches had higher internode lengths compared to white mulch after 20 days. Further, plants grown under black had significant higher petiole elongation accompanied with higher dry mass partitioning to petioles, and lower partitioning to roots, stems, and leaves. There was no effects of surface mulch color on total plant dry mass or photosynthesis although plants with black had higher transpiration rate. This suggests the differential regulation of dry mass partitioning among plant parts due to mulch color. The similar plant responses with black mulch and white mulch to plants treated with FR or R light at the end of photoperiod implies the involvement of phytochrome regulation of growth due to mulch surface color.

Effect of Mulch Type and Color on Honeydew Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Production in Western Mexico

Recently, honeydew melons cultivation has spread greatly in the western Mexico for its high price and demand for export market to the United States, Canada, and Japan. Information on production systems of this melon type is lacking. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of various mulches on yield of honeydew melon grown in tropical region. Treatments evaluated were: clear, white, brown, black, silver/black, and black/silver as plastic mulches colors and rice and corn straw used as organic mulches and bare soil as control. All polyethylene were of 125 thickness. These were arranged in a randomized complete-block design with four replications. `Honey brew' (Sakata) hybrid melon plants were transplanted each 0.50 cm as single on the center row on 27 Mar. Results show that the all polyethylene mulches, irrespective of color, were superior to rice, corn straw and bare soil in improving the number and weight of fruits and yield of honeydew melons. Among the mulch colors, clear plastic increased the number and weight of fruits in 34 and 0.727 g with respect to control. Yield was also enhanced by clear mulch with 226.05 kg, compared with organic mulches and the control with only 113. 30, 111.50, 100.20 kg/plot of 10 m2 respectively. Clear and black plastic completely suppressed the weed growth. Total soluble solids were also affected by the mulch type at the first harvest, the best content (more of 10.0%) was obtained with white and brown plastic mulches, and organic mulches, while that bare soil showed 8.05%. Organic mulches were found as a low-input alternative agricultural system for honeydew melons production.

Modifying Heat Unit Accumulation with Contrasting Colors of Polyethylene Mulch

Contrasting colors of plastic mulch (black and white over black) were used to modify the rate at which heat units (HU) were accumulated in four different microclimates surrounding watermelon plants during 1996 at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station-Stephenville. Daily maximum and minimum temperatures from 25 Mar. through 4 Aug. were recorded for air 10 cm above the mulch surface, at the mulch surface, at the soil surface under mulch, and 10 cm below the soil surface under mulch. Accumulated HU were significantly higher for white than for black mulch during two of the four periods monitored; however, the reverse was true for all other points of measurements at all times. Daily mean soil surface heat gain was 3.29 HU higher under black than under white mulch in early season, 6.21 higher in late April and early May, 5.19 higher in late May and June, and 4.19 higher in late June through July. Values for soil at 10-cm depth paralleled those for soil surface.

Modifying Heat Unit Accumulation with Contrasting Colors of Polyethylene Mulch

Contrasting colors of plastic mulch (black and white over black) were used to modify the rate at which heat units (HU) were accumulated in four different microclimates surrounding watermelon plants during 1996 at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station-Stephenville. Daily maximum and minimum temperatures from 25 Mar. through 4 Aug. were recorded for air 10 cm above the mulch surface, at the mulch surface, at the soil surface under mulch, and 10 cm below the soil surface under mulch. Accumulated HU were significantly higher for white than for black mulch during two of the four periods monitored; however, the reverse was true for all other points of measurements at all times. Daily mean soil surface heat gain was 3.29 HU higher under black than under white mulch in early season, 6.21 higher in late April and early May, 5.19 higher in late May and June, and 4.19 higher in late June through July. Values for soil at 10-cm depth paralleled those for soil surface.

Control of Armyworms and Pepper Weevil on Bell Pepper, Spring 1997

Abstract Transplant were set 10 Mar, 12 inches apart on 8-inch-high and 32-inch-wide beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with white polyethylene mulch. Each plot consisted of a single row of 14 plants with rows on 5-ft centers. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a RCB design and were applied with a 2.5-gal, hand-held CO2-powered sprayer on 2, 7, 14, 21, 29 Apr, 5, 19, 27 May, 2, 11, 18, 25 Jun, 2 and 9 Jul. The sprayer was outfitted with a single nozzle with a D-5 disk and #45 core and delivered 100 gpa at 60 psi. Fruit were harvested on 21 May and 9 Jun. The number and weight of undamaged fruit and the number of fruit damaged by armyworm larvae were determined. Fruit also were examined for the presence of oviposition scars on the outsides of the fruit and for the presence of larval feeding damage caused by the pepper weevil inside the fruit. On 14 Jul, all fruit were harvested and examined for the presence of oviposition scars and internal pepper weevil damage.

Pepper Weevil and Broad Mite Control on Bell Pepper, Fall 1996

Abstract Transplants were set 6 Sep, 12 inches apart on 8-inch-high and 32-inch-wide beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with white polyethylene mulch. Each plot consisted of a single row of 10 plants with rows on 5-ft centers. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a RCB design and were applied with a 2.5-gal, hand-held CO2-powered sprayer on 27 Sep, 4, 12, 18, 25 Oct, 1, 8 Nov 6, 13 and 24 Dec. The sprayer was outfitted with a single nozzle with a D-5 disk and #45 core and delivered 100 gpa at 60 psi. All plots were sprayed weekly with Bacillus thuringiensis for control of armyworm larvae. Fruit were harvested on 14, 26 Nov, 13, and 30 Dec and the number and weight of undamaged fruit were determined. On 18 Nov, 1 leaf from a terminal of each plant in each plot was examined for the presence of eggs and motile forms of the broad mite. On 22 Nov, each plant in each plot was rated 1-4 for increasing severity of foliar damaged by the broad mite. Fruit also were examined for the presence of oviposition scars on the outside of the fruit and for the presence of larval feeding damage caused by the pepper weevil inside the fruit.

Control of Armyworm and Pepper Weevil on Bell Pepper, Fall 1996

Abstract Transplants were set 6 Sep, 12 inches apart on 8-inch-high and 32-inch-wide beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with white polyethylene mulch. Each plot consisted of a single row of 12 plants with rows on 5-ft centers. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a RCB design and were applied with a 2.5-gal, hand-held CO2-powered sprayer on 25 Sep, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Oct, 6, 13, 20 Nov, 4, 11, 18, and 23 Dec. The sprayer was outfitted with a single nozzle with a D-5 disk and #45 core and delivered 100 gpa at 60 psi. Fruit were harvested on 12, 25 Nov, 10, and 30 Dec and the number and weight of undamaged fruit and the number of fruit damaged by beet army-worm larvae were determined. Fruit with damage only on the fruit petiole or calyx were considered marketable and fruit with pod damage were considered unmarketable. Fruit also were examined for the presence of oviposition scars on the outsides of the fruit and for the presence of larval feeding damage on the insides of the fruit caused by the pepper weevil.

Control of Southern Armyworm on Fresh Market Tomatoes, Fall 1996

Abstract Transplants were set 4 Sep, 18 inches apart on 8-inch-high beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with white polyethylene mulch. Each plot consisted of a single 15-ft row with rows on 5-ft centers. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a RCB design and were applied with a 2.5-gal, hand-held CO2-powered sprayer on 30 Sep, 14, 21, 28 Oct, 4, 18 Nov, and 3 Dec. The sprayer was operated at 60 psi and delivered 60 gpa the first two applications, 90 gpa the third application and 120 gpa the last four applications using a single nozzle fitted with a D-5 disk and #45 core. Fruit were harvested on 14, 26 Nov, and 11 Dec. The number and weight of un-damaged fruit and fruit damaged by armyworm larvae were determined.

Effect of polyethylene mulch colour on aphid populations, soil temperature, fruit quality, and yield of watermelon under tropical conditions

Field studies were conducted in southwestern Mexico to determine the effect of three plastic mulch colours (black, white, and clear) on aphid populations, soil temperature, and on fruit yield of watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schard.). Aphids were counted on alternate days in traps placed on the mulched beds. Aphids were least numerous on the clear mulch and most numerous on the bare soil. Maximum soil temperatures under clear polyethylene reached 38.5°C and were 1.0, 4.5, and 4.2°C greater than those under white, black, and 10 cm deep unmulched soil, respectively. Total soluble solids of fruits were not modified by different coloured polyethylene. Fruit length was increased with clear and white plastic. Plants grown on clear plastic mulch produced higher marketable yields than those grown on bare soil. Other colours (black and white mulches) were intermediate in their effects on aphid populations, soil temperature, fruit weight, and yield response. Marketable yields of 48.3, 43.2, 38.3, and 22.8 t/ha were achieved under clear, black, white, and unmulched soil treatments respectively. Clear plastic mulch increased fruit weight by 2.94 kg and watermelon yield by 25.5 t/ha in comparison with unmulched soil. All plastic mulches increased fruit weight and total yield as compared with production on bare soil. By delaying aphid population increases, use of mulches may reduce the need for insecticides targeted for aphid control. In conclusion, coloured polyethylene mulch has an important effect, and clear plastic could be a practical management tool for the increase of watermelon production and enhancement of fruit quality under tropical conditions.

Evaluation of color mulches and oil sprays for yield and for the control of silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii (Bellows and Perring) on tomatoes

Orange, yellow, and aluminum color mulches were compared to white (fall) or black (spring) for their effect on the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii (Bellows and Perring), and on the yields of staked, fresh market tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill, cv. Sunny. In addition, plants were sprayed weekly with a mineral oil emulsion or as needed with a soybean oil emulsion in treatments with orange and yellow mulches, respectively. Under high stress by the whitefly transmitted tomato mottle virus (TMOV), plants in September and October 1990 were taller with the aluminum, yellow and yellow + oil, than with the other mulch treatments ( P < 0.05). Later, in November and December, plants were tallest on the aluminum mulch. Virus symptoms developed slower on plants with the orange + oil, yellow + oil, and aluminum, than with other mulches. Yield of extra-large (70 mm diameter) fruit was higher with the yellow + oil, than with orange, orange + oil, and white mulch ( P < 0.05). Marketable yield was also higher with the yellow + oil, than with any other treatment except with the aluminum mulch. Yields of extra-large and marketable fruits also depended on the first apparent signs of virus infection. Averaged over all mulch treatments, extra-large and marketable yields, respectively, were 0.26 and 3.90 kg/plant when symptoms appeared during the first 30 days after planting (DAP), and 1.01 and 5.39 kg/plant when virus symptoms developed 61 to 77 DAP. In spring 1991, with large whitefly populations towards the end of the season and few plants with virus symptoms at harvest, yields were similar with all mulch treatments. Most immature and adult whiteflies were on the white in the fall and on the black mulch in the spring. With other mulch treatments, a definite trend could not be established between mulch color and number of whiteflies observed on the plants. Yellow mulched tomato plants, when sprayed as needed with the soybean oil emulsion or the aluminum mulch, would be better than using black and white mulches in the full-bed polyethylene mulch system where high whitefly populations are present during the growing season.

Increased Yield of Heat-tolerant Tomatoes with Deep Transplanting, Morning Irrigation, and White Mulch

Studies were conducted in Fall 1994 and Summer 1995 to determine growth and yield response of heat-tolerant tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) to transplant depth, time of daily irrigation, and polyethylene mulch color. Five-week-old tomato transplants were planted to a depth of either 7.5 or 15.0 cm, drip irrigated every other day for 2.5 h starting at either 7:30 am or 2:30 pm for 80 d following transplanting, and mulched with white-surface (white on black) or black polyethylene. Soil temperatures were recorded daily at 4:00 pm for 21 d from the beginning of fruit set (2 weeks following transplanting) until the tomato canopy shaded the mulch surface. Transplanting tomatoes to a depth of 15.0 cm significantly increased marketable yield in both years and the total yield in 1 year of this study. Mean fruit mass was not influenced by transplant depth, but plant dry mass was significantly increased by deeper transplanting in 1995. Morning irrigation increased the marketable and total yields and mean fruit mass in both years and plant dry mass in 1995. White-surface mulch had a similar effect on yield and fruit mass. Soil temperature was significantly lower at the 15.0-cm depth than at 7.5 cm in both years. Morning irrigation and white-surface polyethylene mulch also significantly reduced soil temperature in both years.

Management of Insects on Fresh Market Tomatoes, Spring 1996A

Abstract Transplants were set 27 Feb, 18 inches apart on 8-inch-high beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with white polyethylene mulch. Each plot consisted of a single 15 ft row with rows on 5 ft centers. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design and were applied with a 2.5 gal, hand-held CO2-powered sprayer on 10, 17, 25 Apr, 1,8, 15, 22, 29 May, and 5 Jun. The sprayer was operated at 60 psi and delivered 90 gpa the first four applications and 120 gpa for the remaining applications using a single nozzle fitted with a D-5 disk and #25 core. On 7 Jun, the numbers of tomato pinworm leafmines and leaf rolls were counted by two persons in a 2 min. whole plot search. On 20 May, the numbers of Liriomyza spp. leafmines were counted by two trained observers in a 1 minute whole plot search. On 20 May and 7 Jun, each plot was rated by two persons for increasing percentage of defoliation by southern armyworm larvae using the Horsfall-Barratt system. With this system, ratings of 1-12 corresponded to 1-100% defoliation. The ratings were averaged prior to analysis. Pinworm and leafminer damage counts of both persons were totalled and damage ratings were averaged. Fruit were harvested on 22 May and 3 Jun. The number and weight of undamaged fruit and the number of fruit damaged by armyworm larvae, flower thrips (fruit with five or more oviposition dimples on the blossom end) and stinkbugs were determined.