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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #184239
Title: IMPACT ON SEED YIELD OF NEW THRIPS PEST IN BENTGRASS SEED PRODUCTION FIELDS IN THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY

Author
item RAO, S - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
item Alderman, Stephen

Submitted to: Seed Production Research at Oregon State University
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/28/2005
Publication Date: 4/30/2005
Citation: Rao, S., Alderman, S.C. 2005. : impact on seed yield of new thrips pest in bentgrass seed production fields in the willamette valley. Seed Production Research at Oregon State University.

Interpretive Summary: During disease surveys in the Willamette Valley, OR in 2003, a previously unknown thrips was found infesting bentgrass seed heads. A survey of commercial bentgrass seed production fields was initiated to determine extent and impact of the occurrence in bentgrass seed production. The thrips was found to be widespread in the bentgrass seed production area and was contribution to seed loss as great as 5%.

Technical Abstract: During disease surveys in the Willamette Valley, OR in 2003, a previously unknown thrips was found infesting bentgrass seed heads. A survey of commercial bentgrass seed production fields was initiated to determine the extent and impact of the thrips occurrence on bentgrass seed production. Thrips were observed infesting florets of bentgrass in 11 out of 13 seed production fields surveyed in western Oregon. Infestation levels ranged from 5.4 to 22.6 thrips/panicle in Highland bentgrass, and from 1.4 to 4.8 thrips/panicle in creeping bentgrass. In fields of Highland bentgrass, seed loss ranged from 0.8% to 5.1%. Seed loss was low in creeping bentgrass fields (from 0.02 to 0.03%) and in colonial bentgrass fields (0.01%).