The Compound Stresses of Tobacco Thrips (Frankliniella fusca) and Reniform Nematodes (Rotylenchulus reniformis) on Cotton Yield

Tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca, and reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis are important pests of cotton production systems not only because of seedling susceptibility to early season damage, but also the potential of delayed maturity and stunted growth which can result in lower yields. Field studies were conducted in 2015 in Hamilton, MS to evaluate the influence of tillage, seed treatment, and nematicide for the control of tobacco thrips and reniform nematodes. Treatments consisted of two levels of tillage, (conservational and conventional tillage); six levels of seed treatments or in-furrow applications, (imidacloprid plus thiodicarb, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam plus abamectin, thiamethoxam, aceptate plus terbufos, and an untreated control); and two levels of nematicide, (no nematicide and 1, 3- dichloropropene). There was no significant three way interaction between nematicide, tillage system, and seed treatment on nematode control, thrips control, or thrips damage. There was an interaction between seed treatment and tillage on the amount of thrips damage sustained where conventionally tilled treatments had an overall increase in damage and acephate plus terbufos provided the greatest control against thrips damage. Furthermore, there was an interaction between nematicide and seed treatment in respect to cotton yield.