GC-FID And E-Nose For Detection Of Stink Bug Infestation On Cotton Bolls

Sucking insect pests, such as stink bugs, have become an important insect complex of Georgia cotton production.  Stink bug feeding can cause young bolls to fall off the plant, lint staining, uniformity issues, reduced lint quality, and reduced yields.  Currently, manual boll collection and internal dissection is the most effective method to identify and quantify boll damage caused by stink bugs, but this method is prohibitively time consuming.  The object of this study is to develop a quick sensing method to detect stink bug damaged cotton bolls using the electronic nose and the surface acoustic wave sensor. Successful demonstration of these instruments would enable growers to rapidly discern the need for stink bug treatments and perhaps allow for spatially targeted interventions.  Preliminary results of this study will be reported in this presentation.