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

2014 Annual Report for OS13-080

Project Type: On-Farm Research
Funds awarded in 2013: $14,792.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2016
Region: Southern
State: Oklahoma
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Brian Kahn
Oklahoma State University

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.

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:

Dr. Jim Motes

motesfarm@gmail.com
Producer
Motes Farm
2819 E. Richmond Rd.
Stillwater, OK 74075
Office Phone: 4053724634
Dr. Eric Rebek

eric.rebek@okstate.edu
Associate Professor
Oklahoma State University
Dept. of Entomology & Plant Pathology
127 NRC
Stillwater, OK 74078
Office Phone: 4057444846
Wayne Whitmore

whitmorefarms@aol.com
Producer
Whitmore Farms
10320 W. 140th
Coyle, OK 73027
Office Phone: 4054662279
Keith Reed

keith.reed@okstate.edu
Extension Educator
OSU Coop Ext Service
315 W 6th, Suite 103
Stillwater, OK 74074
Office Phone: 4057478320
Dr. Lynn Brandenberger

lynn.brandenberger@okstate.edu
Professor
Oklahoma State University
Dept. of Horticulture & L.A.
358 Ag Hall
Stillwater, OK 74078
Office Phone: 4057445404