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<strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong><br />
Biological Fungicides to Manage<br />
Gray Mold in Strawberry<br />
Understand Winegrape Nutrition<br />
Goals to Establish Fertilizer Needs<br />
Beet Curly Top in Tomatoes<br />
Areawide Management for NOW:<br />
Learning From the Past<br />
Diamond Back Moth in<br />
Vegetable Crops<br />
January 5th, 2022<br />
Register Now at : wcngg.com/NVNC22<br />
Volume 6: Issue 6<br />
Photo by Z. Wang
THE BEST WAY TO MANAGE PATHOGENS<br />
BEFORE THEY BECOME AN ISSUE.<br />
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on your orchard redevelopment needs. When targeting soil borne disease and nematodes, TriClor<br />
and Telone® can be applied in a single pass. This reduces application costs, promotes early root development,<br />
and improves soil health. For more information about TriClor and Telone or to schedule an<br />
application contact TriCal, Inc.<br />
669-327-5076<br />
www.TriCal.com<br />
Authorized distributor for Telone®<br />
*TriClor and Telone are federally Restricted Use Pesticides.
4<br />
IN THIS ISSUE<br />
Efficacy of Biological<br />
Fungicides in Managing<br />
Gray Mold in Strawberry<br />
PUBLISHER: Jason Scott<br />
Email: jason@jcsmarketinginc.com<br />
EDITOR: Marni Katz<br />
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Cecilia Parsons<br />
Email: article@jcsmarketinginc.com<br />
PRODUCTION: design@jcsmarketinginc.com<br />
Phone: 559.352.4456<br />
Fax: 559.472.3113<br />
Web: www.progressivecrop.com<br />
8<br />
12<br />
14<br />
Winegrape Nutrition:<br />
Understand Your Goals to<br />
Understand Your Fertilizer<br />
Needs<br />
Crop Consultants and<br />
Industry Leaders Attend<br />
3rd Annual Crop<br />
Consultant Conference<br />
High Incidence of Beet<br />
Leafhopper Vectored Beet<br />
Curly Top Disease on<br />
Processing Tomatoes<br />
8<br />
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & INDUSTRY SUPPORT<br />
Surendra Dara<br />
UCCE Entomology and<br />
Biologicals Advisor, San Luis<br />
Obispo and Santa Barbara<br />
Counties<br />
Bradley S. Higbee<br />
Field R&D Mgr, Trécé, Inc.<br />
Roger A. Isom<br />
President/CEO, Western<br />
Agricultural Processors<br />
Association<br />
JW Lemons<br />
CCA, CPAg, Account Manager,<br />
Verdesian Life Sciences<br />
Greg Montez<br />
PCA, Contributing Writer<br />
Dave Peck<br />
Manzanita Berry Farms,<br />
Santa Maria<br />
Jhalendra Rijal<br />
UCCE IPM Advisor for<br />
Northern San Joaquin Valley<br />
Fred Strauss<br />
CCA, Doctor Sustainable, LLC<br />
Zheng Wang<br />
UCCE Vegetable and<br />
Irrigation Advisor, Stanislaus<br />
County<br />
20<br />
24<br />
28<br />
32<br />
Areawide Management<br />
for Navel Orangeworm:<br />
Learning from the Past<br />
Diamondback Moth – A<br />
Serious Pest of Vegetable<br />
Crops<br />
Fertilizer Preparation for<br />
Fall Crops<br />
State Considering New<br />
Pesticide Application<br />
Advance Notifications<br />
14<br />
UC COOPERATIVE EXTENSION<br />
ADVISORY BOARD<br />
Surendra Dara<br />
UCCE Entomology and<br />
Biologicals Advisor, San Luis<br />
Obispo and Santa Barbara<br />
Counties<br />
Kevin Day<br />
UCCE Pomology Farm Advisor,<br />
Tulare and Kings Counties<br />
Elizabeth Fichtner<br />
UCCE Farm Advisor,<br />
Kings and Tulare Counties<br />
Katherine Jarvis-Shean<br />
UCCE Orchard Systems<br />
Advisor, Sacramento, Solano<br />
and Yolo Counties<br />
Steven Koike<br />
Tri-Cal Diagnostics<br />
Jhalendra Rijal<br />
UCCE IPM Advisor for<br />
Northern San Joaquin<br />
Valley<br />
Kris Tollerup<br />
UCCE Integrated Pest<br />
Management Advisor,<br />
Fresno, CA<br />
Mohammad Yaghmour<br />
UCCE Area Orchard Systems<br />
Advisor, Kern County<br />
24<br />
The articles, research, industry updates, company profiles, and advertisements<br />
in this publication are the professional opinions of writers<br />
and advertisers. Progressive Crop Consultant does not assume any<br />
responsibility for the opinions given in the publication.<br />
<strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong> www.progressivecrop.com 3
Efficacy of Biological Fungicides in<br />
Managing Gray Mold in Strawberry<br />
By SURENDRA K. DARA | UCCE Entomology and Biologicals Advisor, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties<br />
and DAVE PECK | Manzanita Berry Farms, Santa Maria<br />
Botrytis fruit rot or gray mold<br />
caused by Botrytis cinerea is a common<br />
fungal disease of strawberry<br />
and other crops damaging flowers and<br />
fruits. This pathogen has more than 200<br />
plant species as hosts producing several<br />
cell-wall-degrading enzymes, toxins<br />
and other compounds and causing the<br />
host to induced programmed cell death<br />
(Williamson et al. 2007). As a result, soft<br />
rot of aerial plant parts in live plants and<br />
postharvest decay of fruits, flowers and<br />
vegetables occurs. Pathogen survives<br />
in the plant debris and soil and can be<br />
present in the plant tissues before flowers<br />
form. Infection is common on developing<br />
or ripe fruits as brown lesions. Lesions<br />
typically appear under the calyxes but can<br />
be seen on other areas of the fruit. As the<br />
disease progresses, a layer of gray spores<br />
forms on the infected surface. Severe<br />
infection in flowers results in the failure<br />
of fruit development. Cool and moist<br />
conditions favor botrytis fruit rot development.<br />
Sprinkler irrigation, rains or<br />
certain agricultural practices can contribute<br />
to the dispersal of fungal spores.<br />
Although removal of infected plant material<br />
and debris can reduce the source<br />
of inoculum in the field, regular fungicide<br />
applications are typically necessary<br />
for managing botrytis fruit rot. Since<br />
fruiting occurs continuously for several<br />
months and fungicides are regularly<br />
applied, botrytis resistance to fungicides<br />
is not uncommon. Applying fungicides<br />
only when necessary, avoiding continuous<br />
use of fungicides from the same<br />
mode of action group and exploring<br />
the potential of biological fungicides to<br />
reduce the risk of resistance development<br />
are some of the strategies for effective<br />
botrytis fruit rot management. In addition<br />
to several synthetic fungicides, several<br />
biological fungicides continue to be<br />
introduced into the market offering various<br />
options for the growers. Earlier field<br />
studies evaluated the potential of various<br />
biological fungicides and strategies for<br />
using them with synthetic fungicides<br />
against botrytis and other fruit rots in<br />
strawberry (Dara 2019; Dara 2020). This<br />
study was conducted to evaluate some<br />
new and soon-to-be-released fungicides<br />
in fall-planted strawberry to support<br />
growers and ag input industry, and to<br />
promote sustainable disease management<br />
through biological and synthetic<br />
pesticides.<br />
Methodology<br />
This study was conducted on a conventional<br />
strawberry field at Manzanita<br />
Berry Farms, Santa Maria in strawberry<br />
variety 3024 planted in October<br />
2020. Treatments included fungicides<br />
containing captan and cyprodinil +<br />
fludioxinil as synthetic standards along<br />
with a variety of biological fungicides of<br />
microbial, botanical and animal sources<br />
at various rates and different combinations<br />
and rotations. Products and active<br />
ingredients evaluated in this study included<br />
captan 38.75%, cyprodinil 37.5%<br />
+ fludioxinil 25%, potassium carbonate<br />
58.04% + thyme oil 1.75%, botanical<br />
extract 100 g AI/L, giant knotweed<br />
extract 5%, protein 15-20%, cinnamon<br />
oil 15% + garlic oil 20%, caprylic acid<br />
41.7% + capric acid 28.3%, Pseudomonas<br />
chlororaphis strain AFS009 50%, Bacillus<br />
subtilis strain AFS032321 100%,<br />
P. chlororaphis strain AFS009 44.5% +<br />
azoxystrobin 5.75%, Banda de Lupinus<br />
albus doce – BLAD (a polypeptide from<br />
sweet lupine) 20% with chitosan 2.3% or<br />
4 Progressive Crop Consultant <strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
pinene (polyterpenes) polymers, petrolatum,<br />
alkyl amine ethxylate (spreader/<br />
sticker) 100%, thyme oil 20% and a<br />
thyme oil blend.<br />
50%<br />
Botrytis infection after four spray applications<br />
3 DAH 3 DAH<br />
Excluding the untreated control, the<br />
rest of the 24 treatments can be divided<br />
into synthetic fungicides, a fungicide<br />
with synthetic + biological active<br />
ingredients (a formulation with two application<br />
rates), synthetic fungicides alternated<br />
with biological fungicides and<br />
various kinds of biological fungicides<br />
(Table 1). Treatments were applied at a<br />
7- to 10-day interval between April 22<br />
and May 17, <strong>2021</strong>. Berries for pre-treatment<br />
disease evaluation were harvested<br />
on April 19, <strong>2021</strong>. Each treatment<br />
had a 5.67’ x 15’ plot replicated four<br />
times in a randomized complete block<br />
design. Strawberries were harvested<br />
three days before the first treatment<br />
and three to four days after each treatment<br />
for disease evaluation. On each<br />
Continued on Page 6<br />
Infected Berries<br />
Infected Berries<br />
40%<br />
30%<br />
20%<br />
10%<br />
0%<br />
40%<br />
30%<br />
20%<br />
10%<br />
0%<br />
UTC<br />
Switch<br />
Switch<br />
Switch<br />
NSTKI-14-L<br />
NSTKI-14-H<br />
Botrytis infection after 1 spray<br />
3 DAH 3 DAH<br />
Switch<br />
Switch<br />
Switch<br />
Switch<br />
Switch<br />
Switch<br />
A22613-H<br />
EXP14<br />
Gargoil<br />
Dart 0.2<br />
Dart 0.35<br />
Howler<br />
ProBlad Verde<br />
ProBlad V+ Kiplant<br />
ProBlad V+ Nu Film P<br />
Theia<br />
Esendo<br />
Agricell Fun Thyme<br />
AS-EXP Thyme<br />
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<strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong> www.progressivecrop.com 5
Continued from Page 5<br />
sampling date, marketable berries were<br />
harvested from random plants within<br />
each plot during a 30-second period and<br />
incubated in paper bags at outdoor temperatures<br />
under shade. Number of berries<br />
with botrytis infection were counted on<br />
three and five days after harvest (DAH)<br />
and percent infection was calculated. This<br />
is a different protocol than previous years’<br />
studies where disease rating was made<br />
on a 0 to 4 scale. Treatments were applied<br />
with a backpack sprayer equipped with<br />
hollow cone nozzle using 90 gpa spray<br />
volume at 45 PSI. Water was sprayed in<br />
the untreated control plots. A surfactant<br />
with methyl esters of C16-C18 fatty acids<br />
was used at 0.125% for treatments that<br />
contained protein P. chlororaphis alone<br />
and in combination with azoxystrobin,<br />
B. subtilis, thyme oil and thyme oil blend.<br />
Research authorization was obtained for<br />
some products and crop destruction was<br />
implemented for products that did not<br />
have California registration.<br />
Percent infection data were arcsine-transformed<br />
before subjecting to the analysis of<br />
variance using Statistix software. Significant<br />
means were separated using the least<br />
significant difference test.<br />
Results<br />
Pre-treatment infection was very low and<br />
occurred only in some treatments with<br />
no statistical difference (P > 0.05). Infection<br />
levels increased for the rest of the<br />
study period. There was no statistically<br />
significant difference (P > 0.05) among<br />
treatments for disease levels three or five<br />
days after the first spray application. Differences<br />
were significant (P = 0.0131) in<br />
disease five DAH after the second spray<br />
application where 13 treatments from all<br />
categories had significantly lower infection<br />
than the untreated control. After the<br />
third spray application, infection levels<br />
were significantly lower in eight treatments<br />
in three DAH observations (P =<br />
0.0395) and 10 treatments in five DAH<br />
observations (P = 0.0005) compared to<br />
the untreated control. There were no<br />
statistical differences (P > 0.05) among<br />
treatments for observations after the<br />
fourth spray application or for the average<br />
of four applications. However, there were<br />
numerical differences where infection<br />
Infected Berries<br />
Infected Berries<br />
60%<br />
40%<br />
20%<br />
0%<br />
10%<br />
5%<br />
levels were lower in several treatments<br />
than in untreated control plots.<br />
In general, the efficacy of both synthetic<br />
and biological fungicides varied<br />
Botrytis infection after III spray<br />
3 DAH 3 DAH<br />
P = 0.0395<br />
P = 0.0005<br />
a<br />
a<br />
ab<br />
abcd<br />
ab ab<br />
abc<br />
ab ab<br />
abcde abcd<br />
abc abcde<br />
abcde<br />
abcdef abcde<br />
bcdef<br />
bcde<br />
bcdef<br />
def<br />
cdef<br />
ef<br />
ef<br />
ef<br />
a<br />
abcde<br />
abcde<br />
abcde<br />
abcde abcd<br />
abcde abcde<br />
abcd ab<br />
f<br />
ab<br />
abc abc<br />
a abc<br />
abcde<br />
e de<br />
abcde<br />
de de de de<br />
bcde cde<br />
Pre-treatment Botrytis infection<br />
3 DAH 3 DAH<br />
UTC<br />
Switch<br />
Switch<br />
Switch<br />
NSTKI-14-L<br />
NSTKI-14-H<br />
A22613-L<br />
A22613-H<br />
Switch<br />
Regalia<br />
Switch<br />
Captan<br />
A22613-H<br />
EXP14<br />
Gargoil<br />
Dart 0.2<br />
Dart 0.35<br />
Howler<br />
ProBlad Verde<br />
ProBlad V+ Kiplant<br />
ProBlad V+ Nu Film P<br />
Theia<br />
Esendo<br />
Agricell Fun Thyme<br />
AS-EXP Thyme<br />
Although removal of infected plant material and debris can reduce the source of inoculum<br />
in the field, regular fungicide applications are typically necessary for managing botrytis fruit<br />
rot (all photos by S.K. Dara.)<br />
0%<br />
1 2 3 8 22 23 4 5 9 6 10 25 7 24 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21<br />
Treatments and rates per acre<br />
Category 1st spray 2nd spray 3rd spray 4th spray<br />
1 Untreated control Untreated control Untreated control Untreated control<br />
Synthetic<br />
Synthetic+<br />
Biological<br />
Synthetic<br />
rotated<br />
with<br />
Biological<br />
Biological<br />
2 Cyprodinil+fludioxinil 14 oz Captan 80 fl oz Cyprodinil+fludioxinil 14 oz Captan 80 fl oz<br />
3 Cyprodinil+fludioxinil 14 oz Cyprodinil+fludioxinil 14 oz Cyprodinil+fludioxinil 14 oz None<br />
4 Cyprodinil+fludioxinil None Cyprodinil+fludioxinil None<br />
5 Potassium carbonate+thyme oil 48 oz Potassium carbonate+thyme oil 48 oz Potassium carbonate+thyme oil 48 oz Potassium carbonate+thyme oil 48 oz<br />
6 Potassium carbonate+thyme oil 80 oz Potassium carbonate+thyme oil 80 oz Potassium carbonate+thyme oil 80 oz Potassium carbonate+thyme oil 80 oz<br />
7 Cyprodinil+fludioxinil 14 oz Cyprodinil+fludioxinil 14 oz Botanical extract 27.4 fl oz Botanical extract 27.4 fl oz<br />
8 Cyprodinil+fludioxinil 14 oz Cyprodinil+fludioxinil 14 oz Botanical extract 41.1 fl oz Botanical extract 41.1 fl oz<br />
9 Cyprodinil+fludioxinil 14 oz Botanical extract 27.4 fl oz Cyprodinil+fludioxinil 14 oz Botanical extract 27.4 fl oz<br />
10 Cyprodinil+fludioxinil 14 oz Cyprodinil+fludioxinil 14 oz Giant knot weed extract 64 fl oz Giant knot weed extract 64 fl oz<br />
11 Cyprodinil+fludioxinil 14 oz Giant knot weed extract 64 fl oz Cyprodinil+fludioxinil 14 oz Giant knot weed extract 64 fl oz<br />
12 Cyprodinil+fludioxinil 14 oz Protein 48 oz Captan Protein 48 oz<br />
13 Botanical extract 41.1 fl oz Botanical extract 41.1 fl oz Botanical extract 41.1 fl oz Botanical extract 41.1 fl oz<br />
14 Protein 48 oz Protein 48 oz Protein 48 oz Protein 48 oz<br />
15 Cinnamon oil+garlic oil 1% Cinnamon oil+garlic oil 1% Cinnamon oil+garlic oil 1% Cinnamon oil+garlic oil 1%<br />
16 Caprylic acid+capric acid 0.2% Caprylic acid+capric acid 0.2% Caprylic acid+capric acid 0.2% Caprylic acid+capric acid 0.2%<br />
17 Caprylic acid+capric acid 0.35% Caprylic acid+capric acid 0.35% Caprylic acid+capric acid 0.35% Caprylic acid+capric acid 0.35%<br />
Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain AFS009 Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain AFS009 Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain AFS009 Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain AFS009<br />
18 80 oz<br />
80 oz<br />
80 oz<br />
80 oz<br />
Banda de Lupinus albus doce – BLAD 43 fl<br />
19 oz<br />
Banda de Lupinus albus doce – BLAD 43 fl<br />
oz<br />
Banda de Lupinus albus doce – BLAD 43 fl<br />
oz<br />
Banda de Lupinus albus doce – BLAD 43 fl<br />
oz<br />
20 BLAD 43 fl oz + Chitosan 30 fl oz BLAD 43 fl oz + Chitosan 30 fl oz BLAD 43 fl oz + Chitosan 30 fl oz BLAD 43 fl oz + Chitosan 30 fl oz<br />
21 BLAD 43 fl oz + Pinene polymers … 8 fl oz BLAD 43 fl oz + Pinene polymers … 8 fl oz BLAD 43 fl oz + Pinene polymers … 8 fl oz BLAD 43 fl oz + Pinene polymers … 8 fl oz<br />
22 Bacillus subtilis strain AFS032321 48 oz Bacillus subtilis strain AFS032321 48 oz Bacillus subtilis strain AFS032321 48 oz Bacillus subtilis strain AFS032321 48 oz<br />
P. chlororaphis strain<br />
23 AFS009+azoxystrobin 44.8 oz<br />
P. chlororaphis strain<br />
AFS009+azoxystrobin 44.8 oz<br />
P. chlororaphis strain<br />
AFS009+azoxystrobin 44.8 oz<br />
P. chlororaphis strain<br />
AFS009+azoxystrobin 44.8 oz<br />
24 Thyme oil 128 fl oz Thyme oil 128 fl oz Thyme oil 128 fl oz Thyme oil 128 fl oz<br />
25 Thyme oil blend 40 fl oz Thyme oil blend 40 fl oz Thyme oil blend 40 fl oz Thyme oil blend 40 fl oz<br />
throughout the study period among<br />
the treatments. When the average for<br />
post-treatment observations was considered,<br />
infection was numerically lower in<br />
all treatments regardless of the fungicide<br />
6 Progressive Crop Consultant <strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Multiple biological fungicide treatments either alone or<br />
in rotation with synthetic fungicides appeared to be as<br />
effective as synthetic fungicides.<br />
category. Since the rates, rotations, and combinations<br />
were all experimental, additional<br />
studies can help determine optimal use strategies<br />
for these active ingredients. Multiple<br />
biological fungicide treatments either alone<br />
or in rotation with synthetic fungicides appeared<br />
to be as effective as synthetic fungicides.<br />
These biological fungicides can be an<br />
important part of integrated disease management,<br />
especially for the botrytis fruit rot that<br />
has frequent resistance problems.<br />
Thanks to AgBiome, AgroSpheres, Biotalys,<br />
NovaSource, Sym-Agro, Syngenta, and Westbridge<br />
for funding and Chris Martinez for his<br />
technical assistance.<br />
References<br />
Dara, S. K. 2019. Five shades of gray mold control in<br />
strawberry: evaluating chemical, organic oil, botanical,<br />
bacterial, and fungal active ingredients. UCANR<br />
eJournal of Entomology and Biologicals. https://ucanr.<br />
edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=30729<br />
Dara, S. K. 2020. Evaluating biological fungicides<br />
against botrytis and other fruit rots in strawberry.<br />
UCANR eJournal of Entomology and Biologicals.<br />
https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.<br />
cfm?postnum=43633<br />
Williamson, B., B. Tudzynski, P. Tudzynski, and J.A.L.<br />
van Kan. 2007. Botrytis cinerea: the cause of grey mold<br />
disease. Mol. Plant Pathol. 8: 561-580.<br />
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©<strong>2021</strong> Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc<br />
<strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong> www.progressivecrop.com 7
January 5th, 2022<br />
Register Now at : wcngg. com/NVNC22<br />
Winegrape Nutrition<br />
Understand Your Goals to<br />
Understand Your Fertilizer Needs<br />
By FRED STRAUSS | CCA, Doctor Sustainable, LLC<br />
goals. Let’s address how to build the<br />
right fertilizer program for your needs.<br />
Know Your Needs<br />
You must know the nutritional needs<br />
of your grapes to know how much to<br />
apply. Conventional wisdom is winegrapes<br />
use 9 lbs. of nitrogen, 3 lbs. of<br />
phosphorus and 13 lbs of potassium for<br />
each ton harvested. Again, there are<br />
slight differences from white or red and<br />
even varieties.<br />
You must know the nutritional needs of your grapes to know how much to apply. Conventional<br />
wisdom is winegrapes use 9 pounds of nitrogen, 3 pounds of phosphorus and 13<br />
pounds of potassium for each ton harvested (photo by Marni Katz.)<br />
Winegrape growers are a very<br />
diverse group. Some growers<br />
grow for volume or high yield,<br />
not necessarily high quality. Some<br />
growers grow for high quality while<br />
yield is secondary. There are, of course,<br />
many growers in between. Maybe you<br />
are a conventional grower, or a sustainable<br />
grower, or an organic grower, or a<br />
biodynamic grower, or, well, you get my<br />
point. In order to understand your fertilizer<br />
needs, you must understand your<br />
If you have established grapes, you<br />
must determine where you are at with<br />
the condition of your soil and quality<br />
of your water. Soil sampling is a yearly<br />
function as well as a water sample, no<br />
matter the source of the water. The<br />
amount of nutrients, or lack of, in the<br />
soil will help you realize what you need<br />
to do. Water quality needs to be known<br />
as well as the amount of nutrients in<br />
the water. Well water can contain some<br />
levels of nitrogen and other needed nutrients,<br />
but also excess salts and boron.<br />
The pH level of your water can affect<br />
the availability of nutrients in the soil<br />
as well as the fertilizers you apply. Since<br />
many fertilizers are applied through<br />
irrigation systems, pH becomes a big<br />
deal and causes fertilizer to separate in<br />
the system.<br />
A CCA can help you get through these<br />
technical issues. How much fertilizer<br />
do I apply, what kind, when, and will it<br />
go through my system? A good advisor<br />
will also do in-season leaf samples to<br />
see where you are with the health of<br />
your grapes. These samples are done<br />
at specific stages of growth and even<br />
8 Progressive Crop Consultant <strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
post-harvest. They are even doing sap<br />
analysis now to potentially give you<br />
another tool to determine plant health.<br />
Know Your Method<br />
Now that you know where you are<br />
at with soil and water, what kind of<br />
fertilizer do you use? Your irrigation<br />
system becomes your main way of<br />
applying fertilizers, so liquids become<br />
your primary type. Remember, with the<br />
fertilizer going in with the water, it will<br />
be next to the roots and will be taken<br />
up at the same time as the water. This is<br />
very efficient and sustainable.<br />
’<br />
A good advisor will also do<br />
in-season leaf samples to<br />
see where you are with the<br />
health of your grapes.<br />
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Sometimes, you have to use dry sources<br />
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with ground spreaders that will lay a<br />
band down next to the row. Potassium<br />
is one type that is done this way. Soil<br />
amendments such as gypsum, lime and<br />
sulfur would be another example of soil<br />
applied as well as compost.<br />
So, let’s say you want a five-ton crop to<br />
achieve your yield and quality goals.<br />
Reviewing your soil samples, previous-year<br />
leaf samples and post-harvest<br />
application of fertilizer, you now have<br />
an understanding of what you need to<br />
do.<br />
You now want to apply through your<br />
drip system 45 lbs N, 15 lbs P and 65<br />
lbs K. You might also want to put on<br />
some zinc, iron and sulfur. Your advisor<br />
and fertilizer supplier can design a<br />
liquid mix that will contain all of these<br />
nutrients. If your water source is good,<br />
you know these materials will not separate<br />
and can be applied safely.<br />
Time Your Applications<br />
Timing your applications can be tricky<br />
because you don’t want to apply the<br />
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<strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong> www.progressivecrop.com 9
Continued from Page 9<br />
done to give the grapes the start-up<br />
they need if you have to wait to do<br />
the first watering the next year.<br />
We know the greatest uptake of both<br />
water and nutrients is during the prebloom<br />
and bloom period. Nitrogen is<br />
perhaps the most important nutrient<br />
during this time period, and using a<br />
fast source of nitrogen is important.<br />
Look at a calcium nitrate source for<br />
speed, but be weary of what you can<br />
mix with it. You will probably need<br />
to put at least 30% of your N needs<br />
in the first watering and spread the<br />
balance over the next two to three<br />
irrigations. Remember this is just an example of what can be<br />
done to achieve your goals.<br />
To achieve yield and quality goals, reviewing soil samples, previous-year leaf samples<br />
and post-harvest application of fertilizer is necessary (photo courtesy Lodi Winegrowers<br />
Workbook 2 nd Edition.)<br />
is skilled and trained in these areas and can put into place an<br />
overall plan to modify these issues.<br />
Overcoming Obstacles<br />
What about obstacles like high pH water, or you only irrigate<br />
three times a year, or you have poor-drainage soil that<br />
doesn’t take water well? These and other issues have to be addressed<br />
as part of your overall farming operation. Your CCA<br />
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Soil amendments, such as gypsum, sulfur or lime, can help<br />
modify the soil to help it take water better and provide some<br />
of the other nutrients grapes need. If you want to apply<br />
compost, you minimize multiple applications by having the<br />
gypsum, sulfur or lime mixed with the compost so you can<br />
do one application per year with ground application equipment.<br />
Remember, we are trying to reduce our application by<br />
ground to limit our carbon footprint and be more sustainable.<br />
<strong>Final</strong>ly, the methods I have discussed work for all types of<br />
grape farming; only the sources of the nutrients change.<br />
Organic sources like nitrogen are much lower in analysis, so<br />
higher volumes are required to achieve the levels I have discussed.<br />
Mix ability can also be a concern; again, a good CCA<br />
knows about these issues and can get you going in the right<br />
direction. Organic generally requires more ground application<br />
for some of the types of fertilizers required, so combining<br />
the products together to reduce applications is important.<br />
Organic farming does not necessarily have a reduced carbon<br />
footprint, so trying to combine nutrient sources is important.<br />
This information is broad and each vineyard is different.<br />
When you spray for pests, you generally use the same products<br />
on all blocks. When it comes to nutrition, all blocks are<br />
different, and it can even be broken down by varieties even<br />
if they are in the same block. Soils are not all the same, and<br />
when you sample, you find that out and react accordingly.<br />
I did not mention foliar nutrients; that is a whole different<br />
topic and will be saved for another time. <strong>Final</strong>ly, fertilization<br />
is an art and can increase yields and quality when done<br />
properly. Remember your goals and then act accordingly.<br />
Comments about this article? We want to hear from you. Feel<br />
free to email us at article@jcsmarketinginc.com<br />
10 Progressive Crop Consultant <strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
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From left, Grant Zaiger with Zaiger Genetics, Thomas Gradziel with UC Davis,<br />
and Cliff Beumel from Agromillora discuss the role of integrated pest management<br />
in the future of nut varieties and rootstocks. The panel also included<br />
Roger Duncan, UCCE farm advisor in Stanislaus County.<br />
Western Region CCA Chairman Jerome Pier presents the CCA of the Year award<br />
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Progressive Crop Consultant Publisher and CEO Jason<br />
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attendee Louis Macias.<br />
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<strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong> www.progressivecrop.com 13
Figure 1. Beet leafhopper adult (source: G. Oldfield, USDA; bugwood.org.)<br />
High Incidence of Beet Leafhopper<br />
Vectored Beet Curly Top Disease on<br />
Processing Tomatoes<br />
By ZHENG WANG | UCCE Vegetable and Irrigation Advisor, Stanislaus County<br />
and JHALENDRA RIJAL | UCCE IPM Advisor for Northern San Joaquin Valley<br />
Figure 2. Diseased plants emerge in multiple rows (marked in yellow boxes)<br />
inside a processing tomato field. Note the western foothills in the background<br />
(photos by J. Rijal.)<br />
If you ask tomato growers in the<br />
northern San Joaquin Valley what<br />
the most seen disease in <strong>2021</strong> is, beet<br />
curly top virus (BCTV) is the one that<br />
stands out. Undoubtedly, we have seen<br />
an exceptionally high incidence of BCTV<br />
on processing tomatoes vectored by the<br />
beet leafhopper (BLH). From April to<br />
July, most farm calls were about the curly<br />
top virus infestations in tomato fields in<br />
San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. Not<br />
only in the northern San Joaquin Valley,<br />
similarly alarming reports also came<br />
from the southern San Joaquin and<br />
lower Sacramento Valleys. The unusually<br />
high incidence of BCTV in the Central<br />
Valley seems to be associated with<br />
drought, which likely has caused an earlier<br />
withering of the vegetations on the<br />
foothill that led to the earlier migration<br />
of BLH down the valley.<br />
The Vector: Beet Leafhopper<br />
BLH, Circulifer tenellus (Baker), has a<br />
typical leafhopper wedge-shaped body<br />
with tapering posterior. An adult BLH<br />
is approximately 1/8-inch long and has<br />
a distinct and broad head with a rounded<br />
anterior margin (Figure 1). The<br />
adult BLH body color varies from olive<br />
green to light tan, with small darkbrown<br />
and black markings. Although<br />
BLH is believed to have originated in<br />
the Mediterranean region, its presence<br />
in North America has been reported<br />
for over a century ago. In the U.S., it<br />
is considered a serious pest of several<br />
crops in semi-arid and arid areas of the<br />
southeastern and western states, including<br />
Colorado, Washington, Oregon,<br />
Utah, Idaho, Arizona and California.<br />
BLH has multiple generations per season,<br />
with up to five generations reported<br />
in California. BLH has numerous<br />
weed and crop hosts that are common<br />
in the Central Valley. Adult leafhoppers<br />
overwinter in the foothills. As the<br />
temperature warms up in February and<br />
March, the overwintered females lay<br />
eggs in various early weed hosts, such<br />
as pepperweed and desert Indian wheat<br />
in the foothills, and complete the first<br />
generation (and partial second generation<br />
in some years) before the vegetation<br />
dries. The first-generation nymphs<br />
acquire BCTV through direct feeding<br />
on the infected early season weed hosts,<br />
and the newly emerged virus-carrying<br />
adults migrate down to the valley.<br />
The migrating adults feed or probe on<br />
summer weed hosts such as Russian<br />
thistle, London rocket, annual saltbush,<br />
goosefoot, lamb’s quarters, pepperweed,<br />
filaree, redroot pigweed, etc., and cultivated<br />
plants such as sugar beet, bean<br />
and tomato. Several leafhopper gener-<br />
14 Progressive Crop Consultant <strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
The leafhopper ingests the virus from the phloem of the<br />
infected plant. The virus circulates through the insect<br />
blood (hemolymph) and finally reaches the insect’s salivary<br />
gland. When the insect feed on the healthy plant, the virus<br />
passes down to the healthy plant through saliva. The virus<br />
circulates within the insect body but does not multiply. The<br />
virus-infected BLH is an efficient vector and can transmit<br />
BCTV within a minute of feeding as it has a ready-to-go<br />
virus load in its salivary gland. On the other hand, once a<br />
healthy leafhopper picks up the virus from a diseased plant,<br />
it takes about four hours for that leafhopper to be infective<br />
(i.e., incubation period). Also, infected leafhoppers cannot<br />
transmit the virus through the egg to their progenies.<br />
Since BLH probe and feed on multiple hosts that appear<br />
in their flight path indiscriminately, the degree of disease<br />
incidence varies among tomato fields. Although it seems<br />
that field margins or isolated plants with exposed soils are<br />
more vulnerable, we did see clusters of infected plants in the<br />
middle of tomato fields (Figure 2, see page 14). Once fed and<br />
inoculated by BLH, tomato plants begin to exhibit purpling<br />
Continued on Page 16<br />
Progressive Crop Consultant Ads With No Banners 0813<strong>2021</strong> RRR.pdf 1 8/13/<strong>2021</strong> 9:27:37 AM<br />
Figure 3. Tomato plants infected with BCTV exhibit purpling of veins<br />
and stunting (photo by Z. Wang.)<br />
ations are produced before the maturity of the weeds or crop<br />
M<br />
harvest. The leafhopper populations from the summer generations<br />
can transmit the curly top virus to the host crops, such<br />
Y<br />
as processing tomatoes, and produce disease. Unfortunately, CM<br />
there are no processing tomato commercial varieties that are<br />
MY<br />
resistant to BCTV. In <strong>2021</strong>, due to unusually dry springtime,<br />
CY<br />
likely BLH migration to the valley occurred early, which<br />
CMY<br />
might have contributed to the increased BLH abundance and<br />
curly top disease incidence in tomatoes.<br />
K<br />
Vector and Virus Interaction: Disease Transmission<br />
BCTV is taxonomically in the genus of Curtovirus within the<br />
family of Geminiviridae, containing a single-stranded circular<br />
DNA. BCTV is currently known to be only vectored by<br />
BLH and has over 300 host plant species in the western U.S.<br />
The virus must be inoculated from diseased to healthy plants<br />
by BLH feeding. So, there is no risk of disease spread from<br />
one plant to another without the insect vector involved. The<br />
mechanism of virus transmission by BLH is called circulative<br />
persistence transmission.<br />
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<strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong> www.progressivecrop.com 15
Figure 5. Single diseased plant is typically compensated by the healthy “neighbors” (top), while<br />
several infested plants in a row are likely to cause yield losses (bottom) (photos by Z. Wang.)<br />
Figure 4. Premature fruit of a diseased plant<br />
turns red (photo by J. Rijal.)<br />
Continued from Page 15<br />
of veins and stunting within two weeks<br />
(Figure 3, see page 15). After infection<br />
with BCTV, younger plants usually die,<br />
while plants infected at a later stage<br />
may survive, but premature green<br />
fruits, if any, will turn red (Figure 4).<br />
Regarding the yield loss, a field with<br />
a BCTV incidence below 5% may still<br />
reduce productivity if several diseased<br />
plants emerge next to each other in<br />
multiple rows (Figure 5).<br />
Field infestations over 10% are more<br />
likely to cause significant yield losses.<br />
CDFA has an active statewide control<br />
program by applying insecticide to<br />
the western foothills using a threshold<br />
(treatable if the sweep net sampling<br />
produced a minimum of eight BLH per<br />
sweep.) However, the sporadic occurrence<br />
of BCTV and likely presence of<br />
the population below the treatment<br />
threshold makes the control sometimes<br />
challenging as there might be a lot of<br />
areas left out without treatments due<br />
to the mild leafhopper populations<br />
based on that sweep net sampling.<br />
Eliminating host weeds before transplanting<br />
and during the season as well<br />
as delaying tomato planting are usually<br />
tried. Insecticide application to control<br />
the BLH population may reduce disease<br />
Continued on Page 18<br />
16 Progressive Crop Consultant <strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
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Continued from Page 16<br />
spread even though infested plants will<br />
not recover. More detailed information<br />
can be found at ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/tomato/Beet-Leafhopper/,<br />
ipm.<br />
ucanr.edu/agriculture/tomato/Curly-<br />
Top/, and cdfa.ca.gov/plant/IPC/curlytopvirus/ctv_weekly_reports.htm.<br />
Collaborated Study with California<br />
Tomato Research Institute<br />
With the California Tomato Research<br />
Institute (CTRI) funding support and<br />
in collaboration with the CDFA’s BCTV<br />
Control Program, we began a research<br />
project to monitor BLH population<br />
dynamics and BCTV incidence in processing<br />
tomato fields. To monitor BLH<br />
activity, we set up yellow sticky traps<br />
on 4-ft-tall metal posts at 10 different<br />
locations near 22 processing tomato<br />
fields along the highway-33 corridor in<br />
Stanislaus County (Figure 6, see page<br />
19 and Figure 7). The gross acreage of<br />
the monitored tomato fields is 2,180<br />
acres. During the study, we replaced<br />
sticky traps biweekly and took sweep<br />
net samples monthly. By inspecting collected<br />
traps and sweep net samples, we<br />
submitted all suspicious BLH together<br />
with diseased tomato tissues to the CD-<br />
FA-Integrated Pest Control and UC Davis<br />
for laboratory confirmation prior to<br />
estimating BLH population and BCTV<br />
incidence at each monitored location<br />
(Figure 8, see page 19). As fields are<br />
being harvested, we will work closely<br />
with growers to estimate the potential<br />
yield loss. Besides the 22 monitored<br />
fields, eight additional tomato fields<br />
which were not part of the study were<br />
Figure 7. Yellow sticky traps were set up representing different locations with various vegetations near prospective processing tomato fields in<br />
March <strong>2021</strong> (photos by Z. Wang.)<br />
18 Progressive Crop Consultant <strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Figure 8. Suspicious BLH were sorted from sweep net and sticky trap samples and saved in vials filled with alcohol before submitting<br />
them for laboratory identification (photos by Z. Wang.)<br />
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Figure 6. Locations of the 10 sites<br />
where yellow sticky traps were<br />
installed (LOC = Location).<br />
also reported for BCTV infection by<br />
growers or their PCAs.<br />
Current results indicated that of all<br />
the 10 monitored sites (22 fields), six<br />
sites, including 14 tomato fields, were<br />
identified to have a BCTV incidence<br />
of 5% to 10%. The disease incidence<br />
levels of 0% to 5% and >10% were<br />
found in the remaining eight monitoring<br />
fields. For the additional<br />
infested fields reported by growers<br />
and PCAs, three, four, and one fields<br />
had estimated 0% to 5%, 5% to 10%<br />
and >10% BCTV, respectively. The<br />
complete results of this study will be<br />
reported later in the year.<br />
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<strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong> www.progressivecrop.com 19
Want more<br />
tree nut<br />
articles?<br />
By BRADLEY S. HIGBEE | Field R&D Mgr, Trécé, Inc.<br />
SUBSCRIBE TO<br />
at wcngg.com/subscribe<br />
Areawide Management for Navel<br />
Orangeworm: Learning from the Past<br />
The navel orangeworm (NOW)<br />
continues to be public enemy<br />
#1 for most almond growers in<br />
California. Current efforts using the<br />
sterile insect technique and future<br />
efforts with new technologies could<br />
benefit from an areawide approach.<br />
In simple terms, this strategy coordinates<br />
control efforts over relatively<br />
wide areas in which hosts of a given<br />
pest are grown. These programs<br />
have proven successful in a number<br />
of crop systems, including pink<br />
bollworm in cotton, codling moth<br />
in apples and screw worm in cattle.<br />
Percent NOW Damage<br />
interior windrow sample<br />
7.5<br />
5.0<br />
2.5<br />
0.0<br />
2006<br />
Type<br />
Chem<br />
Both<br />
MD<br />
2007<br />
2008<br />
2009<br />
2010<br />
Shortly after I arrived in Bakersfield,<br />
Calif. in 2002 to start an<br />
entomology research program for<br />
Paramount Farming (which later<br />
became Wonderful Orchards), it<br />
was apparent that NOW could benefit<br />
from such a program because of the<br />
importance of sanitation, the need<br />
for good spray timing and the recent<br />
demonstration of mating disruption as<br />
an effective management tool. Having<br />
directed two such areawide projects<br />
in apples and pears for codling moth<br />
management during my tenure with<br />
USDA-ARS in Yakima, Wash., I approached<br />
the National Program staff<br />
of USDA-ARS to explore the possibility<br />
of funding such a program for NOW.<br />
The funding was ultimately approved<br />
in 2007, and Joel Siegel of the Parlier<br />
Station was chosen to administer the<br />
NOW Areawide Project, which began<br />
in 2008 and continued to 2012. For the<br />
purpose of this project, the definition<br />
of areawide was expanded to a statewide<br />
focus on nut crops. Researchers<br />
from UC, USDA-ARS and the private<br />
sector were enlisted to perform research<br />
seeking new knowledge and<br />
solutions to several questions. Meanwhile,<br />
Wonderful Orchards (WO) had<br />
taken the initiative to start two separate<br />
2,500-acre NOW Areawide projects<br />
(Lost Hills in 2006 and Santa Fe in<br />
2007) to complement the individual<br />
research projects funded by the USDA.<br />
Year<br />
The USDA funding for the NOW<br />
Areawide Project amounted to $3.5<br />
million over five years and funded a<br />
myriad of projects. Research on NOW<br />
flourished during this period (2008-12),<br />
and included research directly funded<br />
through the Areawide project, co-funded<br />
with the Almond Board of California<br />
and independent work. In all, over<br />
25 peer-reviewed scientific papers were<br />
published during this period, expanding<br />
our knowledge and improving our<br />
ability to manage NOW substantially.<br />
Among the topics were identification of<br />
the minor components of the NOW sex<br />
pheromone (allowing development of<br />
an attractive lure for monitoring), spray<br />
coverage improvement, discovery of<br />
a new kairomone attractant, multiple<br />
2011<br />
2012<br />
2013<br />
2014<br />
2015<br />
Figure 1. The combination of insecticides and NOW MD (both) achieved the lowest levels of<br />
NOW damage in eight out of ten years compared to insecticides (Chem) or MD alone in the<br />
Lost Hills Areawide Project (Higbee and Burks <strong>2021</strong>).<br />
studies on aspects of NOW monitoring<br />
and relationships among trapping<br />
options, variable development rate of<br />
NOW on the same and different diets,<br />
spray timing and efficacy of insecticide<br />
programs, duration of control for<br />
commonly used NOW insecticides and<br />
relative efficacy of NOW insecticides.<br />
In addition, WO self-funded two areawide<br />
projects (Lost Hills and Santa Fe)<br />
and related research projects investigating<br />
NOW, including insecticide<br />
program efficacy, spray coverage characterization<br />
and improvement, NOW<br />
monitoring and new lure development,<br />
predictive NOW damage modeling,<br />
bifenthrin resistance in NOW moths,<br />
mating disruption and NOW dynamics.<br />
A list of publications and patents associated<br />
with the USDA-ARS NOW AW-<br />
IPM program can be found at github.<br />
com/ChuckBV/Y2008_to_2012_navel_orangeworm_areawide.<br />
20 Progressive Crop Consultant <strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Results from the Areawide Sites<br />
The combination of mating<br />
disruption (MD) and insecticides<br />
resulted in the lowest NOW<br />
damage<br />
(Higbee and Burks <strong>2021</strong>).<br />
One of the major outcomes of the<br />
Lost Hills Project (2006-15) was the<br />
demonstration that MD supplemented<br />
with two hull split sprays resulted in<br />
lower NOW damage than MD alone or<br />
the insecticide program alone (Figure<br />
1, see page 20). All treatment areas<br />
received identical sanitation, nutrition<br />
and secondary pest inputs. The<br />
project site covered 2,500 contiguous<br />
acres and was planted in 1996 with<br />
Nonpareil, Monterrey, Sonora, Fritz,<br />
Carmel, Wood Colony and Price, with<br />
a relatively small area that included<br />
Ruby and Butte. Treatment areas were<br />
rotated each year of the study such<br />
that the insecticide-only treatment was<br />
situated on either the north or south<br />
end to minimize pheromone drift from<br />
NOW MD areas. The NOW insecticide<br />
program in all years consisted of two<br />
applications of methoxyfenozide (Intrepid),<br />
one spray directed at the first<br />
flight (typically in April) and one spray<br />
targeting the second flight (typically in<br />
late June/early July.) Aerosol dispensers<br />
were used as the pheromone source.<br />
NOW MD and sanitation<br />
could stand alone with<br />
increased monitoring effort.<br />
(Rosenheim et al, JEE, 2017)<br />
The idea that NOW MD along with<br />
sanitation could stand alone, with sufficient<br />
monitoring efforts that provided<br />
the confidence to make a “no-spray”<br />
decision, was validated in the Santa Fe<br />
Areawide Project (2007-12). The site<br />
chosen was a historical hot spot, largely<br />
due to very large trees that were difficult<br />
to sanitize adequately. This project<br />
was made up of two large ranch units;<br />
R370 was planted in 1990 with Nonpareil,<br />
Price, Butte and Sonora for a total<br />
of 950 ac and R371 was planted in 1993<br />
with these same varieties plus Monterey,<br />
Carmel, Fritz, Price, less than 100<br />
ac of Padre and Mission for a total of<br />
1,700 acres. All treatment areas received<br />
identical sanitation and secondary pest<br />
inputs. These two ranch units were<br />
divided by a two-lane highway.<br />
Figure 2 summarizes Nonpareil<br />
damage as measured from truckload<br />
<br />
Percent NOW Damage<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
15<br />
12<br />
9<br />
6<br />
3<br />
0<br />
Sante Fe NOW MD Areawide Site<br />
Processor samples - NP<br />
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012<br />
1.3<br />
2.9<br />
3.2<br />
2.7<br />
Conv Insecticides<br />
R370<br />
0.2<br />
0.1<br />
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2.4<br />
2.0 1.8<br />
1.1<br />
0.3<br />
0.2<br />
0.9 0.4<br />
0.3 0.1<br />
0.3<br />
samples delivered to the processor. This<br />
project was managed as a demonstration<br />
of what could be achieved with<br />
NOW MD combined with sanitation<br />
and increased monitoring over large<br />
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Figure 2. Processor grade samples from the Nonpareil variety in the Santa Fe Areawide<br />
Project from 2002 through 2012. The project began in 2007 with a combination of insecticides<br />
+ NOW MD and with increased monitoring efforts, reduced NOW insecticide use<br />
over the following two years, then managed NOW with MD (and sanitation) only over<br />
the final three years of the project.<br />
Continued on Page 22<br />
Jeannine Lowrimore<br />
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Christeen Abbott-Hearn<br />
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<strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong> www.progressivecrop.com 21
Continued from Page 21<br />
areas. In the initial year of the project<br />
(2007), an aggressive insecticide<br />
program consisting of a spring application<br />
of Intrepid (April), a first hull<br />
split spray of Lorsban + Intrepid (late<br />
June) and a second hull split spray<br />
in late July consisting of bifenthrin<br />
(Brigade). This insecticide program<br />
was applied to both ranches, while in<br />
addition, R370 received NOW MD using<br />
aerosol dispensers. The resulting<br />
NOW damage in 2007 was much lower<br />
in both ranches relative to 2006, the<br />
addition of MD in R370 contributing to<br />
an even greater reduction than insecticides<br />
alone. NOW MD was used over<br />
the entire project in for the remainder<br />
of the project. The following two years,<br />
2008 and 2009, the only insecticide<br />
applications for NOW applied (based<br />
on monitoring data) were to a hotspot<br />
of 360 acres in 2008 and borders in<br />
2009. In the final three years of the<br />
project (2010-11), monitoring indicated<br />
no need for NOW insecticides, and<br />
damage remained at about 1% or less.<br />
One MD aerosol dispenser per acre<br />
was effective at low to moderate<br />
NOW populations<br />
(Higbee and Burks <strong>2021</strong>).<br />
Another interesting study conducted<br />
in the Lost Hills Project from 2008-11<br />
was the comparison of aerosol mating<br />
disruption at two different dispenser<br />
densities, with or without insecticide,<br />
was compared to insecticide treatment<br />
alone. There were five treatments: 1)<br />
insecticide treatment without mating<br />
disruption; 2) one mating disruption<br />
dispenser per acre without insecticide;<br />
3) one mating disruption dispenser per<br />
acre with insecticide; 4) two mating<br />
disruption dispensers per ac without<br />
insecticide; and 5) two mating disruption<br />
dispensers per acre with insecticide.<br />
The two replicates of the no-mating<br />
disruption insecticide treatment<br />
were placed adjacent to each other and<br />
rotated each year at either the north or<br />
south end of the site to minimize the<br />
effect of the mating disruption treatments<br />
on the insecticide only treatment<br />
blocks.<br />
Table 1. Percent navel orangeworm infestation (mean ± SE, n = 8) from windrow samples of Nonpareil<br />
and pooled pollinizer varieties by insecticide and mating disruption (MD) treatment, 2008–201 1 .<br />
Mating Disruption<br />
Dispensers per ac<br />
Without Insecticide With Insecticide<br />
1<br />
2<br />
1 .67 ± 0.64<br />
0.93 ± 0.22<br />
0.64 ± 0.20<br />
0.33 ± 0.09<br />
The row-wise differences (insecticide effect) are significant (p < 0.05), the column-wise differences<br />
(dispensers per ha) are not quite significant (0.1 >p >0.05), and the interaction is not significant ((p ><br />
0.1 ) (GLMM with negative binomial distribution).<br />
‘<br />
The combination of mating disruption and insecticides<br />
resulted in the lowest NOW damage.<br />
<strong>Final</strong> Thoughts<br />
These projects demonstrated that with<br />
sufficient monitoring, NOW could be<br />
managed optimally over time with<br />
the possibility of eliminating insecticide<br />
use directed at NOW. The results<br />
solidified the viability of NOW MD<br />
as a management tool and provided<br />
information on how to monitor and<br />
interpret collected data to make management<br />
decisions. Although precise<br />
damage thresholds were not developed,<br />
a predictive model incorporating various<br />
trap data and early split evaluations<br />
was developed that explained over 50%<br />
of the variation observed in NP damage.<br />
While it is difficult to make precise<br />
predictions, the best predictors are a<br />
combination of 1) adult female captures<br />
in almond-meal baited traps during the<br />
3 rd flight, and 2) infestation of the early<br />
split nuts.<br />
Certainly, additional work has and<br />
will be done to optimize MD systems.<br />
These include passive MD dispenser<br />
systems, additional attractants for use<br />
as monitoring tools, precise dispensing<br />
of the sex pheromone, and the impact<br />
of the addition of minor sex pheromone<br />
components to MD formulations<br />
on disruption of communication<br />
between male and female moths. As<br />
more research addresses how to use<br />
MD most efficiently, it should ease and<br />
increase the adoption of this technology.<br />
Resources<br />
Higbee, B. S., and C. S. Burks. 2008. Effects<br />
of mating disruption treatments on navel<br />
orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) sexual<br />
communication and damage in almonds and<br />
pistachios. J. Econ. Entomol. 101(5):1633-1642.<br />
Rosenheim, J. A., B. S. Higbee, J. D. Ackerman,<br />
and M. H. Meisner. 2017. Observational data<br />
from commercial farming (ecoinformatics)<br />
can capture the interpretational strengths of<br />
experimentation: effects of almond variety on<br />
the impact of two lepidopteran pests. J. Econ.<br />
Entomol. (2017) 110(x):<br />
Rosenheim, J. A., B. S. Higbee, J. D. Ackerman,<br />
and M. H. Meisner. 2017. Predicting nut damage<br />
at harvest using different in-season density<br />
estimates of Amyelois transitella: analysis<br />
of data from commercial almond production.<br />
J. Econ. Entomol. (2017) 110(6):2692-2698 doi:<br />
10.1093/jee/tox226<br />
Higbee, B.S.; Burks, C.S. <strong>2021</strong>. Individual and<br />
Additive Effects of Insecticide and Mating<br />
Disruption in Integrated Management of<br />
Navel Orangeworm in Almonds. Insects 12, 188.<br />
https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12020188<br />
Comments about this article? We want<br />
to hear from you. Feel free to email us at<br />
article@jcsmarketinginc.com<br />
’<br />
22 Progressive Crop Consultant <strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
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www.progressivecrop.com 23
Diamondback Moth –<br />
A Serious<br />
Pest of<br />
Vegetable<br />
Crops<br />
By GREG MONTEZ | PCA, Contributing Writer<br />
Older DBM larvae will chew holes in mature leaves, which is especially damaging to cabbage. Later, as the larvae and the crop mature, there is the<br />
potential for damage to the crowns of broccoli and cauliflower (all photos by Surendra Dara, UCCE.)<br />
24 Progressive Crop Consultant <strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
The Diamondback Moth (DBM,<br />
Plutella xylostella) is not a new<br />
insect pest by any means, but it<br />
has the capability to damage or destroy<br />
crops of tremendous value in a<br />
short time, and keeping up with viable<br />
management tactics can be a real challenge.<br />
This insect is present wherever<br />
cole crops (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels<br />
sprouts, etc.) are grown throughout the<br />
world. It can be a serious pest in canola,<br />
and while it does not prefer non-cruciferae<br />
crops, it has shown the capability<br />
to feed on other plant types, including<br />
legumes. Perhaps its most diabolical<br />
attribute is its ability to have up to 12 or<br />
more generations in a year, which gives<br />
them the potential to quickly become<br />
resistant to insecticides used against<br />
them.<br />
Biology<br />
The adult DBM is a small grayish<br />
moth that, when its wings are folded<br />
at rest, have dark markings, giving it<br />
the “diamondback” moniker. Eggs are<br />
deposited singly and are visible without<br />
a hand lens once a scout’s eyes have<br />
been trained to look for them. The larvae<br />
are a translucent green with spots<br />
and are easily distinguished from other<br />
caterpillars by their behavior of falling<br />
from plant surfaces when disturbed,<br />
often hanging from a silken thread. The<br />
larvae go through four instars before<br />
cocooning themselves to a leaf or stem<br />
to pupate into adults.<br />
Damage and Control<br />
Damage from DBM varies according to<br />
the age of the crop. Transplants carrying<br />
the eggs of DBM may be an initial<br />
source of infestation, but the adults are<br />
also known to travel long distances to<br />
find host plants. Young seedlings and<br />
transplants may have their growing tip<br />
chewed off, effectively killing or stunting<br />
the plant. Young larvae will strip off<br />
the outside layer of leaf tissue, leaving a<br />
“window pane” effect and harming the<br />
development of the crop. Older larvae<br />
will chew holes in mature leaves, which<br />
is especially damaging to cabbage.<br />
Later, as the larvae and the crop mature,<br />
there is the potential for damage to the<br />
crowns of broccoli and cauliflower, and<br />
larvae will burrow into maturing Brussels<br />
sprouts and cabbage heads. Reports<br />
have come from central Mexico, where<br />
a large amount of broccoli and other<br />
cole crops are grown, that up to 80%<br />
of a crop can be lost to diamondback<br />
moth damage. Should the genetics for<br />
diamide resistance become persistent<br />
for DBM, that mode of action which<br />
is the most recent may be rendered<br />
non-viable, and there are few modes of<br />
action other than peptides (Spear-Lep)<br />
coming online.<br />
Control of diamondback moth relies<br />
mostly on the use of insecticides.<br />
There are no cole crops that have been<br />
modified to carry the Bacillus thuringiensis<br />
protein gene(s) that protects other<br />
crops, and for that matter, DBM has<br />
shown the ability to become resistant<br />
to Bt. There are natural enemies of diamondback<br />
moth, but they cannot be re-<br />
Continued on Page 26<br />
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<strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong> www.progressivecrop.com 25
Diamondback moth prefers to feed on cole crops, such as Brussels sprouts shown here.<br />
‘<br />
Insecticide resistance is a serious concern as DBM is<br />
capable of developing resistance to just about anything<br />
thrown at it, including the newest modes of action.<br />
Continued from Page 25<br />
lied on to prevent economic damage<br />
to a crop. Insecticide resistance is a<br />
serious concern as DBM is capable of<br />
developing resistance to just about anything<br />
thrown at it, including the newest<br />
modes of action. Several companies<br />
have developed pheromone dispensers<br />
to disrupt mating of diamondback<br />
moth, and this is a potentially powerful<br />
tool to consider in a DBM management<br />
plan. An areawide management<br />
plan may prove difficult because of the<br />
adult’s ability to spread quickly and<br />
their ability to use weed species, especially<br />
mustards, as non-crop hosts.<br />
Management Plan<br />
A diamondback moth management<br />
plan should account for protection of<br />
seedlings/transplants by using a soil<br />
drench insecticide at planting and by<br />
inspecting plants for presence of DBM<br />
eggs. If cyazypyr was used at planting,<br />
be sure to note that so it or another<br />
member of that class (diamide) is not<br />
used again for seven to eight weeks.<br />
Pheromone traps will alert a scout to<br />
the presence of DBM but will not be an<br />
indication of how severe the population<br />
could get or the correct timing for an<br />
application. Once the crop becomes<br />
established, twice-weekly scouting<br />
looking for eggs and early damage<br />
becomes necessary.<br />
Rotation of insecticide modes of action<br />
is absolutely needed, taking into<br />
account the re-entry and pre-harvest<br />
intervals for each product. Bt insecticides<br />
(DiPel, Javelin, Xentari) are still<br />
considered effective unless otherwise<br />
noted by the local Extension office. The<br />
advantages of Bt are that it is non-toxic<br />
’<br />
to anything except caterpillars and can<br />
be used close to harvest. The drawbacks<br />
are that they have a very short residual,<br />
do not have any effect on adults<br />
and cannot penetrate behind wrapper<br />
leaves where DBM larvae have burrowed<br />
to. It is also true of the newer<br />
chemistries that their modes of action<br />
target larvae only and will not control<br />
adult moths. Through diligence and<br />
effective treatments, damage from diamondback<br />
moth can be minimized.<br />
Chemical and trade names used in this<br />
article do not constitute a recommendation.<br />
Consult a crop advisor, extension<br />
agent or manufacturer representative for<br />
more information.<br />
Comments about this article? We want<br />
to hear from you. Feel free to email us at<br />
article@jcsmarketinginc.com<br />
26 Progressive Crop Consultant <strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Better Nutrition Grows Firmer Fruit<br />
Fruit growers are producing<br />
firmer, higher quality table<br />
grapes, wine grapes and<br />
strawberries with Pacific Gro.<br />
Firmer fruit has longer shelf<br />
life, earns a premium price,<br />
and it tastes better.<br />
We’re seeing this in both<br />
organic and conventional production<br />
— table grapes in<br />
Delano, strawberries in Santa<br />
Maria, apples and cherries in<br />
central Washington, berries in<br />
Oregon—and vegetable crops<br />
too.<br />
Calcium plays a key role in<br />
moving other nutrients into<br />
the fruit. It provides structural<br />
support to cell walls of plants<br />
and root development.<br />
There are many sources of<br />
calcium, and big growers<br />
have tried them all. However,<br />
growers see an additional<br />
benefit with Pacific Gro, providing plants readily available<br />
calcium and many other essential nutrients that help crops<br />
thrive.<br />
Table grapes grown near Delano, California<br />
Pacific Gro should be viewed as a core input and key<br />
contributor to any crop program. It helps microbes get<br />
established, especially the all-important fungal components.<br />
Fish oil and chitin provide the necessary building blocks for<br />
microbes to multiply, mineralize nutrients, and create healthier<br />
soils. Amino acids immediately convert into plant available<br />
nitrogen and promote calcium absorption. Natural fulvic<br />
acids help chelate nutrients and strengthen crop drought and<br />
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Fertilizer Preparation<br />
for Fall Crops<br />
By JW LEMONS | CCA, CPAg, Account Manager, Verdesian Life Sciences<br />
We are blessed in California to<br />
have the ability to farm yearround.<br />
With over 400 commodities<br />
grown here, we are the fifth<br />
largest food producer in the world. In<br />
2020, approximately 24,300,000 acres<br />
of farm operations were accounted for.<br />
Visiting with colleagues and other crop<br />
managers and consultants from across<br />
the nation, I am aware that agriculture<br />
in most states is very seasonal. Limited<br />
crops and short growing seasons allow<br />
for agriculture producers to shut down<br />
and start thinking about next year’s<br />
crops. Winter months are times to<br />
plan, repair equipment, prepare fields<br />
28 Progressive Crop Consultant <strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong><br />
’<br />
Consider that a small<br />
starter application<br />
[of N] at planting is<br />
sufficient to support<br />
early growth of many<br />
crops. High rates risk<br />
being leached during<br />
the early season.
Crop N uptake (% of total)<br />
100<br />
80<br />
60<br />
40<br />
20<br />
0<br />
Seedling<br />
growth<br />
Vegetative<br />
growth<br />
Time<br />
Flowering<br />
Seed<br />
developement<br />
Maturity<br />
To ensure that nitrogen is available in the root zone of young<br />
plants, irrigation management should be optimized to limit<br />
nitrate movement below the root zone (photo by Marni Katz.)<br />
Study the crop uptake curve and know the growth stages for each crop so<br />
you can be sure to have adequate N and other nutrients available at peak or<br />
critical demand stages.<br />
for next season and possibly take some<br />
time off. Not here in California or parts<br />
of Arizona. From October through<br />
February, many California and Arizona<br />
farmers are planting crops.<br />
No Time Off<br />
Crop planting in October may include<br />
crops such as artichoke, fennel, and<br />
sweet anise. In <strong>November</strong>, heavy hitters<br />
such as cauliflower and strawberry are<br />
started in the coastal areas of California.<br />
<strong>December</strong> brings time to plant<br />
asparagus, cabbage, carrot, kale, lettuce<br />
(head, leaf, romaine) and the popular<br />
spring mix. January, however, unlike<br />
much of the nation, brings plantings of<br />
bok choy, broccoli, cilantro, endive and<br />
escarole, Napa cabbage, onion green,<br />
peas, rappini and spinach. And the list<br />
goes on through February.<br />
Continued on Page 30<br />
Contact us to see how we can help!<br />
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<strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong> www.progressivecrop.com 29
Continued from Page 29<br />
So, what should growers be considering when deciding how,<br />
when and where to fertilize these crops? As with all crops at<br />
any given time, we need to understand plant nutrition. For<br />
annual crops, a plant’s nitrogen requirement is a function<br />
of its total N uptake and how efficiently it can access the<br />
available N in the soil. The nitrogen use efficiency depends<br />
on the crop type, soil type and how well irrigation, N application<br />
rates and timing match plant demand. For example,<br />
in general, we need to be aware N use efficiency will be lower<br />
with flood irrigation, on sandy soils, and when all N fertilizer<br />
has to be applied prior to planting. Cold, wet soils will<br />
limit availability and uptake by the plant. In today’s climate<br />
situation, we need to determine if adequate irrigation water<br />
will be available to us.<br />
The crops are too numerous to go through detailed plans for<br />
every one of them. I am happy to say much of this information<br />
is available online through local university sources.<br />
Take time to look at what has been done on your individual<br />
crops. Some general guidelines on N application to consider:<br />
Most times, it is more efficient to split N applications than to<br />
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apply the whole rate prior to planting. This is because most<br />
annual crops have a phase of slow early growth when they<br />
take up little N, which is followed by a period of rapid vegetative<br />
growth and N uptake. Consider that a small starter<br />
application at planting is sufficient to support early growth<br />
of many crops. High rates risk being leached during the early<br />
season. Side-dressing most or part of the N rate just before<br />
the rapid growth phase helps ensure that enough N will be<br />
present to meet plant demand.<br />
If we just look at one single crop in more detail, such as<br />
lettuce, we can start understanding the multiple things we<br />
should be aware of.<br />
Watch Preplan N<br />
Pre-plant N applied in fall at bed listing is highly susceptible<br />
to leaching below the root zone by winter rain, and it has<br />
been found that lettuce receiving starter and side dress N<br />
outperformed lettuce that received a broadcast N application<br />
before seedbed preparation.<br />
It would be wise to note that lettuce requires little N in the<br />
early phase of growth. Studies found that N uptake during<br />
the first month after planting represented no more than<br />
20% of total uptake. As should always be the case, I highly<br />
advise using a current soil test to know where your N level is<br />
before applications. The optimal pre-plant application rate<br />
depends on residual soil nitrate N. When the residual nitrate<br />
N concentration exceeds 20 ppm, no pre-plant N application<br />
is required. When the residual soil nitrate N concentration is<br />
lower, a small application of 20 to 40 lbs./acre just before or<br />
at planting is sufficient to cover the early N needs. To ensure<br />
that N is available in the root zone of young plants, irrigation<br />
management should be optimized to limit nitrate movement<br />
below the root zone.<br />
High application rates not only increase the risk of N losses,<br />
but may also damage seedlings. Studies in the Imperial<br />
Valley showed that pre-plant or starter ammonium N applications<br />
exceeding 50 to 60 lbs./acre may damage seedlings,<br />
resulting in uneven growth.<br />
Interpretation of Test Results<br />
Several studies carried out in commercial fields in the<br />
Salinas Valley found that no fertilizer N is necessary when<br />
the pre-side dress nitrate N level in the soil is above 20 mg/<br />
kg (= 20 ppm). A concentration of 20 ppm nitrate N in the<br />
top foot of soil equals approximately 80 lbs. N/acre. In the<br />
absence of leaching, this amount of N could supply a crop<br />
for at least two weeks, even at peak N demand. However, if<br />
you experience a heavy rainfall event or the have cold wet<br />
soil conditions this amount might turn out to be inadequate.<br />
Understanding your crop and its response to soil tempera-<br />
30 Progressive Crop Consultant <strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
’<br />
A lot more goes<br />
into nutrient<br />
management than<br />
just applying a rule<br />
of thumb amount<br />
of nutrients to<br />
the soil or plant.<br />
ture and moisture conditions might<br />
avoid a poor yield. N treatment technologies<br />
can help to hold the nutrients<br />
in position near the root zone for longer<br />
periods. This could help mitigate stress<br />
conditions and help the crop rebound<br />
from adverse climate conditions. Again,<br />
seek information from your crop<br />
consultant about current technology<br />
available. It might come in the form of<br />
seed treatment or a direct treatment or<br />
additive to the nutrient added to promote<br />
nitrogen use efficiency. There are<br />
nitrogen fertilizer management technologies<br />
that will let you increase nutrient<br />
availability over longer periods in<br />
season. It can help protect from losses<br />
by stabilizing your N and allowing for<br />
less loss by volatilization, nitrification<br />
and denitrification. After reading your<br />
soil report, you find that the nitrate N<br />
concentration in the soil is below 20<br />
ppm, and adding only enough N to<br />
increase soil-available nitrate N to 20<br />
ppm is needed. Contact your local crop<br />
advisor for more information. You may<br />
need or benefit from a second opinion<br />
on the sample interpretations.<br />
As you can plainly see, a lot more goes<br />
into nutrient management than just<br />
applying a rule of thumb amount of nutrients<br />
to the soil or plant. Fall is upon<br />
us now, so prepare your fields. Study<br />
your crop needs and keep a close eye on<br />
field and weather conditions. Use your<br />
Crop Advisors and Extension experts<br />
and pay attention to current releases of<br />
technology by reading web-based and<br />
printed articles that could improve not<br />
only your yield but crop quality.<br />
Happy Planting!<br />
Comments about this article? We want<br />
to hear from you. Feel free to email us at<br />
article@jcsmarketinginc.com<br />
<strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong> www.progressivecrop.com 31
State Considering New Pesticide<br />
Application Advance Notifications<br />
By ROGER A. ISOM | President/CEO, Western Agricultural Processors Association<br />
CDPR is looking at several different areas to determine the bounds of this new program, including what types of pesticides and application methods<br />
will require notification, who gets notified, how they get notified and how far in advance the notification will be required (photo courtesy Western<br />
Agricultural Processors Association.)<br />
The environmental justice movement<br />
has hit a new threshold as the state<br />
legislature has now approved, and the<br />
Governor signed, a budget that includes<br />
$10 million for a new statewide notification<br />
system for pesticide application.<br />
The California Department of Pesticide<br />
Regulation (CDPR) has wasted no time<br />
in moving on the effort and has already<br />
held a series of focus group meetings to<br />
discuss the issue and begin developing the<br />
framework of the new program. This new<br />
effort will focus on advance notification<br />
of potential pesticide applications. While<br />
admitting that California already has the<br />
most robust pesticide regulatory program<br />
in the country, CDPR indicated in a<br />
recent meeting that these new notification<br />
requirements are a priority for Governor<br />
Gavin Newsom and CalEPA Secretary<br />
Jared Blumenfeld.<br />
Existing Notification Requirements<br />
There are some existing requirements<br />
already in place for advance notifications.<br />
Two counties, Monterey and Kern, already<br />
offer some form of advance notification,<br />
albeit very limited. In Monterey County,<br />
the public can sign up for email notifications<br />
for fumigation applications made<br />
within a quarter mile of one of ten designated<br />
schools. In Kern County, the county<br />
provides email notification to other growers<br />
surrounding a farm where a restricted<br />
use pesticide will be used.<br />
For certain soil fumigants, including<br />
chloropicrin, metam sodium/potassium,<br />
dazomet and methyl bromide, notice of<br />
emergency response information must<br />
be provided to occupied residences and<br />
businesses within a specified distance<br />
of a buffer zone unless the applicator<br />
provides onsite monitoring. Also, if a<br />
beekeeper requests notification, they must<br />
be notified if a pesticide toxic to bees is to<br />
be applied at a site within one mile of an<br />
apiary. <strong>Final</strong>ly, schools must be notified in<br />
advance of any pesticide application that<br />
will occur within a quarter mile of the<br />
school.<br />
Three other states (Florida, Michigan and<br />
Maine) have some form of notification<br />
requirements; however, they are limited<br />
in scope and application. Florida provides<br />
a registry for persons requiring notifications,<br />
but they must reside in contiguous<br />
or adjacent property within a half mile<br />
of the application site. Michigan requires<br />
notification to someone with a physician<br />
diagnosed condition if they reside in<br />
property immediately adjacent or contiguous<br />
to the property being treated. Maine<br />
has a notification registry for applications<br />
within 250 feet, which can apply to even<br />
residential lawn treatments, and notification<br />
must occur within 6 to 14 days prior<br />
to the application.<br />
Potential Requirements<br />
With these new notification requirements,<br />
CDPR is looking at going way beyond any<br />
of these previous requirements or those<br />
in other states. In a recent series of focus<br />
group meetings, CDPR asked several<br />
questions in attempting to determine the<br />
bounds of this new program. CDPR is<br />
looking at several different areas, including<br />
looking at what types of pesticides<br />
and application methods will require<br />
notification, who gets notified, how they<br />
get notified and how far in advance the<br />
notification will be required.<br />
By far, the biggest question is who gets<br />
notified. Concerns from the agricultural<br />
32 Progressive Crop Consultant <strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
‘Risk is a key question here as<br />
what is true risk? Just because a<br />
chemical is applied via<br />
helicopter or airplane does not<br />
mean it imposes a greater risk.’<br />
industry abound on this specific<br />
piece due to fears over environmental<br />
activism. The environmental<br />
justice community has been vocal<br />
that they want a countywide or<br />
statewide notification system where<br />
anyone can sign up for an email<br />
notification. Why would someone<br />
who does not live next to a field or<br />
orchard being treated want or need<br />
to know about an application unless<br />
they have an ulterior motive? One<br />
such incident happened in Monterey<br />
County where activists tried to<br />
stop a planned field fumigation after<br />
learning of the fumigation through<br />
the notification system.<br />
Another area of concern is how<br />
broad CDPR applies this requirement.<br />
In the focus group meetings,<br />
CDPR asked if this should be limited<br />
to only restricted use materials<br />
or any pesticide. They also asked<br />
if this should apply to all types of<br />
application methods or focus on<br />
ones they consider to be the greatest<br />
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<strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong> www.progressivecrop.com 33
Continued from Page 33<br />
risk for pesticide exposure, such as<br />
fumigations or aerial applications. Risk<br />
is a key question here as what is true<br />
risk? Just because a chemical is applied<br />
via helicopter or airplane does not mean<br />
it imposes a greater risk.<br />
CDPR also asked how far in advance<br />
the notice should be made as well as<br />
how the notification should be made.<br />
Typical notifications are made 24<br />
hours in advance, but CDPR is seeking<br />
guidance on whether there should be<br />
a shorter or longer notification period.<br />
As for how the notification is being<br />
made, CDPR is asking if the notification<br />
should be made with mail, email,<br />
fax or door hangers.<br />
CDPR asked focus groups if the notification requirement should apply to all types of application<br />
methods or focus on ones they consider to be the greatest risk for pesticide exposure, such as<br />
fumigations or aerial applications.<br />
In the end, CDPR is committed to doing something. For<br />
the agricultural industry, the fight against our industry<br />
© <strong>2021</strong> Almond Board of California. All rights reserved.<br />
DECEMBER 7–9, <strong>2021</strong><br />
THE CONFERENCE IS<br />
FREE TO ATTEND.<br />
REGISTRATION IS NOW<br />
OPEN AT ALMONDS.COM/<br />
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TO-DATE ON THE LATEST<br />
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continues, and we must be involved to protect what we<br />
have. As stated in the beginning of this article, CDPR<br />
has acknowledged they have the<br />
most robust regulatory scheme on<br />
pesticides in the country. This will<br />
only make it tougher for farmers<br />
and easier for the anti-pesticide<br />
groups to attack our industry. There<br />
is no doubt that farmers must be<br />
careful with pesticide applications<br />
and follow all label requirements to<br />
the letter. But notifying people that<br />
do not live anywhere near where the<br />
pesticide application occurs does<br />
nothing to protect those that do.<br />
Whether it is water, air quality,<br />
labor or pesticides, the California<br />
agricultural industry is once again<br />
under attack. Consider this article<br />
a ‘notification’ that we must stand<br />
up against overbearing and unnecessary<br />
regulations. When the time<br />
comes, be sure to weigh in and<br />
comment against these burdensome<br />
requirements that go beyond any<br />
scientifically justified reason.<br />
Comments about this article? We want<br />
to hear from you. Feel free to email us<br />
at article@jcsmarketinginc.com<br />
34 Progressive Crop Consultant <strong>November</strong> / <strong>December</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
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