Control of Pear Psylla in Pear, 2016*

The objective of this trial was to test the efficacy of various insecticides against PP. Mature “Bartlett” pear trees at the Trevor Nichols Research Center in Fennville, MI (Pear 3 Block) were sprayed with an FMC 1029 airblast sprayer at the rate of 100 gpa. One-tree plots were arranged in an RCB design with four replications. Tree spacing was 18 × 20 ft, with at least one buffer row separating all plots. Regular maintenance foliar applications of Kasumin 2, Penncozeb 75, Vangard 75, Agri-Mycin, Fireline, Apogee 27.5, Asana XL, Lannate LV, Captan, and Alion were applied across the block. In addition, glyphosate was banded below the trees for weed control. Test materials were applied on 13 May, 3 Jun, and 22 Jul at nymph threshold (1 nymph per 3 leaves). PP and egg evaluations were made on 21 Jul (pretreatment count), 28 Jul, and 4 and 12 Aug. Fifty leaves per plot were examined with the aid of a stereomicroscope, and the number of psylla eggs and nymphs were recorded. Transformed treatment means were analyzed using ANOVA and means separation by Tukey’s HSD at P = 0.05.

All treatments significantly reduced the incidence of PP nymphs and/or eggs within 7 days of application, compared to the untreated check (Tables 1, 2). All treatments continued to provide significant plant protection through the 4 Aug evaluation, with Rimon having lowest PP nymph levels.

Author notes