Practical Integrated Management (ICM) of Pest Populations and Resistance Using Low-Dose Mixtures of Conventional and B. T. Insecticides in Cotton

L. Reed Green and Lee Hutchins


 
ABSTRACT

Recent environmental problems associated Win conventional insecticides, and the continued resistance of Heliothis to present classes of insecticides, emphasizes the Importance of establishing a plan to suppress this pest. Private crops consultants are beginning to make drastic changes In Heliothis control realizing that the answer to this problem is complex and involves every aspect of crop production. The following outlines a completely integrated crop management (ICM) approach that originated at Wharton County, Texas in 1976 as a response to resistance of Heliothis to organophosphate insecticides. Following Introduction In the 1980's, pyrethroid insecticides became the standard for insect control In cotton growing throughout the Coastal Plains of Texas. Resistance of tobacco budworms to pyrethroid Insecticides in 1986 and 1987 resulted in increased usage with the average number of applications rising from 2-3 per season to 56 per season at highest labeled rates by 1987. Since that time, a program based upon low rates of B. t. (Bacllius thuringlensis) and/or conventional insecticides has been integrated into the crop production system to achieve excellent control of pest species while promoting the presence of beneficial predators. The end result has been an environmentally friendly insect control program that has reduced the use of pyrethroid and other conventional insecticides from peak usage in 1987 by over 80% during the following five year period without sacrificing yields. Interestingly, usage of B. t. insecticides as the central entity of the Heliothis/Helicoverpa control program has been accomplished by reducing the lowest labeled rates of these environmentally safe products by 80%. Details and reasoning behind two ICM programs located in the Texas Coastal Plains illustrate the necessity of being 'open-minded" as similar programs designed to overcome insecticide resistance are implemented in the cotton belt.



Reprinted from 1993 Proceedings Beltwide Cotton Conferences pp. 695 - 697
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Sunday, Dec 6 1998