Articles
ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL DORMANT-SEASON PLUM APHID CONTROL ARE EFFECTIVE
Article number
985_28
Pages
221 – 228
Language
English
Abstract
Plum aphids, mealy plum (Hyalopterus pruni) and/or leaf curl plum (Brachycaudus helichrysi), are the target pest in the traditional dormant spray — an annual dormant/delayed dormant season, broad-spectrum pesticide application in prune (Prunus domestica) orchards in California.
This practice can contribute to surface water pesticide concentrations that are potentially harmful to aquatic life in general and endangered salmonid fish species in particular.
In-season application of broad spectrum pesticides such as pyrethroids and organo-phosphates for aphid control are an unattractive alternative to dormant sprays due to potential disruption of biological control of other key pests, especially web-spinning mites and scales.
Cost effective, environmentally-sound, aphid control practices are needed as an alternative to dormant spraying in prune orchards in California.
An integrated program involving multiple research groups in several locations has developed several effective alternatives.
Single-tree and large block field trials in commercial prune orchards in California between 1999 and 2010 demonstrated: 1) efficacy of reduced pyrethroid and/or organophosphate pesticide rates for aphid control in fall, dormant and/or delayed-dormant timings, 2) reduced pesticide runoff from late fall applied vs. winter pesticide applications, 3) season-long aphid control the following year from fall-applied pesticides, and 4) newly registered, reduced environmental risk pesticides can deliver effective, in-season aphid control.
This practice can contribute to surface water pesticide concentrations that are potentially harmful to aquatic life in general and endangered salmonid fish species in particular.
In-season application of broad spectrum pesticides such as pyrethroids and organo-phosphates for aphid control are an unattractive alternative to dormant sprays due to potential disruption of biological control of other key pests, especially web-spinning mites and scales.
Cost effective, environmentally-sound, aphid control practices are needed as an alternative to dormant spraying in prune orchards in California.
An integrated program involving multiple research groups in several locations has developed several effective alternatives.
Single-tree and large block field trials in commercial prune orchards in California between 1999 and 2010 demonstrated: 1) efficacy of reduced pyrethroid and/or organophosphate pesticide rates for aphid control in fall, dormant and/or delayed-dormant timings, 2) reduced pesticide runoff from late fall applied vs. winter pesticide applications, 3) season-long aphid control the following year from fall-applied pesticides, and 4) newly registered, reduced environmental risk pesticides can deliver effective, in-season aphid control.
Authors
F.J.A. Niederholzer, C. Pickel, R.P. Buchner, W. Olson, W.H. Krueger, F.G. Zalom
Keywords
Prunus domestica, pest management, Hyalopterus pruni, Brachycaudus helichrysi
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