Efficacy of Entomopathogenic Nematodes Against the Japanese Beetle Grub on a Golf Course Fairway, 1993

Three formulations of nematodes were tested against Japanese beetle grubs at the Amherst Country Club, Amherst, NH. Treatments were applied to 2nd instar grubs on Sep 2 from 1800 to 2100 h. Plot size was 8 × 8 ft with a 3 ft buffer between plots. Plots were arranged in a RCB design with 4 replicates. All treatments were applied in a watering can. All treatments were applied in water at a volume of 5 gal/1000 ft2. Immediately after application, plots were irrigated with 0.5 inch water and kept irrigated as necessary to keep the soil moist. Conditions at the time of treatment were: soil pH, 5.9; water pH, 6.8; soil texture, loam, 40% sand, 40% silt, 20% clay; soil moisture, 19.7%; OM, 5.1%; soil temperature at 1 inch 77.2°F, soil thatch, 0.5 inch; sky, cloudy. Plots were rated on Sep 30 by counting the number of live grubs under a 3 ft2 section of sod cut by a sod cutter.