Control of a Broad Spectrum of Insect Pests in Peach, 2014 *

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy of season long insecticide spray programs in peach, with a focus on OFM. Two-tree plots were established in an 8-yr-old planting of “Red Haven” peach trees with row spacing of 20 ft by 18 ft; located at the Trevor Nichols Research Center in Fennville, MI (Peach 8 Block). Treatments were replicated four times in an RCB design with at least one buffer tree separating all plots. All treatments were applied using an FMC 1029 tractor-mounted airblast sprayer calibrated to deliver 100 gpa at 2.5 mph. The second and third generations of OFM tend to overlap in Michigan, thus we applied the treatments on a 14-d schedule beginning at Petal Fall. Regular maintenance foliar applications applied across the block included Imidan, Indar, Adament, and Pristine. Gramoxone was banded below the trees for weed control.

Early season OFM injury to terminals (flagging) was evaluated on 13 June by examining 50 terminals per plot. PC fruit injury was evaluated on 24 June by examining 50 fruits per plot for stings. OFM fruit injury was evaluated on 7 July by examining 50 fruits per plot for entries. OFM fruit injury was evaluated on 15 August by examining 50 fruits for entries. An OFM fruit harvest evaluation took place on 28 August by examining 25 fruits per plot for OFM entries. All data expressed as % damaged. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was run on transformed data. Transformed treatment means were analyzed using ANOVA and means separation by Tukey’s HSD at P  = 0.05.

All treatments provided significant levels of fruit protection against PC and OFM compared with the untreated check ( Table 1 ). Only Altacor and Cyclaniliprole (22 oz rate) significantly reduced the incidence of OFM flagging injury to terminals.

Author notes