Control of Tobacco Insect Pests on Flue-Cured Tobacco with Insecticides Applied in the Transplant Water 1987

Abstract

Abstract Flue-cured tobacco was transplanted in test plots on 18 May. Transplant water applications of RH-7988 alone and in combination with Orthene were compared to Orthene applied in the transplant water and Temik 15G applied in a band for the control of insect pests feeding on tobacco foliage. Two row plots, 8 × 40 ft, were established in a randomized complete block design replicated 4 times. Temik 15G was applied in a 12-inch band using a Gandy applicator mounted on a pushcart and incorporated with a rotary tiller on 15 May. The transplant water treatments were applied on 18 May as the plants were being set with a hand transplanter that delivered 200 gal/acre. Rainfall totals were 0.34, 1.10, 1.95, and 1.15 inches for May, June, July, and August, respectively. The test plots were also irrigated on 24 June (1.3 inches), 15 Jul (1.3 inches), 23 Jul (1.5 inches), 28 Jul, (1.5 inches) and 7 Aug (1 inch). Tobacco flea beetles were counted on 10 plants/plot at various times after transplanting. Flea beetle feeding holes were counted on the most damaged leaf of 10 plants/ plot on the first 2 observation dates and on 1 upper leaf of 10 plants/plot on the next 2 dates. Green peach aphids were counted on the right underside between the 4th and 6th lateral vein of 4 upper leaves on 10 plants/plot. Tomato and tobacco hornworms were counted together on all 24 plants of 1 row/plot. Tobacco leaves were harvested, cured, weighed, and graded for determination of returns in $/acre. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and! significant means were separated using DMRT. Aphid counts were transformed to log10(X + 1) before analysis of variance, but data are presented in the tables as untransformed means.