December 2020 - 18

PLANT HEALTH
Figure 3.
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
Mean (± SEM) number of fungus gnat, Bradysia
sp. nr. coprophila, adults captured on yellow sticky
cards in the 2019 experiment associated with the
following treatments: 1) Berger BM1; 2) Pro-Mix
BX + Mycorrhizae; 3) Pro-Mix BX + Biofungicide™
+ Mycorrhizae; and 4) pasteurized Berger BM1 +
pureed potato. Means followed by the same letter
are not significantly different (P>0.05) as determined
by Fisher's least significant difference test. Vertical
bars represent the standard error of mean (SEM).
b
b
b
a
prepared as described above. The remaining treatments were prepared
by mixing 1.6 L (0.42 gallons) of tap water into the growing media,
which were moistened with an additional 40 mL (1.4 fl oz.) of tap water
using a plastic spray bottle before adding the fungus gnat larvae.
The deli container lids were modified with insect screening [0.2
x 0.8 mm (0.007 x 0.03 inches): Greentek Inc.] for ventilation and
12 holes were inserted in the bottom using a dissecting probe to
allow for any excess liquid to drain or be reabsorbed by the growing
medium. In addition, the holes prevented fungus gnat larvae from
drowning or the growing medium from drying-out. A 5 x 4 cm (2 x 1.6
inch) section of a yellow sticky card was hot glued to the lid of each
deli container. Each deli container was placed into a plastic Petri dish
[1.5 x 14 cm (0.6 x 5.5 inches)], maintained at 24 to 75 to 81° F and
under constant light.
The deli containers, with the plastic Petri dishes, were placed into
30 L (7.9 gallon) Sterilite containers in groups of five (in accordance
with each treatment) and the container lids [with six, 0.5 cm (0.19
inch) holes equally spaced] were replaced. After 21 days, each yellow
sticky card was inspected, and the number of fungus gnat adults
captured was recorded. The use of the yellow sticky card was an
indirect assessment of fungus gnat larval mortality.
Berger BM1
Pro-Mix BX +
Mycorrhizae
Pro-Mix BX +
Biofungicide +
Mycorrhizae
TREATMENT
Figure 4.
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
Mean (± SEM) number of fungus gnat, Bradysia
sp. nr. coprophila, adults captured on yellow sticky
cards in the 2020 experiment associated with the
following treatments: 1) Berger BM1; 2) Pro-Mix
BX + Mycorrhizae; 3) Pro-Mix BX + Biofungicide
+ Mycorrhizae; and 4) pasteurized Berger BM1 +
pureed potato. Means followed by the same letter
are not significantly different (P>0.05) as determined
by Fisher's least significant difference test. Vertical
bars represent the standard error of mean (SEM).
b
b
b
a
Pasteurized
Berger BM1
pureed potato
DATA ANALYSIS
Data were analyzed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA, P=0.05)
(SAS Institute, 2012) with treatment as the main effect. Individual
treatment means were separated using Fisher's least significant
difference test when the ANOVA indicated a significant treatment effect.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
There was no significant effect of the three growing media on the
mean number of western flower thrips adults captured on the yellow
sticky cards in 2019 (F=0.83; df=2, 6; P=0.46) (Figure 1) or 2020
(F=1.16; df=2, 6; P=0.36) (Figure 2). However, there was a significant
treatment effect associated with the mean number of fungus gnat
adults captured on the yellow sticky cards in 2019 (F=13.44; df=3, 7;
P=0.0004) (Figure 3) and 2020 (F=9.25; df=3, 7; P=0.0019) (Figure
4), with more fungus gnat adults captured on the yellow sticky cards
in the pasteurized Berger BM1 + pureed potato treatment. However,
there were no significant differences in the mean number of fungus
gnat adults captured on the yellow sticky cards among the Berger
BM1, Pro-Mix BX + Mycorrhizae, and Pro-Mix BX + Biofungicide +
Mycorrhizae treatments (Figures 3 and 4).
In conclusion, based on our results, none of the growing media
tested that contained a bacterium and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus
had any effect on the survival of western flower thrips pupae or
fungus gnat larvae. Greenhouse producers should always evaluate
manufacturers' statements for accuracy before making product
decisions and purchases for their growing operations.
Berger BM1
Pro-Mix BX +
Mycorrhizae
Pro-Mix BX +
Biofungicide +
Mycorrhizae
TREATMENT
18 DECEMBER 2020 GPNMAG.COM
Pasteurized
Berger BM1
pureed potato
Nathan J. Herrick (nherrick@ksu.edu) is research associate and Raymond
A. Cloyd (rcloyd@ksu.edu) is professor and Extension specialist in the
Department of Entomology at Kansas State University.
Mean (± SEM) Number of Adult Bradysia sp. nr. coprophila
Captured on Yellow Sticky Cards
Mean (± SEM) Number of Adult Bradysia sp. nr. coprophilaw
Captured on Yellow Sticky Cards
http://www.GPNMAG.COM
December 2020

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