Almond and stone fruit growers reduce OP, increase pyrethroid use in dormant sprays

Epstein, L; Bassein, S; Zalom, F

Almond and stone fruit growers reduce OP, increase pyrethroid use in dormant sprays

Authors

Lynn Epstein
Susan Bassein
Frank G. Zalom

Authors Affiliations

L. Epstein is Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, UC Davis; S. Bassein is Statistician, Data Analysis and Presentation, Berkeley; F.G. Zalom is Director, UC Statewide IPM Project, and Entomologist, Department of Entomology, UC Davis. The authors thank Larry Wilhoit and Edward Morgan for providing the California Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Report computer files, and Janet C. Broome of UC SAREP for helpful discussions. Funding was provided by the UC Statewide IPM Project.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 54(6):14-19. DOI:10.3733/ca.v054n06p14. November 2000.

PDF of full article, Cite this article

Abstract

Growers and pesticide applicators in California are legally required to file pesticide use reports with details about every application to commercial crops. We used the individual applicator records to document a decline in the use of organophosphate pesticides (OP) on almond and stone fruit orchards during the rainy season in California, a time period in which the trees are dormant. The decline is important because dormant applications are a major source of surface water contamination and the Federal Clean Water Act mandates a reduction in movement of OPs into surface water. However, the decline in use of OPs has been accompanied by an increase in use of pyrethroid pesticides, particularly in stone fruit orchards. Additional implementation of “reduced-risk” integrated pest management practices could further reduce use of dormant applications of OPs and pyrethroids on almonds and stone fruit orchards.

References

Barnett WW, Edstrom JP, Coviello RL, Zalom FG. Insect pathogen “Bt” controls peach twig borer on fruits and almonds. Cal Ag. 1993. 47(5):4-6.

Bennett KP, Nordmark CE, Schuette J, et al. Occurrence of aquatic toxicity and dormant-spray pesticide detections in the San Joaquin River Watershed, Winter 1996-1997. Environmental Hazards Assessment Program EH 98-02. Department of Pesticide Regulation 1998. Sacramento, CA: p.32.

Bentley WJ, Rice RE, Zalom FG. Insects and mites. In: Flint ML (ed.). Integrated Pest Management for Stone Fruits.. UC DANR Pub. 3389 1999. Oakland, CA: pp.51-109.

Domagalski JL, Dubrovsky NM, Kratzer CR. Pesticides in the San Joaquin River, California—Inputs from dormant sprayed orchards. J Environ Quality. 1997. 26:454-65.

Epstein L, Bassein S, Zalom FG, Wilhoit LR. (In press.) Changes in pest management practice in almond orchards during the rainy season in California USA. Ag,. Ecosystems and Envir

Hendricks LC. Almond growers reduce pesticide use in Merced County field trials. Cal Ag. 1995. 49(1):5-10.

Rice RE, Jones RA, Black JH. Dormant sprays with experimental insecticides for control of peach twig borer. Cal Ag. 1972. 26(1):14-

Zalom FG, Van Ste, enwyk RA, Bentley WJ, et al. Insects and mites. In: UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines for Almonds.. UC DANR Pub. 3339 1998. Oakland, CA: pp.B1-B21.

Zalom FG, Stimmann MW, Arndt TS, et al. (In press.) Analysis of permethrin (cis-and trans-isomers) and esfenvalerate on almond twigs and effects of residues on the western orchard predator mite, Galendromus occidentalis. Nesbitt. Env Entomology

Also in this issue:

Methodology for indole-3-acetic acid: Sample preparation, extraction, and purification techniques

Building the IPM continuum

UC IPM: 20 years of progress

IPM leads overhaul of PCA licensing exams

Training helps reduce pesticide risks

UC scientists apply IPM techniques to new eucalyptus pests

IPM research profiled: 10-year trends

Mass releases of wasps can reduce damage from codling moth

Cotton aphid emerges as major pest in SJV cotton

Integrated strategies offer site-specific control of yellow starthistle

Interplanting grasses into alfalfa controls weeds in older stands

Solarization and biofumigation help disinfest soil

Analysis shows climate-caused decreases in Scott River fall flows

Algal-bacterial treatment facility removes selenium from drainage water

Nutrition lessons improve Hispanic teenage girls' knowledge

Tuolumne County shops capture local dollars

Grading error reduces grower incentives to increase prune quality