integrated pest management for Australian apples & pears

223 Pages·2010·5.62 MB·English

WWW.INDUSTRY.NSW.GOV.AU
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT FOR
A U S T R A L I A N
A P P L E S & P E A R S
Integrated pest management for
a Us t r a lIa n
a p p l e s & p e a r s
Disclaimer
This document has been prepared by the authors While the information is considered true
for Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL) in and correct as at August 2009, changes in
good faith on the basis of available information. circumstances after the time of publication
may affect the accuracy of the information. The
While the information contained in the
information may change without notice, and
document has been formulated with due care,
Apple and Pear Australia Limited, the authors
the users of the document must obtain their
and the publisher and their respective servants
own advice and conduct their own investigations
and agents are not in any way liable for the
and assessments of any proposals they are
accuracy of any information contained in this
considering, in the light of their individual
document.
circumstances.
The product names in this publication are
The document is made available on the
supplied on the understanding that no preference
understanding that Apple and Pear Australia
between equivalent products is intended and
Limited, the authors and the publisher, their
that the inclusion of a product name does not
respective servants and agents accept no
imply endorsement by Apple and Pear Australia
responsibility for any person acting on, or relying
Limited over any equivalent product from
on or upon, any opinion, advice representation,
another manufacturer.
statement or information whether expressed
or implied in the document, and disclaim all Recognising that some of the information in
liability for any loss, damage, cost, or expense this document is provided by third parties,
incurred or arising by reason of any person using Apple and pear Australia Limited, the authors
or relying on the information contained in the and the publisher take no responsibility for the
document or by reason of error, omission, defect accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of
or mis-statement (whether such error, defect any information included in the document and
or mis-statement is caused by, or arises from, provided by third parties.
negligence, lack of care or otherwise).
Always read the label
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical absolved from compliance with the directions
products must always read the label and any on the label or the conditions of the permit by
permit, before using the product, and must reason of any statement made or not made in this
strictly comply with the directions on the label publication.
and the conditions of any permit. Users are not
© The State of New South Wales, Industry & Investment NSW
Apple and Pear Australia Limited. 2009
ISBN 978 1 74256 014 4
Prepared by Shane Hetherington
Edited by Ann Munroe
02/10 - 7252
Contents
Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .i Making the decision to use IPM:
personal choices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vi
Always read the label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .i
Some IPM terms defined . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii
Acknowledgments and contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . .iii
About this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii
What is IPM? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iv
Six steps to controlling diseases of apples and pears
Six steps to controlling diseases of apples Step 3: Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
and pears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Step 4: Take action only if you need to . . . . . . . . . .19
Step 1: Prepare and prevent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Step 5: Evaluate the season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Step 2: Have a pest management plan for
Step 6: Plan for next season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
the season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Mating disruption
Mating disruption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Optimising the effectiveness of
mating disruption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Tips for optimising dispenser use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
What is mating disruption? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Is mating disruption working?
Advantages of mating disruption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Monitoring in mating disruption blocks . . . . . . . . .27
Can mating disruption be used
Emergence of secondary pests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
on my block? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Pest and disease factsheets
Alternaria leaf blotch and fruit spot . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 San José scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Apple dimpling bug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Storage rots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Apple scab (Black spot), Pear scab . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Thrips: Western flower thrips, Plague thrips . . . .123
Bitter rot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Weevils: Fuller’s rose weevil, Garden weevil,
Apple weevil, Fruit tree root weevil,
Codling moth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Eucalyptus weevil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Fruit flies: Queensland fruit fly,
Woolly aphid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Mediterranean fruit fly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Apple leafhopper (canary fly in Tasmania) . . . . . .141
Helicoverpa and loopers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Apple mosaic virus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
Lightbrown apple moth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Armillaria root rot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
Longtailed mealybug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Bitter pit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
Mites:Two-spotted mites, European red mites,
Bryobia mites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83 Pear leaf blister mite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Pear blossom blast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96 Silver leaf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
Pear slug, Pear sawfly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Snails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
Phytophthora root and crown rot . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102 White root rot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
Powdery mildew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108 Wingless grasshoppers and katydids . . . . . . . . . . .157
i
Contents (cont’d)
Reducing the impacts of birds in horticulture
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160 Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165
Management options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
Forms, schedules and resources
Appendix 1 . Pesticide application record sheet .168 Appendix 4 . Effect on beneficial arthropods
of pesticides registered for use on apples
Appendix 2 . Useful contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
and pears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
Appendix 3 . Suppliers of biological
Appendix 5 . Using pesticides in IPM . . . . . . . . . . .179
control agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
More information and index
More information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
ii
Acknowledgments and contributors
Coordinating author
Thanks also to the extension staff from various
Shane Hetherington State Government departments of primary
industries and agriculture who helped to run the
The project team meetings that provided the focus for this manual.
Ms Penny Domeney, Department of Primary Particular thanks to the industry-minded
Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, orchardists who contributed their valuable
Tasmania time to attend the project meetings that gave a
practical focus to this manual.
Dr Mofakhar Hossain, Department of Primary
Industries, Victoria Photography
Ms Christine Horlock, Department of
All images supplied by photographers other
Employment, Economic Development and
than the coordinating author are acknowledged,
Innovation, Queensland Primary Industries and
but particular thanks to Paul James (SARDI),
Fisheries
Stuart Learmonth (DAFWA), Andrew Jessup
Mr Stuart Gray, Apple and Pear Australia (I&I NSW), The Ontario Ministry of Food,
Limited Agriculture and Rural Affairs and The Norfolk
Fruit Growers Association.
Contributing authors and reviewers
Funding
Staff from several State Government
departments of agriculture and primary This manual was funded through Horticulture
industries wrote and provided expert advice on Australia Limited from the national Apple and
most chapters in this manual. Pear Levy, with a matching financial contribution
from the Commonwealth Government of
In formulating strategies for individual pests
Australia. Apple and Pear Australia Limited
and diseases, valuable technical input was given
approved funding for this project to help
by many people in addition to the project team,
the Australian apple and pear industry in its
including the following:
transition to integrated pest management.
Stuart Learmonth, Department of Agriculture
Dedication
and Food, Western Australia
Paul James, South Australian Research and This manual is dedicated to my son Benjamin.
Development Institute Research and production were therapy during
hard times…You taught me that tough guys
John Tracey, Industry & Investment NSW
sometimes wear nappies!
Graham Thwaite, NSW Department of Primary
Industries (retired)
Dr Shane Hetherington
Anne Mooney, Industry & Investment NSW
Industry Leader (Temperate Fruit)
The authors would particularly like to thank the Industry & Investment NSW
following apple and pear industry reviewers who
provided valuable practical feedback and advice:
David Finger, Carey Schultz, Brad Ashlin,
Jeremy Price, Richard Hawkes.
iii
What is IPM?
Integrated pest management (IPM)is a This information was taken from the Washington
philosophy of pest control founded on the State University IPM online manual. I feel it
principles of ecology. In practice, it involves using encompasses the mind shift that needs to take
several control tactics based on a knowledge of place when entering into an IPM system. I feel
the crop, pests and associated natural enemies to it summarises quite well the feelings of where
avoid crop loss and minimize harmful effects on APAL see this manual taking growers. I am not
the environment. Implementing IPM requires sure whether this is too wordy for your liking, it
an understanding not only of insect and mite is just a suggestion which I feel embraces the idea
biology and ecology but also of the entire of IPM to me.
orchard system. This includes the plants and
The complication is that, when choosing this
animals that comprise the orchard community,
option, you must consider its impact on the
as well as consideration of contributions from
entire block.
the surrounding habitat. The orchard system also
takes into account financial, physical and human All orchard blocks are home to a range of insects,
aspects of orchard operations.More simply, IPM mites and micro-organisms that attack and kill
involves evaluating your pest problems and then the pests that damage crops. These ‘beneficials’
applying the most appropriate solution. attack pests and limit the amount of damage
that they cause. Unfortunately, many beneficials
IPM requires a more tolerant approach to
are killed by common orchard pesticides.
pest control than traditional insecticide-based
Broad-spectrum pesticides kill a wide range of
programs. Eliminating all insects and mites
organisms regardless of whether they are pests or
from the orchard is not the objective of IPM.
beneficials. When too many beneficials are killed
Natural enemies are to be conserved as much as
they can no longer reduce pest numbers, and
possible and some damage, especially to foliage,
unexpected outbreaks of pests or diseases occur
is tolerated. For example, pests that attack the
on crops. Often these outbreaks do not involve
foliage can usually be allowed to build to levels
the pest for which the spray was originally
higher than those that attack the fruit.
applied.
There are both positive and negative impacts
In the example (see page v), a broad spectrum
associated with the reduced insecticide use that
pesticide applied for codling moth control
usually accompanies the adoption of an IPM
reduces populations of this pest to low levels but
approach. Benefits of IPM include greater
results in an unexpected outbreak of two-spotted
survival of natural enemies, slower development
mites late in the season (see Option 1, page v).
of resistance, less pest resurgence, fewer outbreaks
Because broad-spectrum insecticides kill a wide
of secondary pests, less negative impact on
range of insects it is likely that predators of mites
the environment, and greater worker safety.
such as ladybird beetles, stethorus, hoverflies
On the negative side, potential pests that are
and lacewings will be killed in addition to the
coincidentally controlled by insecticides used to
pest. IPM advocates management which reduces
control key pests may be released from all but
the likelihood of secondary problems such as
natural controls. Natural controls will be effective
this developing. An alternative management
for some. For others, however, the release from
strategy more likely to fit within IPM would be
insecticidal control will result in population levels
to use mating disruption within the orchard (see
that are sometimes damaging. The transition to
Option 2, page v). Mating disruption specifically
more intensive IPM programs in orchards will
affects the pest species, leaving beneficial insect
require knowledge and patience-knowledge of
populations to develop normally. In this case,
pest and natural enemy biology and patience
mating disruption will stop codling moth
to allow natural enemy build-up. Selective
mating and reduce populations while leaving
controls will have to be used for pests that are
mite predators unaffected. As a consequence
not maintained at acceptable levels by natural
season-long control of both codling moth and
controls.
two-spotted mite is more likely than under
pesticide-only management.
iv
Controlling Codling moth
Option 1 Option 2
‘Hard’ pesticides e.g. Azinphos-methyl IPM e.g. Mating disruption
Ladybird beetle and larvae
Two-spotted mite
Hover fly Two-spotted mite Stethorus
Lacewing
v
Carbaryl is another orchard chemical that is • Prevention of pest infestation is an important
often responsible for secondary outbreaks. In component of IPM. Many problems can
addition to being a broad-spectrum insecticide it be avoided by making your orchard an
is frequently used as a blossom thinner. Carbaryl inhospitable place for pests and diseases. Some
is very toxic to bees, and carbaryl-contaminated general strategies for doing this are outlined in
pollen may remain toxic for up to 8 months this manual in the chapter entitled ‘The plan’
when stored in the hive. Inappropriate use of (see page 2). Specific prevention strategies for
carbaryl can severely reduce pollination and fruit each pest are given throughout.
set. Carbaryl is also toxic to the predatory mite • Monitoring pest presence and numbers.
Typhlodromus occidentalis, and its use early in the Systematically inspecting your orchard to
season for crop regulation and/or pest control determine if pests are present and whether
can result in outbreaks of pest mites later in the they are present in sufficient numbers to cause
season. problems.
Often, fewer pesticides are used in a well-run • Appropriate action. Where unacceptable
IPM program. Although this isn’t the overall damage is likely, early action is taken to reduce
objective of IPM, it is a natural consequence of pest numbers, but consideration is given to the
considering the entire range of control options off-target impact of this management.
available. When an orchardist using IPM chooses • Monitoring and measurement of effectiveness.
a management option, it is because it is the most Continue to monitor pest numbers and
effective at controlling the pest without any bias damage to your trees and crop after you’ve
toward or against chemical pesticides or other taken action. This is the only way that you’ll
management options. IPM consists of several know whether what you have done is effective.
logical steps:
• Keeping good records. The key to IPM success
is to keep good records. Records should be
sufficiently detailed to allow you to honestly
evaluate whether you’re choosing the best
options.
• Continual improvement. Reject bad options, try
new techniques, innovate and improve.
Making the decision to use IPM: personal choices
Australian pome fruit orchardists are A well-run IPM program involves no reduction
understandably conservative. Bad and damaged in pack-out. However, during the first few
fruit costs money, and margins are tight. seasons inexperience means that mistakes will
Irrespective of economics, the level of damage happen. The information in this manual provides
that is considered acceptable varies between a way of minimising that risk:
orchardists. Some want to produce ‘perfect’
• Start small. Orchardists with limited
fruit and are willing to pay to do this, whereas
experience should never convert an entire
others will tolerate some damage. IPM involves
enterprise or a large, high-value block during
making personal choices about what you think is
the first seasons of transition. Start with a
acceptable and what level of risk you’re willing to
small, low-value block until you build up
accept. There are no firm rules and regulations.
confidence.
• Take it step by step. Change one aspect of your
pest management and evaluate the impact of
the change over several seasons. At the end of
each season modify the strategy until you’re
happy with the result. Gradually introduce
changes to other management practices.
vi
Some IPM terms defined
3. Action threshold
IPM comes with its own jargon. The terminology
is quite simple and will help you to understand This is the point in time when monitoring
this manual. It’s important that you understand indicates that damage to the crop will be
the following four terms and how they are unacceptable unless the pest is managed. The
related. action threshold can be the time at which:
1. Monitoring • a certain number of pests are seen while
monitoring
Monitoring is a structured system for quantifying
• a certain amount of damage is seen while
the likelihood of pests becoming a problem in
monitoring
the orchard. It involves both:
• the weather is so favourable to a pest that it is
• carefully monitoring certain trees in the
almost certain that damage will follow.
orchard, paying particular attention to trees
prone to problems (i.e. hotspots) 4. Appropriate action
• carefully monitoring the weather for When the action threshold has been reached
conditions likely to favour pests. appropriate action must be taken. Appropriate
action must:
2. Sample unit
• be effective over a long period
This is the precise item that is monitored. For
example: • not cause secondary problems, or at least
minimise them.
• If two-spotted mite is being monitored, the
sample unit is a leaf.
• If Phytophthora is being monitored, the
sample unit is the crown or lower trunk.
• If black spot is being monitored, the sample
units are the air temperature and leaf wetness.
About this manual
This manual outlines an Australian apple and of Australia’s orchard regions were in the grip of
pear integrated pest management (IPM) strategy. a long-running drought. The interviewees were
asked to take into account the possible reduction
The development of this strategy has involved
in pest problems due to the drought by recalling
collaboration between Australian apple and pear
their problems from up to 10 years ago.
growers, researchers and extension specialists.
The objective was to create a strategy that gave Australian pome fruit is grown in a range of
practical pest management options instead of climatic zones; naturally, the pest problems
‘warm fuzzy’ philosophy. experienced by orchards in our regions are
diverse. Writing a national manual was therefore
The information-gathering phase of the strategy
challenging. The manual deals with this diversity
involved interviews with apple and pear growers
by providing information on which regions have
from eight production regions in six States. The
had problems with specific pests and diseases
objective was to identify the problems that were
over the past 10 years. Where the information
most important to industry. Orchardists were
provided is region-specific, this is highlighted in
asked what their major pest and disease problems
the manual.
were. This series of interviews took place before
the 2007–08 fruit season, at a time when many
vii