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Pb1215-Disease Control In The Home Vegetable Garden, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Home Garden, Lawn, and Landscape

Control of vegetable pests (diseases, insects, weeds) involves a total production program that includes both chemical and non-chemical means of pest control. The establishment of a healthy, vigorous crop is central to a successful pest control program. Production practices such as maintaining proper soil pH and fertility are helpful in reducing potential losses from all types of pests.

This publication deals mainly with chemical and biological pest control, because these recommendations change more often than do cultural practices. Cultural practices of pest control are extremely important and are addressed throughout the publication.

Pb1344-Subterranean Termite Control, The University Of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service

Insects, Pests, Plant Diseases and Weeds

Subterranean termites, the most destructive wood-feeding insects in Tennessee, feed on cellulose that is usually obtained from wood. Termites are very important because they help recycle dead, fallen trees back into the soil. They do not easily distinguish between a dead pine tree and pine lumber; therefore, their food may be in the form of a dead tree or the wood in a house. They will also feed upon fence posts, paper, books and fabrics of plant origin, as well as living plants such as trees, shrubs, flowers and some crops.

Colonies of subterranean termites live in the soil and …

Ec01-153 Selecting Alfalfa Varieties For Nebraska 2001, Bruce Anderson, Michael Trammell, Patrick E. Reece

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Yield potential, pest resistance and seed price should be considered when selecting alfalfa varieties in Nebraska.

The most important variety decision for many farms and ranches is the selection of alfalfa. The choice of alfalfa variety affects production for three to 10 or more years, whereas varieties of annual crops can be changed every year.

Varieties that have been tested with commercial seed since 1991 for two or more years at locations in Nebraska and marketed in the state are shown in this 2001 extension circular revision.

Rearing And Releasing Galerucella Beetles To Control Purple Loosestrife, Stevan Z. Kenzevic, Doug Smith

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Purple loosestrife is a noxious weed quickly invading Nebraska's wetlands. This publication describes the rearing and releasing of insects for biological control of the weed, as one part of an integrated management program. Purple loosestrife is a noxious perennial weed invading thousands of acres of wetlands and waterways in the Midwest. In Nebraska an estimated 18,000 acres are already infested by this plant, mostly along the main rivers and waterways. It has no natural enemies in North America, therefore it is very hard to prevent it from spreading. For years people have tried to eradicate it, especially in the Great …

Contrasting Effects Of Plant Richness And Composition On Insect Communities: A Field Experiment, Nick M. Haddad, David Tilman, John Haarstad, Mark Ritchie, Johannes M.H. Knops

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

We experimentally separated the effects of two components of plant diversity—plant species richness and plant functional group richness—on insect communities. Plant species richness and plant functional group richness had contrasting effects on insect abundances, a result we attributed to three factors. First, lower insect abundances at higher plant functional group richness were explained by a sampling effect, which was caused by the increasing likelihood that one low-quality group, C4 grasses, would be present and reduce average insect abundances by 25%. Second, plant biomass, which was positively related to plant functional group richness, had a strong, positive effect on insect abundances. …

G1430 Using The Sugar Roll Technique To Detect Varroa Mites In Honey Bee Colonies, Marion D. Ellis, Paula A. Acedo

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Description of a rapid and efficient technique for detecting and assessing varroa mite infestations using powdered sugar to dislodge mites from bees.

The varroa mite was first discovered in the United States in 1987. Globally, it is the most important pest of honey bees and it has caused extensive losses in feral and managed colonies. Once introduced, varroa mites have never been eradicated from any country or region, and beekeepers must adopt an integrated pest management strategy to protect their colonies. Early detection and assessment of infestation levels are important components of a varroa management plan. Since varroa mites feed …