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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #114629
Title: THE EFFECT OF ARTHROPODS, DISEASES, AND NEMATODES ON TROPICAL PASTURES

Author
item Lapointe, Stephen
item SONODA, R - UNIV OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: Tropical Forage Plants: Development and Use
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2001
Publication Date: 6/1/2001
Citation: Lapointe, S.L., Sonoda, R.M. 2001. The effect of arthropods, diseases, and nematodes on tropical pastures. Tropical Forage Plants: Development and Use.

Interpretive Summary: Efforts to increase the productivity of tropical pastures have led to the domestication of several taxa of grasses and legumes for use in grazing and other forage production systems. This chapter reviews recent research and progress in the efforts to minimize losses to pests and diseases of tropical forages. The major arthropods, nematodes, and diseases of tropical pasture plants are presented along with discussions of the most appropriate approaches for their control. Future areas of research to further the development of productive, stable, and persistent pastures for the tropics are outlined.

Technical Abstract: Efforts to increase the productivity of tropical pastures have led to the domestication of several taxa of grasses and legumes for use in grazing and other forage production systems. This chapter reviews recent research and progress in the efforts to minimize losses to pests and diseases of tropical forages. The major arthropods, nematodes, and diseases of tropical pasture plants are presented along with discussions of the most appropriate approaches for their control. Future areas of research to further the development of productive, stable, and persistent pastures for the tropics are outlined. Emphasis is given to the selection of Brachiaria germplasm for resistance to New World species of spittlebugs (Cercropidae) and leaf-cutter ants; nematode pests of Desmodium spp.; and to anthracnose on species of Stylosanthes.