EVALUATION OF VARIOUS INSECTICIDES IN CONTROLLING PEPPER WEEVIL ON ‘JALAPENO’ PEPPER, 2001

Abstract

'Jalapeno' pepper transplants were set 28 Mar, 12 inches apart on 8-inch high and 32-inch wide beds of Rockdale soil in a commercial field, Homestead, FL. The beds were fumigated 2 wk prior to setting transplants with a mixture containing 67% methyl bromide and 33% chloropicrin at 220 lb/acre. The beds were supplied with drip irrigation lines and covered with 1.5-mil thick black polyethylene mulch. Pepper plants were irrigated twice daily using a drip system. Fertilizer (N-P-K mix) was applied at 200-50-240 lb/acre. To control weeds, trifluralin (Treflan EC, 24 lb (product)/acre) was used once 6 days before planting, supplemented during the middle of the season with mechanical cultivation. Treatments evaluated were: (1) Untreated check, (2) Actara 2 SC 70 and 96 g (AI)/ha, and (3) Vydate 1,128 g (AI)/ha. Treatment plots consisted of 3 beds each 30 ft long and were arranged in an RCB design with four replications. A 5-ft long untreated planted area separated each replication. Soil application of insecticides was made in a greenhouse 2 d prior to setting the transplants in the field. Foliar applications of insecticides were made at weekly intervals for 4 wk on 30 Apr and 8, 15, and 22 May, using a backpack sprayer with two nozzles per row at 30 psi, delivering 70 gpa. Effectiveness of each treatment was evaluated 24 h after each foliar application by thoroughly checking 5 plants per treatment plot for pepper weevil adults and infested fruits. Evaluation was also made by collecting all marketable fruits from the treatment plots.