Texas Agricultural Extension Service
The Texas A&M University System
 
West Plains
IPM Update

news about integrated pest management in hockley and cochran counties
Kerry Siders, EA-IPM
(806) 894-2406 (phone)
(806) 897-5635 (mobile)
(806) 897-3104 (FAX)
E-Mail: k-siders@tamu.edu   http://lubbock.tamu.edu/ipm  
Vol. 6, No. 1
1212 Houston Street, Suite 2, Levelland, TX 79336
April 18, 2001

IN THIS ISSUE:

* Subscribe to West Plains IPM Update
* Participate in the Scouting Program
* Cotton Root-knot Nematodes
* 2001 Cotton Insect Prediction & Management


2001 West Plains IPM Update

WEST PLAINS IPM UPDATE is a newsletter which provides news of insect, weed and disease pests, and crop management suggestions for Cochran and Hockley Counties. The newsletter is written weekly during the growing season, from June through September. The newsletter will keep you abreast of current pest activity, natural enemies, biological and cultural control tactics, and chemical control options. The newsletter will cover cotton and other major crops grown in Hockley and Cochran counties during 2001.

SUBSCRIPTION FEE

There is a $10 subscription fee to cover the cost of postage and to off-set cost of newsletter supplies. If you are interested in receiving this newsletter by mail during 2001, please send $10 and the subscription form to:
Kerry Siders, EA-IPM
1212 Houston St., Suite 2
Levelland, TX 79336

Make checks payable to: WEST PLAINS IPM UPDATE
There is a self-addressed envelope enclosed for your convenience. The newsletter can be obtained at no charge on the web sites at: http://lubbock.tamu.edu/ipm or http://www.tpma.org . We can e-mail you an electronic version if you provide us with your e-mail address.

IPM SCOUTING PROGRAM

If you are interested in entering acres into the Hockley and Cochran IPM Scouting Program indicate so on your newsletter subscription form. The cost is $5.25/acre for weekly scouting from June through September. Boll weevil pheromone traps, insect and weed scouting, monitoring of beneficials, management options and nematode sampling will be provided. For more information contact Kerry at 894-2406.

Cotton Root-knot Nemetodes
As part of the IPM Scouting Program in Hockley and Cochran counties since 1997, soil samples have been taken to determine cotton root-knot nematode infestations. From those samples and there analysis we have assisted individual producers with a management plan which would include an at-plant nematicide and its rate, and rotation of crops. Now that data has been collected in several fields for 4 years much certainty that many fields (81.5%) have cotton root-knot nematodes present. Of all fields sampled 62.8% have required some treatment for management of nematodes. See table below for sampling data . If you have questions contact Kerry.
Year
% of Fields Sampled
with RK Nematode
% of Fields Sampled
Requiring Treatment
1997
82%
82%
1998
82%
59%
1999
74%
52%
2000
88%
58%
Average
81.5%
62.8%

STICKING TO THE BASICS IN 2001

  • Use minimum tillage where feasible
    - reduced tillage on dryland
    - cover crop/reduced tillage on irrigated
  • Fertilize for realistic yield goal
  • Variety selection - adaptability, storm proofness, value added traits based on need, disease tolerance
1

 

  • Plant density - on 40" use 2-5 seed/foot with dryland at low end, irrigated high
  • Soil temp 650 F for 10 days at 8"
  • Do not cut thrips control and nematode control
  • Use appropriate weed control program, do not skimp on this one
  • Get most from available water- furrow diking a must
    Timely irrigation is a must
  • Be very careful in use of plant growth regulators
  • Boll weevil management- one more season on your own, use traps for detection of early season infestations, spray to prevent in-season build up
  • Pray for rain, low costs, and higher commodity prices

2001 Cotton Insect Predictions & Management -
Dr. James F. Leser, Extension Entomologist

Predictions this far out from when cotton will be up and fruiting are dangerous at best and certainly can change as often as the weather changes. So be cautious of these comments. With the colder winter we have experienced in 2000/2001 as compared to the previous 4 winter, expect to see lower "startup" infestations of many of the potential pests of cotton. Based on dig-up cage studies and the initial results from the overwintering site survey, I would expect that the number of emerging overwintering boll weevils to be greatly reduced compared to previous years. This is good news for producers and the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication foundation, this should mean fewer fields treated and fewer overwintered boll weevil applications in zones yet to initiate full season eradication efforts.

The colder winter coupled with a wet winter and spring should result in far fewer beet armyworms and loopers that we saw in 2000. I don't expect any major problems with these pest. However, conditions in the Rio Grande Valley could create conditions for migrating populations to move in to our area. But these same wet conditions have set the stage for potential problems form cotton fleahoppers and western tarnished plant bugs.
I can't predict the potential for aphid or thrips problems at this time but the potential reduction in corn acreage and planting of more acreage in the state to the Bollgard varieties should result in lessened bollworm and tobacco budworm problems. All in all this could be a relatively light insect year.

1. Don't cut on thrips control. Use 2.5 -3.0 lbs. of Temik per acre on irrigated fields that historically have problems. On dryland fields, use an Orthene seed treatment or a single foliar spray early. Don't hold off "foliars" until the Roundup application. This is too late.
2. Try to achieve a uniform stand to make fields less attractive to aphids and beet armyworms.
3. Use pheromone traps around fields with a history of boll weevils problems and/or are next to prime overwintering sites to identify fields that will need to be treated in zones yet to start eradication. One application may be all that is needed this year.
4. Avoid the use of pyrethroid insecticides for bollworms if aphids are a potential problem in a field. Use one of the newer materials such as Tracer, Steward, or Denim (if approved by TDA).
5. If beet armyworm problems develop, consider using Tracer, Steward, Denim, Confirm or Intrepid. Denim is currently not registered but TDA has requested a Section 18 from EPA. Don't use Steward if aphids are building and lady beetles are present. This insecticide is very harsh on lady beetles. You may not want o use Intrepid until Rohm and Hass resolves some of its label problems, i.e., you can't rotate to any of the other major crops ever at this time. I expect this to change. Also, if you can't guarantee good coverage, don't use Tracer.
6. TDA has requested Furadan for aphid control and this has been approved by EPA. We no longer need to prove we have resistance to other labeled insecticides at his time but do have to document that aphids are at damaging levels. TDA has also requested and is waiting for approval of both Centric and Assail for aphid control. Good products although probably more expensive that Furadan or any of our other aphicides.
7. This may be a fleahopper and/or plant bug year. Must check cotton as it begins to square-5-7 true leaf stage- to avoid an unpleasant surprise. Orthene, Bidrin, Dimethoate and Provado are good fleahopper materials. Orthene, Bidrin and certain pyrethroids are good plant bug materials.

Remember, as the season unfolds, conditions change and predictions will be modified. Stay tuned.

West Plains IPM Update is a publication of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service IPM Program in Hockley and Cochran Counties.

Editor: Kerry Siders
Production: Patty Castaneda


Posted at this web site by:
texagnet Internet Services.
2

Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied.
The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating