Planter Boxes Research Articles

BIOLOGICAL SEED TREATMENTS USING TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM FOR HORTICULTURAL CROPS

Biological seed treatments provides an alternative to chemical seed treatments or may also be used in combination with chemicals for effective control of plant pathogens. Seed treatment technologies are an important component of pest management, especially for effective biological control. Several seed treatments have been developed and evaluated to increase efficacy of the bioprotectant, Trichoderma harzianum, including 1) suspending the bioprotectant in a binder for a slurry application, 2) use of film coating technology, termed liquid coating, 3) combination of physiological treatments such as priming with the biological and 4) a dry planter box formulation. A laboratory bioassay consisting of sowing cucumber seeds in Pythium or other pathogen infested soil has shown that seed treatment technologies can enhance the efficacy of the bioprotectant. Field research has been conducted over four growing seasons on standard sugary and sh2 sweet corn. In general, emergence from seeds treated with Trichoderma by the described methods was comparable to seeds treated with chemical pesticides. Furthermore, plant growth was enhanced in several field studies.

Planting Time Treatments for Control of Tobacco Thrips in Peanut, 1992:

Abstract Efficacy of planting time insecticide treatments was evaluated against TT injury in Virginia-type peanut in Suffolk, VA. Peanuts were planted 4 May with 36-inch row spacing. In-furrow (IF) treatments were applied into the seed furrow at planting, granules using a tractor-mounted Noble applicator, liquids using a CO2 pressurized tractor-mounted sprayer calibrated to deliver 5 gal/acre at 24 psi through 1 SS8001E flat fan nozzle per row mounted just above planter disks and turned parallel to row direction. Hopper box treatments were applied at planting. The planter box was filled ½ full of seed with ½ the measured amount of product (dry) sprinkled evenly over the surface and gently mixed. The hopper box was then filled and the remainder of the product was sprinkled over the surface and gently mixed. RCB experimental design was used with 4 replicates; plots were 4 rows by 27 ft. Treatments were evaluated by determining plant injury based on a 0-10 scale where 0 = TT injured leaves and 10 = 100% leaves injured. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and LSD procedures.

Selected Seed, Hopper Box and In-Furrow Insecticide Treatments for Control of Tobacco Thrips in Peanut, 1992:

Abstract Efficacy of planting time insecticide treatments was evaluated against TT injury in Virginia-type peanut in Suffolk, VA. Peanuts were planted 11 May with 36-inch row spacing. In-furrow (IF) treatments were applied into the seed furrow at planting, granules using a tractor-mounted Noble applicator, liquids using a CO2 pressurized tractor-mounted sprayer calibrated to deliver 5 gal/acre at 24 psi through 1, SS8001E flat fan nozzle per row mounted just above planter disks and turned parallel to row direction. Hopper box treatments were applied at planting. The planter box was filled ½ full of seed with ½ the measured amount of product (dry) sprinkled evenly over the surface and gently mixed. The hopper box was then filled and the remainder of the product was sprinkled over the surface and gently mixed. Seed treatments were applied by gently rolling seeds in a plastic bag containing product until seeds were evenly coated. Some seed treatments (indicated by *) were commercially applied. A randomized complete block experimental design was used with 4 replicates; plots were 4 rows by 30 ft. Treatments were evaluated by determining plant injury based on a 0-10 scale where 0 = no TT injured leaves and 10 = 100 percent leaves injured. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and LSD procedures.

A Method for Evaluation of Salt Tolerance during Germination, Emergence, and Seedling Establishment1

AbstractSalinity is an increasing problem for irrigated agriculture, but few well‐defined methods exist for providing uniform, repeatable conditions to select plants for salt tolerance. A floodable planter box (salt box) was designed and used as a screening method for salt tolerance in alfalfa (Medicago sariva L.). The Salt box was used to screen over 100 000 seedlings. Vigorous plants were selected after 6 weeks growth in −0.8 MPa salinity (NaCl). This system provides a method to identify salt tolerant plant, and to test selections against other populations.

Potato Leafhopper Control, European Corn Borer Damage, Yield and Grade of Tenderette Var. Snap Beans

Abstract Several insecticides were evaluated for control of these insects at the University of Wisconsin Experimental Farm, Hancock, Wisconsin. Each treatment consisted of four replicates in a complete block design. Plots consisted of 6 rows, 20 ft long with 36 inches between rows. Dieldrin-Captan treated seed was planted on June 20, 1975 with 2 row tractor mounted planter boxes. The 2 center rows of each plot were sprayed using a tractor mounted Myers sprayer with a 6 ft boom delivering 33 gal of spray per acre. Sprays were applied on July 9, 16, 23, 30 and August 6. Potato leafhopper counts were taken on July 29 using a 15 inch diameter insect sweep net. Two European corn borer egg masses per foot of row were pinned onto the plants on July 29. Plots were harvested, graded, and pods inspected for European corn borer damage on August 13. The soil type was Plainfield Loamy Sand with a pH 6.2. The total moisture (rainfall and irrigation) was 9.82 inches.

Seedcorn Maggot: Seed Treatments and Granule Furrow Applications for Protecting Beans and Sweet Corn12

Field tests indicated that granular formulations of diazinon, carbofuran, chlorpyrifos, and Counter® ( S-(tert -butylthio) methyl 0,0 -diethyl phosphorodithioate), placed with beans in the seed furrow effectively controlled Hylemya platura (Meigen) without noticeable phytotoxicity. A narrow band of Counter over the seeds on the soil surface also reduced feeding damage, but other treatments of so placed were not effective. Slurry seed treatments of Primicid® (2-diethylamino-6-met hylpyrimidin-4-yl diethyl phosphorothionate), carbofuran, ehlorpyrifos, diazinon, and N-2596 S-(p-chlorophenyl) O -ethyl ethyl-phosphonodithioate), and diazinon planter box applications gave acceptable levels of control, although dieldrin slurries did not. Twelve-month germination tests in the greenhouse indicated no seedling phytotoxicity on corn or beans when slurry-treated with Primicid. Some evidence of germination reduction in the field was observed when limas were treated with chlorpyrifos combined with captan or thiram, but this did not occur with other crops. Less detectable maggot injury was found on peas and sweet corn than on beans.

Development of Resistance to Insecticides by the Onion Maggot, Hylemya antiqua, in Minnesota1

The onion maggot, Hylemya antiqua (Meigen), has developed a high degree of resistance to the chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides in the Minneapolis area. Under conditions of a severe maggot infestation at Fridley, Minn., applications of V-C 13 Nemacide® ( O -2,4 diehlorophenyl O,O -diethyl phosphorothioate), ethion, and diazinon at 1 lb. actual toxicant per acre and carbophenothion at 2 lbs. actual per acre in the seed furrow gave excellent control, but plots treated with heptachlor, dieldrin, aldrin, and endrin were indistinguishable in appearance from the untreated checks. Experiments at Castle Rock, Minn., during 1960, 1961, and 1962 indicated that aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, and heptachlor are still effective in controlling the onion maggot in this area. Onion maggot, damping off, smut ( Urocystis cepulae Frost.), and pink root ( Pyrenochaeta terrestris (Hansen) Gorenz, J. C. Walker, and Larson) aII contributed to a loss of stand in these plots. Two granular formulations, one containing 5% V-C 13 Nemacide +5% thiram (bis(dimethylthiocarbamoyl)disulfide) and the other containing 5% ethion+5% thiram, gave excellent control of maggots and good control of smut and pink root when applied at 2 lbs. actual toxicant per acre in the seed furrow. Onion growers at Hollandale, Minn., appeared to be controlling the onion maggot satisfactorily in 1961 by using a mixture of 2 oz. 75% dieldrin and 1 oz. 75% thiram per pound of seed in the planter box; however, experimental evidence indicated that maggots were becoming resistant to dieldrin and heptachlor in this locality in 1962.

A Glass‐Faced Planter Box for Field Observations on Roots1

SynopsisThe box appears to be adapted to a wide variety of root investigations. Its main advantage is that repeated root observations can be made without disturbance on the same plant in the field.