Wireworm Control on Tobacco, 1977

Abstract

On-farm tests were conducted in Craven, Hertford, Lee, Martin, Orange, Sampson, and Wayne counties to determine the effectiveness of insecticides applied separately and in various combinations for control of wireworms on flue-cured tobacco. Four replications were used at Craven and Wayne while other sites had only 2 replications, with 4 rows (42 in apart and 78 ft long) per plot. Additionally, at Hertford, Martin, and Sampson sites, small plots consisting of 2 rows 26 ft long were established with 4 replications. Some insecticides were disced into the soil and rows riged while others were placed in the transplanter water. Ten to 14 days after transplant, 25 plants per plot (which had been double set on the center 2 rows) were dug and removed to the laboratory where stems were washed, split lengthwise and examined for wireworm injury according to the following numerical evaluation criteria: 0 - no damage; 1 - no apparant damage other than scarification feeding on the epidermis; 2 - little apparent damage but feeding holes reach pith of stem; 3 - plants greatly weakened from tunneling in stem; 4- plants killed due to extensive tunneling. Wireworm specimens were collected and identified from plants and adjacent soil. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and orthogonal partitioning of treatments.