Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 March 2009
The relationship between rate, spray interval and number of applications of Decis for pest control in cow pea was investigated. In 1978 and 1979, neither the rates nor the interaction effects were significant in grain yield when 12·5 and 25·0g a.i./ha of Decis were applied three times weekly or twice at intervals of 10 or 14 days.
Further trials in 1980 showed that for the contro l of thrips (M. sjostedti), rate, interval and number of applications were significant for samples at 49 days after planting and beyond, suggesting that the residual life of Decis is about 10 days. Three applications were significantly better than two for lowering the population of C. tomentosicollis and the number × interval interaction was also significant. The number, rate and interval were significant without interaction effects for shrivelled pods caused by all hemipteran pests. In all the trials in 1980 and 1981, damage by the pod borer M. testulalis was low. Rate and number × interval interaction were generally significant but no differences were observed in grain yield. However, in 1980 the higher rate and three applications gave better quality crop, resulting from less hemipteran damage.
An analysis of cost–benefit of the trial showed that 12·5 g a.i./ha gave higher returns than 25 g, as did two applications than three, but the trend in the spray interval was less consistent.