In-furrow application of flupyradifurone for season long management of sugarcane aphid management in grain sorghum

Sugarcane aphid is an invasive species that severely limits grain sorghum production in the southeastern US. Infestations result in delayed maturity, sooty mold accumulation, reduced heading, and yield loss.  Previous research demonstrated that a foliar application of flupyradifurone (Sivanto 200 SL) at threshold preserved yield.  The objective of this project was to compare in-furrow applications of flupyradifurone with a foliar application to prevent economically important population development.  Replicated grain sorghum plots were established in mid-April and late May at Tifton, GA.  During each planting, four plots each were treated with 4 oz and 5 oz Sivanto in-furrow, additional plots were left untreated for a control and a foliar application (5 oz) at threshold.  Sugarcane aphid populations were estimated weekly until harvest by scouting six top and six bottom leaves from each plot.  Data from the early planting date indicated that sugarcane aphid populations never reached threshold levels in any plots that received an in-furrow application.  A single foliar application at threshold reduced aphid counts for the remainder of the season, while aphid counts in the untreated plots exceeded 400 aphids per leaf before crashing.  Grain sorghum yield in the early plant date was significantly greater for the two in-furrow treatments (136 bu/acre) compared to the foliar treatment (94 bu/acre) or the untreated (31 bu/acre).  After considering results from the second planting date and other locations, these data will be used in developing management strategies in the Southeast.