Furrow compaction associated with seed treatments to control root feeder termites in upland rice

Furrow compaction associated with seed treatments to control root feeder termites in upland rice José Alexandre F. Barrigossi1, Henrique Matias R. Silva1, Tavvs M. Alves1, , Veneraldo Pinheiro1, José Geraldo da Silva1, Tarcísio Cobucci1, Mábio C. Lacerda1, José Francisco A. e Silva1 Subterranean termites are important pest of upland rice in Brazil, limiting production mainly in the savannas located in Midwest. Currently the use of insecticides as seed treatment is the most widely measure for control, but there is a need for more sustainable alternatives to manage those pests in the upland rice environment. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of groove compression combined with insecticides to reduce termite damage in upland rice. Field experiments were conducted in Santo Antônio de Goiás, GO, during three growing seasons. Rice was planted in no-tillage in 0.45 m rows. The experimental design was factorial with three replications and plots of 3.5 m x 15 m (52.5 m2). The treatments consisted of three levels of furrow compression (0, 1.9 and 2.8 kgf/cm2) with insecticides fipronil, thiametoxam, imidacloprid, imidacloprid + thiodicarb, and control without insecticide. At 87 days after planting, with an AccuPAR LP-80 ceptometer, readings were performed to identify differences in leaf area index (LAI) as a function of the attack of insect pests. Throughout the crop development, number of stems attacked by termites and stalk borer were determined. It was observed a significant influence of treatments on plant mortality termites (F14, 222 = 21.41, p <0.0001). Plots treated with imidacloprid+ thiodicarb had the highest LAI independently of compression levels (Tukey test ? = 0.05). The interaction of furrow compaction and seed treatment with insecticides showed higher effect (P=0.002) on termite control than furrow compaction alone. All insecticides presented a good performance in preventing damage of termites (Procornitermes triacifer; Proconitermes spp; Syntermes molestus) in rice. Key words: Procornitermes sp.; Syntermes sp.; Tratamento de sementes. Financial support: Embrapa/CNPq.