Tobacco Insect Control on Dark Fire-Cured Tobacco with Systemic Insecticides, 1989

Abstract

Abstract Tobacco was transplanted into an Appling sandy loam soil (pH 5.8; O.M. 1.1) at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Southern Piedmont Agricultural Experiment Station, Blackstone, VA, on 30 May. Experimental plots consisted of 2 40-ft rows (24 plants) of tobacco set on 4-ft centers. Adjacent plots were separated by single untreated guard rows and blocks were separated by 5-ft alleys. A randomized complete block design was utilized with 8 treatments and 4 replicates. The test site was treated with Mocap 6 EC (1 gal) before transplanting to control nematodes. Broadcast preplant soil incorporated treatments were applied and incorporated within 2 h after application on 23 May. Liquid treatments were applied with a CO2-powered backpack sprayer that delivered 26 gal of finished spray/acre through 8003 flat-fan nozzles spaced at 20 inches on the boom. Granular chemicals were applied with a Gandy Junior granular applicator mounted on a push-cart. The Temik band treatments were applied with the granular applicator immediately before bedding over the band on 25 May. The 1.0 and 2.0 lb (AI)/acre rates were applied in a 12-inch band using a single bander, while the 3.0 lb (AI)/acre rate was applied in a 24-inch band using 2 banders/ row. Orthene was applied in the transplant water at 200 gal of solution/acre (116 ml/plant). Insect counts were made about once every 2 wks. TA numbers were estimated on the 4 uppermost leaves at least 3 inches long on 10 plants/plot. TFB were counted on 10 plants/plot and THW were counted on all the plants in the first row of each plot. Rainfall totaled 6.2 and 4.4 inches during Jun and Jul, respectively.