Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-dh8gc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-02T18:56:11.944Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Screening cool-season legume cover crops for pecan orchards

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

Michael W. Smith ,
Raymond D. Eikenbary ,
Don C. Arnold ,
B. Scott Landgraf ,
Glenn G. Taylor ,
Gordon E. Barlow ,
Becky L. Carroll ,
Becky S. Cheary ,
Natasha R. Rice  and
Robert Knight
Michael W. Smith
Affiliation:
Professor, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078;
Raymond D. Eikenbary
Affiliation:
Professor and Department of Entomology, Oklahoma State University;
Don C. Arnold
Affiliation:
Survey Entomologist, Department of Entomology, Oklahoma State University;
B. Scott Landgraf
Affiliation:
Soil Scientist, Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, PO Box 2180, Ardmore, OK 73402;
Glenn G. Taylor
Affiliation:
Horticulturists, Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, PO Box 2180, Ardmore, OK 73402;
Gordon E. Barlow
Affiliation:
Horticulturists, Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, PO Box 2180, Ardmore, OK 73402;
Becky L. Carroll
Affiliation:
Research Technicians, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078;
Becky S. Cheary
Affiliation:
Research Technicians, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078;
Natasha R. Rice
Affiliation:
Graduate student, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078;
Robert Knight
Affiliation:
Pecan grower in Sapulpa, OK 74066.
Get access

Abstract

We evaluated selected cool-season annual and perennial legumes as potential ground covers to supply nitrogen and to increase beneficial arthropod populations in a pecan orchard. Densities of aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae), lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), damsel bug (Hemiptera: Nabidae), green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), brown lacewings (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae), hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae), spined soldier bug and other stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), and spiders (Araneida) were monitored at 7–14 day intervals during the growing season for three years. Aboveground biomass production and nitrogen content of the legumes was measured for two years. Aphids peaked during early spring each year, with the highest density usually on ‘Dixie’ crimson clover and ‘Kenland’ red clover. Density of lady beetles was positively correlated with that of aphids, but spider densities were not. Other arthropods usually were not abundant. Nitrogen in the tops of the annual legumes ranged from 20 kg/ha to 89 kg/ha when assessed after a single harvest at anthesis; for the perennial legumes it was from 108 kg/ha to 179 kg/ha following two harvests in June and September. We chose two annual legumes (‘Dixie’ crimson clover and hairy vetch) and two perennial legumes (‘Louisiana S-1’ white clover and ‘Kenland’ red clover) for further evaluation.

Keywords

aphidAphididaeAraneidabiological controlpecancover cropsChrysopidaeCoccinellidaeHemerobiidaeInsectaFabaceaeNabidaePentatomidaeSyrphidae
Type
Research Article
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 9 , Issue 3 , September 1994 , pp. 127 - 134
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Boethel, D.J. 1981. Resistance in the pecan leaf scorch mite, Eotetranychus hicoriae (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae): Implications in pecan pest management. Misc. Pub. Entomology Soc. of Amer. 12:31–44.Google Scholar
2.Bugg, R.L., and Dutcher, J.D.. 1989. Warm-season cover crops for pecan orchards: Horticultural and entomological implications. Biological Agric. and Horticulture 6:123–148.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.Bugg, R.L., and Dutcher, J.D.. 1993. Sesbania exaltata (Rafinesque-Schmaltz) Cory (Fabaceae) as a warmseason cover crop in pecan orchards: Effects on aphidophagous coccinellidae and pecan aphids. Biological Agric. and Horticulture 9:215–229.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Bugg, R.L., and Ellis, R.T.. 1990. Insects associated with cover crops in Massachusetts. Biological Agric. and Horticulture 7:47–68.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.Bugg, R.L., Phatak, S.C., and Dutcher, J.D.. 1990. Insects associated with cool-season cover crops in southern Georgia: Implications for pest control in truck-farm and pecan agroecosystems. Biological Agric. and Horticulture 7:17–45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Bugg, R.L., Dutcher, J.D., and McNiell, P.J.. 1991a. Cool-season cover crops in the pecan orchard understory: Effects on coccinellidae (Coleoptera) and pecan aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae). Biological Control 1:8–15.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Bugg, R.L., Sarrantonio, M., Dutcher, J.D., and Phatak, S.C.. 1991b. Understory cover crops in pecan orchards: Possible management systems. Amer. J. Alternative Agric. 6:50–62.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Dutcher, J.D., and Htay, U.T.. 1985. Resurgence and insecticide resistance problems in pecan aphid management. In Neel, W. W., Tedders, W.L., and Dutcher, J.D. (eds). Aphids and Phylloxeras of Pecan. Spec. Pub. 38. Univ. of Georgia Experiment Station, Athens, pp. 17–29.Google Scholar
9.Edelson, J.V., and Estes, P.M.. 1987. Seasonal abundance and distribution of predators and parasites associated with Monelliopsis pecanis Bissell and Monellia caryella (Fitch) (Homoptera: Aphidae). J. Entomological Sci. 22:336–347.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Erdman, L.W. 1967. Legume inoculation: What it is, what it does. Farmers Bulletin No. 2003. Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Dept. of Agric., Washington, D.C.Google Scholar
11.Harris, M.K. 1983. Integrated pest management of pecans. Annual Review of Entomology 28:291–318.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12.Horowitz, W. 1980. Fertilizers. In S. Williams (ed). Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Analytical Chemists. 13th ed. Assoc. of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington, D.C. p. 15, Sec. 205.Google Scholar
13.Lakin, K.R. 1972. An investigation of the damage associated with Tinocallis caryaefoliae (Davis) feeding on pecan leaves. Masters Thesis, Dept. of Entomology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.Google Scholar
14.Mitchell, R.L., and Wright, J.C.. 1991. Experiences in pecan orchard floor vegetation management: Two years of stocker steer performance and evaluation of grazing management. Annual Rep. of the Northern Nut Growers' Assoc. 82:72–79.Google Scholar
15.Mizell, R.F. III. 1991. Pesticides and beneficial insects: Application of current knowledge and future needs. In B.W. Wood and J.A. Payne (eds). Pecan Husbandry: Challenges and Opportunities. First National Pecan Workshop Proceedings. ARS-96. Agric. Research Service, U.S. Dept. of Agric, Springfield, Virginia, pp. 47–54.Google Scholar
16.Napper, W.P. 1991. Fruit and tree nuts situation and outlook report yearbook. TFS-258. Economic Research Service, U.S. Dept. of Agric., Washington, D.C.Google Scholar
17.Tedders, W.L. 1983. Insect management in deciduous orchard ecosystems: Habitat manipulation. Environmental Management 7:29–34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18.Tedders, W.L., Wood, B.W., and Snow, J.W.. 1982. Effects of feeding by Monelliopsis nigropunctata, Monellia caryella, and Melanocallis caryaefoliae on growth of pecan seedlings in the greenhouse. J. Economic Entomology 75:287–291.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
19.Thompson, T.E. 1990. Pecan cultivars: Current use and recommendations. Pecan South 24(1):12–17, 20.Google Scholar
20.Thompson, T.E., and Young, F.. 1985. Pecan cultivars – past and present. Texas Pecan Growers Assoc., Inc., College Station, Texas.Google Scholar
21.Wood, B.W., and Tedders, W.L.. 1982. Effects of an infestation of blackmargined aphid on carbohydrates in mature ‘Stuart’ pecan. HortScience 17:236–238.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
22.Wood, B., White, W., and Tedders, W.L.. 1983. Use of legumes in pecan orchards. Annual Rep. of the Northern Nut Growers' Assoc. 74:147–150.Google Scholar
23.Wood, B.W., Tedders, W.L., and Reilly, C.C.. 1988. Sooty moldfungus on pecan foliage suppresses light penetration and net photosynthesis. Hort-Science 23:851–853.Google Scholar