Chemical-based strategies to control the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2021
Citazione:
Chemical-based strategies to control the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte / C. Ferracini, M. Blandino, I. Rigamonti, C. Jucker, E. Busato, M.A. Saladini, A. Reyneri, A. Alma. - In: CROP PROTECTION. - ISSN 0261-2194. - 139(2021 Jan).
Abstract:
The western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is one of
the most severe pests of cultivated maize, Zea mays L. Most of the damage to this crop is caused by larvae feeding
on the root system, causing important economic costs in terms of yield losses and management efforts.
This research was carried out to evaluate the effect of different chemical control strategies to minimize larval
damage in maize fields under natural infestation of the pest. Field-based research was performed in a two-year
period (2011–2012) in five locations of northern Italy. Different insecticide strategies (belonging to the pyrethroid,
neonicotinoid or organophosphate classes) were compared to an untreated control. The effects on larval
infestation, root damage, silage and grain yield were assessed.
Our data highlighted that insecticide application at sowing led to a significant reduction in the WCR larval
density, both considering insecticide seed treatments and in-furrow soil applications. In particular, seed-applied
clothianidin (systemic) and tefluthrin (non-systemic) applied at sowing led to a maximum increase in grain yield
of 18% and 19% respectively, when compared to the untreated control.
In all the surveyed plots, limited plant lodging was observed. Furthermore, while the silage yield did not
significantly differ among untreated and treated plots, significant differences were recorded with regard to grain
yield. No significant results occurred with the liquid insecticide applied in the intra-row space at ridging, with
regard to reduction in WCR larval density and grain yield.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
Western corn rootworm; Soil insecticide; Insecticide seed treatments; Root injury;Grain yield
Elenco autori:
C. Ferracini, M. Blandino, I. Rigamonti, C. Jucker, E. Busato, M.A. Saladini, A. Reyneri, A. Alma
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