Potato Leafhopper Control with Soil Applied Systemic Insecticides

Abstract

Abstract Two-row 54 ft plots with rows 36 inch apart were planted with “B-size” certified seed of the ‘Superior’ cultivar at the U. W. Research Farm, Arlington, Wisconsin, on May 20, 1975. Treatments applied on May 20 consisted of 4 replicates in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were applied as granules mixed with the fertilizer and banded in-furrow through a Lockwood 2-row potato planter or were sprayed in the open furrow with a Solo-back pack sprayer delivering 72 gal of spray per acre. The soil type was Piano silt loam (sand 12%, silt 70%, clay 18%) and the pH 6.2. Vines were killed on August 28. Total rainfall from planting to vine killing was 11.87 inch. Insect counts were taken with a 15 inch insect sweep net. Yields were taken on September 10. Potato leafhoppers reached high population levels by mid-June. Aster leafhopper, potato flea beetle, potato aphid, and green peach aphid numbers were low in these plots. Untreated control plots suffered severe “hopperburn” by early August which rendered them no longer conducive to insect feeding.