Effects of Used Coffee Grounds on M. Cribraria Preferences, Soil Characteristics, and Soybean Growth

Authors

  • Seth Whitehouse Georgia College & State University

Keywords:

soybeans, Megacopta cribraria, coffee, agriculture

Abstract

Megacopta cribraria, also known as the kudzu bug, was first discovered in the southeastern United States in 2009. M. cribraria feed on soybeans (Glycine max), which causes a significant decrease in overall soybean yields. Currently, there is no information regarding environmentally safe control methods of this particular invasive species. Used coffee grounds have been implemented in many agricultural settings as a fertilizer and as a preventative of invasive pests. The purpose of these two greenhouse experiments is to determine whether the application of used coffee grounds has the potential to control or deter M. cribraria herbivory on soybeans. We hypothesize that UCG application will cause a decrease in M. cribraria herbivory on soybeans. The first experiment evaluated used coffee grounds (UCG) with six treatments of soil mixture measured by volume with 0% UCG (control), 2.5% UCG, 5% UCG, 10% UCG, 15% UCG, and 20% UCG. The second experiment evaluated used coffee grounds as a mulch applied to the soil surface with UCG application and without UCG (control). Our results demonstrated that used coffee grounds, when applied as a 20% UCG mixture, are able to decrease M. cribraria preference for soybeans. The control soybeans were preferred despite a lower plant quality that could have been a result from nutrient deficiency, toxic heavy metal presence, or decreased rhizobia interactions. However, UCG do not deter M. cribraria when applied as a mulch to the soil surface.

Faculty Mentor: Caralyn Zehnder

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Published

2018-06-30

Issue

Section

Natural Sciences