Drop Cloth Research Articles

Effect of Selected Insecticides on Tarnished Plant Bugs and Predaceous Insects in Cotton, 1986

Abstract A field evaluation of insecticides for tarnished plant bug control and effects on predator populations was conducted at the Auburn University Tennessee Valley Substation, Belle Mina, Ala. Cotton was planted in 40-inch rows. Seven treatments were replicated 4 times in randomized complete block design. Plots were 32 rows × 200 ft. Insecticides were applied with a high-clearance sprayer at the rate of 8 gal spray/acre (6 mph, 40 psi, 3 Teejet TX8 nozzles/row). Foliar applications were made on 25 Jun. Insect data were collected on 26 Jun and 2 Jul with a 3 × 3 ft drop cloth (3 samples/plot). Mean percent square set data were obtained by examining “pinhead” squares in the apical terminal growth and in the terminal growth of the first lateral branch.

Aerial Applications of Insecticides for Control of Stink Bugs on Processing Tomatoes, 1986

Abstract Aerial applications were made to a commerical planting of processing tomatoes located near Woodland, CA. Each treatment was applied with a Grumman Ag-Cat (Model G164B) at 10 gal/acre and 25 psi on 15 Sep. Unreplicated treatments were 42 ft wide (8 beds wide) by approximately 800 ft long and separated by a 38 ft unsprayed buffer. On each of 12 6.5 ft long areas of tomato bed per treatment all plants were cut off at ground level and shaken onto a drop cloth. The number of bugs on the drop cloth and the number found within the top 1-2 inches of soil were recorded from bed number 4 and bed number 5 on 12 Sep (pretreatment) and 19 Sep (post-treatment), respectively. Sample areas in rows were separated by approximately 45 ft. Unreplicated data are presented as proportional changes from pre- to post-treatments.

Effect of Selected Insecticides on Tarnished Plant Bugs and Predaceous Insects in Cotton, 1985

Abstract A field evaluation of insecticides for tarnished plant bug control and effects on predator populations was conducted at the Tennessee Valley Substation of Auburn University, Belle Mina, AL. Cotton was planted in 40-inch rows. Eight treatments were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Plots were ca. 0.37 acre. Insecticides were applied with a high-clearance sprayer at the rate of 17 gal spray/acre (4 mph, 25 psi, 3 Teejet TX8 nozzles/row). Foliar applications were made on 14 and 25 Jun. Insect data were collected on 26 Jun with a 3 × 3-ft drop cloth (3 samples/plot). Mean percent square set data were obtained by examining pinhead squares in the apical terminal growth and in the terminal growth of the first lateral branch.

Chemical Control of Thrips, 1985

Abstract A field evaluation of insecticides to control thrips on cotton was conducted on sandy loam soil at the Plant Breeding Unit of Auburn University, Tallassee, AL. Cotton was planted on 14 May in 40-inch rows. Eleven treatments were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Plots were 4 rows × 50 ft with 25-ft alleys between blocks. The hopper box treatment was applied to seed just prior to planting. Granular treatments were placed in the furrow at planting. Spray treatments were applied with a high clearance sprayer at the rate of 9.7 gal/acre (3.5 mph, 50 psi, 2 Teejet™ TX6 nozzles/row). Foliar applications were applied on 13 Jun. Data were collected from drop cloth samples taken from 6 row-ft of the middle 2 rows of each plot on 13 and 17 Jun.

Estimating Absolute Density from Relative Sampling of Lygus lineolaris (Heteroptera: Miridae) and Selected Predators in Early to Mid-season Cotton

Functional relationships of Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) and selected predator densities estimated with sweep net, drop cloth, whole-plant-bag samples (WPBS), and visual search were determined in early to mid-season cotton. Slopes of relative as a function of absolute densities were not different between years for most taxa. When compared against absolute density estimates (WPBS or visual search) drop-cloth estimates were generally more precise and captured a larger percentage of arthropods than 10-sweep samples of the sweep net. With few exceptions (notably Geocoris spp. nymphs) the proportion of the absolute density estimated by drop-cloth or sweep-net samples was low (ca. 10–30%). Reasonably precise relationships ( R 2> 0.50) of relative over absolute density were obtained for nymphs of Geocoris spp., L. lineolaris , and Orius spp.; Orius spp. adults; and spiders. Relationships using total predator counts generally had greater precision than those using individual species and stages. Adults of Geocoris spp., Coccinellidae, and possibly L. lineolaris , however, were not estimated with precision by drop-cloth or sweep-net samples.

Effect of Various Insecticides on Pests and Beneficial Insects in Cotton, 1984

Abstract Cotton was planted 24 Apr in 40-inch rows at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center, Weslaco, TX. Soil type was an Hidalgo sandy clay loam. Plots were 50 ft long by 2 rows bordered by 1 row of forage sorghum. Ten treatments were replicated 5 times and arranged in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were applied through a C02-powered boom mounted on a high-clearance sprayer at a rate of 5.5 gal/acre (4 mph, 45 psi, 5 TX4 hollow-cone nozzles/plot). All plots were oversprayed with Guthion 2L at 0.25 lb (AI)/acre on 28 Jun and 2, 5, 9, and 12 Jul for boll weevil suppression. Insecticide treatments were applied on 19, 23, 26 and 30 Jul and 3 and 6 Aug. Insect populations were monitored weekly with drop cloth samples (1 sample/plot). Beneficial insects were sampled on 9 Aug with a drop cloth (1 sample/plot). Plant damage was monitored weekly with fruit counts from one meter-row areas (1 sample/plot).

Bollworm and Boll Weevil Control, 1984

Abstract Cotton was planted 2 Mar on 40-inch rows at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center, Weslaco, TX. Soil type was an Hidalgo sandy clay loam. Plots were 50 ft long by 2 rows wide and bordered by 1 row of forage sorghum. Plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and 5 replications. Treatments were applied through a C02-powered boom mounted on a high-clearance sprayer at a rate of 5.5 gal/acre (4 mph, 45 psi, 5 TX4 hollow-cone nozzles/plot). Plots were sprayed on 12, 19, 22, 25 & 28 Jun and 2 & Jul. Insect populations were monitored weekly with drop cloth samples (1 sample/plot). Plant damage was monitored with fruit counts from 1 meter-row areas (1 sample/plot). Yield was determined by collecting 3 one-meter row samples of seed cotton per plot.

Orthene Hopper Box Application and Rate Study on Early Season Insects, 1983

Abstract Soybean plots were planted 6 June with a 7700 Max Merge Planter. The plots were arranged in a randomized block design on the North Plant Sei. Farm at Mississippi State Univ. The insecticide treatments were applied as hopper box treatments. The planting rate of the planter was determined to be 33 lb/acre for the bean seed used in the test. Thrips were sampled with a 3-ft drop cloth and counted. The number of plants on the 3 row-ft was also recorded. Three-cornered alfalfa hopper adults and nymphs were sampled with a 3-ft drop cloth. Girdled plants were determined by bending 10 row-ft of seedlings and counting the plants which broke off. Plants which had leaves which were not formed properly, plants which showed stunted growth, or plants which displayed any discoloration were considered abnormal plants. Abnormal plants were counted in 3 row-ft. Bean leaf beetles and their damage to seedling soybeans were determined shaking 3 row-ft of seedling onto a cloth and counting the beetles and the plants which were shaken. Thrips samples were taken at 11 and 22 days from planting. All other data were taken at 11, 22, and 25 days from planting.

Insecticide Control Demonstration of Plant Bugs and Effect on Beneficial Spp. , 1983

Abstract The objective of this demonstration was to evaluate some of the currently recommended insecticides for plant bug control and to determine if soybean oil (SBOC Standard) is better suited as a carrier of insecticides than water, and to determine the effect on beneficial populations. ‘Delcot 390’ variety cotton was planted 21 May on the Univ. of Missouri Delta Center Lee Farm near Portageville (Pemiscot County), Mo. Eight row plots, 100 ft Long were replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. Insecticides were applied 18 Aug. Water carried insecticides were applied with a four row boom at the rate of 4 gal/acre (5 mph, 30 lb/in2 , One TX-12 cone spray nozzle per row) through an air pressurized system. Soybean oil (SBOC Standard) carried insecticides were applied with a four row boom at the rate of 2.38 qt/acre (8.8 mph, 20 lb/in2 , one Micro max nozzle #20 orifice per row, 2,000 rpm) through an air pressurized system. Twelve ft of row were sampled (drop cloth method) at 1 day, 3 day, and 7 days posttreatment.

Soybean Insecticide Demonstration Trials, 1983

Abstract An unusual problem occurred in soybeans during 1983. The green cloverworm which is always present here had an extreme population explosion. Approximately one-third of the soybean fields in our area needed a spray application to control this pest. We counted the caterpillars per three row feet 48 h later. We used the drop cloth method for evaluation purposes.

Insecticide Combinations for Heliothis Spp. Control, 1983

Abstract A field evaluation of insecticide combinations for Heliothis spp. control was conducted on sandy loam soil at the Plant Breeding Unit of Auburn Univ., Tallassee, Ala. Because of earlier stand failure cotton was replanted on 26 May in 40-in. rows. Four replicates of 10 treatments were included in a randomized complete block design. Plots were 18 rows by 100 ft with 25-ft alleys between blocks. Insecticides were applied with a high clearance sprayer at a rate of 9 gal/acre (2.0 mph, 60 lb/in2, 2 Teejet TX 80° nozzles per row). Plots evaluated for early season insect control were treated 8, 15, 22 and 29 Jul. with Fundal at 0.125 lb (AI)/acre beginning at 6th leaf stage. All plots were treated with test chemicals on 8, 12, 16, 30 Aug., and 12 Sep. Plots were oversprayed on 29 Jul. with methyl parathion to destroy beneficial insects and on 9, 15, 29 Aug., and 3 and 9 Sep. with Guthion to suppress boll weevils. Early season insect numbers were estimated by taking 3 ft by 3 ft drop cloth samples from two randomly selected areas of each plot. Heliothis spp. damage was estimated by examining 25 randomly selected plant terminals from the middle eight rows of each plot and by examining 25 randomly selected squares. Boll counts were taken from 10 row-ft randomly selected in the plot. Heliothis spp. populations were moderate to light during the test period.

Green Cloverworm Control Demonstration in Soybeans, 1983

Abstract Essex variety was planted 1 June in a Tiptonville slit loam soil on the Univ. of Missouri-Delta Center Lee Farm near Portageville (Pemiscot County), Mo. Eight-row plots, 200 ft. long were replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. Insecticides were applied 2 Sept. at a rate of 4 gal/acre, 30 lb/in2 , one nozzle per row with a Hahn high clearance sprayer. Twelve feet of row was sampled (drop cloth method) at 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days posttreatment.

Insecticide Evaluations for Soybean Looper Control, 1981

Abstract Efficacy of 3 insecticides for soybean looper control was evaluated using a randomized complete block design with 2 replications. Plots were 4 rows x 15.2 m (1.02 m centers). Soybeans were planted Jun 9 on a Latanier si 1 ty clay loam soil. Insecticides were applied in 6 gal of water per acre on Sep 23 with a high-clearance ground machine equipped with CO2 system designed for spraying small plots. The ground machine had a 4 row-boom with TX-3 hollow cone nozzles spaced 50.8 cm apart. Counts were made using a drop cloth by shaking the beans from 0.9 m of row on each side of the drop cloth onto the cloth. Two samples were taken in each plot.

Control of Thrips with Granular Insecticides and Seed Treatment, 1982

Abstract A field evaluation of insecticides to control thrips on cotton was conducted on sandy loam soil at the Plant Breeding Unit of Auburn University, Tallassee, AL. Four replicates of 8 treatments were applied in a randomized complete block design. Plots were 4 rows x 75 ft with 25-ft alleys between blocks. Granular materials were applied in-furrow immediately prior to planting on 3 May using electric Gandy insecticide applicators. Seed treatments were applied prior to planting. Number of thrips per 3 ft of row and plant heights were used to evaluate effectiveness of treatments. Thrips abundance was determined by beating all plants in a 3-ft section of 1 center row in each plot over a standard drop cloth. Mean plant heights were determined by measuring 10 randomly selected plants in each plot on 3 Jun and 30 Jun.

Efficacy of Cymbush for Stinkbug Control on Soybean, Small-Plot Field Trial, Marmande Farm, Theriot, Louisiana, 1981

Abstract A randomized complete block experimental design was used with treatments replicated 6 times. Individual plots were 12 rows spaced 3 ft apart x 36 ft (0.03 acre). Treatments consisted of an untreated control and Cymbush (Cypermethrin) applied at 0.02, 0.04 and 0.08 lb ai/acre, respectively. A single foliar spray application of each Cymbush concentrate with applied broadcast at 30 lb psi Oct 8 with a knapsack sprayer that delivered 17 gal of finished formulation/acre. Counts of stinkbugs present were obtained 24 and 120 h later by sampling 12 row-ft in each plot. A 3 ft2 drop cloth was placed on the soil surface between 2 soybean rows; the adjacent plants were shaken and all stinkbugs falling on the cloth were counted. This procedure was repeated twice in individual plots. Counts were obtained for the numbers of southern green stinkbugs present/plot. However, counts were combined for the brown and dusky stinkbug complex (Euschistus spp.). This test was conducted in a field of soybean that had reached the advanced stage of foliage senescence and the hard dough (R8) stage of bean maturity.

Visual Monitoring Trap for Tarnished Plant Bug Adults on Apple1

Sticky-coated, non-ultraviolet-reflecting white rectangle traps (15 by 20 cm) hung from apple tree branches at ca. 70 cm above ground proved significantly more effective 10 detecting adult tarnished plant bugs(TPB), Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), than three other sampling methods: visual counts of adults on trees, limb jarring of adults onto a drop cloth, and net sweeps of ground cover vegetation. For 12 orchard situations in which no prebloom. insecticide treatments were applied, there were significant positive linear relationships between levels of TPB-injured fruit at harvest and cumulative trap capture levels through the tight-cluster (r2 = 0.736) and late-pink (r2 = 0.526) stages of flower bud development. If the economic injury level for TPB is considered to be 2.0% fruit damage, then our findings suggest a tentative action threshold of cumulative capture of 3.0 adults per trap through tight cluster or 4.4 adults per trap through late pink.

Insecticide Treatmets for Plant Bug Control and Their Effects on Beneficials, 1981

Abstract Stonevilie 213 variety cotton was planted May 13 at the West Tennessee Exp. Sta., Jackson, TN. Soil type was Grenada silt loam. Four row plots, 40 ft long were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. The 15 ft alleys between blocks were planted with mustard Apr 1 to attract plant bugs. The mustard was cut with a sickle mower Jul 13 to force the plant bugs into the cotton. Pre-treatment counts were taken over the entire plot Jul 14 by shaking 12 4-row-ft samples over a drop cloth. Insecticides were applied Jul 14 with a 4 row boom at the rate of 9.1 gal of spray per acre (3 mph, 40 psi 3 Delavan HB 4 70 nozzles per row) with a CO2-pressurized system mounted on an IH-660 high clearance sprayer. Single 4-row-ft post-treatment counts were taken from each plot Jul 17 as described above. Single 20-sweep post-treatment samples were taken from each plot Jul 24.

Bean Leaf Beetle Control in Soybeans, 1981

Abstract Bedford variety was planted ca Jun 15 in a silt loam soil on the University of Missouri Lee Farm near PortageviIle, M0. Eight row plots, 25 ft long, were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Insecticides were applied Sep 16 at a rate of 5 gal/acre, 40 psi, 1 nozzle/row with a Hahn high-clearance sprayer. Four m of row was sampled (drop cloth method) at 24 and 48 hr post-treatment.

Corn Earworm Control on Soybeans Following Wheat, 1980

Abstract Bedford variety soybean was planted ca Jun 15 following wheat, north of Dyersburg, TN. Four-row plots, 50 ft long, were replicated 6 times in a randomized complete block design. Pretreatment counts were made by taking 22 18 inch shake samples over the entire plot area. Insecticides were applied Sep 8 with a 4-row boom at the rate of 9.4 gal of mixture per acre ( 3 mph, 40 psi, 3 Delavan HB 4 70° nozzles per row) with a CO2-pressurized system mounted on a John Deere high clearance sprayer. Evaluations were made Sep 11 by shaking 4 row ft over a drop cloth at 2 sites in each plot. The center two rows of each plot were harvested Nov 6.

Soybean Looper Control on Soybeans, 1979

Abstract A total of 21 treatments replicated 4 times were applied in 3 separate tests that were initiated on September 4, 7, and 10 on private land near Selma, AL. Plots were 4 rows x 37 ft (0.01 acre) and were arranged in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were applied with a CO2 sprayer, 3 nozzles per row, delivering 15 gal of mixed spray per acre. Post-treatment population counts were taken 3 days after spraying as follows: a 3-ft drop cloth was placed between 2 rows, bean plants on one row were shaken over the cloth, and the number of loopers falling on the cloth was recorded. This was done twice in each plot.