Potato Insect Pest Control, 1995

Abstract

Abstract ‘Kennebec’ potatoes were planted 23 May at the Fry Farm, OARDC, Wooster, OH. Plant spacing was 38 inches between rows and 9 to 10 inches between plants. Fertilizer was applied at planting (1750 lb/acre 10-20-20). The Admire 2F (in-furrow) treatment was applied at planting (24 May for this treatment only) using a CO2 compression sprayer at 20 psi with a 8004 flat fan nozzle delivering the insecticide into the seed furrow. The field was treated for weed control on 20 Jun with 0.75 lb/acre of Sencor DF. Fungicide, 1.5 lb/acre Pencozeb DF, was applied 23 Jun, 5, 25, 31 Jul, 1, and 11 Aug. Paraquat, 1 pt/acre, was applied 15 Sep as a vine killer. Plots were two rows wide and 50 ft in length, with 9 ft alleys separating plots and 6 ft alleys separating blocks. Treatments were arranged in a RCB design. Foliar treatments were initiated when the first generation larvae were increasing in the plots. Foliar applications were made 27 Jun, 11, 28 Jul, and 10 Aug. Cygon 4 E, 1 pt/acre, was added to the tank mix (TM) of Regent 80 WG (TM) and Cryolite 96, 11 Jul and 10 Aug to suppress PLH populations. Foliar treatments were applied with a tractor mounted drop nozzle boom sprayer delivering 50 gal/acre at 50 psi with three D-4 hollow cone nozzles/row. Number of eggs, small (instar 1-2), large (instar 3–4) larvae, and adults were counted and percent defoliation was visually estimated in five 1-m lengths of row per plot weekly. Leafhopper nymphs and aphids were sampled by visually inspecting 25 compound leaves per plot on each sampling date. Potatoes were harvested 10 Oct with all grading finished by 12 Oct.