The Latest Control Methods for Cutworms in Potatoes
The tubers of potatoes grow underground, and because they are rich in nutrients, they are a favorite food of many pests, and are often damaged when pests bite off the potato sprouts or feed on the tuber flesh and then become infected with pathogens, resulting in uneven emergence and a serious decline in yield and quality. And the cutworm is the most serious of the pests, so how should cutworm damage in potatoes be controlled? Let's take a look together.
1. Agricultural control
In autumn, deep plowing and harrowing are carried out to destroy the overwintering environment of the cutworm, using low temperatures to kill the overwintering larvae, pupae and adults, reducing the overwintering pest population and lessening the damage in the following year. During its reproduction period, clean up the field, clearing weeds and debris from the field and ditch edges and carrying them out of the field, to reduce the number of larvae and eggs. Molasses bait trapping and black light lamps can also be used, taking advantage of the cutworm's phototaxis and attraction to molasses to trap and kill its adults, which can reduce adult egg-laying, lower the number of larvae, and lessen cutworm damage.
2. Chemical control
When using chemical pesticides for control, choose high-efficiency, low-toxicity pesticides as much as possible. At sowing time, poisoned soil and granules can be evenly spread between the sowing furrows, and attention should be paid to the concentration of the pesticide. Chlorpyrifos or phorate can be diluted with water and sprayed into the sowing furrows, and after sowing and covering with soil, this can provide excellent control of underground pests. At the seedling stage, 40% phorate emulsifiable concentrate at 1500-2000 times dilution can also be used for root drenching, generally 50-100 milliliters per plant, which can kill larvae and eggs very well.
3. Poison bait trapping
If the damage is in a small area, bait materials such as bran and soybean cake can be fried until fragrant, then mixed evenly with trichlorfon, paying attention to the concentration, then watered in an appropriate amount to keep the bait slightly moist. Generally, 1.5-2.5 kilograms are spread per mu, so that after the cutworm eats this poison bait it will die, and this effect is more effective than spraying chemical pesticides.
The above is an introduction to how to control cutworms in potatoes. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.