Efficacy of Aerial Application of Selected Insecticides Against Sugarcane Borer, 1994

Abstract

Abstract Six insecticide treatments were tested for season long control of SCB at Goldmine Farm, located in Edgard, LA. A RCB design (4 reps) which incorporated 28 plots of SCB susceptible ratoon sugarcane was utilized. Plot size ranged from 2.12 to 1.03 acres. Each treatment was applied in water using a Cessna Ag Cat with swaths of 54 ft (9 rows) delivering 2 GPA finished formulation (the Confirm treatment was applied with Latron CS-7 at a rate of 0.125% vol/vol). Infestations were monitored weekly, and plots treated first on 25 Jun, when 5% of sugarcane stalks contained live (SCB) larvae (3rd instars or smaller) in the leaf sheaths. All plots were retreated when the Asana XL treatment contained an infestation of 5% live larvae in the leaf sheaths (26 Jul and 20 Aug). Percent mortality was assessed 3 DAT by collecting and identifying stage of 15-20 larvae/plot. To determine the length of control, and if additional applications were needed, weekly SCB infestation counts were made in each plot. SCB damage was assessed by counting the number of bored internodes, exit holes and the total number of internodes of 75 sugarcane stalks per plot (5 sites/plot, 15 stalks/site) on 17 Oct. YSA infestations were monitored weekly by counting the number of YSA on the 3rd or 4th leaf below the whorl of 20 randomly selected plants. Plot weight reduction was also assessed by weighing 600 ft of row cane per treatment with a hydraulic scale mounted on a tractor (28, 29 Oct and 7, 9 Nov). Analysis of variance was conducted and separation of means was by LSD.