Insecticides to Control Wireworms, Systena Flea Beetles and Sweet Potato Flea Beetles in Sweet Potatoes, 1976

‘Julian’ sweet potato sprouts were transplanted June 2 in 3-ft rows with 12-inch spacing. Treatment plots were replicated 3 times and arranged in a randomized complete bl ock design. Each plot consisted of five 25-ft-long rows with 2 untreated rows adjacent to each plot. The soil type was a sassafras fine sandy loam. Various methods of treatment were employed and are designated as follows: PreplantIncorporated (PPI) - Broadcast overall on June 1 by means of a Root-Lowell rotary hand duster or a D. B. Smith 5-gallon knapsack, hand-operated, compressed-air sprayer at the rate of 40 gal/A (40 psi) using a D. B. Smith #E-147 adjustable cone nozzle and disced into the top 4-5 inches within 2 hours after treatment; Root Swell (RS) - Broadcast over foliage at time of root swell on August 4 using the duster and sprayer previously described, followed by cultivation; Preplant Incorporated plus Root Swell (PPI + RS) - combination of the above with same timing and methods; Over Foliage (OF) - Broadcast over foliage in a 10-12 inch band on July 10 with the Root-Lowell duster followed by cultivation; Foliage Spray (FS) - Applications over foliage on July 23, August 12, September 6, and October 1 using the D. B. Smith knapsack sprayer adjusted to deliver 100 gallons of spray/A. In evaluating the various treatments, 25 roots were selected at random from each plot and the number damaged by wireworms, Systena sp.