Evaluation of Fortress Insecticide and the Smartbox™ Application System for Corn Rootworm Control, 1996

Abstract

Abstract This experiment was designed to evaluate Fortress applied at planting with conventional or SmarfBox™ application technology for the control of WCR larvae. Plots were planted at 30,600 seed/acre on 9 May in a furrow irrigated field at the Southwest Research-Extension Center, in Finney County, KS. The field was prewatered 9 Apr, but the seed-bed dried out and the field was watered again 24 May to complete emergence. The soil type was a Richfield silt loam with a pH of 7.5 and an organic matter content of 1.5%. Plots were 2 rows (5 ft) by 50 ft long, arranged in a RCB design, and replicated four times. Plots were separated by 10 ft alleyways at the end of each plot and 4 rows of border corn between each plot. Planting time treat-ments were applied as a 7 inch band over the open seed-furrow (T-band) or into the open seed-furrow (in-furrow) with either a standard John Deere planter-mounted insecticide applicator or with a SmartBox applicator. Spring incorporators were used after the press wheels. Rootworm damage was rated on 4 plants from each plot on 9 Jul using the 6 point Iowa scale. The weather was very dry after planting, averaging 0.4 inches of pan evaporation for the first 17 days. On 26 May, 1.8 inches of rain was recorded and 6.5 inches of rain was recorded between planting and evaluation of the roots. Yields were taken by mechanically harvesting each plot and taking row measurements to correct for gaps created by the destructive sampling.