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ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Crop Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #89020
Title: RENIFORM NEMATODE AND SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY INFLUENCE ON LINT YIELD, FIBER QUALITY, AND SEED QUALITY OF COTTON

Author
item Cook, Charles
item Robinson, Arin
item WOLFENBARGER, DAN - D2 CONSULTING

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/11/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Reniform nematodes and silverleaf whiteflies are serious pests on cotton in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Field studies were conducted to determine the singular and combined effects of the two pests on lint yield, fiber quality, and seed quality of cotton. Across the 2-year study, reniform nematodes reduced average lint yield by 29.5%. Average lint yield dwas reduced 21.9% by silverleaf whiteflies. Micronaire value was reduced by approximately 10.8% due to whitefly feeding. Seedling emergence and stand establishment at 35 days after planting were reduced by whiteflies and to a lesser extent by reniform nematodes. The combined effects of both pests further reduced seed quality. Results show the severe reductions in yield and seed quality that can occur when cotton is attacked by reniform nematodes and silverleaf whiteflies.

Technical Abstract: Information regarding the interaction of reniform nematodes and silverleaf whiteflies on cotton is limited, but could be of great concern to cotton growers and cottonseed producers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Field studies were conducted to ascertain the singular and combined effects of the reniform nematode and silverleaf whitefly on lint yield, fiber quality, and seed quality. Reniform nematodes were observed to reduce lin yield by 29.5%, whereas silverleaf whiteflies caused yield losses of 21.9%. The most significant effect on fiber quality was a reduced micronaire in the whitefly plots, Additional field evaluations indicated that seed quality could be reduced when seed were produced in a high whitefly infestation year. Reniform nematodes appeared to reduce seed quality to a lesser extent. These results show the significant yield losses that can be expected from these pests and the problems that could be encountered in producing both lint and seed under reniform nematode and whitefly pressure