Low Tunnels Reduce Insect Populations, Insecticide Application, and Chewing Insect Damage on Brussels Sprouts

Abstract

Low tunnels covered with spun-bonded fabric (row covers) provide season extension for vegetable production and also afford a physical barrier against airborne insects and other non-soil pests. Brussels sprouts, Brassica oleracea L. group Gemmifera (Brassicaceae), is a popular vegetable in local markets in Virginia; however, unprotected field production is severely affected by insect pest infestation. This study’s objective was to determine the level of protection low tunnels provide against insect infestation and leaf herbivory injury. The experiment was conducted at the Virginia Tech Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Painter, Virginia. The experimental design was split-plot with polyethylene soil mulches (white or black) as whole plot factors and production systems (low tunnel or open field) as subplot factors. In this study, low tunnels reduced insect infestation and chewing herbivory leaf injury to Brussels sprouts. Compared to an unprotected open field, infestations of lepidopteran insects and harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica (Hahn) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) were reduced on plants under low tunnels. However, aphids (Hemiptera: Aphidae) infestation occurred under low tunnels in fall. There was no effect of color mulches (white or black) and no interaction between tunnel and mulch color on insect infestation and chewing injury. Fewer insect infestations and feeding injury indicate that low tunnels can be an effective management tool for sustainable vegetable production.

Row covers limit pests and disease and increase profit in organic acorn squash

“…Our findings are consistent with prior evidence that row covers reduce insect damage and pest abundance and increase marketable yield in a variety of crops (Moreno et al, 2002;Rojas et al, 2011; Gogo et al, 2014;Kuesel et al, 2019;Nair et al, 2019;Skidmore et al, 2019;Brockman et al, 2020;Acharya et al, 2020b;Athey et al, 2021;Nelson et al, 2023). We found that mesotunnels reduce cucumber beetles significantly during the early developmental stages of cucurbit growth when nets were closed (before flowering).…”

Alternative Methods to Manage Silverleaf Whitefly [Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)] in Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.)

“…The low presence of whiteflies did not increase plant FW or fruit yield. Plants under row cover may have enhanced plant growth and reduced low insect populations (Acharya et al 2020). However, the effect of row cover on the enclosed environment depends on net composition, covering method, and season.…”

“…In fall tomatoes, plants on black mulch had higher root zone temperatures, an earlier appearance of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) symptoms, and reduced vegetative growth and fruit yields compared to white mulch (Díaz-Pérez et al 2007). Row and floating covers utilize nets to control insect landings by forming a physical barrier (Acharya et al 2020;Antignus 2011;Ibarra-Jimenez et al 2002;LaTora et al 2022). Nets provide an alternative method for insect management by reducing the need for harmful pesticides (Licciardi et al 2007).…”

Establish real-time monitoring models of cotton aphid quantity based on different leaf positions in cotton seedlings

“…Aphids are also the important insects of vegetables. The low tunnels reduced insect infestation and chewing herbivory leaf injury to brussels sprouts (Acharya et al, 2020). Aphids could product honey, which effected on the soil (Kyaw et al, 2020).…”