Articles
Evaluation of almond cultivars from an integrated pest management perspective
Article number
1366_54
Pages
435 – 442
Language
English
Abstract
An essential component of integrated pest management is the use of resistant or tolerant host plants.
These traits may not always be targeted during cultivar development; however, they should still be evaluated when assessing new genotypes for commercial release.
Traits that may require significant pest management interventions increase costs for growers and may not be desirable.
Twenty-six almond cultivars were evaluated in three commercial orchards in California.
Among several other traits, the cultivars were monitored for two key pest issues.
The first is the presence of mummy nuts, which are nuts that are not removed at harvest.
These mummies serve as an overwintering site for the most significant insect pest in California nut orchards, Amyelois transitella, and also serve as a food source for first generation larvae.
The second is hull rot, an infection of the hull by one or more fungi.
This fungal infection causes no negative effect on the current crop, but the fungi release toxins that may kill fruiting wood, reducing future crop potential.
There is a wide variation in the number of leftover nuts after harvest among the cultivars, as well as susceptibility to hull rot.
Cultivars that consistently suffer from one or both may not be appropriate for commercial release.
These traits may not always be targeted during cultivar development; however, they should still be evaluated when assessing new genotypes for commercial release.
Traits that may require significant pest management interventions increase costs for growers and may not be desirable.
Twenty-six almond cultivars were evaluated in three commercial orchards in California.
Among several other traits, the cultivars were monitored for two key pest issues.
The first is the presence of mummy nuts, which are nuts that are not removed at harvest.
These mummies serve as an overwintering site for the most significant insect pest in California nut orchards, Amyelois transitella, and also serve as a food source for first generation larvae.
The second is hull rot, an infection of the hull by one or more fungi.
This fungal infection causes no negative effect on the current crop, but the fungi release toxins that may kill fruiting wood, reducing future crop potential.
There is a wide variation in the number of leftover nuts after harvest among the cultivars, as well as susceptibility to hull rot.
Cultivars that consistently suffer from one or both may not be appropriate for commercial release.
Authors
P. Gordon, B. Lampinen, L. Milliron, R. Duncan, D. Lightle, J. Connell, R. Brar, C. Reyes, J. Vasquez-Mendoza
Keywords
hull rot, mummies, harvestability
Groups involved
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Temperate Tree Fruits
- Division Temperate Tree Nuts
- Division Tropical and Subtropical Fruit and Nuts
- Division Horticulture for Development
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Commission Agroecology and Organic Farming Systems
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