Soybean Response to Weed Residues in the Soil

Soybean production systems that return plant residues to the soil surface are gaining in popularity. As these practices become more widespread, more crop and weed residues are being introduced into the upper soil profile. Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the effects of varying concentrations of Palmer amaranth and pitted morningglory plant residues (aboveground portion of the plant) on soybean production. The study was arranged in a completely randomized experimental design with five treatments and five replications. Palmer amaranth and pitted morningglory residues were incorporated into soil at 20,000, 40,000, 80,000 and 160,000 ppm. Inert plastic residue at the same residue levels was included as a check. Soybean dry weight, leaf area and leaf tissue nutrient content were recorded during the study. A decrease in soybean dry weight and leaf area was observed as Palmer amaranth residue in the soil increased. Palmer amaranth residues of 160,000 ppm and 80,000 ppm in the soil significantly reduced soybean dry weight by 69% and 59%, respectively, and soybean leaf area by 60% and 57%, respectively. In contrast, pitted morningglory and inert plastic residues had no observable effect on soybean growth and development. This study demonstrated Palmer amaranth residues in the soil impacted early season soybean growth and development.

Effects of a Foliar Neem Formulation on Colonization and Mortality of Whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on Collard Plants

A study was conducted to determine the effects of foliar sprays of a selected neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) product (GOS Neem 7-Way) on colonization and development by the Middle-East Asia Minor-1 (= B-biotype sweetpotato whitefly) Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on collard (Brassica oleracea variety acephala de Condolle) plants. GOS Neem 7-Way is marketed for use as an insecticide in organic and conventional crop production. Caged choice, caged no-choice, and Y-tube olfactometer assays were conducted on oviposition, survival and adult behavioral response to plant treatment with 1.25% azadiractin. In the caged choice experiment, colonization by the whiteflies was reduced and fewer eggs were deposited on neem-treated plants as compared with control plants (only treated with an adjuvant). Similarly, decreased numbers of adult whiteflies and reduced whitefly development were observed in no-choice assays for the neem-treatment, as compared with the untreated control. Both horizontal and vertical-orientated Y-tube olfactometer assays provided complementarily assessments that the neem had a repellency effect on the adult whiteflies. However, the repellency effect primarily dissipated within one day post treatment. Overall, the greatest benefit of the neem treatment appears to have been on whitefly mortality. The findings may be useful in providing a more ecologically sound way to manage populations of the B. tabaci whitefly in organic vegetable production.

Stability of fruit quality traits in diverse watermelon cultivars tested in multiple environments

Lycopene is a naturally occurring red carotenoid compound that is found in watermelon.Lycopene has antioxidant properties.Lycopene content,sugar content and hollowheart resistance are subject to significant genotype×environment interaction(G×E),which makes breeding for these fruit quality traits difficult.The objectives of this study were to(i)evaluate the influence of years and locations on lycopene content,sugar content and hollowheart resistance for a set of watermelon genotypes,and(ii)identify genotypes with high stability for lycopene,sugar,and hollowheart resistance.A diverse set of 40 genotypes was tested over 3 years and 8 locations across the southern United States in replicated,multi-harvest trials.Lycopene was tested in a subset of 10 genotypes.Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate stability statistics(BLUP-GGE biplot)using SASGxE and RGxE programs.There were strong effects of environment as well as G×E interaction on watermelon quality traits.On the basis of stability measures,genotypes were classified as stable or unstable for each quality trait.'Crimson Sweet'is an inbred line with high quality trait performance as well as trait stability.'Stone Mountain','Tom Watson','Crimson Sweet'and'Minilee'were among the best genotypes for lycopene content,sugar content and hollowheart resistance.We developed a stability chart based on marketable yield and average ranking generated from different stability measures for yield attributes and quality traits.The chart will assist in choosing parents for improvement of watermelon cultivars.See http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/cucurbit/wmelon/wmelonmain.html.

Arthropods associated with medicinal plants in coastal South Carolina

Arthropods were sampled from feverfew [Tanacetum parthenium （L.） Schultz- Bip], Echinacea purpurea （L.） Moench, Echinacea pallida （Nutt.） Nutt., Valeriana officinalis L., and St. John＇s wort （Hypericum perforatum L.） during 1998-2001. In addition, arthropods were sampled on tansy （Tanacetum vulgare L.） from 2001-2004. In general, 50-60 arthropod species where collected and identified among all of the medicinal plant species. Among the predators, Orius insidiosus （Say） （Hemiptera： Anthocoridae）, Geocoris punctipes （Say） （Hemiptera： Lygaeidae） and spiders were most abundant from 1998-2004. The three-cornered alfalfa hopper, Spissistilus festinus （Say）, was the most abundant herbivore found from 1998 to 2001. Orius insidiosus and G. punctipes were 3-4 times more abundant on T. parthenium than on any other medicinal plant species. Based on the numbers of predatory arthropods found on T. parthenium, this crop could be suitable as a companion or ＂banker＂ plant to attract and maintain populations of predators, especially O. insidiosus and G. punctipes. Whitefly nymphs attacked by predators with piercing/sucking mouthparts are easily identified using a microscope because of the general appearance of the carcass left by the predators. Thus, populations of predators on T. parthenium suppressed Bemisia tabaci populations on E. purpurea when these crops were planted as companion crops.