SRIPMC Information Request
VIRGINIA
Alfalfa
Acres: 110,000 acres harvested in 2004; 440,000 tons alfalfa produced
Value: $50,600,000, or $115/ton
Ranking: 21st out of 48 hay-producing states (VASS combines alfalfa data with other
hay to rank)
Distribution: Statewide, but mostly grown in northern and western regions of VA (Blue
Ridge and Northern Virginia horse country)
Recommendations: The Virginia crop profile recommends the use of:
 (Dimethoate 4EC 44.8EC) – Organophosphate. PHI = 10 days. Apply at a rate of
0.25 – 0.5 lb. a.i./A for control of potato leafhopper and pea aphids. Make only one
application per cutting. Do NOT apply if crops and weeds are blooming to avoid
killing bees. REI = 48 hrs.
Field Activities: During the growing season, worker activities in the field typically
include such things as field preparation, planting (August-September and March-April),
scouting or pest monitoring, spraying, and harvesting (May-September). Workers could
potentially be exposed to pesticides during these activities so all safety procedures
recommended on the label should be followed, particularly wearing proper personal
protective equipment (PPE) and strictly following re-entry intervals (REIs) when
returning to the field. Workers do not typically engage in activities that put them in
direct contact with the plants during the growing season because most fieldwork is
performed mechanically. However, workers are sometimes required to be in the field for
pest monitoring and during harvest when square bales are loaded by hand.
Pesticide Usage: (No local use data are available – these are statewide figures).
1992 - 9.0% treated
1997 - 16.0% treated
2003 - 7.0% treated
Grower need: CRITICAL
Contacts:
Curt A. Laub
Research Associate
Department of Entomology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
308 Price Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0319
Ph: (540) 231-7311
Fax: (540) 231-9131
E-mail: claub@vt.edu
Roger R. Youngman
Professor and Extension Specialist
Department of Entomology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
312 Price Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0319
Ph: (540) 231-9118
Fax: (540) 231-9131
E-mail: youngman@vt.edu
Asparagus: No Crop Profile. Not a significant crop in Virginia.
Acres: 122 acres harvested (2002)
Value: Unknown
Ranking: Unknown
Distribution: Statewide, but most asparagus is grown in Caroline, Loudoun, and
Westmoreland counties.
Recommendations: Dimethoate is registered for the control of aphids and asparagus
beetles on asparagus plants (post-harvest) in Virginia. However, neither the Virginia Pest
Management Guide (2006) nor the Virginia Commercial Vegetable Production
Recommendations Manual (2005) recommends the use of this pesticide. From the Kelly
Registrations Systems Pesticide Database for Virginia:
 (Cheminova Dimethoate 4E 43.5EC) – Organophosphate. PHI = 180 days. Apply
0.55 lb. a.i./A after the last harvest at no less than 7-day intervals. Do NOT apply
more than 2.7 lb. a.i./A per year. REI = 48 hours.
Field Activities: Asparagus is a spring season crop planted from Feb. 1 – March 15.
Harvesting runs from April 10 – June 10, but the most intense period is from May 1 – 31.
Pesticide Usage: Unknown.
Grower need: Unknown. Many other chemicals are recommended for the control of
asparagus beetle; however, Malathion alone is recommended for the control of asparagus
aphids. If both Malathion and Dimethoate were lost, asparagus farmers could be at a
loss for aphid treatment options.
Contact:
Thomas P. Kuhar
Assistant Professor, Entomology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center (0512)
33446 Research Drive
Painter, VA 23420-2827
Ph: 757-414-0724
Fax: 757-414-0730
E-mail: tkuhar@vt.edu
Carrots: No Crop Profile. Not a significant crop in Virginia (< 4 acres).
Corn: No Crop Profile.
Acres: 500,000/360,000 acres (planted/harvested) of corn used as grain; 135,000 acres
were harvested for silage in 2004. There were 52,200,000 bushels of grain corn and
2,700,000 tons of silage produced.
Value: $114,840,000 or $2.20/bushel (corn as grain).
Ranking: 23rd for corn used as grain; 13th for corn used as silage.
Distribution: Statewide, but in 2004 the top 5 counties producing corn for grain were
Accomack, Essex, Northumberland, King and Queen, and Westmoreland. The top 5
counties producing corn for silage were Rockingham, Augusta, Franklin, Fauquier, and
Wythe.
Recommendations: Dimethoate is registered in Virginia for the foliar treatment of corn
plants infested with aphids, banks grass mites, bean beetles, corn rootworm adults,
grasshoppers, and two-spotted spider mites. The Virginia PMG (2006) recommends:
 (Dimethoate 4EC 44.8EC) PHI = 14 days. Apply 0.5 lb. a.i./A for the control of
grasshoppers and 0.33 – 0.5 lb. a.i./A for the control of spider mites. Do not apply
more than 3 times per year. Do not feed or graze within 14 days of last application.
Grasshopper damage typically occurs in mid to late summer. Spider mite populations
tend to explode during the grain-fill period.
Field Activities: (The following information was taken from the June 2004 Pennsylvania
Field Corn Crop Profile and adapted for Virginia field corn production.)
With the exception of scouting fields to monitor weed populations, worker activities prior
to planting are mostly tractor-driven operations limited to one herbicide application. This
occurs from March to late-June depending upon weather, field use, and crop rotation.
Field scouting is done prior to any pesticide application and therefore poses no risk of
exposure. At planting from March to early May, fungicide and insecticide treatments are
the primary exposure concerns. Exposure is most likely to occur when treated seed is
placed into the planter boxes, and does not often occur at any other time during the
production cycle. The amount of this type of exposure varies based on the number of
acres planted, which dictates how many times planter boxes must be refilled.
Organophosphates are the most common class of pesticides used for corn insect control.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is dictated by the label requirements, however, at a
minimum gloves must be worn to avoid exposure when transferring insecticides and
treated seeds into the planter. In some cases nematicides may also be used at time of
planting. New technologies (i.e., Roundup Ready crops) make herbicide application
more common after plants emerge. This is likely to occur from early May to mid-June.
However, only one herbicide application would be made at this stage and worker activity
is limited to tractor-driven operations. The potential for post-harvest exposure is limited
to insecticides used to treat empty grain bins, or treated grain that is being prepared or
held in storage. This activity would occur only once, if necessary, after grain was put
into storage. Because of the potential for inhalation, fumigation poses the greatest
potential for harm from exposure.
Pesticide Usage: Dimethoate was not listed as having been used in 1991 pesticide use
survey data.
Grower need: Unknown. The VA PMG recommends only one other chemical for the
control of two-spotted spider mites (Disulfoton/Di-Syston 8E), which is a RESTRICTED
USE organophosphate, so if both pesticides were lost, it could be problematic for corn
farmers.
Contact:
Roger R. Youngman
Professor and Extension Specialist
Department of Entomology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
312 Price Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0319
Ph: (540) 231-9118
Fax: (540) 231-9131
E-mail: youngman@vt.edu
Cotton: No Crop Profile.
Acres: In 2004, 81,000 acres produced 161,400 bales of cotton.
Value: $29,439,000
Ranking: 14th out of 17 cotton-producing states.
Distribution: Mainly the Tidewater region, particularly Southampton, Isle of Wight,
Suffolk City, Greensville, and Sussex counties.
Recommendations: Dimethoate is registered in Virginia for the foliar treatment of
cotton plants infested with aphids, mites, thrips, fleahoppers, plant bugs, and lygus bugs.
Although the Virginia Pest Management Guide (2006) does not recommend the use of
this pesticide on cotton, the Virginia Cotton Production Guide (2005) does recommend
the following product for the control of aphids:
 (Cygon 4EC) PHI = 14 days. Apply 0.25 lb. a.i./A for the control of aphids on cotton
plants. REI = 48 hours.
From the Kelly Registration Systems Pesticide Database for Virginia:
 (Dimethoate 4EC 44.8EC) PHI = 14 days. Apply 0.125 – 0.25 lb. a.i./A for the
control of aphids, mites, thrips, and fleahoppers. Apply 0.25 lb. a.i./A for the control
of plant bugs, including lygus bugs. Do not reapply at intervals less than 14 days. Do
not feed treated forage or graze livestock on treated fields. REI = 48 hours.
Field Activities: Strip-till cotton production is becoming more common in Virginia. It
allows fewer trips over the field resulting in reduced fuel costs and less labor. Cotton is
planted from April 20th – May 25th. Replanting is sometimes necessary through midMay. Insect pests frequently affect cotton plants in the early stages of development.
Currently, only thrips require annual control.
Pesticide Usage: Dimethoate was used by 6.3% of growers in a 1992 survey for control
of aphids.
Grower need: Not Critical.
Contact:
Ames Herbert
Professor and Extension Specialist
Department of Entomology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center
6321 Holland Road
Suffolk, VA 23437
Ph: (757) 657-6450, Ext. 122
E-mail: herbert@vt.edu
Grapefruit: No Crop Profile. Not grown in Virginia.
Onions: No Crop Profile. Not a significant crop in Virginia.
Oranges: No Crop Profile. Not grown in Virginia.
Spring Wheat: No Crop Profile. Not a significant crop in Virginia.
Peanuts: Dimethoate is not labeled for use on peanuts in Virginia.
Acres: In 2004, 32,000 acres produced 104,000,000 lbs. of peanuts.
Value: $22,464,000
Ranking: Virginia ranked 7th out of 9 peanut-producing states in 2004.
Distribution: Tidewater region, primarily Southampton, Suffolk, Isle of Wight, Sussex,
Surry, Dinwiddie, Greensville, and Prince George counties.
Recommendations: Dimethoate is not labeled for use on peanuts in Virginia.
Field Activities:
Pesticide Usage: Dimethoate was not listed as having been used on peanuts in Virginia.
Grower need: Not Critical.
Contact:
Ames Herbert
Professor and Extension Specialist, Entomology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center
6321 Holland Road
Suffolk, VA 23437
Ph: (757) 657-6450, Ext. 122
E-mail: herbert@vt.edu
Pears: No Crop Profile. Not a significant crop in Virginia (< 200 bearing acres).
Plums/Prunes: No Crop Profile. Not a significant crop in Virginia (< 50 bearing acres).
Pumpkins: Dimethoate is not labeled for use on pumpkins in Virginia.
Acres: 2,500 (2002)
Value: Unknown
Ranking: Unknown
Distribution: Grown statewide, but most are in western Virginia. The top 5 pumpkin
producing counties in Virginia are Carroll, Nelson, Augusta, Hanover, and Halifax.
Other counties include Scott, Montgomery, Roanoke, Grayson, Patrick, Bedford, and
Tazewell. Most counties are in western Virginia.
Recommendations: Neither the Virginia Pest Management Guide (2006) nor the
Virginia Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Manual (2005)
recommends the use of this pesticide.
Field Activities: During the growing season, worker activities in the field include
seeding (June-July), cultivating, scouting, irrigating, spraying, occasional hand weeding,
and harvesting (September-November). Strictly following re-entry intervals (REIs)
should minimize any risk of exposure to pesticides during these activities. If workers are
required to go back in the field before the proper time limit has expired then personal
protective equipment (PPE) is worn. Activities that bring workers in direct contact with
the plants during the growing season are generally limited to harvest time because the
fruit is hand picked by the workers.
Pesticide Usage: Dimethoate is not listed as being used on pumpkins in Virginia.
Grower need: Not Critical.
Contact:
Thomas P. Kuhar
Assistant Professor, Entomology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center (0512)
33446 Research Drive
Painter, VA 23420-2827
Ph: 757-414-0724
Fax: 757-414-0730
E-mail: tkuhar@vt.edu
Safflower: No Crop Profile. Not grown in Virginia.
Sorghum: No Crop Profile.
Acres: 5,000 acres planted, 2,000 acres harvested for grain (136,000 bushels produced)
and 3,000 acres harvested for silage in 2004.
Value: $213,000 ($2.80/cwt.)
Ranking: VA ranked 23rd out of 24 sorghum-producing states in 2004.
Distribution: Statewide. Sorghum is grown locally and widely.
Recommendations: Dimethoate is labeled for the control of aphids, banks grass mites,
grasshoppers, sorghum midge, and spider mites on sorghum in Virginia. The VA PMG
(2006) recommends the following:
 (Dimethoate 4E) PHI = 28 days. For the control of greenbug aphids, apply 0.25 –
0.5 lb. a.i./A. For the control of sorghum midge, apply 0.125 – 0.25 lb. a.i./A. Do not
feed or graze within 28 days of last application. Make no more than 3 applications
per season. Do not apply after heading.
Field Activities: (Modified from the 2005 Tennessee Sorghum Crop Profile)
In conventionally planted systems, the ground may be broken as early as one month prior
to planting or as little as one week. The method helps destroy growing weeds, however
stimulates germination for others. This method may be achieved using various types of
farm implements. In no-tillage systems, fields may be mowed prior to planting to reduce
problems during planting. Herbicides are sprayed soon after mowing to kill any
surviving weeds. Insecticide applications may be applied to the seed prior to planting
and/or applied to the foliage as late as 14 days until harvest. The majority of products are
applied early in the season when pest populations warrant their use.
Planting begins 1 – 2 weeks after corn. Sorghum seeds are sown in rows generally
spaced at 38-inches apart using a seed hopper box where seed is directly poured from the
bag into the hopper. Seed is mechanically placed into the furrow. Cultivation occurs in
conventionally planted grain sorghum only. Grain sorghum is cultivated from two weeks
after planting until the equipment is no longer able to enter the field with out damaging
the crop. Depending on weather conditions, this may be done as late as six weeks after
planting or when the plant reaches approximately 15 inches in height. Harvesting is done
using a combine and may occur any where from September 14th until November 14th.
When the combine is full, a mechanical auger is used to move harvested grain into trucks.
An auger may be used to unload filled trucks or grain may be dumped into a grain catch
basin to be later mechanically moved into a storage area. Grain sorghum used as silage is
harvested using a mechanical device known as a silage chopper. Grain sorghum is
harvested when moisture content is higher than grain sorghum harvested for grain only.
Chopped silage is mechanically moved into a storage bin and then moved to a holding
area for fermentation. Silage is placed into an upright bin or a lined dirt silage pit and
allowed to ferment prior to feeding to livestock.
Pesticide Usage: Pesticide use is minimal, but does occur.
Grower need: Unknown, but the VA PMG recommends only one other chemical for
greenbug aphid control (Chlorpyrifos), which is a RESTRICTED USE pesticide. If both
were lost, there could be an aphid problem.
Contact:
Roger R. Youngman
Professor and Extension Specialist
Department of Entomology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
312 Price Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0319
Ph: (540) 231-9118
Fax: (540) 231-9131
E-mail: youngman@vt.edu
Soybeans: No Crop Profile.
Acres: In 2004, 530,000 acres produced 20,670,000 bushels of soybeans.
Value: $105,417,000
Ranking: VA ranked 20th out of 31 soybean-producing states in 2004.
Distribution: Statewide, but most soybeans are grown in eastern Virginia (Piedmont and
Tidewater regions) in rotation with corn, small grains, and other crops. The top 5
soybean-producing counties are Accomack, Southampton, Chesapeake, Sussex, and
Northampton.
Recommendations: Dimethoate is labeled in Virginia for the control of bean leaf beetle,
grasshoppers, Mexican bean beetle, spider mites, and three-cornered alfalfa hopper in
soybeans. The VA PMG (2006) recommends the following:
 (Dimethoate 4EC) PHI = 21 days. For the control of spider mites and grasshoppers,
apply 0.5 lb. a.i./A. For the control of sorghum midge, apply 0.125 – 0.25 lb. a.i./A.
Do not feed or graze within 5 days of last application. Make no more than 3
applications per season.
Field Activities: (Modified from the 2005 North Carolina Soybean Crop Profile)
The optimum time for planting soybeans in Virginia is usually from mid-May to early
June, but soybeans can be planted earlier. Growers sometimes apply a fungicide or sow
fungicide-treated seed at planting. Most applicators use ground equipment with enclosed
cabs. Smaller farms are less likely to have tractors with closed cabs. Nearly 90% of the
soil insecticide is loaded into the spreader with a "lock and load" system that limits
exposure to the mix/loader. During the season, a grower typically makes one to three
pesticide spray applications per year. A typical applicator could cover about 25 acres per
hour. On smaller farms, a single individual may make all of the pesticide applications.
On larger farms, the crop is treated by several workers who operate the spray rigs.
Nearly all soybeans are monitored informally. The grower or an employee will spend 1
to 2 hours per week driving near the fields or walking in the field margins. Some
soybeans are formally scouted once per week. It takes a typical scout about 2 hours to
inspect 100 acres of soybeans. It is generally recommended that harvesting begin as soon
as the moisture content drops below 15 percent if drying facilities are available.
Pesticide Usage: Dimethoate was reportedly used by 0.3% of growers based on a 1991
survey of pesticide use in Virginia. However, the use was unspecified and appears to not
be a critical need based on these data.
Grower need: Not Critical
Contact:
Ames Herbert
Professor and Extension Specialist, Entomology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center
6321 Holland Road
Suffolk, VA 23437
Ph: (757) 657-6450, Ext. 122
E-mail: herbert@vt.edu
Squash: Dimethoate is not labeled for use on squash in Virginia.
Acres: 1,000 acres planted, 872 acres harvested in 2002.
Value: Unknown
Ranking: Unknown
Distribution: Statewide, but small acreages. Squash growers are primarily located in
the Northern Neck counties, Northampton County, Roanoke County, and the Richmond
area.
Recommendations: Neither the Virginia Pest Management Guide (2006) nor the
Virginia Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Manual (2005)
recommends the use of dimethoate on squash.
Field Activities: During the growing season, worker activities in the field include direct
seeding (April-August), transplanting (April-June), cultivating, irrigating, scouting,
spraying, occasional hand weeding, and harvesting (June-October). Strictly following re-
entry intervals (REIs) should minimize any risk of exposure to pesticides during these
activities. If workers are required to go back in the field before the proper time limit has
expired then personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn. Activities that bring workers
in direct contact with the plants during the growing season are generally limited to
harvest time because the squash is hand picked by the workers.
Pesticide Usage: Dimethoate was not listed as being used on Virginia squash in a
pesticide use survey.
Grower need: Not Critical.
Contact:
Thomas P. Kuhar
Assistant Professor, Entomology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center (0512)
33446 Research Drive
Painter, VA 23420-2827
Ph: 757-414-0724
Fax: 757-414-0730
E-mail: tkuhar@vt.edu
Strawberries: Dimethoate is not labeled for use on strawberries in Virginia.
Acres: 276 (2002)
Value: $3,750,000 (1999)
Ranking: Unknown (acreage has been shrinking since 1990).
Distribution: Statewide. “U-pick" markets account for close to 75% of the strawberries
grown in Virginia, while 25% are actually harvested through the utilization of paid labor.
Many “pick-your-own” (U-pick) growers are located near metropolitan areas.
Recommendations: Dimethoate is not labeled for use on strawberries in Virginia.
Field Activities: (Taken from the 2004 North Carolina Strawberry Crop Profile)
Workers hand transplant fresh dug, bare-root plants ("fresh dugs") by hand or with the
use of a small hand tool in the annual hill strawberry plasticulture system (the main
production system in North Carolina). In recent years, strawberry plugs have become a
popular alternative to fresh dugs and these are mechanically transplanted with a water
wheel. Following transplanting in the fall, workers will go back into the field within 1 to
2 weeks to replace unthrifty or dead transplants. With the exception of the
owner/operator, workers do not re-enter the strawberry plasticulture fields again until the
end of the Post-Transplant period for applying winter row covers (spunbonded polyester
covers used for winter protection). The next field exposure for workers occurs in the
Dormant period for pulling row covers off the field and to hand remove dead leaves and
runners. In the Pre-Harvest period, workers will return to the field for hand pulling
branch crowns through the plastic film. At this time, workers will also hand remove any
weeds that have emerged in the area of the transplant hole. Both preemergent and
postemergent herbicide applications are applied in winter or early spring (row middles)
with shielded, tractor mounted spray equipment. About 25% of the industry uses annual
ryegrass in the middles for weed suppression, soil conservation, and later for a spring
mulch during harvest. Other producers (not using annual ryegrass) keep the row middles
weed free with shielded post-emergent sprays of paraquat in the late Post-Plant, Dormant,
and Pre-Harvest periods. After the Pre-Harvest herbicide application, a backpack sprayer
may be used to control escape weeds in the row middles. There is no hand weeding once
the harvest season is underway. Insecticides and fungicides are applied from early spring
up to harvest primarily with drop-nozzle field type sprayers delivering 150 to 200 pounds
per square inch in 50 to 100 gallons per acre. Virtually all of the strawberry acres are
harvested by hand (April to May) for direct marketing (U-pick, Ready-Pick, Farmers
Markets) although a few of the larger operations harvest for the fresh market.
Pesticide Usage: Dimethoate was not listed as being used on strawberry in Virginia.
Grower Need: Not Critical
Contact:
Doug G. Pfeiffer
Extension Entomologist, Tree Fruits
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Department of Entomology-0319
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Ph: (540)-231-4183
Fax: (540)-231-9131
e-mail: dgpfeiff@vt.edu
Sugar Beets: No Crop Profile. Not grown in Virginia.
Sunflowers: No Crop Profile. Not a significant crop in Virginia.
Sweet Corn: No Crop Profile. Dimethoate is not labeled for use on sweet corn in
Virginia.
Acres: 3,000 (2004) acres produced 375,000 cwt. of corn.
Value: $5,250,000 (2004)
Ranking: VA ranked 17th out of 26 corn-producing states (375 000 cwt.) in 2004.
Distribution: Statewide. “U-pick" markets and grower-picked operations. “Pick-yourown” and roadside stand operations are usually located near population centers. The
major sweet corn-producing counties are Accomack, Appomattox, Dinwiddie,
Greensville, Halifax, King George, Rockingham, Westmoreland, Chesapeake, and
Virginia Beach.
Recommendations: Dimethoate is not labeled for use on sweet corn in Virginia.
Field Activities: Sweet Corn is a summer crop. It is planted March 25-May 10, and
harvesting begins June 25 with most harvesting completed from July 1-31. The harvest
ends Sept. 15.
Pesticide Usage: Dimethoate is not used on sweet corn in Virginia.
Grower need: Not Critical.
Contact:
Roger R. Youngman
Professor and Extension Specialist
Department of Entomology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
312 Price Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0319
Ph: (540) 231-9118
Fax: (540) 231-9131
E-mail: youngman@vt.edu
Tobacco: Dimethoate is not labeled for use on tobacco in Virginia.
Acres: In 2004, 23,000 acres of flue-cured, 710 acres of fire-cured, 5,900 acres of aircured, 70 acres of sun-cured tobacco were harvested in VA. Total tobacco produced was
67,285,000 lbs.
Value: $125,517,000 (2004)
Ranking: 3rd out of 17 tobacco-producing states (2004).
Distribution: Flue-cured tobacco is produced mostly in the southern Piedmont region of
Virginia mainly in Pittsylvania, Franklin, Halifax, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, Charlotte,
and Lunenburg counties. Virginia fire-cured tobacco is produced on heavier textured
soils in the Piedmont region. Sun-cured tobacco is produced in a small region of Louisa
County in central Virginia, north of the James River. Burley (air-cured) is produced in
the mountain regions of southwest Virginia in Washington, Scott, Lee, Russell, and
Smyth counties.
Recommendations: Dimethoate is not labeled for use on tobacco in Virginia.
Field Activities: Approximately 90 percent of the crop is grown on at least a two-year
rotation. Flue-cured tobacco is typically grown on a high, wide-row bed to allow good
drainage and aeration of the roots. Some flue-cured, and most of the other tobacco types
are grown on a flat field surface. Though some acres are grown as no-till or reduced-till,
the great majority (99 percent) of flue-cured tobacco is grown with conventional tillage.
No-till production is used much more often in burley tobacco. Tobacco is transplanted
into the field as seedlings produced in greenhouses (about 95 percent) or in plastic- or
spun-bonded cotton-covered outdoor plant beds. Irrigation is essentially limited to fluecured and dark fire-cured tobacco where as much as 90% of the acreage may be irrigated.
Developing flower heads are removed (topped) to increase yield and leaf quality. This
may be done by hand or mechanically. Since tobacco is a terminally dominant plant,
removal of flower heads induces growth of lateral shoots (suckers). In most cases,
suckers are controlled chemically, but some cleanup by hand is normally done. Harvest
of flue-cured tobacco is accomplished in stages, with the ripest (lowest) leaves removed
mechanically (approximately 60 percent) or by hand. In 1997, 85 percent of flue-cured
tobacco was harvested three or four times. The other types of tobacco are stalk cut and
cured on wooden sticks in specially constructed curing barns.
Pesticide Usage: Dimethoate was not listed as being used on tobacco in Virginia.
Grower Need: Not Critical.
Contact:
Paul J. Semtner
Extension Entomologist, Tobacco
Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center
Highway 40 East
2375 Darvills Road
Blackstone, Virginia 23824-3020
(804) 292-5331
psemtner@vt.edu
Winter Wheat: No Crop Profile.
Acres: In 2004, 180,000 acres were produced.
Value: $29,700,000
Ranking: 22nd out of 42 winter wheat-producing states.
Distribution: Statewide, but major winter wheat-producing counties are Accomack,
Northumberland, Northampton, Essex, and Westmoreland.
Recommendations: Dimethoate is labeled in Virginia for the control of aphids, brown
wheat mite, grasshoppers, and greenbugs in wheat. The VA PMG (2006) recommends
the following:
 (Dimethoate 4EC) PHI = 35 days. For the control of aphids, apply 0.25 – 0.38 lb.
a.i./A. Do not feed or graze within 14 days of last application. Make no more than 2
applications per season.
Field Activities: (Modified from the 2002 Delaware Wheat Crop Profile)
Unlike vegetables and fruit crops, there are no worker activities done by hand which
would facilitate pesticide exposure. As with any pesticide, applicators might be exposed
during mixing/ loading/ application. Closed cabs and PPE have significantly reduced any
potential worker exposure.
Pesticide Usage: Dimethoate was used by 0.3% of growers in a 1991 survey of pesticide
use in Virginia. Use was unspecified and appears to not be a critical need based on these
data.
Grower need: Not Critical.
Contact:
Ames Herbert
Professor and Extension Specialist, Entomology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center
6321 Holland Road
Suffolk, VA 23437
Ph: (757) 657-6450, Ext. 122
E-mail: herbert@vt.edu