DRENCH OF SEEDLINGS AS ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC FEASIBLE METHOD OF TOBACCO PROTECTION AGAINST WIREWORMS

The cultivation of seedlings in hydroponics, the ban of methyl bromide and the discovery of highly systemic insecticides from the neonicotinoid group have opened up new possibilities in tobacco protection against pests. It was supposed that tobacco seedlings drenched in the solution of tiamethoxam would result in efficient protection of transplanted plants against wireworms. The efficacy of tiamethoxam applied as drench or irrigation of seedlings or transplanted plants was compared with the efficacy obtained by standard granular insecticide (tefluthrin) in the two-year research in the condition of high infestation by Agriotes ustulatus Schall. larvae. The results show that drench of seedlings is easy and very practical method having satisfactory efficacy against wireworms. Even though statistical analysis doesn’t support this, it was obvious that a certain favorable impact of tiametoxam on the vigour of the plant (exuberant and faster growth and healthier appearance in general) exists.