Three major bean types; Blackeye, Baby Lima, and Kidney beans, are grown in California on 150,000 acres annually. Bean planting begins in late May and continues through June with harvest in September and October. The summer growing season currently requires a rigorous pest management program for aphids (Aphis craccivora), spider mites (Tetranychus spp.), lygus bugs (Lygus hesperus), and leafminers (Liriomyza spp.). Organophosphate insecticide applications can start in the early bean development stage and frequent use may be creating a disruption between populations of pests and beneficials. In this study, the current pest management system was evaluated and compared to an integrated pest management (IPM) system utilizing reduced-risk materials along with an evaluation of planting dates. This trial consisted of two treatments and two planting dates. An early planting was established on April 24, 2002 and consisted of the two different management approaches. The IPM approach utilized a systemic seed treatment (thiamethoxam) for aphid control along with reduced risk insecticides for spider mite, lygus, and leafminer control. The conventional approach utilized organophosphate and carbamate insecticides for insect control. A standard planting was established on June 27, 2002 utilizing an insect management approach identical to the April 24 planting date. Preliminary research performed in 2001 utilizing thiamethoxam seed treatments allowed dimethoate applications for aphid control to be avoided, populations of thrips to be preserved, which in turn suppressed spider mite
Keywords: Integrated System
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