Severe bermudagrass mite (Aceria cynodoniensis Sayed) infestation stunts turfgrass growth and reduces the aesthetic and recreational value of managed bermudagrass. Management practices, such as fertilization, mowing, and irrigation, may impact bermudagrass mite infestation and damage, but empirical evidence is lacking. Two 20 wk experiments were conducted with potted bermudagrass in a greenhouse or nursery to evaluate the effect of varying nitrogen rates (0, 24.5, or 49 kg N/ha), mowing heights (1.3, 2.5, 3.8, or 5 cm), and irrigation rates (60%, 100%, or 140% evapotranspiration [ET] rate) on the densities of witch’s brooms (i.e., stunted and deformed terminals symptomatic of infestation) and bermudagrass mites. Increasing nitrogen fertility from 0 to 49 kg N/ha increased witch’s broom and bermudagrass mite densities by 292% and 339%, respectively. Bermudagrass fertilized with nitrogen maintained higher turf quality than unfertilized grass despite greater mite damage. Decreasing irrigation from 140% to 60% of the ET rate also increased witch’s broom densities by 124%. Mowing height did not consistently affect witch’s broom or mite densities. Witch’s broom and mite densities were positively correlated and followed a general trend with greater densities in April–August and a decline in densities in August–October. These findings suggest that nitrogen fertilization and water stress influence bermudagrass mite damage. Thus, limiting nitrogen fertilization to a level necessary to maintain turfgrass health and quality (0.5 kg N/ha) and minimizing turfgrass water stress can complement current chemical control strategies as part of an integrated pest management program.

中文翻译：

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狗牙根螨（螨虫：Eriophyidae）侵扰随着氮肥力的增加和灌溉量的减少而恶化，但与割草高度无关

严重的狗牙根螨（Aceria cynodoniensis Sayed）侵扰会阻碍草坪草的生长，并降低管理的狗牙根的美学和娱乐价值。施肥、割草和灌溉等管理措施可能会影响狗牙根螨虫的侵扰和损害，但缺乏经验证据。在温室或苗圃中对盆栽狗牙根进行了两次为期 20 周的实验，以评估不同施氮量（0、24.5 或 49 千克氮/公顷）、割草高度（1.3、2.5、3.8 或 5 厘米）和灌溉率（60%、100% 或 140% 蒸散 [ET] 率）对金雀花（即出现感染症状的发育不良和畸形末端）和狗牙根螨密度的影响。将氮肥力从 0 千克氮/公顷提高到 49 千克氮/公顷，金雀花和狗牙根螨的密度分别增加了 292% 和 339%。尽管螨虫损害更大，但施氮肥的狗牙根比未施肥的草保持了更高的草坪质量。将灌溉量从 ET 率的 140% 减少到 60% 也使女巫扫帚密度增加了 124%。割草高度并不总是影响女巫扫帚或螨虫的密度。扫帚和螨的密度呈正相关，总体趋势是4-8月密度较大，8-10月密度下降。这些发现表明氮肥和水分胁迫会影响狗牙根螨的损害。因此，将氮肥施肥限制在维持草坪健康和质量所需的水平（0.5千克氮/公顷）并最大限度地减少草坪水分胁迫可以补充当前的化学防治策略，作为综合害虫管理计划的一部分。