Mulches reduce aphid-borne viruses and whiteflies in cantaloupe

Summers, C; Mitchell, J; Stapleton, J

Mulches reduce aphid-borne viruses and whiteflies in cantaloupe

Authors

Charles G Summers
Jeffrey P Mitchell
James J Stapleton

Authors Affiliations

C.G. Summers is Entomologist, Department of Entomology, UC Davis; J.P. Mitchell is Extension Specialist, Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis; J.J. Stapleton is Integrated Pest Management Plant Pathologist, UC Kearney Agricultural Center.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 59(2):90-94. DOI:10.3733/ca.v059n02p90. April 2005.

PDF of full article, Cite this article

Abstract

We compared reflective plastic and wheat straw mulches with conventional bare soil for managing aphid-borne virus diseases and silverleaf whitefly in cantaloupe. The occurrence of aphid-borne virus diseases was significantly reduced with both mulches as opposed to bare soil, and reflective plastic performed better than wheat straw. Silverleaf whitefly numbers, both adults and nymphs, were reduced equally by plastic mulch and wheat straw, and were significantly lower than with bare soil. Reflective plastic produced mature melons sooner and more cartons per acre than the other production systems. The reflective plastic system also produced a greater number of large-size melons, which are favored in the late-season market. Plants grown over straw mulch produced higher overall yields, including large-size melons, than those grown over bare soil.

References

[CMRAB] California Melon Research Advisory Board. est Management Strategic Plan — Cantaloupe, Honeydew, and Mixed Melon Production in California. 2003. http://pest-data.ncsu.edu/pmsp/pdf/CAMelon.pdf

Elbert A, Nauen R. Resistance of Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) to insecticides in southern Spain with special reference to neonicotinoids. Pesticide Mgt Sci. 2000. 56:60-4. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1526-4998(200001)56:1:60::AID-PS88:3.0.CO;2-K

Ferro DN, Mackenzie JD, Margolies DC. Effect of mineral oil and a systemic insecticide on field spread of aphid-borne maize dwarf mosaic virus in sweet corn. J Econ Entomol. 1980. 73:730-4.

Gibson RM, Rice AD, Minks AK, Harrewijn P. Modifying aphid behaviour. Aphids: Their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control.. 1989. Amsterdam: Elsevier. p. 209-24.

Hartz TK, Mayberry KS, Valencia J. Cantaloupe production in California. UC DANR Pub 7218. 1996. 3-

Jetter KM, Alston JM, Farquharson RJ. The case of silverleaf whitefly in California. UC Ag Issues Center. 2001. http://aic.ucdavis.edu/oa/whitefly.pdf

Kennedy JS, Day MF, Eastop VF. A Conspectus of Aphids as Vectors of Plant Viruses.. 1962. London: Commonwealth Institute of Entomology. 114p.

National Weather Service. 2004. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/Hanford/climo/local.shtml

Prabhaker N, Toscano NC, Henneberry TJ. Evaluation of insecticide rotations and mixtures as resistance management strategies for Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). J Econ Entomol. 1998. 91:820-6.

Stapleton JJ, Summers CG. Reflective mulches for management of aphids and aphid-borne virus diseases in late-season cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. var. cantalupensis). Crop Protec. 2002. 21:891-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-2194(02)00055-8

Summers CG, Mitchell JP, Stapleton JJ. Management of aphid borne viruses and Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in zucchini squash using UV reflective plastic and wheat straw mulches. Environ Entomol. 2004a. 33:1644-51.

Summers CG, Mitchell JP, Stapleton JJ. Non-chemical insect and disease management in cucurbit production systems. Acta Hort. 2004b. 638:119-25.

Summers CG, Stapleton JJ. Use of UV reflective mulch to delay the colonization and reduce the severity of Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) infestations in cucurbits. Crop Protec. 2002. 21:921-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-2194(02)00067-4

Also in this issue:

A Classification System for California's Hardwood Rangelands

Letters: April-June 2005

Collaboration fosters Kearney scientific achievements

Agricultural innovation marks 40 years at Kearney

“Farm to palate” postharvest research ensures high-quality produce

UC nematologists battle tiny underground pests

Lygus study validates treatment thresholds

Blueberry research launches exciting new California specialty crop

The future of California raisins is drying on the vine

Orchard-system configurations increase efficiency, improve profits in peaches and nectarines

Labor costs may be reduced …

Methyl bromide alternatives … Soil solarization provides weed control for limited-resource and organic growers in warmer climates

Large bugs damage pistachio nuts most severely during midseason

Early harvest delays berry skin browning of ‘Princess’ table grapes

Reduced-risk fungicides help manage brown rot and other fungal diseases of stone fruit

Conventional and molecular assays aid diagnosis of crop diseases and fungicide resistance

Deep vadose zone hydrology demonstrates fate of nitrate in eastern San Joaquin Valley

Weighing lysimeters aid study of water relations in tree and vine crops

Ozone reduces crop yields and alters competition with weeds such as yellow nutsedge