Reduced-Rate Combinations of Pyrethroids & MVP on Staked Tomatoes, 1991

Transplants were set on 11 Jun, at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station, Fletcher, NC. Plants were set 2 ft apart within rows, and rows were on 10 ft centers. Single row plots (10 plants) were separated by 10 ft of cultivated soil, and treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Insecticide applications were initiated at first fruiting and applied on 24, 31 Jul, 8, 15, 23, 30 Aug, and 6 Sep. All applications were made with a CO2 backpack sprayer operating at 40 psi and delivering 50-100 gal/acre (volume increased as plants grew) through 6 hollowcone nozzles/row. Each row was sprayed on both sides with 3 nozzles spaced 12" apart on the spray wand. PA populations were monitored by observing 10 leaves (1st leaf below terminal flower) per treatment (40 leave total) and recording the number infested with ≥ l apterous aphid. Fruit were harvested as vine-ripes at weekly intervals from 6 Aug to 11 Sep. Total number of fruit was counted and those damaged by lepidopterans (TFW and CL) and stink bugs (SB) recorded.