Control of Fungus Gnats in Greenhouse Grown Plants, 1995

Abstract

Abstract Bachelor buttons grown in 6 inch clay pots at the Pesticide Research Center greenhouses on the MSU campus were used for this test. Each treatment was replicated 6 times with each replication consisting of a single plant. Marathon and Oxamyl were applied with a hand-held shaker according to the rate per pot on the label. Each pot received 100 ml of irrigation after treatment. The Dycarb was applied as a drench; 250 ml of solution to each pot. All other treatments were applied at a rate of 200 gal of spray solution per acre. Each pot received 3.5 ml of finished spray to the soil surface, followed with 100 ml of irrigation. All of the above treatments were applied on 16 Jun. Precounts were taken on 14 Jun and post spray evaluations were made on 23 Jun and 30 Jun. To monitor the larvae two 1/2 inch-diameter, 3/4 inch-long slices of potato were cut using a large cork borer and placed into the pots 1/2 inch deep in the soil. After 2 days the potato slices were removed along with about 0.7-1.0 g (1 ml) of soil from beneath the potato. The soil and potato slices were placed in a 2 oz plastic cup and brought back to the lab where 20% ethanol extractions were performed using a Buchner funnel. Live larvae were counted under a dissecting microscope, both from the potato and the soil.