Template B v3.0 (beta): Created by J. Nail 06/2015 Impact of neonicotinoids in mid-south row crop systems By TITLE PAGE John Hartley North A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Mississippi State University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Agricultural Life Science in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology Mississippi State, Mississippi May 2016 Copyright by COPYRIGHT PAGE John Hartley North 2016 Impact of Neonicotinoids in Mid-South Row Crop Systems By APPROVAL PAGE John Hartley North Approved: ____________________________________ Angus L. Catchot Jr. (Co-Major Professor) ____________________________________ Jeffrey Gore (Co-Major Professor) ____________________________________ Donald R. Cook (Committee Member) ____________________________________ Darrin M. Dodds (Committee Member) ____________________________________ Fred R. Musser (Committee Member) ____________________________________ Michael A. Caprio (Graduate Coordinator) ____________________________________ George M. Hopper Dean College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Name: John Hartley North ABSTRACT Date of Degree: May 6, 2016 Institution: Mississippi State University Major Field: Agricultural Life Science Major Professors: Dr. Angus L. Catchot Jr. and Dr. Jeffrey Gore Title of Study: Impact of Neonicotinoids in Mid-South Row Crop Systems Pages in Study: 133 Candidate for Degree of Master of Science Neonicotinoid seed treatments are widely used and highly effective against early season insect pests of all row crops throughout the Mid-South region of the United States. An analysis was performed to determine the value of neonicotinoid seed treatments across multiple trials in soybean, Glycine max L.; corn, Zea mays L.; cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L.; and sorghum, Sorghum bicolor L. production systems across the mid- southern region. Neonicotinoid seed treatments provided significant yield and economic increases when utilized the majority of the time. A second experiment was performed to determine the value of various insecticide classes when utilized in an overall systems approach when managing cotton insect pest in the Delta and Hills region of Mississippi. When all classes of insecticides were used in rotation, significant yield and economic benefits were observed in the Delta Region compared to treatment scenarios where some insecticide classes were omitted. DEDICATION This research is dedicated to my parents, Peggy North and Jeff North for the unconditional love and support throughout my life and during my time at Mississippi State University. I would not be where I stand today without your love and support that you have showed me through the years. I’m thankful for all you have done for me and words cannot express how much I have learned from each of you. You have instilled honest values and a hard work ethic that I have carried with me throughout my life and will continue to do so in the future. I would also like to thank God for the strength he has given me throughout my life and his patience. God has truly blessed me by surrounding me with outstanding mentors in my life and I have learned to never take a sunrise or sunset for granted. I also dedicate this research to Bruce Pittman of Coila, MS and Terry Ozborn of Canton, MS. Words cannot express what these two men have meant to me in my life. I feel honored to have grown up around them and witnessed there diligence in all aspects of life. I cherish their friendship and support they have displayed for me all through the years. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I sincerely thank my major advisors, Dr. Angus Catchot and Dr. Jeff Gore for giving me the opportunity to work towards a Master’s degree in entomology which has been a lifelong dream of mine to follow in my father’s footsteps. The guidance and support you have given me while working under you will be forever invaluable. The guidance you have given me while conducting research and writing my thesis has made a tremendous impact on my life as well. Words cannot express how much I have enjoyed working for you and what this experience has meant to me. I respect both of you very much and truly honored to have had the opportunity to learn from your diligence and knowledge in agriculture and everyday life. I’m honored to have been associated with two outstanding professionals and proud to call you my friends. I will be forever in your debt for the opportunity you have given me, as well as, the patience and support you have greeted me with. I would also like to thank my other graduate committee members, Dr. Don Cook, Dr. Fred Musser, and Dr. Darrin Dodds for your guidance and support you have given me throughout my time at Mississippi State University. I would like to thank Dr. Scott Stewart, Dr. Gus Lorenz, Dr. David Kerns, Chip Graham, and Bobby Hendrix for their professional assistance throughout the completion of this project. Special thanks to Dung Bao and Boise Stokes for their assistance with all research plots, as well as, fellow graduate students and summer employees. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION .................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................ vii CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................1 Neonicotinoids .......................................................................................................1 Origin of Neonicotinoids .................................................................................1 Neonicotinoid Mode of Action ........................................................................1 Use of Neonicotinoids Worldwide ..................................................................2 Use of Neonicotinoids in the United States .....................................................3 Risks of Neonicotinoid Insecticides ................................................................3 Advantages of Neonicotinoid Insecticides ......................................................5 Soybean .................................................................................................................6 Growth Stages and Maturity Groups of Soybean ............................................6 Soybean and U.S. Soybean Production ...........................................................6 Soybean production in the Mid-South Region ................................................7 Early Season Insect Management in Soybean with Neonicotinoids ...............8 Mid-Late Season Insect Management in Soybean with Neonicotinoids .....................................................................................9 Corn ...................................................................................................................9 Corn and U.S. Corn Production .......................................................................9 Corn Production in the Mid-South Region ....................................................10 Growth Stages and Development of Corn .....................................................10 Early Season Insect Management in Corn with Neonicotinoids ...................10 Cotton .................................................................................................................12 Cotton and U.S. Cotton Production ...............................................................12 Cotton Production in the Mid-South .............................................................13 Growth Stages of Cotton ...............................................................................13 Early Season Insect Management in Cotton with Neonicotinoids ................15 Mid-Late Season Insect Management in Cotton with Neonicotinoids ..........16 Grain Sorghum ....................................................................................................19 Grain Sorghum and U.S. Grain Sorghum Production ...................................19 Grain Sorghum Production in the Mid-South ...............................................19 iv Growth Stages of Grain Sorghum .................................................................20 Early Season Insect Management in Grain Sorghum with Neonicotinoids ...................................................................................21 Mid-Late Season Insect Management in Grain Sorghum .............................22 Justification for Further Research .......................................................................23 References ...........................................................................................................24 II. VALUE OF NEONICOTINOID INSECTICIDE SEED TREATMENTS IN MID-SOUTH SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX L.) PRODUCTION SYSTEMS ....................................................................35 Abstract ................................................................................................................35 Introduction .........................................................................................................36 Methods and Materials ........................................................................................38 Results and Discussion ........................................................................................40 References