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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #70789
Title: FIELD-TESTING A SPRAY ADJUVANT FOR GYPCHEK

Author
item PODGWAITE, J - USDA FOREST SERVICE
item Thorpe, Kevin
item Webb, Ralph
item REARDON, R - USDA FOREST SERVICE

Submitted to: United States Department of Agricultural Interagency Gypsy Moth Research Forum
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A ready-to-use spray adjuvant (Carrier 038) has been developed that is superior to the standard Forest Service lignosulfonate-molasses formulation in ease of mixing and spraying and also provides enhanced protection of the virus from sunlight. An aerial application trial was completed in Virginia. Treatment evaluations showed ( = 0.05) no significant differences in NPV mortality in larvae collected from either the STD treatment plots (80%) the 038 treatment plots (86%), or the 038/2 treatment plots (83%). However, the single application treatment (68%) was significantly lower than the other 038 treatments. All Gypchek treatments were significantly different than the control (19%). Defoliation differences (18-23%) between Gypchek treatments were not significant, but all were significantly lower than the control (37%). Similarly, numbers of surviving larvae were not significantly different between Gypchek treatments but were significantly different from the control. These results indicate that a Carrier 038 formulation of Gypchek applied twice at either 9.5 liters/ha or 4.8 liters/ha provides a level of efficacy comparable to the standard formulation applied twice at 19 liters/ha. Thus Carrier 038 is an attractive alternative to the latter for use in gypsy moth management programs.