Flea Beetle Control in Canola, 1987

Abstract

Abstract Plots were established in the untreated corner of an 80-acre commercial field 5 mi west of Hallo.-k Minn. The plot area did not include the headland and was located about 100 ft from the field edge. The soil was a clay type, quite short of moisture a planting (1 May) but very uniform for such a large trial. Individual plots were 25 × 50 ft, replicated 3 times, and arranged in a randomized complete bled design. Granular insecticides were applied on 4 May using a shoulder supported grass seed spreader. Light incorporation followed. Foliars were applied oi 29 May following a 0.75-inch rainfall on 20 May, the first rainfall on this field. From 4 to 28% germination was present on 20 May but germination at folia application was a more uniform 80%. Foliars were applied with a hand-held C02 sprayer using 40 psi pressure and delivering 8 gal/acre. Damage rating and stand were recorded on each visit. Wild oat was abundant early and appeared extremely competitive with the Canola. The proportion of each plo infested by wild oat was estimated and found to be random. Adult flea beetles (FB) had disappeared by mid-June. Yields were collected by windrowing ai 18-ft swath through the center of the long axis of the plots. Following field drying, a plot combine was used to thresh a 10-ft section of the windrow fron each plot center. Yields were adjusted to a standard moisture and compared.