Field validation of the factors related to clodinafop efficacy on Avena species

Previous research has shown that historical data and interpolated weather information can be used to correlate environmental and other variables with herbicide efficacy. This article examines this possibility using field experiments and on-site weather data. Clodinafop was applied to Avena spp. (wild oat) infestations on 46 occasions, in eight separate experiments, during 2003–2004 across the grain growing regions of New South Wales, Australia. Linear mixed models and covariate analyses were used to determine correlations of agronomic and environmental variables with clodinafop efficacy on Avena spp., as measured by plant mortality, panicle density and seed production. Clodinafop dose, maximum temperature on the day of spraying, spray water volume, the spray water volume by maximum temperature interaction and available soil moisture at spraying were correlated with mortality. Minimum temperatures prior to spraying, previously reported to be correlated with clodinafop efficacy, were not a significant factor in this study. On-site weather data were highly correlated with interpolated, generic weather data and thus there was little impact on which of these meteorological data sets were used to determine the correlations. This suggests that accessible, generic weather data could be used to develop and implement a predictive model for clodinafop efficacy. The relationship between the variables and Avena spp. mortality were generally supported when applied to panicle density and estimated seed production, with some exceptions. The results indicate that it should be possible to incorporate industry and field data to develop a robust predictive model for Avena spp. control with clodinafop.     

Determination of environment-specific dose–response relationships for clodinafop-propargyl on Avena spp.

A range of plant and environmental variables is known to influence the efficacy of herbicides. This paper explores whether environmental factors influencing efficacy of a herbicide can be quantified by analysing a set of industry data involving 59 experiments conducted throughout Australia in the years 1986–1995 for clodinafop-propargyl on Avena spp. A spline method was used to analyse the combined data set of observed and interpolated covariates. In addition to dose, it was found that efficacy was significantly influenced by maximum temperature on the day of application, spray water volume, the interaction of maximum temperature and spray volume, the sum of minimum temperatures experienced in the 7 days prior to application, and the soil moisture deficit estimated for day 10 prior to application. The findings are discussed in relation to testing of new products for providing commercial factor-adjustment information as an additional, marketable outcome of existing product testing procedures. Advantages of the spline model over the commonly used log–logistic model for evaluating dose–response and factor-adjustment relationships are presented.     

Influence of application volume on the efficacy of clodinafop-propargyl and fenoxaprop-P-ethyl on oats

The influence of application volume on the efficacy of clodinafop‐propargyl and fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl on cultivated oats (Avena sativa) was studied in the glasshouse. Both herbicides were more efficacious when applied in 75 L ha^?1 than in 300 L ha^?1, with 11002 and 11006 nozzles respectively. However, when the same two volume rates were created by varying the speed of a 11003 nozzle, clodinafop‐propargyl efficacy was not affected by application volume, whereas fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl remained more efficacious at 75 L ha^?1. This suggests that in the first experiment, fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl efficacy was affected by changes in both spray quality and concentration, whereas only the former influenced clodinafop‐propargyl efficacy. The hypothesis that the fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl formulation was more influenced by concentration than clodinafop‐propargyl was supported by dynamic surface tension studies and measures of active ingredient retention by oat plants. Within the practically relevant concentration range considered, surface activity of clodinafop‐propargyl remained low, with little influence on herbicide retention. In contrast, depending on the concentration, surface activity of fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl was below or above levels that were critical for its retention. Although these differences may not be as apparent in the field as in the glasshouse, our study certainly indicates that both clodinafop‐propargyl and fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl are herbicides favoured by low application volumes.     

Is dose‐splitting of graminicides as effective as a single application?

Dose‐splitting or reduced dose repeat application, i.e. the application of a herbicide twice to the same plant, is likely to become a more common scenario in future, if farmers adopt the use of novel techniques for prediction of herbicide efficacy shortly after application. Fourteen pot experiments were conducted to study whether graminicides applied to annual grass weeds as dose‐splitting treatments were as effective as single applications. The influence of time interval between applications and the ratio of the doses of the two applications were studied. Two statistical approaches were applied: comparison of the ED₉₀ of the single treatments and a joint action model. The study revealed that flupyrsulfuron, iodosulfuron, sulfosulfuron, clodinafop and glyphosate could be applied as repeat treatments with up to 14 days’ interval between the two applications without loss of activity. In some experiments, particularly with iodosulfuron, dose‐splitting enhanced herbicide performance. By contrast, prosulfocarb responded adversely, most likely due to the pronounced impact of weed growth stage on the activity of this herbicide. The ratio of the doses and the timing between the two applications had no significant influence on herbicide responses. The results of the present studies showed that even if a reduced dose of a graminicide results in an unsatisfactory control and it is necessary to re‐spray, the overall use of herbicide will not increase, if methods are available that can predict the efficacy of a herbicide application within the first 1–2 weeks after application.     

Cross-resistance patterns of winter wild oat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Avena ludoviciana</Emphasis>) populations to ACCase inhibitor herbicides

The level of resistance and patterns of cross-resistance to clodinafop, sethoxydim, and pinoxaden were examined in 12 putative resistant and one susceptible populations of winter wild oat (Avena ludoviciana) collected from Fars Province, in the southwest of Iran. The responses of biomass and length of coleoptiles to the increasing dosages of the three herbicides were determined in both whole-plant and seed bioassays. In the whole-plant bioassay, all 12 putative resistant populations were found to be resistant to clodinafop with resistance ratios (R/S) ranging from 1.76 to >47.04. Most clodinafop-resistant populations exhibited low levels of cross-resistance to sethoxydim. Three highly sethoxydim-resistant populations, F2, S2, and ES4, were slightly resistant to clodinafop. Six populations (M1, M2, F2, S2, S4, and ES4) showed high cross-resistance to pinoxaden with R/S values as large as 10.73 to 40.29. A highly clodinafop-resistant population, M2, was more sensitive to pinoxaden than the susceptible population. The results of the seed bioassay resembled those obtained from the whole-plant experiment suggesting seed bioassay as an inexpensive, rapid method for screening-resistant genotypes.     

Increased foliar activity of clodinafop‐propargyl and/or tribenuron‐methyl by surfactants and their synergistic action on wild oat (Avena ludoviciana) and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis)

Surfactants can improve postemergence herbicide efficacy and reduce the amount of herbicide required to obtain weed control. The effect of surfactants on the efficacy of herbicides is complicated and depends on the interaction among the plant, surfactant, and herbicide. The effects of surfactants on the efficacy of clodinafop‐propargyl and/or tribenuron‐methyl on wild oat (Avena ludoviciana) and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) under greenhouse conditions were investigated. In addition, the surface tension of aqueous solutions of the surfactants and surfactants + herbicides was determined. Significantly lower surface tension values were obtained with the aqueous solutions of citofrigate (Citogate plus Frigate) alone and with the herbicides used in this study. The citofrigate surfactant lead to the greatest enhancement of clodinafop‐propargyl and/or tribenuron‐methyl efficacy and the effect was species‐dependent. The efficacy of clodinafop‐propargyl and/or tribenuron‐methyl in the presence of surfactants in controlling wild oat was higher than for wild mustard. The foliar activity of the tested herbicides rose with increasing surfactant concentrations. The tank mixture of clodinafop‐propargyl and tribenuron‐methyl showed a synergistic effect in controlling wild oat and wild mustard. The synergistic effect in controlling wild mustard was greater than for wild oat.     

三唑酮防治成株期小麦条锈病的初步研究

试验结果表明,三唑酮对小麦条锈病防病保产效果好,残效期长,用药量低,安全低毒,内吸传导性能强,使用方法多,是目前比较理想的防锈药剂。在小麦初见剑叶及其前后,病叶率在2～4%时,施药较为适合,每亩用药量7～20克。用此法施药一次,平均防病效果在90%以上,保产效果在13.3～36.2%,平均病指压低在3%以下,可控制整个成株期条锈病危害。中、低和超低容量以及淋浇、泼浇的施药效果与常规叶面喷雾的相似,都是可行的方法。三唑酮还可兼治小麦白粉病和叶锈病。     

GROWTH AND SPRAY RETENTION OF WILD OAT AND FLAX IN RELATION TO HERBICIDAL SELECTIVITY*

Summary. The growth of wild oat (Avena fatua L.) was accompanied by an increase in the amount of spray retained per plant and per unit weight of plant, probably because the projected area (plan view) increased as the plant became larger. Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) retained a fairly constant volume of spray per plant from the 8-leaf to the 35–40-leaf stages, so that the spray retained per unit plant weight decreased considerably as the plants grew. This was related to the decrease in projected area as a proportion of the whole. There was also a difference in retentivity between the cotyledons and true leaves; the cotyledons retained ten to twenty times more spray per unit weight. These results suggest that maximum selectivity would be achieved by spraying at an advanced stage of growth. Wild oat at the 3-leaf stage retained more than half the aqueous spray in the two leaf axils, while flax retained most on the cotyledons. Distribution was shown to be a probable reason for selectivity. Addition of a surfactant greatly increased retention by both species, but although the effect of a spray on wild oat might thereby be increased, under certain conditions injury to flax might be increased and the margin of selectivity reduced. Croissance et retention des bouillies herbicides par la folle-avoine et le lin en rapport avec la sélectivité     

氟虫腈药液在水稻叶片上的沉积特性研究

以氟虫腈悬浮剂为研究对象探讨了药液在水稻叶片上的沉积特性。随着雾流方向角增大,药液在稻叶上的沉积量显著增加,雾流方向角为30°、45°与60°处理时药液的沉积量分别比0°处理者提高了16.6％、39.3％与70.1％。随着雾滴体积中径(VMD)增大,氟虫腈药液在稻叶上的沉积量降低,VMD为157.3、193.2、215.4、233.7 μm 处理的药液沉积量分别比VMD 149.5 μm处理降低了16.2％、39.1％、49.5％与66.4％。施药液量少于339 L/hm2时,药液在稻叶上的沉积效率较高,为25.6％ ~28.1％,药液在稻叶上的最大稳定持留量约为 1.42 μL/cm2。较少施药液量和较小雾滴的处理,加入有机硅(150 g/hm2)后药液的沉积量可提高80％ ~150％,但施药液量增加至694.5 L/hm2 (VMD 233.7 μm)时,药液沉积量未增加。根据本实验结果,施药时采用较小雾滴和较少施药液量,雾流方向角45°~60°,并加入有机硅作为喷雾助剂,药液在稻叶上的沉积效率较高。     

农药有效利用率与喷雾技术优化

提高农药的有效利用率是植保工作者非常关心的问题。本文阐述了农药有效利用率的广义和狭义涵义,并分析了农药使用中存在的药剂浪费、有效利用率低的问题。根据喷雾技术中的“剂量传递”过程,分析了农药有效利用率的狭义涵义,在春季果园和作物苗期,常规喷雾法的农药有效利用率只有20%~30%;在夏秋季果园和作物中后期,随着作物叶面积系数（LAI）的增加,农药的有效利用率可达到50%~60%。论文分析了造成农药有效利用率低的原因,提出喷雾技术的优化措施：（1）大田喷雾时采用机动喷杆喷雾替代背负式手动常规喷雾,可以改善雾滴沉积分布的均匀性;（2）添加喷雾助剂可以提高药液在靶标表面的润湿性;（3）优化雾滴粒径,采用细雾滴替代粗雾滴可以提高雾滴的中靶率;（4）降低施药液量可以减少药液流失;（5）加装挡板可以减少雾滴飘失等。通过以上技术的优化,可以大幅度提高农药的有效利用率,达到减量增效的目的。     

农药剂型、喷雾参数与采样方法对代森锰锌在小油菜上原始沉积量的影响

以代森锰锌为对象,研究了农药剂型、喷雾参数和采样技术对小油菜施药后原始沉积量的影响。结果表明:不同剂型、相同有效成分用药量的代森锰锌在小油菜上的原始沉积量不同,30%代森锰锌悬浮剂喷雾后在小油菜上的原始沉积量(94.4~115.8mg/kg)明显高于70%可湿性粉剂(34.3~86.1 mg/kg) 和75%水分散粒剂(61.1~82.4 mg/kg);同种剂型和剂量条件下,施药液量的多少对代森锰锌在小油菜上的原始沉积量有显著影响,随着施药液量的增加,沉积量呈递减趋势;喷片孔径从0.7 mm增大至1.6 mm时,代森锰锌在小油菜上的沉积量由86.3 mg/kg减小至65.1 mg/kg;喷雾压力对代森锰锌在小油菜上的原始沉积量影响不大;采用对角线采样方法,当采样数量为5时,代森锰锌在小油菜上的原始沉积量与采样数量15,25相比差异显著;当采取随机采样方法,采样数量分别为25,50和100时,三者之间代森锰锌在小油菜上的原始沉积量差异不显著,但与对角线采样法相比差异显著。可见农药剂型、喷雾参数和采样方法成为影响农药原始沉积量的主要因素。     

Real‐time variable‐rate herbicide application for weed control in carrots

A camera sensor for precision weed control in arable fields has been developed at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering. For herbicide spraying in carrots, the sensor was positioned at the front three‐point linkage of a tractor and was operated between carrot rows. In field trials in 2 years, real‐time (online) technology in which sensing and spraying were performed in one step was evaluated in comparison with a conventional uniform spraying application. The spray volume was linearly adjusted to the camera‐detected weed coverage level from a minimum of 200 L ha^?1 if no weeds were present to a maximum of 400 L ha^?1. The herbicide savings were 30% in 2007 and 34%, 43% and 36% for each of three applications in 2010. There were no significant differences between the camera‐based and conventional spraying approaches with regard to yield parameters, total carrot weight and weight of marketable carrots. Regarding the weed control efficiency of the camera‐based spraying procedure in the 2010 experiment, no trend was observed between the weed coverage and the application rate of the previous spraying.     

Littleseed canarygrass (Phalaris minor) resistance to clodinafop‐propargyl in wheat fields in north‐western India: Appraisal and management

Littleseed canarygrass (～canarygrass) evolved populations that are resistant to isoproturon during the early 1990s in north‐western India. Clodinafop‐propargyl (～clodinafop) was recommended for controlling these populations. It has been used extensively in wheat for the last several years. Recently, poor or no control of canarygrass by clodinafop has been observed in large areas, which could be related to cross‐resistance or multiple resistance. This study was designed to test whether resistance has evolved in canarygrass populations against clodinafop and to explore control of the resistant populations with sulfosulfuron and pinoxaden. Among the 311 canarygrass populations that were tested, 86, 55 and 34 showed variable phytotoxicity (0–99%) due to 0.030, 0.060 and 0.120 kg ha^?1 clodinafop, respectively. Based on the resistance index, 11 populations were “highly resistant”, 60 were “resistant” and the rest (240) were “susceptible” to clodinafop. Five and six clodinafop‐resistant populations showed slight resistance to 0.0125 kg ha^?1 sulfosulfuron and 0.025 kg ha^?1 pinoxaden, respectively. But, sulfosulfuron at 0.025 and 0.050 kg ha^?1 and pinoxaden at 0.050 and 0.100 kg ha^?1 controlled all the canarygrass populations. Clodinafop used for 4 years increased the chance of resistance evolving, whereas its rotation with sulfosulfuron reduced the chance of resistance evolving. This study showed that considerable canarygrass populations have evolved a low‐to‐high degree of resistance against clodinafop. The further use of clodinafop would lead to the spread of resistance in larger areas through the dispersal of resistant seeds. Clodinafop should be replaced with 0.025 kg ha^?1 sulfosulfuron or 0.050 kg ha^?1 pinoxaden. Besides, where canarygrass has not evolved resistance, the yearly rotation of sulfosulfuron with clodanafop or pinoxaden might delay the evolution of resistance.     

New trends in orchard spraying1

Since the early part of the century, a steady move in England towards lower volume spraying of orchards has coincided with the progressive introduction of improved spraying techniques. In recent years many growers have adopted very low volume (VLV) spraying (50 litre ha^-1) using spinning-disc nozzles with greatly reduced dose rates, often only 25% of the product label recommendation. On well managed farms, this method of spraying has been successful for several years and considerable savings have been made in pesticide use and labour for spraying. On other farms there have been pest and disease control problems but few growers have reverted to spraying at conventional volume or pesticide rates. Trials evidence from the UK and the Netherlands shows the VLV reduced dose-rate spraying technique to be generally less effective than conventional spraying but usually sufficiently effective for commercial purposes. In the Netherlands a compromise method of low volume spraying (150–200 litre ha^-1) is being adopted on the recommendation of research and advisory services. This method of spraying is gaining popularity in England. Unfortunately, the method of application stipulated on product labels is usually restricted to a minimum water volume and a pesticide dose per ha. It might be desirable for experimental work for registration purposes to be done to explore optimum application methods for individual pesticides. This information on labels, in a simple form, might lead to the more efficient use of pesticides as well as reflecting the range of application methods in use in the industry.     

机动弥雾法施用70%吡虫啉水分散粒剂防治小麦蚜虫的雾滴沉积密度与防效的关系

田间采用背负式机动弥雾机对70%吡虫啉水分散粒剂进行喷雾试验,证明若吡虫啉喷雾雾滴在小麦穗部形成一定的沉积密度即可有效防治麦蚜。当70%吡虫啉水分散粒剂用水稀释2 333倍(有效成分300 mg/L),雾滴密度在54,133和280个/cm2条件下,施药7 d后对麦蚜的防治效果分别为83.3% ,88.7%和93.7%;当药剂稀释1 167倍(有效成分600 mg/L),雾滴密度在75,142和291个/cm2条件下,7 d后对麦蚜的防治效果分别为88.1%,94.5%和96.5%。采用背负式机动弥雾机,采用常量150 L/hm2、低浓度(300 mg/L)喷雾时,小麦穗部、旗叶上的雾滴沉积密度分别为177±12,113±8个/cm2,沉积量分别为27.4±6.8,6.6±1.6 ng/cm2,地面流失率为12.8%,7 d后的防治效果为94.0%; 当采用低容量75 L/hm2、高浓度(600 mg/L)喷雾时,小麦穗部、旗叶上的雾滴沉积密度分别为127±13,91±7个/cm2,沉积量分别为29.8±1.2, 6.7±0.6 ng/cm2,地面流失率为10.6%,7 d后的防治效果为93.8%。生产中建议采用吡虫啉低容量75 L/hm2、高浓度600 mg/L喷雾,省工、省水、省时。     

喷洒部件及喷雾助剂对担架式喷雾机在桃园喷雾中的雾滴沉积分布的影响

采用诱惑红为指示剂研究测定了喷洒部件以及喷雾助剂Silwet408对电动担架式喷雾机在桃园喷雾中的雾滴沉积分布的影响,试验结果表明：采用喷枪大容量喷雾,当施药液量为250 L/667 m2时,有35.2%的药液流失到地面,喷雾雾滴在桃树冠层内膛和外膛的上/下层沉积比分别为0.59和0.62;当在喷雾液添加0.1%的Silwet408并把施药液量降低到125 L/667 m2时,药液在地面的流失率减少到21.2%,喷雾雾滴在桃树冠层内膛和外膛的上/下层沉积比分别为1.28和1.19,沉积分布均匀性明显提高。采用装配小喷片的组合喷头喷雾,当施药液量为250 L/667 m2时,有28.4%的药液流失到地面,当在喷雾液添加0.1% 的Silwet408并把施药液量降低到185 L/667m2时,喷雾压力分别为0.25 Mpa和0.35 Mpa时,药液在地面的流失率分别减少到18.5%和8.6%。研究测定结果表明,通过更换喷洒部件、增加喷雾压力、减少施药液量、添加喷雾助剂等措施可以显著减少果园喷雾中的药液流失率、提高喷雾雾滴在桃树冠层的沉积分布均匀性。     

Effects of a magnetic field and adjuvant in the efficacy of cycloxydim and clodinafop‐propargyl on the control of wild oat (Avena fatua)

The reduction of herbicide applications is a main research priority in recent years. One way to achieve this goal is by using adjuvants that can increase the efficacy of foliar‐applied herbicides by reducing surface tension. Previous studies have shown that the surface tension of distilled water decreases under the influence of a magnetic field. In order to compare the effects of a magnetic field and Frigate in clodinafop‐propargyl and cycloxydim in controlling wild oat and evaluating the surface tension, a dose–response greenhouse experiment was conducted by using 0, 8, 16, 32, 48, and 64 g ai ha^?1 of clodinafop‐propargyl and 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 g ai ha^?1 of cycloxydim with Frigate and/or by passing them through a magnetic field. The magnetic field and Frigate caused a significant reduction in the surface tension of the herbicide solutions. But, Frigate was more effective in reducing the surface tension of the herbicide solutions, compared with the magnetic field. The magnetic field and Frigate increased the efficacy of clodinafop‐propargyl and cycloxydim remarkably. Frigate increased the efficacy of the herbicides more than did the magnetic field. The magnetic field and Frigate collectively had more of an effect on the herbicides' efficacy than when they were applied individually. The magnetic field and Frigate were more effective in increasing the efficacy of clodinafop‐propargyl than that of cycloxydim.     

喷雾参数对自走式喷杆喷雾机稻田喷雾农药利用率及雾滴沉积分布的影响

比较在不同喷雾压力和施药液量条件下,采用自走式喷杆喷雾机在水稻分蘖期、孕穗期、扬花期进行喷雾处理的农药利用率、沉积分布均匀性及水稻茎基部雾滴密度的差异,为建立自走式喷杆喷雾机在稻田的高效施药技术提供理论依据。以生物染料丽春红-G作为农药示踪剂,估测不同喷雾参数的农药利用率,并用变异系数、绝对份额比例值比较农药分布的均匀性。同时通过水敏纸收集水稻基部雾滴密度,分析不同喷雾参数下农药雾滴穿透水稻冠层的能力。结果表明:在水稻分蘖期,采用自走式喷杆喷雾机在喷雾压力为1.2 MPa、施药液量为375 L/hm^2条件下喷雾,每个采样点的丽春红-G的平均沉积量仅为0.11 mg,与喷雾压力为0.4 MPa、施药液量为300 L/hm^2条件下喷雾的沉积量相比减少了56.00%。在水稻孕穗期,当喷雾压力为1.2 MPa、施药液量为375 L/hm^2时进行喷雾处理,每个采样点的丽春红-G的平均沉积量达0.26 mg,显著高于其他4个处理。在水稻扬花期,不同喷雾参数间的沉积量差距减小。在合适的喷雾压力和施药液量时,自走式喷杆喷雾机在水稻分蘖期、孕穗期和扬花期进行喷雾处理,农药利用率分别达到40.57%、54.97%和55.50%。综合变异系数和绝对份额比例两个指标,采用自走式喷杆喷雾机在喷雾压力为0.8 MPa、施药液量为300 L/hm^2条件下喷雾,农药分布更均匀。喷雾压力对水稻基部雾滴密度有显著影响,在水稻生长中后期,当喷雾压力低于0.8 MPa、施药液量为225~375 L/hm^2时,水稻茎秆基部雾滴密度均小于30个/cm^2。研究结果表明,喷雾压力和施药液量对自走式喷杆喷雾机稻田喷雾的农药利用率、分布均匀性及水稻茎秆基部雾滴密度有显著影响。在水稻生长前期,不宜采用高压力大水量喷雾作业;在水稻生长中后期,为增加对水稻基部病虫害的防治效果,需提高喷雾压力。     

背负式静电喷雾器静电喷施对2种玉米田除草剂的减量效应

为了明确背负式静电喷雾器静电喷施对玉米田除草剂的减量效应,以土壤处理除草剂40%乙·莠SE和茎叶处理除草剂30%苯唑草酮SC+90%莠去津WG+专用助剂作为参试除草剂,测定了背负式静电喷雾器在不同施药剂量下的静电喷施效果。结果表明:背负式静电喷雾器静电喷施对40%乙·莠SE和30%苯唑草酮SC+90%莠去津WG+专用助剂均有明显的减量效应。当40%乙·莠SE和30%苯唑草酮SC+90%莠去津WG+专用助剂中90%莠去津WG的施用量分别降至2 850 mL/hm 2和825 g/hm 2时,较各自推荐施用量分别减少用药量36.67%和21.43%,对玉米田主要杂草仍有理想的控制效果,株防效超过64%,鲜重防效超过95%;并可最大限度地改善玉米茎、穗部性状,减轻对玉米产量的影响,较人工除草分别减产1.96%和0.29%。可见,背负式静电喷雾器在玉米田土壤处理除草剂和茎叶处理除草剂喷施中具有较大的应用价值。     

Field susceptibility of the cocoa mirid,Sahlbergella singularis haglund (heteroptera) to some new insecticides

Two groups of insecticides were screened against the cacao mirid, S. singularis in small-scale field trials from September 1969 to January 1972. In first group 0.05% promecarb, 0.04% phosphamidon and 0.02% monocrotophos were equally effective and superior to 0.05% mecarbam in the three days after spraying but 0.05% promecarb was most toxic to bugs by the seventh day. In the 0.15 to 0.2% range, all four insecticides showed similar toxicity within 3 days of spraying but only 0.15% mecarbam and 0.2% promecarb maintained control to the seventh day. For mecarbam, phosphamidon and monocrotophos, control at 0.15% was better than at 0.05, 0.04 and 0.02% respectively 7 days after spray whilst 0.2% was superior to 0.05% promecarb 2 days after spray and not afterwards. At either 0.21 or 0.33 lb/acre insecticides in the second group (pirimiphos methyl, HOE 2960, CA 6900 and dicrotophos) gave identical level of control of mirids and control at the latter dosage rate was not better than at the former. There was no significant difference between 3 and 4 oz a.i./10 gal water/200 trees in toxicity to mirids and the insecticides gave equally good control of the bugs at both dosage levels till 35th day after spray. On the basis of efficacy and safety of use, promecarb CA 6900 and pirimiphos methyl were deemed suitable for further (large scale) trials.