Impact of Diamondback Moth on Arizona Cole Crops: 2017 Survey Results
In Arizona, the diamondback moth (DBM) is typically considered a minor pest that occasionally builds up to damaging levels in the winter and spring. In most years, growers can easily control the pest with 1-2 well timed insecticide sprays. However, beginning in October 2016 outbreaks of an invasive DBM population occurred throughout all vegetable growing regions in Arizona and continued throughout the remainder of the spring growing season. Cole crops that were affected included broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, mizuna/arugula, Napa cabbage, bok choy, Brussel sprouts and Brassica seed crops. It was quickly determined that the source of the DBM populations originated from infested transplants grown in local desert greenhouses. Within weeks of transplanting, PCAs and growers found that they could not adequately control the DBM infestations. To further complicate the situation, it was later discovered that the invasive DBM population was very resistant to the anthranillic diamide insecticides that are commonly used to control Lep larvae. After the first transplanted fields began to harvest in November, several growers reported that seriously infested fields suffered significant yield reductions, and incurred extremely high control costs. By late December, DBM populations began to spread from the infested transplanted fields to direct-seeded crops throughout the region, causing further losses. By February, reports of infested broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower fields were routine. The DBM infestations experienced by Arizona growers in 2016-17 were not anticipated, and the resistant population that entered the desert caused serious losses in cole crops. It has been suggested that the DBM outbreaks this year were comparable in severity to the early sweetpotato whitefly outbreaks in 1992. In an attempt to document the impact of the DBM outbreaks on Arizona cole crops, we conducted a two-part survey of growers and PCAs from Yuma and Maricopa Counties in April 2017 to (1) estimate the severity of yield losses to DBM on direct-seeded and transplanted cole crops, and (2) the intensity of chemical management required to control DBM, and associated level of control provided by each insecticide product used. To download a copy of the survey results, please go to Impact of Diamondback Moth Outbreaks on Arizona Cole Crops in 2016-17.
In Arizona, the diamondback moth (DBM) is typically considered a minor pest that occasionally builds up to damaging levels in the winter and spring. In most years, growers can easily control the pest with 1-2 well timed insecticide sprays. However, beginning in October 2016 outbreaks of an invasive DBM population occurred throughout all vegetable growing regions in Arizona and continued throughout the remainder of the spring growing season. Cole crops that were affected included broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, mizuna/arugula, Napa cabbage, bok choy, Brussel sprouts and Brassica seed crops. It was quickly determined that the source of the DBM populations originated from infested transplants grown in local desert greenhouses. Within weeks of transplanting, PCAs and growers found that they could not adequately control the DBM infestations. To further complicate the situation, it was later discovered that the invasive DBM population was very resistant to the anthranillic diamide insecticides that are commonly used to control Lep larvae. After the first transplanted fields began to harvest in November, several growers reported that seriously infested fields suffered significant yield reductions, and incurred extremely high control costs. By late December, DBM populations began to spread from the infested transplanted fields to direct-seeded crops throughout the region, causing further losses. By February, reports of infested broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower fields were routine. The DBM infestations experienced by Arizona growers in 2016-17 were not anticipated, and the resistant population that entered the desert caused serious losses in cole crops. It has been suggested that the DBM outbreaks this year were comparable in severity to the early sweetpotato whitefly outbreaks in 1992. In an attempt to document the impact of the DBM outbreaks on Arizona cole crops, we conducted a two-part survey of growers and PCAs from Yuma and Maricopa Counties in April 2017 to (1) estimate the severity of yield losses to DBM on direct-seeded and transplanted cole crops, and (2) the intensity of chemical management required to control DBM, and associated level of control provided by each insecticide product used. To download a copy of the survey results, please go toIn Arizona, the diamondback moth (DBM) is typically considered a minor pest that occasionally builds up to damaging levels in the winter and spring. In most years, growers can easily control the pest with 1-2 well timed insecticide sprays. However, beginning in October 2016 outbreaks of an invasive DBM population occurred throughout all vegetable growing regions in Arizona and continued throughout the remainder of the spring growing season. Cole crops that were affected included broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, mizuna/arugula, Napa cabbage, bok choy, Brussel sprouts andBrassicaseed crops. It was quickly determined that the source of the DBM populations originated from infested transplants grown in local desert greenhouses. Within weeks of transplanting, PCAs and growers found that they could not adequately control the DBM infestations. To further complicate the situation, it was later discovered that the invasive DBM population was very resistant to the anthranillic diamide insecticides that are commonly used to control Lep larvae. After the first transplanted fields began to harvest in November, several growers reported that seriously infested fields suffered significant yield reductions, and incurred extremely high control costs. By late December, DBM populations began to spread from the infested transplanted fields to direct-seeded crops throughout the region, causing further losses. By February, reports of infested broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower fields were routine. The DBM infestations experienced by Arizona growers in 2016-17 were not anticipated, and the resistant population that entered the desert caused serious losses in cole crops. It has been suggested that the DBM outbreaks this year were comparable in severity to the early sweetpotato whitefly outbreaks in 1992. In an attempt to document the impact of the DBM outbreaks on Arizona cole crops, we conducted a two-part survey of growers and PCAs from Yuma and Maricopa Counties in April 2017 to (1) estimate the severity of yield losses to DBM on direct-seeded and transplanted cole crops, and (2) the intensity of chemical management required to control DBM, and associated level of control provided by each insecticide product used. To download a copy of the survey results, please go to
In response to the recent outbreaks of Diamondback moth (DBM) , Plutella xylostella in Yuma, we have established a pheromone trap network designed to monitor the activity and movement of adult populations of DBM. PCAs have had difficulty controlling DBM in cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower since October. Traps have been placed in Roll, Wellton, Dome Valley, Gila Valley and Yuma Valley in locations where cole crops are presently being grown or in areas where infestations were known to occur this fall.
This study was conducted at the Yuma Valley Agricultural Center. The soil was a silty clay loam (7-56-37 sand-silt-clay, pH 7.2, O.M. 0.7%). Spinach ‘Revere’ was seeded, then sprinkler-irrigated to germinate seed Jan 18, 2024 on beds with 84 in. between bed centers and containing 30 lines of seed per bed. All irrigation water was supplied by sprinkler irrigation. Treatments were replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. Replicate plots consisted of 15 ft lengths of bed separated by 3 ft lengths of nontreated bed. Treatments were applied with a CO2backpack sprayer that delivered 50 gal/acre at 40 psi to flat-fan nozzles.
Month
Max
Min
Average
Rainfall
January
68
42
54
1.14 in
February
73
47
59
0.50 in
March
77
50
63
0.31 in
Downy mildew (caused by Peronospora farinosa f. sp. spinaciae) was first observed in plots on Feb 19 and final reading was taken on February 26, 2024. Spray date for each treatments are listed in excel file with the results. Disease severity was recorded by determining the percentage of infected leaves present within three 1-ft2 areas within each of the four replicate plots per treatment. The number of spinach leaves in a 1-ft2 area of bed was approximately 144.
The data (found in the accompanying Excel file) illustrate the degree of disease reduction obtained by applications of the various tested fungicides. Products that provided effective control against the disease include Orondis ultra, Thrive 4 M, Fungout, Cevya, Eject and Zampro. No phytotoxicity was observed in any of the treatments in this trial.
Controlling Fusarium Wilt of Lettuce Using Steam Heat – Trial Initiated
Earlier this week, we initiated a trial examining the use of band steam for controlling Fusarium wilt of lettuce. The premise behind this research is to use steam heat to raise soil temperatures to levels sufficient to kill soilborne pathogens. For Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae, the pathogen which causes Fusarium wilt of lettuce, the required temperature for control is generally taken to be > 140°F for 20 minutes. Soil solarization, where clear plastic is placed over the crop bed during the summer, exploits this concept. The technique raises soil surface temperatures to 150-155˚F, effectively killing the pathogen and reducing disease incidence by 45-98% (Matheron and Porchas, 2010).
In our trials, we are using steam heat to raise soil temperatures. Steam is delivered by a 35 BHP steam generator mounted on a custom designed elongated bed shaper (Fig. 1). Preliminary results were encouraging. The device was able to increase the temperature of the top 3” of soil to over 180°F at a travel speed of 0.5 mph as shown in this video of the machine in action (shown below). These temperatures exceed that of those known to control pathogens responsible for causing Fusarium wilt of lettuce (> 140°F for 20 minutes).
Stay tuned for final trial results and reports on the efficacy of using steam heat to control Fusarium wilt of lettuce.
If you are interested in evaluating the technique on your farm, please contact me. We are seeking additional sites with a known history of Fusarium wilt of lettuce disease incidence to test the efficacy and performance of the device.
References
Matheron, M. E., & Porchas, M. 2010. Evaluation of soil solarization and flooding as management tools for Fusarium wilt of lettuce. Plant Dis. 94:1323-1328.
Acknowledgements
This project is sponsored by USDA-NIFA, the Arizona Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Arizona Iceberg Lettuce Research Council. We greatly appreciate their support.
A special thank you is extended to Cory Mellon and Mellon Farms for allowing us to conduct this research on their farm.
Weeds are one of the most visible of all agricultural pests. They can’t move or hide and once established often stick up over the crop. Just one weed in a 10 acre field is annoying to look at. With insects and diseases, the damage is often more visible than the pest. That is not the case with weeds. A moderate weed infestation is approximately 10 weeds per square foot. If a herbicide produces 90% control, that leaves 1 weed per square foot or 43 weeds per acre. Without an untreated check, this can look like the herbicide failed! It is easy to leave an untreated spot in a field and it is well worth doing. Many applicators do so unintentionally because of skips, powerlines and other causes. They help determine crop injury and weed control. Here are some examples of what various levels of control looked like from one of our cole crop trials:
Corn earworm:
CEW moth counts are down areawide average for this time of year.
Beet armyworm:
Trap counts decreased slightly in all locations; about average compared to previous years.
Cabbage looper:
Cabbage looper counts increased in all traps and about average for this time of season.
Diamondback moth:
DBM moths increased significantly in all areas. But still below average for this time of the year.
Whitefly:
Adult movement light and remains below average for this time of year.
Thrips:
Thrips adult counts remain low with the exception of Roll. Currently, below average compared with previous years.
Aphids:
Aphid movement increased significantly in North Yuma and Gila Valleys consistent with storm and winds on Dec 3. About average for early December.
Leafminers:
Adult activity up in a few locations, but below average for December.
In response to the recent outbreaks of Diamondback moth (DBM) , Plutella xylostella in Yuma, we have established a pheromone trap network designed to monitor the activity and movement of adult populations of DBM. PCAs have had difficulty controlling DBM in cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower since October. Traps have been placed in Roll, Wellton, Dome Valley, Gila Valley and Yuma Valley in locations where cole crops are presently being grown or in areas where infestations were known to occur this fall.
To contact John Palumbo go to: jpalumbo@ag.Arizona.edu
