Effect of Drive Row Ground Covers on Hop (Rosales: Cannabaceae) Yard Arthropod Pests in Vermont, USA.

摘要: Alternatives to pesticides are necessary for the management of hop (Humulus lupulus L.) arthropod pests. The three major pests in northeastern US production include two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, aphid Phorodon humuli (Schrank), and potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae Harris. This 3-yr study (2012–2014) Vermont investigated effect flowering ground covers on pest abundance. Hop cultivars ‘Nugget’ ‘Cascade’ were evaluated under a strip-split plot experimental design. Ground cover treatments included 1) Control: mowed red clover (Trifolium pratense) resident weeds, 2) Clover: clover, 3) Diverse: common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), beebalm (Monarda fistulosa), annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Natural enemies grouped by associated indicated our mixed model be strong predictors number leafhopper plants. In year two, treatment had significant mite abundance where fewer observed plants Diverse plots. established, un-mowed Clover was preferred over revealed potential serve as trap crop yards. Our findings evidence that implemented conservation biological control may more specific functions instead or addition boosting top-down pressure.