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Summary

UGA Worth County Extension continues to educate Worth County growers about managing silverleaf whitefly (SLWF) in crops. SLWF has been a sporadic pest since the early 1990’s, and many growers have encountered them from time to time. But in 2020, the SLWF population increased earlier than in most years. Worth County Extension educated cotton growers about the pest via text messages, phone calls, blog articles, Facebook posts, Extension newsletters, and farm visits. As a result of UGA Extension agent efforts, growers learned scouting methods, treatment thresholds, and the importance of timely treatment to manage this devastating pest.

Situation

Silverleaf whitefly (SLWF) has been a sporadic but potentially severe pest in South Georgia since the early 1990’s. Intense vegetable production and row crop production in the area provides silverleaf whiteflies host plants on which to reproduce almost year around. These production systems along with mild winter conditions, allowed the silverleaf whitefly population to build early in the 2020 growing season. The SLWF population reached thresholds in some cotton fields in Worth County as early as July 1, 2020.

Response

The Worth County Extension agent visited with UGA entomologists about the early observations of whiteflies. Good communication with a local crop consultant on his early detection of treatable levels of SLWF in cotton allowed the agent to send an early warning to cotton growers, scouts, and ag dealers throughout the county. Cotton growers were contacted through the following methods: the Worth County Ag Blog newsletter, group text messages to Worth County growers, phone calls, and the Worth County Ag newsletters by email. The county agent sent information and educated cotton farmers on scouting methods, treatment thresholds, treatment options, and the importance of initiating timely applications using UGA SLWF scouting information.

Impact

In 2020, as a result of education and information from the Worth County Extension agent, many Worth County cotton growers learned the scouting methods and made timely applications to manage SLWF. SLWF infested acres have the potential of 200 pounds per acre of cotton loss if left untreated. Approximately 80% of the near 60,000 acres of cotton in Worth County were infested with SLWF. If only ½ of the infested acres were treated, the potential gains in cotton yield for Worth County growers would be around $3,360,000 at a market price of $0.70/pound. Cotton producers that followed UGA Extension recommendations and preserved potential yield were able to maximize field production and increase returns per acre.

State Issue

Plant Production

Details

  • Year: 2020
  • Geographic Scope: County
  • County: Worth
  • Location: College Station, Athens
  • Program Areas:
    • Agriculture & Natural Resources

Author

  • Carlson, D. Scott
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Extension Impact