D. A. Herbert

First transgenic trait for control of plant bugs and thrips in cotton: Bt cotton controls plant bugs and thrips

Abstract BACKGROUND Plant bugs (Lygus spp.) and thrips (Thrips spp.) are two of the most economically important insect pest groups impacting cotton production in the USA today, but are not controlled by current transgenic cotton varieties. Thus, seed or foliar‐applied chemical insecticides are typically required to protect cotton from these pest groups. Currently, these pests are resistant to several insecticides, resulting in fewer options for economically viable management. Previous publications documented the efficacy of transgenic cotton event MON 88702 against plant bugs and thrips in limited laboratory and field studies. Here, we report results from multi‐location and multi‐year field studies demonstrating efficacy provided by MON 88702 against various levels of these pests. RESULTS MON 88702 provided a significant reduction in numbers of Lygus nymphs and subsequent yield advantage. MON 88702 also had fewer thrips and minimal injury. The level of control demonstrated by this transgenic trait was significantly better compared with its non‐transgenic near‐isoline, DP393, receiving insecticides at current commercial rates. CONCLUSION The level of efficacy demonstrated here suggests that MON 88702, when incorporated into existing IPM programs, could become a valuable additional tool for management of Lygus and thrips in cotton agroecosystems experiencing challenges of resistance to existing chemical control strategies.

Evaluation of Selected In-Furrow At-Planting Granular and Liquid Insecticides for Control of Thrips in Peanut, 2014: Table 1

Selected granular and liquid insecticides applied in-furrow were evaluated for control of thrips in peanut. ‘Bailey’ peanut was planted 8 May at the Virginia Tech Tidewater Agric. Res. & Ext. Ctr., Suffolk, VA, using 36-inch row spacing. Seed was not treated with any insecticide. The granular Temik treatment was applied into the seed furrow at the time of planting using tractor-mounted inverted polypropylene jars with lid holes calibrated to deliver exact amounts via gravity. Liquid Velum Total treatments were applied into the seed …

Evaluation of Rates and Combinations of Liquid In-Furrow and Foliar Insecticides for Control of Thrips in Peanut, 2014: Table 1

Multiple rates of a liquid insecticide applied in-furrow (Admire Pro) were evaluated in combination with multiple rates of a foliar-applied insecticide (Orthene) for control of thrips in peanut. “Bailey” peanut was planted 7 May at the Virginia Tech Tidewater Agric. Res. & Ext. Ctr., Suffolk, VA, using 36-inch row spacing. All seed were treated with Dynasty fungicide, including the check. Liquid Admire Pro treatments were applied into the seed furrow at planting at 5 gpa using a microtube mounted between the disc openers, pressurized by CO2 at 51 psi. The foliar …