Tobacco Flea Beetle Control with Soil Insecticides, 1986

Five tests were conducted on commercially grown tobacco to evaluate the effect of systemic insecticides on insect numbers and net return. Only flea beetles were present in large enough numbers for control evaluation prior to scheduled foliar sprays. Plots were 0.025 acre, 4 rows wide and were separated laterally by vacant fifth rows and at the ends by turn alleys of at least 16 ft. Treatments were distributed in a randomized complete block with 3 replications. Spray treatments were made using a tractor mounted sprayer delivering 20-24 gpa at 25 psi through 8004 flat-fan nozzles. Granular materials were broadcast using a tractor mounted Noble granular application. Applications were made 7, 14, 15, 13, and 5 days prior to transplanting (Tests I-V, respectively). Materials were incorporated by discing and forming beds. Transplant water treatments were made using the farmers’ tractor drawn setters delivering 250, 172, 210, 290 and 350 gpa (Tests I-V, respectively). Soils were Norfolk sandy loam (Tests I and II), Cecil fine sandy loam (Tests III and V) and Aycock very fine sandy loam (Test IV). Soil moisture during the evaluation period was dry to very dry in Tests II-IV and moderate in Tests I and V. Flea beetle holes were counted on 5 plants in each of the middle two rows of each plot from a random start. Data were transformed to × + 0.5 prior to analysis.