Pest Management Science (2007) 63, 372-380

Shoil M. Greenberg, Alton N. Sparks Jr., John W. Norman Jr., Randy Coleman, Joe M. Bradford, Chenghai Yang, Thomas W. Sappington and Allan Showler (2007)
Chemical cotton stalk destruction for maintenance of host-free periods for the control of overwintering boll weevil in tropical and subtropical climates
Pest Management Science 63 (4), 372-380
Abstract: In the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas, cotton regrows and produces fruit from undestroyed stalks throughout the winter, and in spring weevils from such locations become a serious threat. The success of the boll weevil eradication program, which was reintroduced in the LRGV in 2005, will be dependent on thorough stalk destruction following harvest. However, adverse weather conditions and conservation tillage often impede immediate and complete stalk destruction using typical tool implements, and alternative stalk control methods are needed. This study provides an examination of the efficacy for cotton stalk destruction of different herbicides (thifensulfuron-methyl + tribenuron-methyl, dicamba-diolamine, 2,4-D-dimethylammonium, flumioxazin, 2,4-DB-dimethylammonium and carfentrazone-ethyl) and their rates, spray volumes and application timings on shredded or standing cotton stalks after stripper or picker harvest. None of the tested herbicides, except 2,4-D-dimethylammonium, stopped post-harvest cotton regrowth and fruiting. 2,4-D-dimethylammonium sprayed once (0 or 7 days) after cotton was harvested at 1 lb AE acre^-1 (1.12 kg ha^-1), in a spray volume of 10 gal water acre^-1 (93.5 L ha^-1) with 5 mL L^-1 surfactant, was highly effective in stalk destruction (72-90%). The best results were achieved when the herbicide was applied immediately after the cotton was shredded, followed by standing stripper-harvested and standing picker-harvested cotton. 2,4-D-dimethylammonium applied twice, 0 and 14 (or 21) days after cotton harvest, was 100% effective in killing stalks, regardless of whether they were shredded or standing, or whether harvest was by stripper or picker. These findings showed that 2,4-D-dimethylammonium cotton stalk destruction eliminated food and reproductive opportunities for managing overwintering boll weevils [Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)].
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Shoil M. Greenberg, Allan T. Showler, Thomas W. Sappington

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Anthonomus grandis	Cotton (Gossypium)	U.S.A. (mid S)