Forage grasses elicit emigration of adult potato leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) from alfalfa-grass mixtures

Published source details Roda A.L., Landis D.A. & Coggins M.L. (1997) Forage grasses elicit emigration of adult potato leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) from alfalfa-grass mixtures. Environmental Entomology, 26, 745-753.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

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	Use mixed pasture Action Link

Use mixed pasture

A randomised, replicated, controlled study of mixtures of alfalfa Medicago sativa and meadow grasses in 1990-1991 at two sites in Michigan, USA (Roda et al. 1997) found 22-30% fewer adult potato leafhoppers Empoasca fabae in an alfalfa-smooth bromegrass Bromus inermis mix and 22-48% fewer leafhoppers in an alfalfa-orchardgrass Dactylis glomerata mix compared with alfalfa monocultures. Alfalfa mixed with timothy Phleum pratense showed both slight reductions (4-5%) and increases (1-5%) when seeded at 4.5 kg/ha. There were eight treatments: alfalfa-only at 18 or 14.6 kg/ha, alfalfa at 14.6 kg/ha with: smooth bromegrass at 5.6 or 2.8 kg/ha, orchardgrass at 1.1 or 0.6 kg/ha, timothy at 4.5 or 2.2 kg/ha. Plots (9.9 x 12.2 m) were established in 1989. There were 4-5 replications at both sites. Plots were harvested twice in 1989 and three times in the following years. Potato leafhoppers were sampled using a D-vac suction sampler after the first and second cuts.