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The Role of a Boll Weevil Resistant Cotton in Pest Management Research
Author(s) -
Jenkins Johnie N.,
Parrott W. L.,
McCarty J. C.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1973.00472425000200030005x
Subject(s) - anthonomus , bract , biology , boll weevil , bollworm , agronomy , pest analysis , weevil , integrated pest management , population , horticulture , botany , larva , demography , inflorescence , sociology
The role of the boll weevil ( Anthonomus grandis Boh.) resistant cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) strain, frego bract, in the management of cotton pests was investigated in 22 fields in Yalobusha County, Mississippi in 1971. The objectives were (i) to measure boll weevil population suppression when frego bract cotton was used with and without a reproduction‐diapause program the previous year, and (ii) to determine if the resistant cotton strain could materially aid in removing the boll weevil as the key pest in cotton fields. If so, one could potentially use integrated control for other cotton pests and also conduct research on pest management systems. The use of the frego cotton suppressed the boll weevil population 69% and 79%. respectively, with and without a diapause program. In addition, the beginning of weekly applications of insecticides for boll weevils was delayed 4 weeks longer in the frego fields than in nonfrego fields. We were able to go through the period of peak activity of the bollworm complex ( Heliothis spp.) before we needed boll weevil insecticides in the frego. However, in the nonfrego fields we were applying boll weevil insecticides before and during this time. Thus, frego can be used in research on pest management systems while it continues to be tested for use as a resistance character for commercial varieties.