The Effect of Aldicarb on Growth of Sugarbeets

In our field tests with the systemic insecticide aldicarb for control of the sugarbeet root maggot, Tetanops myopaeformis (Roder), the plants in treated plots have often produced more dense top growth than those in untreated plots, even in the absence of damaging populations of root maggots or other obvious insect damage. However, aldicarb is registered for the control of variety of insects, mites, and nematodes. It is possible that control of these pests, each at seemingly non-economic levels, leads to the improved plant performance. But there is speculation that aldicarb directly stimulates plant growth (1, 2, 3, 5).² Greenhouse tests were therefore conducted to determine whether aldicarb itself stimulated sugarbeet growth.