Seed treatments have minimized thrips damage for the last decade, but farmers and entomologists fear some pesticides may be losing their punch in protecting cotton.
Scientists at Mississippi State University and other universities across the Midsouth have been aggressively exploring options for controlling thrips damage in cotton.
Angus Catchot, an entomologist with the MSU Extension Service, said the use of foliar treatments for thrips in cotton has grown steadily in recent years.
“Even with seed treatments, farmers have always had to apply some foliar sprays on a low percentage of the acres, but we have noticed an increase in needs for foliar applications and in the amount of damage from thrips,” Catchot said.
More information is available here: http://msucares.com/news/print/agnews/an15/20150629.html
