Effects of Precision-Applied In-Furrow Nematicide/Insecticide (Temik™) and Seed Treatments (AERIS®, AVICTA®) in Management Zones Defined by Soil Electrical Conductivity on Populations of Thrips and Nematodes in Cotton

Thrips and nematodes can be serious early-season pests of cotton grown in the highly variable soil types common in the southeastern United States. We examined the effects of precision-applied Temik 15G™ and the seed treatments AERIS^® and AVICTA Complete Pak^® on populations dynamics of thrips and nematodes in management zones as defined by soil texture measured by soil electrical conductivity during the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Research plots were located within two fields (one for each season) with variable soil types at the Clemson University Edisto Research and Education Center near Blackville, SC. Plots were mapped using a soil electrical conductivity (EC) meter. Soil texture was correlated with soil electrical conductivity, indicating that zone definition by soil EC is a practical management approach. Temik 15GTM was present in most treatments with the lowest numbers of thrips (tobacco thrips predominantly). There were higher numbers of thrips and nematodes (predominantly Columbia lance and Root-knot) in low EC or sandier areas of the field. More variability in yield occurred in the lowest EC zone (sandiest areas), where treatment combinations (seed treatment + Temik^TM) were more effective and profitable.