Control of sugar beet pests at early season by seed treatment with insecticides

Abstract

In the period 2001-2004, experiments were conducted in the region of Bačka (northern Serbia) to assess the efficiency of insecticide treatment of sugar beet seeds in controlling soil pests (larvae of Elateridae family) and reducing the damage caused by beet weevil (Bothynoderes punctiventris G e r m) and flea beetle (Chaetocnema tibialis I l l i g). Several insecticides mostly systemic ones (carbofuran, thiamethoxam, fipronil, imidacloprid and clothianidin), and their combinations with pyrethroids in different doses were tested in field conditions. Stand density, percentages of plants damaged by B. punctiventris and C. tibialis, injury level and weight of juvenile plants served as parameters for evaluation of insecticide efficiency. Most of the insecticides applied to seeds provided a significantly better stand density compared with the untreated control. Because of their systemic action, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and their mixtures with pyrethroids provided very good protection of juvenile plants from C. tibialis and in some cases from B. punctiventris.

Keywords

• sugar beet
• insecticides
• seed treatment
• wireworms (Elateridae)
• sugar beet weevil (Bothynoderes punctiventris Germ)
• flea beetle (Chaetocnema tibialis Illig)