Insecticidal and Biological Control of Fall Armyworm in Florida Sweet Corn, 1991

Abstract

Sweet corn was planted on 10 Sep with 10 in. between plants in double rows spaced 10 inches apart on raised beds mulched with polyethylene film. Three 240 ft beds on 6 ft centers were divided into four replicate blocks, containing nine, 15 ft single row treatment plots and one, 15 ft control plot (5 ft per row). One neonate fall armyworm was placed in each leaf whorl 1 week prior to treatment. Six weekly applications were made beginning on 2 Oct. Biosafe (nematodes) was applied the first 3 weeks only, followed by Lannate on subsequent dates. The first Biosafe application was made by automatic pipette to the whorl (into which 3.5 g of washed sand had already been introduced in treatment 3), and subsequently by hand-held trigger sprayer. Dipel 10 G was applied directly to the whorl from pre-weighed cups for the first two applications, followed by spray applications with Dipel 2 X. Remaining applications were made with a CO2 pressurized sprayer at a tank pressure of 40 psi, timed to deliver 100 gal/acre.