Leafhopper Control in Tall Fescue Pasture, 1980 AND 1981

• Published in: Insecticide and acaricide tests 1983-01, Vol.8 (1), p.201-201
• Main Authors: Kelly, R.E., Klostermeyer, L.E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0276-3656
• DOI: 10.1093/iat/8.1.201a

An established mixed tall fescue pasture at the University of Tennessee’s Plateau Experiment Station, Grasslands Farm, Crossville, TN, was treated with foliar and granular insecticides for control of leafhoppers. Three treatments, replicated 12 times in a randomized complete block design, each were applied to 5.5 m by 1.6 m plots. The foliar insecticides, malathion and Cygon, were applied in 234 1 of water per hectare at 206.8 kPa with a CO2-pressurized boom sprayer mounted on bicycle wheels. The granular insecticde, Counter, was spread evenly using shaker jars. In 1980 Counter was applied monthly on May 27, Jul 1, Aug 19, and Sep 16; malathion was applied biweekly on May 27, Jun 10, Jul 1, 15, Aug 19, Sep 2 and 16. In 1981 Counter was applied monthly on May 22, Jun 24, Jul 22 and Aug 19; Cygon was appliwf biweekly on May 22, Jun 24, Jul 8, 22, Aug 5 and 9. Leafhopper samples were taken with a D-Vac suction sampler with a 0.09 m2 head from 4 Replicates only. Five spots per plot were sampled for 30 sec each. Yield was taken from all 12 replicates from a 53-cm swath cut out of the center of each plot using a Sensation lawn mower. In 1980 total rainfall for Jun, Jul and Aug was 7.9 cm, 3.7 cm and 6.4 cm, respectively; in 1981 rainfall amounts for the same months were 11.5 cm, 7.1 cm and 12.0 cm, respectively.