Spring Management of Bluegrass Billbug with Conventional and Experimental Formulations at the Valentine Research Center, University Park, PA, 1992

Abstract

The field plot consisted primarily of Kentucky bluegrass. Treatment plots were 10 X 10 ft, arranged in a RCB design, replicated 4 times. Granular formulations were applied with a hand-held shaker and mixed with blank granules to facilitate product distribution. Liquid formulations were applied by using a COa sprayer with 4 8004 VS Teejet nozzles mounted on a 6 ft boom, operating at 28 psi, and delivering 5 gal/1000 ft2. At treatment time (20 May), the following soil and environmental conditions existed: air temperature, 70"F; soil temperature at 1 inch depth, 71.0°F; soil temperature at 2 inch depth, 64.0°F; RH 70%; amount of thatch, 0.25-0.5 inches; soil type, silt loam; soil particle size analysis: 22.5% sand, 61.5% silt, 16.0% clay; organic matter, 3.7%; soil moisture (oven baked), 21.5%; water pH, 7.0; soil pH, 6.6; and skies were clear. Immediately after treatment the experimental area was irrigated with 0.25 inches of water. Posttreatment counts were made 37 d later (26 Jun). Bluegrass billbug control was evaluated by removing four 0.087 ft2 sod samples from each replicate, and the total number of bluegrass billbug life stages (larvae, pupae, adults) were recorded from each sample and converted to a ft2 count. Sod samples were removed with a 4-inch cup cutter.