Companion Plants as Tools for Pest Management of Squash Bug on Summer Squash

Companion Plants as Tools for Pest Management of Squash Bug on Summer Squash

Summary

Three treatments were studied for squash bug management on summer squash.  Companion planting with feverfew reduced total squash bugs compared to the control across the monitoring period at two of three sites.  Companion planting with white yarrow reduced total squash bugs compared to the control across the monitoring period at one site.  Row covers did not aid in squash bug control, and resulted in loss of squash plants at one site due to Pythium infection.  Companion planting affected squash yield in only one case out of six.

Objectives/Performance Targets

1. Provide on-farm-research-based information on the potential of companion plants as tools for pest management of squash bug in commercial production of summer squash.
2. Demonstrate sustainable squash production systems to producers and provide education in the newly-developed pest management systems.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Please see the attached file that includes a figure.

• Accomplishments File

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The concept of companion planting as a potential pest management tool has received some attention recently as interest in sustainable and organic vegetable production has grown.  Results have been mixed, and we found no studies that addressed squash bug management using companion planting.  This project will provide information on the potential of companion plants as tools for pest management of squash bug in commercial production of summer squash.

Our hypothesis is:  Companion plantings of yarrow and feverfew will reduce populations of, and damage from, squash bugs in commercial fields of summer squash compared to controls grown without companion plants.  If successful, this system will increase the sustainability of summer squash production by reducing pressure from squash bugs, which in turn will decrease the need for frequent applications of highly toxic chemical insecticides.

Collaborators: