Early-Season Thrips Control on Cotton in New Mexieo

Abstract

In-furrow planting applications of Di-Syston (0,0-diethyl S-2-(ethylthio)ethylphosphorodithioate) and phorate controlled heavy infestations of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) on cotton seedlings for 7 and 8 weeks, respectively. Spray applications of methyl parathion and methyl parathion plus toxaphene also controlled thrips, but toxaphene alone did not. Di-Syston and phorate applied as side dressings to cotton plants 9 weeks after planting did not significantly reduce populations of lygus bugs, Lgyus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvofs), L. hesperus Knight and L. elisus Van Duzee, and cotton fleahoppers, Spanogonicus albo-fasciacus Reuter. Plant stands were not significantly affected by the treatments although yield data indicate that fruiting and plant maturation were delayed by the phorate treatments. The results showed that early-season thrips control on cotton in New Mexico significantly increased yields, and that in-furrow applications of Di-Syston were especially effective.