BIOS and conventional almond orchard management compared

Bentley, W; Hendricks, L; Duncan, R; Silvers, C; Martin, L; Gibbs, M; Stevenson, M

BIOS and conventional almond orchard management compared

Authors

Walt J. Bentley
Lonnie Hendricks
Roger Duncan
Cressida Silvers
Lee Martin
Marcia Gibbs
Max Stevenson

Authors Affiliations

W.J. Bentley is IPM Entomologist, UC Kearney Agricultural Center; L. Hendricks is Farm Advisor, Merced County; R. Duncan is Farm Advisor, Stanislaus County; C. Silvers was Lab Assistant, UC Kearney Agricultural Center; L. Martin is Staff Research Assistant, UC Kearney Agricultural Center; M. Gibbs was Research and Documentation Coordinator, BIOS, Community Alliance with Family Farmers; M. Stevenson was BIFS Coordinator, UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 55(5):12-19. DOI:10.3733/ca.v055n05p12. September 2001.

PDF of full article, Cite this article

Abstract

Conventional almond growers in Merced and Stanislaus counties who use organophosphate, carb-amate and pyrethroid insecticides were compared with participants in the Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) program, who do not use these broad-spectrum insecticides. The results demonstrated consistent but not significantly lower infestation by navel orangeworm and peach twig borer for growers who used broad-spectrum sprays. Infestation by ants resulted in the most consistent difference between the two management practices, with significantly less damage when broad-spectrum sprays were used. The differences in overall pest damage were relatively minor, but the variation was greatest among those not using broad-spectrum sprays. Winter survival of the navel orangeworm parasitoid, Goniozus legneri, and parasitism by this beneficial insect were low in all orchards, sprayed or unsprayed. Winter removal of unharvested almonds to fewer than two per tree reduced navel orangeworm infestations in both treatments. Although many of the almond growers not using organo-phosphate, carbamate or pyrethroid sprays had less damage than some who used these materials, the greater range of damage experienced by these growers may explain why more almond growers prefer to use them annually to combat insect pests.

References

Barnes MM, Barnett WW, Kester DE, et al. Integrated Pest Management for Almonds.. 1985. UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Project, UC DANR Pub 3308. 156 p.

Bentley WJ, Hendricks L, Duncan R, et al. The use of San Jose scale monitoring techniques in establishing a relationship between spring male scale populations and spring crawler abundance in almonds: Interim report. UC Cooperative Extension/Kearney Plant Protection Group. Plant Protection Quarterly. 1998. 8(3-4):4-6.

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

Rajotte EG, Kazmierczak RF Jr, Norton GW, et al. The National Evaluation of Extension's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programs, Appendix 2: California Almond IPM Impact Study. 1987. Virginia Cooperative Extension Service Pub 491-013, July. 40 p.

Santer L. BIOS for Almonds: A Practical Guide to Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems Management.. Community Alliance with Family Farmers Foundation and the Almond Board of California, Davis, CA. 104 p 1995.

Swezey SL, Broome JC. Growth predicted in biologically integrated and organic farming. Cal Ag. 2000. 54(4):26-35.

Zalom FG, Van Steenwyk RA, Bentley WJ, et al. Almond Pest Management Guidelines, UC DANR Pub 3339. Oakland, CA. 2001 revised.

Zalom FG, Weakley C, Hendricks LC, et al. Cultural management of the navel orangeworm by winter sanitation. Cal Ag. 1984. 38(3-4):28-

Also in this issue:

Biology and ecology of Euseius scutalis (Athias-Henriot) (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)

Research and extension reduce impact of California energy crunch

Genetically engineered tomato grows in salty water

Study reveals risk factors for teen suicide

UC scientists help growers cope with energy crunch

Methane generators turn agricultural waste into energy

BIFS reports potential for chemical reductions in crops and dairy

Armored scale insecticide resistance challenges San Joaquin Valley citrus growers

Managing manure and conserving predators helps control flies in caged-layer poultry systems

Host-specific strain of Stemphylium causes leaf spot disease of California spinach

Rust disease continues to threaten California garlic crop

Interpersonal communication tops concerns of farm supervisors

One-pass tillage equipment outstrips conventional tillage method