Evaluation of Selected Hopper Box and Insecticide Treatments for Control of the Red Imported Fire Ant in Grain Sorghum, 1995

Abstract

Abstract Selected hopper box and insecticide treatments were evaluated for management of the RIFA in no-till sorghum at the Macon Ridge Location of the Northeast Research Station in Franklin Parish, LA. Grain sorghum was planted no-till with a John Deere 7300 planter into a bermuda grass sod containing a high density of RIFA mounds. The test was planted on 19 May in a RCB design with 4-row plots (13.33 ft X 15 ft) and 4 replications. Lorsban, Admire and Furadan were applied as in-furrow sprays at planting (IFSAP) with a CO2 charged system calibrated to deliver 5 gpa at 35 psi through 8002E flat fan nozzles (1/row). Lorsban was also applied as pre-emergence surface spray (PRE) immediately post-plant with a CO2 charged system calibrated to deliver 10 gpa at 35 psi through 8001 flat fan nozzles (1/row) in a band 20 inches wide over the row center. Other treatments were applied either as in-furrow granules at planting (IFGAP), T-banded granules at planting (T-BAND) or seed treatments (SEEDT). RIFA densities were estimated on 29 May by placing an unruled index card (3X5 inches) baited with peanut butter in each plot and recording the number of ants attracted after 2 h. Plant population densities were recorded on 15 Jun by sampling the 2 center rows. Plant heights were estimated on 15 Jun by measuring 20 plants in each plot. Intra-row skips between plants were recorded on 15 Jun by counting the number of skips > 12 inches in the 2 center rows. Sorghum seed yields were obtained on 9 Aug from the 2 center rows of each plot.