Researches on the protection of maize crops against soil pests

Abstract

The maize crops have been affected, in the range between seed germination - plants appearing – the development of the first 3 – 5 leave, by larvae of Agriotes genus, the maize leaf weevil (Tanymecus dilaticollis) and earth fleas (Crepidodera sp.). For the prevention and reduction of the groundside pests attacks, at Agricultural Research and Development Station (ARDS) of Secuieni, Neamţ county, Romania, it has been experienced a range of insecticides (Gaucho 600 FS – 6.0 l/t (STD), Poncho 600 FS – 9.0 l/t, Thiacloprid 400 FS- 20.0 l/t, Nuprid 600 FS – 6.0 l/t, Picus 600 FS – 6.0 l/t, Cosmos 500FS – 2.0 l/t şi 7.5 l/t) applied in the treatment of maize grain. The experienced insecticides have insured a good protection of the plants against the larvae of Agriotes genus; the percentage of the saved plants at 25 days of the emergence it was between 89% and 97% at the treated variants and 76% plants remainig at the untreated variant; the differences with the percentage of saved plants between the treated variants and the untreated variant were very significant. Regarding the degree of attack produce by Tanymecus dilaticollis and Crepidodera sp., between the treated variants and the untreated variant there were registered very significant negative differences. The good protection insured by the seed chemical treatment with the experienced insecticides it positive influence the maize production at hectare; between the treated variants and the untreated variant there were obtained very significant production differences. The good results obtained in the protection of maize crops against the groundside pests they led to the approval of the experienced insecticides and to the recommendation to use them in the large-scale production.