Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.), widely used throughout the southeastern US for hay production and grazing, is susceptible to reduced yield or quality due to insect damage, water and temperature stress, and poor nutrient management. Grass feeding caterpillars like fall armyworms (Spodoptera frugiperda) and bermudagrass stem maggots (Atherigona reversura) are important pests that can significant reduce yield in bermudagrass pastures. Recent work has show that strains of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) applied to bermudgrass as inoculants have utility for growth promotion and pest management. A two year, multi-site field study was conducted in Alabama to determine how PGPR, synthetic N fertilizer, and the combined treatments influence the abundance of herbivores as well as forage yield and quality. Soil arthropods (mites and collembolans) were used as a proxy for soil health in this study. Inoculants prepared in the laboratory from PGPR cultures were applied as sprays to bermudagrass plots. Coincident with each of the four harvests per season, sweep samples were taken to quantify the herbivores present. Two soil cores from each plot were also taken and all microfauna extracted using Berlese funnels. Results from 2020 and 2021 field seasons will be presented and discussed.
