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ADDITION OF Methylobacterium symbioticum (BLUE-N™) TO TRANSFORM®WG INSECTICIDE HAS LITTLE EFFECT ON APHID CONTROL BUT DOES RESULT IN SLIGHTLY HIGHER ALFALFA QUALITY AND YIELDS

Applied Research

Michael Rethwisch
Farm Advisor - Crop Production and Entomology
University of California Cooperative Extension
Blythe

Abstract

Several new bacteria which fix nitrogen in plant leaves have recently become commercially available with one of these being Methylobacterium symbioticum, being marketed as BlueN and Utrisha N. Local data for product efficacy were not available, nor were data for interactions when added to insecticides for controlling aphids in alfalfa.   Transform WG was applied to alfalfa at 1 oz./acre with and without the addition of 5 oz./acre of BlueN to determine if any interactions existed for insecticide efficacy and/or resultant alfalfa growth.  Replicated treatments (3 replications) were compared with untreated alfalfa utilizing a randomized complete block design and were applied at each of three different dates/growth stages of alfalfa regrowth:  3.6, 6.0 and 9.0 inches.  Aphids were collected via 10 sweeps per plot weekly, sorted and counted. Alfalfa yields and quality data were also collected. Aphid data (total numbers of aphids) indicated that while Transform WG insecticide reduced aphid numbers relative to untreated alfalfa, the addition of BlueN did not affect insecticide efficacy. Addition of BlueN to Transform WG did result in numerical, but not statistical, increases in both yield and quality (relative feed value) from all three application dates, with greatest increases noted from the last (9-inch) application. Yield increases from the BlueN and Transform WG combination treatment were noted to be statistically significant when compared to untreated alfalfa for the application to 9-inch tall alfalfa and when all data were combined. 

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Michael Rethwisch, Sarah Unzon Gonzalez, Anissa Soria
  1. Rethwisch, M. Farm Advisor - Crop Production and Entomology, University of California Cooperative Extension - Riverside County, California, 92225
  2. Unzon Gonzalez, S. Student Assistant 3, University of California Cooperative Extension - Riverside County, California, 92225-1649
  3. Soria, A. Student Assistant 3, University of California Cooperative Extension - Riverside County, California, 92225-1649