Hilgardia
Hilgardia
Hilgardia
University of California
Hilgardia

Pheromone-based pest management can be cost-effective for walnut growers

Authors

Kimberly P. Steinmann
Minghua Zhang
Joseph A. Grant
Carolyn Pickel
Rachael E. Goodhue

Authors Affiliations

K.P. Steinmann is Graduate Student, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis; M. Zhang is Associate Professor, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis; J.A. Grant is Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), San Joaquin County; C. Pickel is Integrated Pest Management Advisor, UCCE Sutter/Yuba counties; R.E. Goodhue is Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Davis.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 62(3):105-110. DOI:10.3733/ca.v062n03p105. June 2008.

PDF of full article, Cite this article

Abstract

Many organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides currently used by California walnut growers have been linked to negative environmental or human health impacts, increasing the probability of use restrictions and phase-outs. We assessed the acceptability of alternative reduced-risk strategies by comparing their costs to those of pest management programs currently in use among San Joaquin County walnut growers. To do this, we analyzed data from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation's legally mandated Pesticide Use Reports on actual pesticide applications for 3 years, from 2002 to 2004. While many factors other than cost influence growers’ pest management choices, we found that alternative strategies can be cost-competitive with conventional approaches, depending on the pest pressure and savings due to reductions in secondary pest outbreaks.

References

Agnello AM, Reissig WH, Kovach J, Nyrop JP. Integrated apple pest management in New York State using predatory mites and selective pesticides. Ag Ecosys Env. 2003. 94:183-95. doi:10.1016/S0167-8809(02)00026-9 https://doi.org/doi:10.1016/S0167-8809(02)00026-9

Belden JB, Lydy MJ. Joint toxicity of chlorpyrifos and esfenvalerate to fathead minnows and midge larvae. Env Toxicol Chem. 2006. 25(2):623-9. doi:10.1897/05-370R.1 https://doi.org/doi:10.1897/05-370R.1

Brun-Barale A, Bouvier JC, Pauron D, et al. Involvement of a sodium channel mutation in pyrethroid resistance in Cydia pomonella L, and development of a diagnostic test. Pest Manage Sci. 2005. 61:549-54. doi:10.1002/ps.1002 https://doi.org/doi:10.1002/ps.1002

Buchner RP, Edstrom JP, Hasey JK, et al. Sample Costs to Establish a Walnut Orchard and Produce Walnuts, Sacramento Valley, Sprinkler Irrigated. 2002. p.19. UC Cooperative Extension. WN-SV-02 http://coststudies . ucdavis.edu/files/walnutsac2002.pdf .

[CASS] California Agricultural Statistics Service. 2004. 2003 California Walnut Acreage Report. www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/California/Publications/Fruits_and_Nuts/200405walac.pdf .

[CDPR] California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Pesticide Use Reports Database. 2005. http://calpip.cdpr.ca.gov/cfdocs/calpip/prod/infodocs/about-pur.cfm (accessed January 2005).

Coates W, Van Steenwyk R, Nomoto RM. Evaluations of insecticides for codling moth control in walnuts —. 2000. pp.257-68. California Walnut Marketing Board Research Reports 2000. Sacramento, CA. http://walnutresearch.ucdavis.edu/2000/2000_257.pdf

Flora EA, Olson BD, Bisabri B. Spinosad effect on Dipterous pests of fruit and potential as a fruit protectant. 1999. pp.79-81. Proc 73rd Annual Western Orchard Pest and Disease Management Conf. Washington State Univ, Portland, OR. http://entomology.tfrec.wsu.edu/wopdmc/1999PDF/4-Chemical/Chemical%2099-23.pdf .

Lohr L, Park T, Higley L. Farmer risk assessment for voluntary insecticide reduction. Ecol Econ. 1999. 30:121-30. doi:10.1016/S0921-8009(98)00103-7 https://doi.org/doi:10.1016/S0921-8009(98)00103-7

Pickel C, Grant JA, Welter SC, et al. Using aerosol pheromone “puffers” for area-wide suppression of codling moth in walnuts: Year 2 and demonstration of aerially applied pheromone laminate flakes. 2007. pp.137-53. California Walnut Marketing Board Research Reports 2006. Sacramento, CA. http://walnutresearch.ucdavis.edu/2006/2006_137.pdf .

Prischmann DA, James DG, Wright LC, et al. Effects of chlorpyrifos and sulfur on spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) and their natural enemies. Biologic Control. 2005. 33:324-34. doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2005.03.008 https://doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2005.03.008

[USDA] US Department of Agriculture. 2006. Summary of County Agricultural Commissioner's Reports, 2004-2005, National Agricultural Statistics Service, California Field Office, Sacramento, CA. www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/California/Publications/AgComm/200508cavtb00.pdf .

[USEPA] US Environmental Protection Agency. 1997. Federal Register. Environmental Documents, Raw and Processed Food Schedule for Pesticide Tolerance Reassessment. www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/1997/August/Day-04/p20560.htm .

USEPA. 2002. CWA Section 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Segment: Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. www.waterboards.ca.gov/tmdl/docs/2002reg5303dlist.pdf .

USEPA. 2006. Pesticides: Health and Safety. Reducing Pesticide Risk. Reduced Risk/Organophosphate Alternative Decisions for Conventional Pesticides. www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/reducing.htm (accessed January 2006).

Van Steenwyk RS, Zolbrod K, Nomoto R, Fernandez TK. 2005. pp.159-78. Control of walnut husk fly using reduced risk products. California Walnut Marketing Board Research Reports 2004. Sacramento, CA. http://walnutresearch.ucdavis.edu/2004/2004_159.pdf .

Zalom FG, Stimmann MW, Arndt TS, et al. Analysis of permethrin (cis- and trans-isomers) and esfenvalerate on almond twigs and effects of residues on the predator mite Galendromus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Env Entomol 2001. 30pp.70-5.

Steinmann K, Zhang M, Grant J, Pickel C, Goodhue R. 2008. Pheromone-based pest management can be cost-effective for walnut growers. Hilgardia 62(3):105-110. DOI:10.3733/ca.v062n03p105
Webmaster Email: sjosterman@ucanr.edu