March 10, 2006
Compatibility of Deliver® and other Sprays
The addition of spreaders, stickers, commonly used insecticides,
fungicides, or spray adjuvants generally is not deleterious
to the efficacy of Deliver. However, it is recommended
to test the physical compatibility of materials using
the “Jar” test. Mix a proportionate
quantity of all tank mix ingredients in a small container
and let stand for a few minutes. If the materials
are incompatible, separation of the materials will be
evident in the jar.
Trilogy® for mite Control
Trilogy® fungicide/miticide is an effective tool
for knock-down of mite pests in tree and vine crops,
with minimal impact on beneficial species. In addition
to suffocating pest mites, it acts as a desiccant to
control spider mites, broad mites, and rust mites. It
also can be sprayed right up to harvest, allowing last-minute
clean-up of mite infestations without leaving toxic residues
on fruit. Trilogy is also approved for use in organic
crop production. For best results, use Trilogy
when mite populations are building, at a concentration
of 1% by volume (1 gallon per 99 gallons of water). Because
Trilogy works on contact, a sufficient volume of water
should be used to assure thorough spray coverage. »Click here for more Trilogy Information
March 8, 2006
Rainfastness
“I sprayed yesterday and it rained today. Do I
need to reapply Deliver?” This is a tough
question. The rainfastness of Deliver is dependent on
several factors. Did it have a chance to completely
dry before it rained? Was it a light misty rain
or a sudden downpour with lots of run off? Generally
speaking if the product has sufficient time to dry it
will be more resistant to being washed off. Because PTB
must ingest the Bt crystals for Deliver to be effective,
there must be sufficient product, and time, for them
to ingest a lethal dose before the rain event. If in
doubt, consider postponing the application until the
weather is favorable for larval feeding. Some surfactants
and stickers can increase rainfastness. See your
dealer or PCA for specific recommendations.
UV Degradation of Bt
All Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) materials are sensitive to ultra-violet (UV) light. High levels of UV light tend to degrade the efficacy of the materials over time. Care should be made to ensure thorough coverage, including the undersides of foliage as these areas are somewhat protected from the effects of direct sunlight and thus may provide for greater longevity of the Bt toxins. In some cases the longevity of a Bt spray can be enhanced by addition of a UV block or “sunscreen,” but thorough coverage and penetration of the crop canopy is your best step toward getting the most out of your Bt application.
February 28, 2006
Deliver Usage Recommendations
For tree fruit and nuts, the Deliver recommendation is from ½ to 2 pounds per acre. Because Deliver must be ingested to be lethal, the lower rates are recommended for low to moderate levels of early (1st/2nd) instars. If larger instars or high infestations are present, higher use rates are recommended to achieve a lethal dose. In addition, the concentrated potency and high expression of toxic crystals in Deliver helps to improve efficacy and provide a lethal dose to tree fruit and nut lepidopterous pests.
Trilogy for Brown rot and Shot hole disease control in Organic Orchards
Brown rot control in organic orchards is a serious problem that growers have
to deal with during this time of year. Trilogy Fungicide is one of the best Organic
Fungicides on the market. Trilogy is a clarified neem oil that acts as a protectant
as well as an erradicant. Because Trilogy is an oil it should never be mixed
with sulfur products or products that are not compatible with oils. The rate
that Trilogy should be used is 1% by volume. Trilogy should be applied as you
would apply any other Brown Rot Fungicide. Trilogy can be mixed with most micro
nutrients and copper.
February 23, 2006
Echo® Efficacy
|
Echo® Fungicide 1 |
|
Anthracnose ++++ |
|
Scab +++ |
|
Shot hole +++ |
|
Alternaria ++ |
|
Brown rot ++ |
|
Jacket rot ++ |
|
Rust ++ |
Ratings
++++ =excellent
+++ =very good
++
=good
+ =fair
+/- =minimal
- =ineffective
February 15, 2006
Control of PTB with Bt:
Timing is Everything!
Bt products are only effective against the larval stages
of the peach twig borer. Bt spray deposits, which
are relatively short lived, must be present on treated
plant surfaces at the time when larvae are actively feeding
so they will be ingested. If applied too early
before larval emergence, the Bt deposits will degrade
before feeding begins. If applied too late sprays
will be wasted against non-susceptible pupal and adult
stages. For best results, Bt should be applied
when scouting indicates 20-40% of the PTB have emerged
from their overwintering hibernacula, and again at 80-100%
emergence. Certis USA provides the Worm Traxx PTB
emergence chart as a service to help in proper timing
of Bt sprays.
February 10, 2006
Start Soft for Best Results
Throughout the industry there is a push to reduce
the amount of hard chemicals used on fruit and nut
crops grown in the USA. Soft pesticides such
as Deliver are finding their niche in the
integrated pest management (IPM) programs used by top
growers because they reduce chemical use, are not harmful
to bees and other beneficals, yet still effective in
reducing the pest population. Using a Bt at bloom
reduces the population of PTB before it can build. Timing
is very important, since Bt is only effective against
lepidopteran larvae. The first application should
be timed to coincide with 20-40% emergence from the
hibernacula, the second at 80-100% emergence. Controlling
this population will mean less egg laying and fewer
insects later in the season. The mode of action
of Bt makes it efficacious against lepidopteran insects
with an alkaline midgut only. Bt is not detrimental
to bees, wasps and other beneficial insects. Bt
is also not harmful to humans and other mammals since
they have acid guts, not alkaline.
January 20, 2006
Peach Twig Borer life cycle
Peach twig borer overwinters as 1st or 2nd instar
larvae in limb crotches of young branches.
The overwintering cells are called hibernacula. As
the weather begins to warm, the larvae begin to feed
within the hibernacula, creating chimneys of frass. As
the weather continues to warm, the larvae emerge and
begin feeding on flower buds and new foliage. Eventually,
they mine into the tips of new shoots creating the
characteristic dead shoot tips or ‘flagging” often
seen in infested orchards. The moths from this overwintering
generation emerge in April or May. Three more
successive generations will develop, for a total of
4 generations in a normal year. During the year
larvae feed and develop on nuts or in shoots. The
final generation develops the overwintering hibernacula
soon after emerging from their eggs.
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