Field Crops IPM Shorts (ACIS)

This page contains links to educational information from current research in field crops by University of Arizona Researchers. The purpose is to inform PCAs, growers and other interested parties of new trends, recommendations and developments in the field. We hope that the information provided here is helpful for those involved in the industry.

Most Recent IPM Shorts
Insect Management
Weed Management
Other Pest Management
Crop Management
General Management
FAQs
Links

Most Recent IPM Shorts

Sampling Soil for Root Knot Nematode (PDF, 1.27MB) June 2013
Root knot nematode is the only economically important nematode pest of cotton. This IPM Short describes how to sample soils for the presence of this pest.

Insect Pests of Desert-Grown Alfalfa: Alfalfa Aphid Complex (PDF, 2.53MB) March 2013
This IPM Short provides diagnostic information to help PCAs and growers distinguish between four damaging aphids found in Arizona alfalfa. Spotted alfalfa aphid and blue alfalfa aphid are most damaging in our system.

Preplant and Preemergence Dinitroaniline Herbicides in Cotton (PDF, 2.68MB) February 2013
Dinitroaniline (DNA or "yellow") preemergence residual herbicide at the beginning of the cotton season provides a foundation for season-long weed management. The discovery of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth in central Arizona last year underscores the importance of diversity in weed control tactics. This short outlines effective use practices for DNA herbicides.

Insect Management

Under the Radar, Deep in the Canopy Brown Stink Bugs in Arizona Cotton (PDF, 1.9MB) August 2012
Mobile-friendly HTML version
Brown Stink Bugs (BSB), rarely economic pests of Arizona cotton, are widely reported this year and can be quite damaging. Arizona research confirms that sweep net sampling is ineffective for assessing BSB levels! This IPM Short provides very effective sampling procedures. Management guidelines for AZ are unavailable, but stink bug efficacy information from the Southeastern U.S. is included for consideration.

Fuera del Radar, Escondidas en el Follaje Chinches Apestosas Cafés en Algodón de Arizona (PDF, 2.0MB) August 2012
A Spanish language version of "Under the Radar, Deep in the Canopy Brown Stink Bugs in Arizona Cotton"

To Stop or Not to Stop, That is the Question A Guide to Terminating Lygus Controls (PDF, 1.4MB) July 2012

¿Aplicar o No Aplicar?, He Ahí el Dilema Guía para finalizar el control de Lygus (PDF, 1.7MB) July 2012

Being Selective! (PDF, 454KB) July 2012
Information on using selective control to protect both the environment and the user.

¡Seamos Selectivos! (PDF, 597KB) July 2012
A Spanish language version of Being Selective!

In 7 Minutes or Less! (PDF, 2.18MB) July 2012
An illustrated guide to the rapid and efficient sampling of sweetpotato whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) in cotton.

¡En 7 Minutos o Menos! (PDF, 2.4MB) July 2012
Una guía ilustrada a la rápida toma de muestras de camote mosca blanca.

Anatomy of a Cotton Sweep (PDF, 1.0MB) June 2012
A guide to the proper use of a sweep net for sampling key pests in cotton.

Anatomía de las Redadas para Muestreo en Algodón (PDF, 1.2MB) June 2012
A Spanish language guide to the proper use of a sweep net for sampling key pests in cotton.

Pale-striped Flea Beetles in Young Cotton Stands (PDF, 2.2MB) April 2012
A guide to protecting young and emerging cotton from flea beetle damage and the factors to consider in determining control options.

Insect Pests of Desert-Grown Alfalfa: Egyptian Alfalfa Weevil (PDF, 2.2MB) December 2011
A guide to identification, sampling and thresholds for Egyptian alfalfa weevil.

Assassin Bugs Top the Food Web (PDF, 1.6MB) August 2011
Assassin bugs are "apex" or top predators in the cotton food web contributing to biological control of pests, including Lygus and whiteflies. Two common genera are Zelus and Sinea .

Chinche Asesina en lo Alto de la Cadena Alimenticia (PDF, 844KB) June 2012
A Spanish language translation of "Assassin Bugs Top the Food Web".

jee-AH-kor-is, Big-eyed Bugs Have Big Appetite for Pests (PDF, 1.3MB) August 2011
Two species of big-eyed bugs (genus Geocoris) prey on many pest species in cotton and other Arizona crops, providing free pest control that can be promoted through the use of selective chemistries.

jee-AH-kor-is, Chinche ojona, Tiene un Gran Apetito por las Plagas (PDF, 840KB) June 2012
A Spanish language translation of "jee-AH-kor-is, Big-eyed Bugs Have Big Appetite for Pests"

Untangling the Web...Spiders in Arizona Fields! (PDF, 2.3MB) July 2011
Spiders can play an important role in arizona crop fields, contributing to the biological control of pest insects.

Desenredando la Telaraña...¡Arañas en los Campos de Arizona! (PDF, 2.5MB) June 2012
A Spanish language translation of "Untangling the Web...Spiders in Arizona Fields!".

Keeping Cotton Green! (PDF, 608KB) July 2011
This guide describes "selectivity" and the role that selective insecticides can play in conserving natural enemies while still controlling our two key pests of cotton, whiteflies and Lygus bugs.

¡Manteniendo Verde al Algodón! (PDF, 791KB) July 2012
A Spanish language translation of Keeping Cotton Green!

Soft-Bodied Collops Likes Soft Bodies (PDF, 461KB) July 2011
Beetles in the genus Collops are valuable predators in cotton. These natural enemies can be preserved in the system by using selective insecticides for whitefly and Lygus control.

Collops de Cuerpo Blando (PDF, 115KB) July 2012
A Spanish language translation of Soft-Bodied Collops Likes Soft Bodies

$1+ Cotton? New Thresholds? (PDF, 1.9MB) June 2011
While cotton value has increased recently, an economic analysis shows that current recommended thresholds for Lygus and whitefly management in cotton are still the best approach to maximizing profit.

Drapetis: A Natural Enemy (PDF, 2.8MB) June 2011
Learn how to identify Drapetis, or dance flies. These are important and abundant predators in cotton and other crops.

Drapetis: Un Enemigo Natural (PDF, 3.0MB) June 2012
A Spanish language translation of "Drapetis: A Natural Enemy".

Weed Management

Considering Roundup Ready Alfalfa (PDF, 1.38MB) October 2011
Now available for planting -- should you consider Roundup Ready alfalfa? This guide describes the advantages and disadvantages of planting Roundup Ready alfalfa and also outlines application rates.

Increasing Glyphosate Activity (PDF, 322KB) July 2011
A guide to the many glyphosate products available, and steps you can take to maximize their efficacy.

Other Pest Management

Crop Management

Small Grain Irrigation (PDF, 413KB) December 2011
This guide discusses irrigation issues for small grains production.

Fertilizing Small Grains (PDF, 432KB) December 2011
Guidelines are provided for rates and timing for fertilization of small grains.

Small Grain Planting Dates and Rates (PDF, 356KB) December 2011
Planting at the optimum time is probably the most important cultural practice in producing high yields of small grains. This guide discusses the impact of planting dates and seeding rates on yields and the probability of frost damage.

Pre-plant Soil Testing for Small Grains (PDF, 893KB) November 2011
For profitable production of small grains, pre-plant soil testing is critical. This guide explains how to take samples and how much fertilizer to apply, based on results.

Choosing Harvest Aid Chemicals (PDF, 334KB) September 2011
Different types of harvest aids are available to defoliate cotton and prepare the plants for a successful harvest. This guide identifies the types, rates and seasonal limits for various harvest aids.

It's All About Timing (PDF, 778KB) August 2011
While several methods may be used to determine the best timing for application of defoliants, efficiency can be enhanced by using a combination of these recommended methods.

Working with High Cotton (PDF, 692KB) July 2011
This guide outlines available mepiquat chloride products and related plant growth regulators (PGRs) for use in Arizona cotton.

General Management

Nozzles and Droplets: What Do the Colors Mean? (PDF, 2.68MB) June 2012
A brief description of the color schemes used to represent flow rate and droplet size in nozzles used for pesticide application.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions: Brown Stink Bugs (PDF, 2.28MB) June 2012
A compilation of questions, with answers, that we receive regularly about Brown Stink Bug, Euschistus servus.

Links

Field Crop IPM Video Archive

For questions or comments on any of the publications please contact Lydia Brown, Assistant in Extension for Agronomic Crops IPM.
College of Agriculture, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.