Thrips Control, 1988

The experiment was located in Jackson County, Fla., planted 27 May. Plot size was 4 rows by 30 ft with a 36-inch row spacing. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with 4 replicates. Granular insecticide treatments were applied at planting in a 7-inch band over the row, by using a Gandy applicator attached to the planter. The granular insecticides were released between the seed furrow openers and the presswheels, resulting in shallow incorporation. Spray insecticide treatments were applied 15 Jun with a 2-row, CO2-powered backpack sprayer that was equipped with 3 D3 nozzles/row. These chemicals were applied at about 36 psi, with the amount of spray about 25 gal/acre. The density of thrips in terminal buds was estimated in each untreated control and granular insecticide plot on 10 Jun and in plots of all treatments on 17 Jun, 24 Jun, and 1 Jul. A terminal bud consisted of all unexpanded leaves on the end of a stem. Three samples of 3 terminal buds were randomly selected from the 2 center rows of a plot on each sample date. Each sample was placed in a labeled vial containing 70% ethyl alcohol. The number of thrips in each sample was determined by searching the contents of each vial under a 7 to 15 x dissecting microscope.