Black Cutworm Control on Bentgrass Golf Greens, 1992:

Abstract

Several insecticides and a commercially available nematode preparation for biological control were evaluated for caterpillar control on a bentgrass practice green at Pine Hollow Golf Course in Johnston Co. Experimental plots 10 ft wide x 30 ft long were established. Treatments with three replications were randomly selected. Soil and air temperature were both 84°F and soil moisture was adequate to preclude preirrigation. Spray formulations were applied to plots using a CO2-pressurized backpack sprayer operating at 40 psi using 8002 flat fan nozzles delivering approx. 30 gal of spray/acre. Screens were removed from the sprayer to apply the Exhibit nematode treatment. Granular formulations were applied using shaker jars with perforated lids. Mocap could not be used on the bentgrass due to phytotoxicity, and this treatment was applied to an adjacent area of the fairway. Treatments were applied 9 Sep under intermittently cloudy skies. After application, all treatments were irrigated in with approx. 0.25 inch of water. Larvae were mostly of medium size. Plots were evaluated at 1 and 3 DAT by flushing three 1-m2 areas/plot with soapy water and taking counts of the emerging live worms. All data were transformed X + 0.5 prior to analysis. Actual means are reported in the table.