Efficiency of seed disinfection and foliar spray with Imidacloprid and Cypermethrin for control of flea beetles in canola

Abstract

Flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.) are among the most significant pests of canola, causing damage during the early growth stages, particularly in the seedling or cotyledon stage. Chemical control, including seed disinfection and foliar spray, is considered one of the primary strategies for managing this pest. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of seed disinfection with imidacloprid (Gaucho(R)) on different canola cultivars and foliar spray with imidacloprid (Confidor(R)) and cypermethrin for controlling flea beetles. The experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement as a randomized complete block design in a canola field in Behshahr, Mazandaran province. The treatments included seed disinfection with Gaoucho(R) at a rate of 14 g/kg of seeds for the cultivars Hyola 50, Delgan, and RGS, and the infection coefficient was determined for each treatment. The Henderson-Tilton equation was used to calculate the percentage of insecticide efficiency for imidacloprid and cypermethrin. The results showed that the highest efficiency, with an infection coefficient close to 10%, was observed in the seed-disinfected Delgan cultivar, followed by Hyola cultivars (13.21%) after one week. The evaluation of insecticide efficiency also revealed that cypermethrin had the highest efficiency at approximately 90% after seven and three days of spraying, while the lowest efficiency was observed for Confidor(R) at around 60% three days after spraying. Comparison of the infection coefficients of the sprayed treatments with seed disinfected Hyola cultivars after four weeks indicated that foliar spray with cypermethrin exhibited the best efficiency with an infection coefficient of 15.18%. Based on the results of this study, the Delgan cultivar with seed disinfection and cypermethrin as the most effective insecticide is recommended for controlling flea beetles in canola.

Keywords

• flea beetles
• seed treatment
• foliar spraying
• delgan variety
• gaucho(r)