SEED CORN MAGGOT CONTROL WITH IN-FURROW AND SOIL SURFACE BAND INSECTICIDE APPLICATIONS ON CANTALOUPES, 2012

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy of several insecticides applied as in-furrow sprays compared to a soil surface band against seed corn maggots in spring melons. Three weeks before planting, a 0.5 acre block of cabbage was incorporated into the soil so that the decaying plant matter would attract SCM females to infest the test site. The field was planted with cantaloupe seed 'Gold Express’ at a precise density on 16 Mar, 2012. Seeds were hand planted at a seed spacing of 6 inches for a total 50 seeds per row. Plots consisted of one row 25-ft long and rows were spaced 84 inches apart (n=200 seeds / treatment). An attempt was made to ensure that depth of seeds was consistent at 0.5-0.75 inches. Plots were separated within rows by a 7-ft section of bare ground. The experimental design included insecticide treatments plus an untreated control arranged in a randomized complete block design replicated 4 times. All insecticides were applied as sprays either “in-furrow” at planting using a single-row-boom equipped with 1 flat fan nozzle (8004VS) and calibrated to deliver 8.5 gallons of spray per acre at 40 psi, or as a 8 inch “banded” spray applied directly over the seed line following planting. A combination of bone and meat meal was placed in a narrow band over the row (320 g per 25-ft row) to further attract SCM females immediately after seeds were planted and treatments applied. SCM control was assessed by making stand counts along the entire length of each row on 8 and 17 Apr (14 and 22 days after planting) to assess plant emergence and survival. Only emerged plants were counted and classified as either healthy (cotyledons green and fully expanded) or dead (cotyledons and stem brown and dried out). Data were analyzed as a 1-way ANOVA using a protected LSD F-test to distinguish treatment mean differences.