Influence of Conservation Tillage and Cover Crops on Grasshopper and Thrips Population Management on Seedling Cotton

Two field tests were conducted in 2009 and three tests in 2010 at two locations in Georgia evaluating cover crops, crimson clover, vetch and wheat on hazard for grasshopper and thrips infestations in cotton in conservation tillage and plow tillage systems.  Selected rates of Temik were used in either tillage system.  In general grasshopper populations were increased in conservation tillage as compared to plow tillage but thrips populations were reduced.  Temik rates could be lowered in the cover crop/conservation tillage systems for thrips management but appeared to have no effect on grasshopper infestations