Corn Insect Pest Management with Selected At-Planting Insecticide Treatments Against Cutworms, 1994

Abstract

Abstract The insecticidal efficacy, effect on plant growth and corn seed yields of selected treatments applied as in-furrow sprays at planting (IFSAP), and T-banded granules (T-BAND) were compared to that of an untreated control. Hairy vetch, Vicia villosa, was used as a winter cover crop across the test area. An application of Gramoxone X-tra (1.5 pt/acre) was applied 2 wk pre-plant and at planting to terminate all vegetation. Plots consisted of 4 rows (40 inch centers) × 45 ft. Treatments were arranged in a RCBD with 4 replications. Corn was planted no-till in a Gigger silt loam (pH = 5.9, 1.1% organic matter) on 14 Apr with a John Deere 7300 planter modified to apply treatments through a granular applicator hopper box or as a directed spray into the seed furrow. IFSAP treatments were applied with a CO2 charged system calibrated to deliver 5 gal total spray/acre through 8002 flat fan nozzles (1/row) at 40 psi. Armyworm damage to plants and cutworm damage to plants was determined by recording all damaged plants on the center 2 rows of each plot weekly for 3 wk after plant emergence to obtain cumulative summaries. Plant stand density was measured on 16 May by sampling the entire 2 center rows of each plot. Plant height was measured on 23 May by taking an average of 20 plants/plot. Yields were determined by harvesting the 2 center rows of each plot on 24 Aug. The entire test was furrow irrigated throughout the season and rainfall was not a factor influencing final yields.