Pepper producers are advised to be cautious because the corn borer has started laying eggs of the second generation, according to experts. Suppression of this generation is crucial in the summer part of the season, because failure to take appropriate measures can result in significant damage and losses. The caterpillars of this pest damage pepper fruits by burrowing into them (mainly around the stem) and feeding on the flesh, causing the fruits to lose their market value. In addition, due to the penetration of fungi that cause rot, the fruits become unusable.
In the regions of Bačka and Banat, the presence of laid eggs of the flaming beetle was observed on the pepper crops, while in other pepper-growing regions of our country, such as Srem and southern Serbia, this is expected in the coming days. Producers are advised to visit the plots under pepper and inspect the undersides of the leaves for the presence of ovules.
How to control corn blight? Agrosava recommends the following
It is important to carefully assess when and if control of corn blight should be carried out. Damage thresholds amount to 5% of laid eggs or damaged plants for sweet corn and seed corn, while the threshold for mercantile corn is 10%. The time to implement the protection varies every year depending on the temperature and the development of the insect. The best time to treat the first generation is at the beginning and middle of June, while for the second generation it is at the beginning of August.
Prerequisites for reducing the number and overwintering of this pest include plowing of crop residues, deep plowing and weed control. Chemical control of corn blight is a regular agrotechnical measure for seed corn and sweet corn, and it is becoming more and more common for commercial corn as well. It is recommended to use insecticides against the corn borer at the stage of the beginning of the sawing of the larvae.
After confirmation of the presence and at the beginning of sawing caterpillars, registered insecticides of the company Agrosava such as Alverde 240SC (0.25 l/ha) and Fastac 10 EC (0.25 l/ha) can be applied. The treatment is repeated after 10-14 days with a combination of recommended insecticides or Ampligo preparation (0.2-0.25 l/ha).
In addition to the corn beetle, the eggs of the corn beetle and the gamma owl are also recorded in the pepper crops. The listed insecticides will also be effective against these pests.
Expert advice on preparations and their application:
Elena Benjik
Master of Agricultural Engineering
Expert advisor for farming
Agrosava
Source: boljazemlja.com
