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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Wooster, Ohio » Application Technology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #196068
Title: EFFECT OF PLANT STAND DENSITY AND PESTICIDE APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY ON INSECT PESTS AND DISEASES OF BELL PEPPERS

Author
item VITANZA, SALVADOR - OSU, COLUMBUS, OH
item WELTY, CELESTE - OSU, COLUMBUS, OH
item Derksen, Richard
item BENNETT, MARK - OSU, COLUMBUS, OH
item MILLER, SALLY - OSU

Submitted to: Integrated Pest Management Symposium Workshop Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2006
Publication Date: 4/4/2006
Citation: Vitanza, S., Welty, C., Derksen, R.C., Bennett, M., Miller, S. 2006. Effect of plant stand density and pesticide application technology on insect pests and diseases of bell peppers [Abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 5th National IPM Symposium, April 4-6, 2006, St. Louis, MO.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Plant stand density has been shown to have a significant affect on pepper yield. Pesticide application technology has been shown to have a significant affect on the fate of sprays. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of plant population density and pesticide application techniques on yield and pest control. Application techniques evaluated included conventional nozzles, low-drift (air induction) nozzles, air-assisted delivery, and charged sprays. Field trials established in 2004 looked at the effect application technique and travel speed had on yield and pest control in bell peppers. The 2005 field trials included three different application techniques, two different row spacings and three population densities. Peppers were treated on a 7-day interval once spraying was initiated. In 2004, the low drift nozzle treatment, operated at 8 mph, produced the highest fruit yield. There was no significant difference in European corn borer control between treatments. Greater clean yield of pepper fruit was obtained from single row than from twin row planting systems. Low stand density resulted in lower clean yield than middle or high plant population density. All treatments achieved significantly better bacterial soft rot control than an untreated check. These findings suggest to producers that shorter canopies, similar to those treated in these studies, can be treated effectively with conventional, twin-fan nozzles, that air speed on air-assist sprayers should be adjusted to match plant canopies, and that the micro-environment created in different planting systems may affect yield and pest management.