Trunk Absorption of a Systemic Chemical by Coffee

Abstract

The systemic insecticide Hanane (mainly bisdimethylamino fluorophosphine oxide) is readily absorbed by the trunk of a coffee tree and translocated to the foliage when the bark is lightly scraped and the chemical applied in solution on a pad of absorbent material covered with a waterproof skin to prevent evaporation.Smaller dosages of Hanane are required to give equivalent control of Planococcus kenyae (Le Pelley), or to cause a similar degree of phytotoxic damage, by this method than by soil treatment.Abrasion or removal of the bark before application enables a greater absorption of the chemical but leads to serious phytotoxic damage by a comparatively low dosage.