Control of Insect Pests In Potatoes

Control of Insect Pests In Potatoes

N. B. Shamiyeh, A. B. Smith and J. Cranmer

Interpretive Summary

Plots treated with the high rate 0f Actara had less Colorado Potato Beetle Larva ( CPBL ) and significantly higher potato yields than any other treatment. The plots treated with the new numbered compound V-10112 produced more Number 2 potatoes than the other treated plots.

Introduction

Potatoes are well adapted to Tennessee growing conditions. At one time, potato production was rather extensive in the state. Although few large production growers presently produce potatoes, several smaller growers grow potatoes for local sales. Insect pests are of major concern to potato growers and include wireworms, nematodes, Colorado potato beetles, aphids, cutworms, potato tuber worms, and many others. The number of insecticides registered on potatoes is decreasing, and many of these pests have the ability to develop resistance to insecticides. Eight insecticide treatments were evaluated for control of insect pests at University of Tennessee Plateau Experiment Station in 2002.

Materials and Methods

Eight foliar-applied insecticide treatments were evaluated for insect control at the Plateau Experiment Station, Crossville, TN. Fertilization consisted of 1000 lbs/A of 15-15-15 applied broadcast and disk incorporated on 13 Apr. ‘Yukon Gold’ potatoes were planted 12 inches apart with a 36 inch row spacing on 9 May. Plot size was a single row, 20ft long. Treatments were replicated 4 times and assigned to plots in a RCB design separated by 5 ft alleys between blocks. Liquid sprays were applied using a 2.5 gal CO₂ backpack sprayer calibrated to deliver 50gpa at 40psi. All treatments were applied on 11 and 27 June to control the Colorado Potato Beetle (CPBL) infestation. Recommended cultural practices for disease and weed control were implemented during the growing season. Potatoes were machine harvested on 12 Jul. for yield and quality determinations.

Results and Discussion

Plots treated high rate of Actara had significantly less Colorado Potato Beetle larva than the other treated and untreated plots and produced more potatoes than any other plot. All other treated plots had less Colorado Potato Larva than the untreated plots ( Table 1 ). The plots that were treated with the new numbered insecticide ( V-10112 ) were as effective as the standard Provado in control of the Colorado Potato Beetle Larva.

Table 1. Yield and percent tuber damage of ‘Yukon Gold’ potatoes receiving various insecticide treatments evaluated at The University of Tennessee Plateau Experiment Station, Crossville, 1999.

Treatment Formulation	Rate LB AI / A	CPBL / Row					Yield
		6/1	6/18	6/25	7/5	6/12	LBS/Row
UTC	----------	139.50	125.50	38.75	20.25	2.50	0.61
V-10112 20 SG	0.044	0.00	0.75	6.50	0.00	0.25	0.59
V-10112 20 SG	0.066	0.50	0.00	6.00	0.00	0.00	1.25
V-10112 20 SG	0.088	0.75	0.00	5.00	0.00	0.00	1.10
Provado 1.60FL	0.044	0.25	0.00	5.00	0.00	0.00	0.84
Provado 1.60FL	0.047	0.25	0.00	0.25	0.00	0.00	1.34
Actara 25WG	0.044	1.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	4.23
Actara 25WG	0.023	0.25	0.00	0.25	0.00	2.50	1.13
LSD ( 0.05 )		12.44	6.46	6.33	3.01	1.00	1.55

Email all comments and suggestions to ghonea@utk.edu
Copyright © 1999 by The University of Tennessee. All rights reserved.

This research represents one season's data and does not constitute recommendations. After sufficient data is collected over the appropriate number of seasons, final recommendations will be made through research and extension publications.