Interaction of insects and weeds in a snap bean agroecosystem

Joseph N. Aguyoh, John B. Masiunas, Catherine Eastman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Integrated weed management strategies maintain sub-threshold levels of weeds. The remaining weeds may impact the feeding and habitation patterns of both potato leaf-hoppers and bean leaf beetles in a snap bean agroecosystem. The objective of our study was to determine the effect of interference between snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and either redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) or large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis L.) on populations of potato leafhopper [Empoasca fabae (Harris)] and bean leaf beetle [Cerotoma trifurcata (Forster)]. Plots were seeded with redroot pigweed or large crabgrass at either the same time as snap bean planting (early) or when snap bean had one trifoliate leaf open (late). The weed density averaged two plants per meter of row. Bean leaf beetle populations, snap bean pod damage, and leaf defoliation were lower in weed-free plots compared to those with either early emerging pigweed or crabgrass. Leafhopper nymphs and adults were 31% to 34% less in plots with crabgrass emerging with snap beans compared to those in weed-free snap bean plots. Thus, the effect of sub-threshold densities of pigweed and crabgrass on insect pests in snap bean varied depending on the species and should be considered when deciding to integrate weed management approaches.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)287-290
Number of pages4
JournalHortScience
Volume39
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2004

Keywords

  • Amaranthus retroflexus
  • Bean leaf beetle
  • Cerotoma trifurcata
  • Digitaria sanguinalis
  • Empoasca fabae
  • Large crabgrass
  • Phaseolus vulgaris
  • Potato leafhopper
  • Redroot pigweed

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Horticulture

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