Efficacy of Insecticide Seed Treatments and Foliar Insecticides on Aphid Control in Wheat, 2013* Open Access

On 25 Oct 2012, an insecticide seed treatment trial was initiated on the R.R. Foil Plant Science Research Center in Starkville, MS. Two insecticidal seed treatments, Poncho and Cruiser, were evaluated against an untreated check (UTC) and a foliar insecticide, Karate Z, for control of green bug aphids. Plot size was four rows by 40 ft long on 38 in. centers. Statistical design was implemented as a randomized complete block with four replications. Wheat seed was treated at commercial rates by respective companies prior to planting. Foliar insecticide applications were made on 15 Feb 2013, when wheat was approximately at the tillering stage. Foliar applications were applied with a tractor-mounted sprayer calibrated to deliver 10.0 GPA at 60 psi using TX-6 Hollow Cone nozzles (two per row). Green bug aphid populations were evaluated at four sample timings of 17, 27, 37, and 52 days after treatment (DAT). Plots were sampled by counting all aphids present within five row feet. All means were log10 transformed. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and means were separated using Fisher’s Protected LSD (P ≤ 0.05).

At 17, 27, and 37 DAT there were no statistical differences among treatments for numbers of aphids per five row feet. At 52 DAT, Karate Z significantly reduced aphid densities compared with the UTC, Poncho, or Cruiser. There were no significant differences among treatments for yield (Table 1).

Author notes