Title

Can Cover Crops Reduce Leafhopper Abundance in Vineyards?

Author Info

Kent M. Daane, University of California - Berkeley
Michael J. Costello, University of California, Cooperative Division - FresnoFollow

Recommended Citation

Published in California Agriculture, Volume 52, Issue 5, September 1, 1998, pages 27-33.

NOTE: At the time of publication, the author Michael J. Costello was not yet affiliated with Cal Poly.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.v052n05p27.

Abstract

In 3 of 4 vineyards we studied, late-season leafhopper density was lower on vines in cover cropped plots than in plots with no cover crops. However, the level of leafhopper reduction (about 15%) was rarely economically important and the mechanisms leading to reduction were not clear. For example, there were few differences in the number of leaf hopper predators or parasitoids on the vines in cover cropped versus no cover plots. However, there were significant between-treatment differences in vine growth. Plots with seasonwide maintenance of a cover crop and resident grasses had a reduction in vine vigor. Lower vine vigor has been associated with lower leafhopper densities and, in our studies conducted from 1993 to 1996, those plots with reduced vine vigor often had the greatest reduction in late-season leafhopper density.

Disciplines

Horticulture | Plant Sciences

Copyright

1998 Regents of the University of California. Published by the University of California Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources.