Resistant Alfalfa Weevil Control

Dan Adamson, Agronomist, counting weevils in an infested alfalfa field.

INTRODUCTION

Pyrethroid resistant alfalfa in Goldendale, WA has been annihilating the alfalfa crops in the area for several years. STEWARD® EC INSECTICIDE has been a great choice for battling the weevil. However STEWARD® EC INSECTICIDE is a slow working ingestion poison group 22 insecticide.

HYPOTHESIS

Adding NanoPro® to the tank mix will increase the efficacy and the quickness of STEWARD® EC INSECTICIDE.

MATERIALS

• NanoPro®
• STEWARD® EC INSECTICIDE
• LEVEL 7®
• InterLock®

PROCEDURE

1. Fill spray tank with water halfway
2. Turn on agitator
3. Add STEWARD® EC INSECTICIDE and NanoPro®
4. Add Interlock® and LEVEL 7®
5. Two areas were sprayed - East and West Field respectively.
6. Sweeps (Two Sweeps of the net per “sweep”) were taken before sprays to determine weevil counts
7. Sweeps were taken 3 days after the application to determine counts
8. Sweeps were taken 8 days after the application to determine counts

CONCLUSION

The preliminary conclusion is that the nanoparticles increased the speed that the ingested insecticide reacted with the weevils causing a quicker death.

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