Rutabaga and Turnip - Insect Control Print E-mail
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Insect Control

Nonchemical control: Flea beetles, leafminers and the cabbage maggot can be controlled in spring crops with spunbonded row covers. Cover at seeding and seal the edges with soil to exclude the cabbage maggot fly, which lays eggs at the base of the young turnip or rutabaga seedlings. Rotate fields so that flies do not emerge under row covers. Row covers are most effective for spring crops. Row cover used to protect fall turnips and rutabegas from cabbage maggot during August and early September may cause reduced yield and root quality. Aphids are generally kept below damaging levels by natural enemies. If using row cover, do not place over crops with aphids present as the cover will exclude natural enemies and cause outbreaks of aphids under the cover.

NOTE:  For the insecticides listed below, one product trade name and formulation is provided for each active ingredient (common name) as an example of rates, days to harvest (dh), REI, and special instructions. In many cases there are other products available with the same active ingredient. Please see Table 20 and Alphabetical Listing by Trade Name for more information on products with the same active ingredients.

Aphids and Leafminers

Leafminers generally are controlled by natural enemies unless disrupted by broad-spectrum insecticide applications.  Some species may be transported on transplants from southern or western locations.  Control broadleaf weeds in and around the planting.  Rotate insecticide groups to slow resistance.  Systemic insecticides may control larvae within leaves.

See Cabbage Section for more information.

azadirachtin (Neemix 4.5): 4 to 7 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 18). Suppression and adult aphid feeding deterrent. OMRI listed.

cyromazine (Trigard): 2.66 dry oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 17). Only for leafminers on turnips grown only for greens (not greens and roots).

dimethoate (Dimethoate 4EC): 8 oz/A (14 dh, REI 48h, Group 1B). For turnip greens and roots only.

emamectin benzoate (Proclaim*): 3.2 to 4.8 oz/A (14 dh, REI 12h, Group 6). Turnip greens only. Leafminers only. Suppression only.

imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 0.3 to 0.7 oz/1,000 row-feet, 4.4 to 10.5 oz/A (21 dh, REI 12h, Group 4A). Aphids only. See plant-back restrictions. To avoid resistance, do not use another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide if Admire Pro was used at planting.

imidacloprid (Provado 1.6F): 3.5 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 4A). Aphids only. See plant-back restrictions. To avoid resistance, do not use a Provado foliar application following another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide application in the same crop.

malathion (Malathion 57EC): 1 to 2 pt/A (3 dh, REI 12h, Group 1B). For aphids only.

permethrin (Pounce* 25WP): 3.2 to 9.6 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). Turnip only.

pymetrozine (Fulfill): 2.75 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 9A). For aphids on turnip greens only.

pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0): 4.5 to 18 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). Aphids only. OMRI listed.

pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 tsp/gal, or 1 to 12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

spinetoram (Radiant SC): 6 to 10 oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 5). For leafminers only. Efficacy improves with the addition of an adjuvant.

spinosad (Entrust): 1.25 to 3 dry oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 5). For leafminers on turnip greens only. Efficacy improves with the addition of an adjuvant. OMRI listed.

thiamethoxam (Actara): 1.5 to 3 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 4). Aphids only.

thiamethoxam (Platinum): 5 to 8 oz/A (REI 12h, Group 4). Aphids only. Systemic insecticide used as an in-furrow, banded, drench, or drip irrigation application to the seed/seedling root zone during or after planting/transplanting operations. DO NOT apply as a foliar spray.

Cabbage Maggot

See Cabbage Section for more information on cabbage maggot. Both spring and fall crops are susceptible to maggot damage. Cooler soils in early fall allow survival of eggs from late season maggot fly. Use drop nozzles directed to base of plant. Use at least 100 gal water/A.

chlorpyrifos (Lorsban 75WG): 1.1 to 2.1 oz/1,000 row feet for rutabaga and 1.1 to 1.8 oz/1,000 row feet for turnip (REI 24h, Group 1B). Apply to direct seeded crops as a 4” band over the row at planting time. Do not use rutabaga tops for food or feed purposes. Use at least 40 gal water/A.