Threecornered alfalfa hopper can be factor in cover crops and cottonThreecornered alfalfa hopper can be factor in cover crops and cotton

Threecornered alfalfa hoppers typically feed on soybeans and other legumes. But they can begin defoliating cotton leaves when cotton follows Austrian winter peas or vetch, according to Dr. Scott Stewart, professor with the University of Tennessee.

Stewart says research in four Mid-South states has shown seed treatments can improve soybean yields even in the absence of cover crops.

See also: Successful use of cover crops may require seed treatments

Now scientists are finding they can help with the alfalfa hoppers moving from legumes like Austrian winter peas to cotton.

“My argument is going to be in these cover crop situations – and it’s going to depend on when you burn it down and the cover you’re using – we’re going to increase these numbers (for seed treatments),” said Stewart, who spoke at one of the tour stops for the Milan No-Till Field Day in Milan, Tenn.