The Compounding Stresses of Tobacco Thrips, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds), and Reniform Nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis (Linford & Oliveira), on the Growth and Development of Cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L

The objectives of this research were to evaluate management options for tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds), and reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis (Linford & Oliverira), in cotton productions systems. When evaluating tillage practices for pest control, conservational tillage reduced thrips densities and damage, while the impact on nematode densities is less understood and in this study had no impact. Insecticide seed treatments remain a vital resource for controlling thrips in Mid-South cotton production systems. When incorporating an early season herbicide application for weed control, systems with an insecticide seed treatment generally tolerated herbicide injury better than those with early season stress from thrips and nematodes. When using foliar applications as an alternative option for thrips management, early season automatic applications at the cotyledon stage followed by one or two sequential applications provided similar efficacy to the insecticide seed treatment. For reniform nematode management, 1, 3-dichloropropene reduced densities lower than that of the untreated control or aldicarb; however, depending on environmental conditions this practice may not result in yield increases great enough to warrant the cost of application. These data highlight the importance of effective control of thrips whether it be via at-planting or foliar applications. 1, 3-dichloropropene reduced nematode densities and is an effective option in nematode management; however, nematodes are a stress pathogen and the ability to minimize other seasonal stresses ,such as water stress, will determine if a nematicide application may be needed. While environmental conditions may be optimal to allow for plant recoverability, effective early season pest management decreases the potential for delayed crop maturity which could lead to increased input cost or reduced yield later in the season