Abstracts

Management strategies for sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner), in grain sorghum

by Brittany Etheridge Lipsey




Institution: Mississippi State University
Department:
Year: 2017
Keywords: sugarcane aphid; grain sorghum; melanaphis sacchari; sorghum bicolor
Posted: 02/01/2018
Record ID: 2154419
Full text PDF: http://sun.library.msstate.edu/ETD-db/theses/available/etd-03212017-131927/;


Abstract

Grain sorghum is a drought tolerant crop used in the Mid-south region in rotationwith corn, cotton, soybeans, and corn. In 2015 and 2016, research was conducted todetermine the influence of insecticide treatment, planting date, planting population,hybrid, and environmental temperatures on sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari(Zehntner), populations and yield in grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. Ingeneral, cooler temperatures had a negative effect on sugarcane aphid control withsulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone. Additionally, there was a negative relationship betweengrain sorghum plant population and sugarcane aphid densities per plant. These datasuggest management of sugarcane aphid with insecticide seed treatments and foliarsprays is critical for maximizing grain sorghum yields. Additionally, growers should waitfor warmer temperatures to ensure optimum control. Advisors/Committee Members: Angus L. Catchot Jr. (chair), Jeffery Gore (chair), Donald R. Cook (committee member), Fred R. Musser (committee member), Erick J. Larson (committee member).