Caterpillar Control on Cabbage, Spring, 1983

Cabbage was transplanted 9 Mar into Myakka fine sand on the University of Florida’s Agricultural Research and Education Center-Sanford. A plot consisted of one 30-ft row with 12-inch plant spacing. Each plot row was separated by 2 unplanted rows; row spacing was 30 inches. Nemacur 15G 2 lbs (AI)/acre was applied pretransplant in a 15-inch band for nematode control. Treatments were replicated in 5 randomized complete blocks separated by 25 ft weed-free alleys. Sprays were applied with a COa pressurized sprayer mounted on an Allis-Chalmers model G tractor. Three nozzles were used per row; 1 overhead (TX24) and 1 drop (TX12) on each side. The delivery rate was 50 gpa with a boom pressure of about 50 psi and a speed of 3 mph. Sprays were applied 26 Apr, 5, 12, 20, and 26 May. On 1 Jun in each plot 10 plants were rated for damage on the head and first 4 wrapper leaves using a scale of 1-6 as in Greene et al., Journal of Economic Entomology, 62(4):798-800. The percentage of heads that were marketable was based on the frequency of heads with damage ratings of 3 or less. The number of cabbage looper and diamondback moth larvae per plant was determined on 18 May and 23 May by examining 5 consecutive plants in the middle of each plot.