Insect Control on Flue-Cured Tobacco with Systemic Insecticides, 1981

‘Coker 319’ flue-cured tobacco was transplanted in 4 ft rows with 20 inch row spacing on May 12. Treatment plots, 40 ft (24 plants) x (12 ft) 3 rows, were arranged in a randomized complete block design replicated 4 times. Granular insecticides were applied to the prepared soil on May 5 using a Gandy applicator that covered a 4 ft swath. The granules were than incorporated by disking. In-row applications were applied in a furrow using a hand-operated duster and then a bed was formed over the furrow so that the granules were about 6 inches under the row. Side-dress treatments were applied on Jun 9 using a hand duster and then incorporated by cultivation. Liquid formulations were broadcast with a CO2 powered back sprayer delivering 30 gal/acre at 20 psi and then incorporated by disking. A heavy rain (3.8 inch) on Jun 6 caused some washing of the test area. The center row of each plot was examined for insects once every 2 weeks. Green peach aphids were counted on 2 upper leaves of 10 plants in each plot and the number of leaves destroyed by hornworms were counted on 22 plants/plot. Tobacco was harvested from the center row of each plot, cured, weighed and graded for yield and value determinations.