Effects of the Subterranean Aphid [Geoica utricularia (Passerini)] on Forage Yield and Quality of Sand Lovegrass

Abstract

In 1977 at Mead, Nebraska, replicated plots in two sand lovegrass (Eragrostis trichodes) nurseries naturally infested with root aphids (Geoica utricularia Passerini) were treated with soil drenches of carbofuran and disulfoton (2.24 kg/ha AI) to quantify the economic importance of these aphids. In a nursery of 'Nebraska 27' sand lovegrass, the carbofuran and disulfoton treated plots produced 45% and 16% more forage, respectively, than the untreated plots. In a nursery of another Nebraska experimental strain, the treated plots produced more forage than the untreated plots but the differences were not significant. There were no differences among treated and control plots in either nursery for dry matter, protein, and in vitro dry matter digestibility percentages.