Theses and Dissertations
Date of Award
8-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Dr. Rupesh R. Kariyat
Second Advisor
Dr. Alexis Racelis
Third Advisor
Dr. Pushpa Soti
Abstract
The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) consists of a mix in subtropical and costal habitats, a combination that provides a favorable environment for the animals and plants that inhabit it. This is a problem for organic farmers as they refrain from using synthetic chemicals and therefore led them to seek other methods of dealing with insect herbivory. Of the many alternative methods available, we looked specifically at integrated pest management methods (IPM) to determine their efficacy in reducing insect herbivory among cash crops. Chapter II discusses an experiment performed in an organic farm in Edinburg, Texas consisting of a two-year cover crop study using various summer cover crops alternatively with fall cash crops. Insect population assessments and damage assessments determined these cover crops provide the proceeding cash crops with direct and indirect benefits.
Recommended Citation
Martinez, Lili M., "Examining the Efficacy of Cover Crops as an Integrated Pest Management Tool in Organic Farms in the Lower Rio Grande Valley" (2020). Theses and Dissertations. 713.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/713
- Usage
- Downloads: 60
Included in
Agriculture Commons, Biology Commons, Plant Sciences Commons
Comments
Copyright 2020 Lili M. Martinez. All Rights Reserved.
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/utrgv.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/examining-efficacy-cover-crops-as-integrated-pest/docview/2492316306/se-2?accountid=7119