Curative Treatment with Conventional and Experimental Formulations to Control Billbug at the Valentine Research Center, University Park, Pennsylvania, 1991

Abstract

Abstract The field plot consisted primarily of Kentucky bluegrass. Treatment plots were 9 X 6 ft, arranged in a randomized complete block design, replicated 3 times. Liquid formulations were applied in 2.0 gal water with a hand-held 2.5 gal sprinkling can. Granular formulations (G) were applied with a hand-held shaker and mixed with a fine grade top-dressing sand to facilitate product distribution. At treatment time (26 Jun), the following soil and environmental conditions existed: air temperature, 78°F; soil temperature at 1 inch depth, 78°F; RH, 58%; amount of thatch, 0.25-0.75 inch; soil type, silt loam; soil particle size analysis: 23.3% sand, 58.1% silt, 18.6% clay; organic matter, 2.9%; soil moisture (oven baked), 8.1%; water pH, 7.0; and soil pH, 6.2. Immediately after treatment the experimental area was irrigated with 0.25 inch of water. Posttreatment counts were made 14 d later (10 Jul). Bluegrass billbug control was evaluated by removing four 0.087 ft2 sod samples from each replicate. The total number of bluegrass billbug life stages (larvae, pupae, adults) were recorded from each sample and converted to a ft2 count. Sod samples were removed with a 4-inch cup cutter.