Premium
Simulated Clover Leaf Weevil Injury and Alfalfa Yield and Quality
Author(s) -
Madsen Rodney A.,
Hunt Thomas E.,
Higley Leon G.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj2004.2240
Subject(s) - biology , dry matter , weevil , agronomy , pest analysis , medicago sativa , randomized block design , neutral detergent fiber , yield (engineering) , horticulture , materials science , metallurgy
The clover leaf weevil ( Hypera punctata F.) is a sporadic but potentially serious pest of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.). Feeding of newly emerged adult fourth instar clover leaf weevil was simulated in a field study at the University of Nebraska Haskell Agricultural Research Lab near Concord, NE, in May 2001 and 2002. Twelve 1‐ by 1‐m plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three treatments and four replications. Treatments consisted of two levels of simulated clover leaf weevil defoliation of alfalfa and an undefoliated check. Leaflets were removed over 10 d. Dry matter yield and other plant responses were measured during the first two growth cycles. Yield differences among all three treatments were significant for the first growth cycle. The relationship between percentage defoliation and percentage yield reduction was linear both years. Defoliation did not significantly affect percentages of acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and protein. Alfalfa development also was not significantly affected in the second growth cycle. Dry matter yield reduction as a result of leaf removal at the early bud stage was the most important effect of first growth cycle defoliation.