Row Covers for Excluding Insect Pests from Broccoli and Summer Squash Plantings

1990 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 948-954 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Adams ◽  
R. A. Ashley ◽  
M. J. Brennan
Keyword(s):  
Insect Pests ◽  
Row Covers ◽  
Summer Squash

Plastic Mulches and Row Covers on Growth and Production of Summer Squash

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garry G. Gordon ◽  
Wheeler G. Foshee ◽  
Stewart T. Reed ◽  
James E. Brown ◽  
Edgar Vinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Row Covers ◽  
Summer Squash

scholarly journals Impact of Exclusion Netting Row Covers on ‘Honeycrisp’ Apple Trees Grown under Northeastern North American Conditions: Effects on Photosynthesis and Fruit Quality

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gérald Chouinard ◽  
Jonathan Veilleux ◽  
Francine Pelletier ◽  
Mikael Larose ◽  
Vincent Philion ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Row Covers ◽  
Sooty Blotch ◽  
Skin Integrity ◽  
Plant Photosynthesis ◽  
Complete Exclusion ◽  
Honeycrisp Apples

Exclusion nets have been used successfully to protect fruit from insect pests of apples under various conditions, but the effect of each particular netting system on the plant itself has rarely been investigated. In this study, a complete exclusion system—in which the soil is also excluded—was used to grow ‘Honeycrisp’ apples for six years in southern Quebec, Canada. Abiotic conditions, as well as plant photosynthesis and fruit quality characteristics (colour, firmness, size, sugar content, number of seeds, ripeness and skin integrity) and yield were estimated yearly and compared in netted (either with or without a rainproof top) and unnetted row units. Although annual variations were high and results showed little or no difference between netted and unnetted rows for all measured variables, with the following exceptions; colour (increased red surface on fruits from unnetted rows some years), size (fruits from unnetted rows were smaller) and maturity (fruits from unnetted rows matured slightly faster). Fruits produced under nets had fewer microcracks at the surface than fruits produced without nets. Reduced cracking possibly helped decrease sooty blotch and flyspeck incidence and severity. Impacts for pest control and prospects for pesticide-free production are discussed.

The impact of tillage regime and row cover use on insect pests and yield in organic cucurbit production

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (04) ◽  
pp. 338-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Skidmore ◽  
Neil Wilson ◽  
Mark Williams ◽  
Ricardo Bessin
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Row Covers ◽  
Squash Bug ◽  
Cucumber Beetle ◽  
Strip Tillage ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Striped Cucumber Beetle

AbstractControl of cucurbit pests, such as striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum), spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) and squash bug (Anasa tristis), in organic systems is difficult due to a lack of effective insecticide options. This has led to the development of many integrated pest management techniques, such as use of row covers, crop rotation and cover crops. This study explored the novel use of strip tillage and row covers to reduce pest pressure in summer squash (Cucurbita pepe) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo) production systems. Results showed that although strip tillage reduced striped cucumber beetle and squash bug numbers, there was a yield reduction in both crops compared with the plasticulture system. Row cover increased marketable yield in both systems, with the highest yield being in the plasticulture system. Unmarketable fruit directly attributed to insect damage was higher in the plasticulture systems, but was not significantly different when compared with the strip tillage system. Although there are many documented positive attributes of strip tillage, results from this study indicate that a combination of plasticulture and row cover may be a superior system for organic cucurbit production.

scholarly journals THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ROW COVERS AS A BARRIER TO INSECT PESTS ON ROMAINE LETTUCE (PARRIS ISLAND COS)

HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1116G-1116
Author(s):  
Mark Scaroni ◽  
Jo Ann C. Wheatley
Keyword(s):  
Pest Control ◽  
Chemical Control ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Romaine Lettuce ◽  
Row Covers ◽  
Vertebrate Pest ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Organically Grown ◽  
Control Insect

This project examined a floating row cover as an alternative to chemical use for pest control. Insect and vertebrate pest control was excellent on the covered versus the uncovered crop plants. Average weight, length, and quality were enhanced through the use of covers. The interval of transplant-to-harvest was also decreased. While the cost of row cover use is quite high on a per-acre basis, additional gains in quality, yields, earlier plantings, and earlier harvests may justify the use of row covers as an alternative to chemical control. Although acceptance and use of row covers may ultimately rely on the consumer, demand for organically grown vegetables will warrant further evaluation of row cover materials.

scholarly journals Parthenocarpic Fruit Set in Summer Squash

HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 883D-883
Author(s):  
Richard W. Robinson ◽  
Stephen Reiners
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Male Flower ◽  
Sex Expression ◽  
Gold Rush ◽  
Flower Formation ◽  
Parthenocarpic Fruit ◽  
Early Season ◽  
Row Covers ◽  
Summer Squash

Low temperatures typical of early season production promote female sex expression and reduce male flower formation in summer squash. In addition, some summer squash cultivars do not produce sufficient male flowers for good fruit set early in the season in New York. Parthenocarpic fruit set could increase early season yield as well as at times when bee activity is restricted by wet weather or by row covers. More than 30 Cucurbita pepo cultivars and breeding lines were evaluated for their ability to produce parthenocarpic fruit over the past 3 years. Pistillate flowers were closed before anthesis to prevent pollination. In 1992, 66% of all the entries set parthenocarpic fruit where as 40% displayed the same pattern in 1993 and 81% in 1994. Varieties with the best parthenocarpic fruit set included Black Beauty, Black Magic, Black Jack, and Chefini Hybrid, all zucchini types. Most yellow-fruited cultivars had poor fruit set but the precocious yellow cultivar Gold Rush had good parthenocarpic fruit set in 1992 and 1993. In 1994, floating row covers placed over the plants 1 week after planting confirmed the results of the previous two seasons. This indicates that certain varieties of summer squash consistently set parthenocarpic fruit. These varieties may be most useful for early season production or for production under plastic tunnels or row covers where pollinator activity is restricted. In addition, our results indicate that it is possible to breed parthenocarpic squash of different fruit colors and types.

scholarly journals Development of leaf silvering in squash cultivars infested by silverleaf whitefly

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
AL Lourenção ◽  
AC Alves ◽  
AMT Melo ◽  
GE Valle
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Silverleaf Whitefly ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Physiological Disorder ◽  
Pathogenic Virus ◽  
Artificial Infestation ◽  
Summer Squash ◽  
Soybean Plants ◽  
Biotype B

The silverleaf whitefly Bemisia tabaci biotype B is one of the most harmful insect pests for agricultural and vegetable crops. Beside the direct damage, it transmits pathogenic virus and induces plant physiological disorders, such as the squash silverleaf disorder. In this research we evaluated the development of leaf silvering in squash cultivars submitted to artificial infestation of B. tabaci biotype B. An experiment was conducted under field conditions, in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil, during the season 2003-2004. The germplasm (Cucurbita spp.) comprised of seven cultivars of summer squash and nine of bush squash. The experiment used a complete randomized blocks design, with 16 treatments (cultivars) and five replications. Each plot consisted of two plants. The artificial infestation was done when the plants emitted the third pair of leaves, by transplanting soybean plants infested with silverleaf whitefly between the squash plots. The leaf silvering was evaluated every two or three days, using a rating scale varying from 1 (no symptom) to 5 (leaves completely silvered). The highest level (5.0) was observed in 'Baianinha', 'Golden Delight', 'Caravela' and 'Arlika', while 'Novita' (2.5), 'Atlas' (2.0) and 'Atlanta AG-303' (1.5) showed light symptoms, indicating that these have low sensibility to this physiological disorder.

scholarly journals Integrating Rowcovers and Strip Tillage for Pest Management in Summer Squash and Muskmelon Production

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 923-932
Author(s):  
Amanda Skidmore ◽  
Neil Wilson ◽  
Mark Williams ◽  
Ric Bessin
Keyword(s):  
Pest Management ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Summer Squash ◽  
Strip Tillage

Pest management in cucurbit (Cucurbitaceae) cropping systems is challenging. As a result, pesticides are heavily used for managing insect pests and diseases. This work focused on the application of integrated pest management (IPM) techniques to control pests and reduce reliance on insecticide sprays while maintaining the quality and quantity of marketable yields in two commonly grown cucurbit crops: muskmelon (Cucumis melo) and summer squash (Cucurbita pepo). Plasticulture (raised beds covered in black plastic mulch) and strip tillage, two soil management systems commonly used for cucurbit IPM production, were compared to determine their impact on yield and pest numbers during the 2013–14 growing seasons. Additionally, the use of early season rowcovers and their impact on yield and pest pressure were investigated. Plasticulture use increased marketable yields compared with strip tillage for both summer squash and muskmelon, but strip tillage resulted in fewer total pests for both crops. Rowcover use did not have a consistent effect on insect pest numbers and showed a negative impact on the yield of both summer squash and muskmelon. No significant impacts on yield were observed when the interaction between rowcovers and the tillage system was investigated. The use of rowcovers impacted pest numbers, but these impacts were not consistent between insect pest species. Insecticide use was reduced in covered treatments, but only by one application. We concluded that these management techniques have the potential to be used in an IPM system, but the reduced marketable yield of strip tillage systems may reduce the adoption of this IPM technique for these crops.

THE EFFECTS OF A SPUNBONDED POLYESTER ROW COVER ON CAULIFLOWER YIELD LOSS CAUSED BY INSECTS

1988 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine V. Millar ◽  
Murray B. Isman
Keyword(s):  
Pest Control ◽  
Field Trial ◽  
Yield Loss ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Delia Radicum ◽  
Harvest Date ◽  
Crop Plant ◽  
Row Covers ◽  
Early Harvest

AbstractA field trial was conducted to evaluate a spunbonded polyester row cover (Reemay) as a means of protecting cauliflower plants from insect pests. Total yield variables (curd weight, size, and color) did not differ significantly between plants under the row covers and those treated with insecticides, although plants under the row covers did produce a greater yield at an early harvest date. Plants in control plots failed to produce any marketable heads, owing to attack by cabbage maggots, Delia radicum (L.). Row covers may be a useful alternative to insecticides for pest control via physical exclusion of the key pest(s) from the crop plant.

scholarly journals Parthenocarpy in Summer Squash

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 715-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.W. Robinson ◽  
Stephen Reiners
Keyword(s):  
Disease Resistance ◽  
Cucurbita Pepo ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Parthenocarpic Fruit ◽  
Row Covers ◽  
Summer Squash ◽  
Multiple Disease Resistance ◽  
Pollinating Insects ◽  
Dark Green

Summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) cultivars were compared for ability to set parthenocarpic fruit. Some cultivars set no parthenocarpic fruit and others varied in the amount of fruit set when not pollinated. The degree of parthenocarpy varied with season, but the relative ranking of cultivars for parthenocarpy was generally similar. Cultivars with the best parthenocarpic fruit set were of the dark green, zucchini type, but some cultivars of other fruit types also set parthenocarpic fruit. A summer squash cultivar was developed that combines a high rate of natural parthenocarpy with multiple disease resistance. Yield of summer squash plants grown under row covers that excluded pollinating insects was as much as 83% of that of insect-pollinated plants in the open.

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