Thrips Control in Tomatoes in North Florida, 1991

The experiment was located in Gadsden Co., Florida. Plot size was 1 row x 27 ft. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with 4 replications, although the Penncap M 2 treatment was replicated only twice. Spray insecticide treatments were applied on 8, 15, and 22 May with a 1-row, CO2-powered backpack sprayer that was equipped with 5, D7-45 nozzles/row. The chemicals were applied at about 60 psi, with the amount of spray about 63 gal/acre. The density of thrips in tomato flowers was estimated in each plot 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after treatment. Ten flowers were randomly collected in each plot on each sample date. Each sample was placed in a prelabeled vial containing 70% ethyl alcohol. The number of thrips in each sample was determined by searching the contents of each vial under a 7 to 15 x dissecting microscope.