Thrips Control in Peanuts, 1989

The experiment was located in Jackson County, Fla., planted 18 May. Plot size was 4 rows × 20 ft with a 36-inch row spacing. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with 4 replications. Granular treatments were applied at planting in a 7-inch band over the row, by using a Gandy applicator attached to the planter. In-furrow insecticides were released between the seed furrow openers and the press wheels. The banded insecticide treatment was released after the press wheel but before a drag chain. Spray insecticide treatments were applied 6 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 1 Jun and in plots of all treatments on 12, 15, and 22 Jun. Each thrips sample consisted of 8 terminal buds randomly selected from the 2 outer rows of a plot on each sample date. A terminal bud consisted of all unexpanded leaves on the end of a stem. 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 × dissecting scope.