Control of broad mite on “Jalapeno” pepper with labeled miticides and experimental biopesticides, 2023 Open Access

Broad mite is an important pest of Florida-grown peppers causing distortion of young shoots which leads to a loss of blooms and increases blossom drop. High populations can also cause fruit russeting, resulting in loss of yield and quality. This trial was conducted at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee Florida using greenhouse-raised pepper plants transplanted on 20 Nov 2022 at 24-inch spacing on 2 beds covered with white-on-black polyethylene film mulch. Plots consisting of 10 plants bordered by a 6-foot buffer were assigned to 4 treatments plus the untreated check in Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design with 4 replications. Applications were made using a high clearance sprayer operating at 180 psi and 2.3 mph with an output of 60 gallons per acre (GPA) (Table 1). Populations of broad mite were monitored on 2, 9, 16, and 23 Jun by sampling 15 terminal leaves from each plot and counting all stages of the mites under a stereoscopic microscope (Table 2). Data were analyzed with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means separated by LSD contingent on a significant treatment effect (P < 0.05).

Population of broad mite was light and unevenly distributed in this trial however all treatment programs significantly reduced the number of broad mite eggs observed when compared to the untreated check (Table 2). Likewise, all the tested treatment programs significantly reduced the total number of broad mites (juveniles and adults) observed when compared to the untreated check on all sample dates in this trial. No phytotoxic effects were seen in this experiment (This study was supported by industry gifts of pesticide and research funding).