Applying insecticides through drip irrigation to reduce wireworm (Coleoptera: Elateridae) feeding damage in sweet potato

Abstract BACKGROUND A 2 year field study was conducted at multiple locations to determine whether insecticides or an entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser, applied through drip irrigation in sweet potato reduced wireworm damage when compared with the non‐treated check and/or insecticides applied conventionally. RESULTS Wireworm damage was low in 2012, and there were no differences in the proportion of roots damaged or the severity of damage between treatments. In 2013, a preplant‐incorporated ( PPI ) application of chlorpyrifos followed by either bifenthrin, imidacloprid, clothianidin, or oxamyl injected through drip irrigation significantly reduced the proportion of wireworm damage as well as the severity of wireworm damage when compared with the non‐treated check. The incidence and severity of wireworm damage in these treatments did not differ significantly from those in the conventional management practice. The PPI application of chlorpyrifos followed by either cyantraniliprole or S. carpocapsae injected through drip irrigation was not significantly different from the non‐treated check in the proportion of wireworm damage; however, both treatments reduced the severity of wireworm damage compared with the non‐treated check. CONCLUSION Applying insecticides through drip irrigation provides an alternative to conventionally applied insecticides. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry