|
|
||
|
|||
|
|||
Over the past two weeks, the sticky traps in our Areawide Insect Trapping Network
placed near recently disked up produce fields have been literally covered with flies.
Many of the flies identified on these traps were adult seedcorn maggot (SCM). This
is not surprising since it is this time of the year that SCM can cause significant
stand reductions in spring melons and other large seeded crops due to larvae feeding
on germinating seed, roots and even stems. If SCM populations are high, replanting
parts or all of an infested field is often necessary. Not only is this an inconvenience
to the grower, but replanting is expensive and can disrupt harvest schedules. Unfortunately,
once maggots have been found infesting the soil during stand establishment, there
is usually nothing one can do. Thus, avoidance of the problem is the most effective
way of preventing stand reductions. First, weather plays a major role in determining
the damage potential for SCM to be a problem. Melon stands are more susceptible
to SCM during wet, cool spring weather in which seed germination is slowed or delayed.
These conditions give SCM a chance to develop in the soil and attack the seeds before
they can emerge. So far this spring, our weather conditions have been just the opposite,
warm and dry. Secondly, our cropping system plays a key role. Melon crops following
produce are the most often attacked because SCM are attracted to fields with high
levels of decomposing organic matter. This includes heavy plant residue remaining
after harvest of the previous lettuce or cole crop, as well as applications of manure
prior to planting. Growers would be encouraged not to plant melons into fields under
these conditions. Unfortunately, given the demands on local acreage, this is sometimes
not practical. However if growers decide to plant in these conditions, then it would
be wise to use a preventative insecticide applied at planting to minimize the impact
from SCM and give seedling stands a fighting chance. Guidelines for SCM management
can be found in
Seedcorn maggot 2014, and alternatives that have shown activity against
SCM and may be practical for SCM management in spring melons can be found in
SCM Control on Cantaloupes.
Click picture to listen to John’s update To contact John Palumbo go to: jpalumbo@ag.arizona.edu |
|||
Back | |||
For questions or comments on any of the topics please contact Marco Pena at the Yuma Agricultural Center.
|
|||
Home |
Cotton | Veggies |
Forages | Grains
| Citrus |
Crop x Crop Insects | Diseases| Weeds | Pesticides | Economics | News | Weather | Research | Photos | Contacts | General Info. Copyright © 2001 University of Arizona, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Webmaster: Al Fournier (acis@ag.arizona.edu) |