October 2018 Adviser by CAPCA

ADVISER

OCTOBER 2018 | VOL . XXI, NO. 5

California Association of Pest Control Advisers www.capca.com

Now approved for aerial application.

Keep the beauty of almond bloom longer.

Extend bloom. Boost nut set. Extend your almond bloom with ReTain® Plant Growth Regulator for California. By reducing ethylene production, ReTain extends flower viability and increases nut set. Contact your PCA or visit valent.com/ReTainCA for more information.

Products That Work, From People Who Care ® | valent.com | 800-6-VALENT (682-5368) Always read and follow label instructions. Products That Work, From People Who Care is a registered trademark of Valent U.S.A. LLC. ReTain is a registered trademark of Valent BioSciences Corporation. ©2018 Valent U.S.A. LLC. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. AM1951

Cover photo: Lynn M. Sosnoskie, PhD

Table of Contents LEADERSHIP 06

Leadership Update

Rick Wescott

GOVERNMENT 08 10

CAPCA Leadership engages with California Legislators

Adam Barsanti

CAPCA Leadership meets with Gubernatorial Candidate John Cox

PCA PROFILE 12

Ted Swartzbaugh: CAPCA Involvement = Opportunities for Ventura Chapter PCA

EDUCATION 14

2018 Scholarship Winner Announced

COMMUNICATIONS 18

The challenges of cannabis and pesticides

Rachel Kubiak

UC IPM 34

Pests, Pesticides, and IPM Project

Lori A. Berger, James J. Farrar, and Peter B. Goodell

FARM ADVISORS 38 44 58 62 68 76 82 86

Evaluation of mating disruption as part of an IPM program for navel orangeworm in almonds

David Haviland, Jhalendra Rijal, and Emily Symmes

Evaluation of additive, soil amendment, and biostimulant products in Santa Maria strawberry

Surendra K. Dara and Dave Peck

Stormwater runoff from plastic tunnels: what can be done to improve runoff quality and help meet regulations?

Oleg Daugovish, Ben Faber, Eta Takele, Jamie Whiteford, and Laosheng Wu

Is it a Spray Day? How weather conditions influence airblast spray deposition and coverage

Lynn R. Wunderlich

The tuliptree scale: a serious pest of magnolias and their relatives

Donald R. Hodel, Jerry Rowland, Eliud Aguirre, and Michael C. Wallich

The current state of herbicide resistance in California

Lynn M. Sosnoskie

Using soil moisture sensors to guide irrigation scheduling of celery

Andre Biscaro

Biology and control of a new olive disease, neofabraea leaf spot and twig lesion

Dani Lightle and Florent Trouillas

DEPARTMENTS

05 From the Editor

Career Opportunities

Featured: Nutrients

Continuing Education

Featured: Organics

Chemistry that gets right to the point.

A new insecticide is coming soon for the control of aphids, whiteflies and psyllids in speciďŹ c specialty and row crops. This material is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to promote the sale of the product. This insecticide is not yet registered with the U.S. EPA or available for sale. Grow Smart is a trademark of BASF. ÂŠ 2018 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved. APN 18-INS-0001

AT THE CENTER OF PLANT HEALTH

CAPCA EDITORIAL STAFF Ruthann Anderson - Editor Joyce Basan - Deputy Editor Dee Strowbridge - Membership/Conference Sylvia Stark - Advertising Sales Manager Ariana McCray - So. CA Representative Rachel Taft - Executive Assistant Adam Barsanti - Outreach Relations Manager Ixchel Flannery - Office Administrator/ Membership Liaison Graphic Design - Rosemary N. Southward southwardr@comcast.net

From the Editor When was the last time you visited with your local Ag Commissioner?

B:11.25”

T:11”

S:10”

CAPCA has enjoyed a long history of positive relationships with the Ag Commissioners working together to address issues in the field and identify unique local solutions like the Spray Safe program that started in Kern County and has extended to seven other county events each spring. This past year, CAPCA worked closely with Ag Commissioners on AB 2468 and the Bee Where project – working on a solution for pollinator protection by utilizing technology to re-engage stakeholders in existing regulations around registration and communication during bloom. During our Legislative Day in August, CAPCA invited local Ag Commissioners Rick Gurrola (Tehema), Tim Pelican (San Joaquin), Lisa Herbert (Sutter) and Steve Scheer (Yuba), along with CACASA Liaisons Louie Mendoza (Butte) and Ruben Arroyo (Riverside) to join CAPCA members for dinner. It was a highly interactive time as members discussed local issues and Ag Commissioners provided insightful direction on where CAPCA can provide their voice as the boots on the ground advisers. Although Ag Commissioners are local regulators, the culture of their mandate leans towards education and assisting stakeholders to come into compliance rather than setting “gotcha” traps. As PCAs with the last name A-L renew their licenses and register with the local Ag Commissioner department this fall, I would encourage you to take a few extra minutes to meet with your local Ag Commissioner – shake their hand and share a local issue that might be popping up for your growers or business. Who knows, maybe there is already something in the works to help address your concerns in 2019! Ruthann Anderson, Editor ruthann@capca.com

MISSION & PURPOSE California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA) is a non-profit voluntary mutual benefit association that represents 75% of the 4,000 California EPA licensed pest control advisers. CAPCA’s purpose is to serve as the leader in the evolution of the pest management industry through the communication of reliable information. CAPCA is dedicated to the professional development and enhancement of our members’ education and stewardship which includes legislative, regulatory, continuing education and public outreach activities. PUBLISHING INFORMATION CAPCA Adviser is published bi-monthly by the California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA), 2300 River Plaza Dr., Suite 120, Sacramento, California 95833. Web: www.capca.com, (916) 928‑1625. POSTMASTER: send address change to CAPCA. A portion of CAPCA membership dues is used to provide subscription privileges to the Adviser magazine. Non-member subscriptions are $30/year. Third class bulk postage paid at Tucson, AZ and at additional mailing offices. CAPCA has endeavored to include appropriate and accurate statements, but disclaims any and all warranties and/or responsibility for the statements or articles submitted to CAPCA Adviser that may have additionally been edited for style, content and space prior to publication. Views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent CAPCA policies, or positions or endorsements. Editorial content of this publication is educational and informational in nature. No part of this publication, including images, may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher. Contact CAPCA at (916) 928‑1625 for reprint authorization. PRINTING: Sundance Press Tucson, Arizona

OCTOBER 2018 | CAPCA ADVISER

LEADERSHIP

The wild ride of

politics Rick Wescott, CAPCA Chairman

For those of you that are making the trip to Disneyland for the annual CAPCA Conference, I would like to thank you for attending. The conference committee has put together an excellent program with a little something for everyone. The political scene here in California has kept us very busy in Sacramento and throughout the state. In August we had our annual CAPCA Legislative Day at the State Capital. We met with 12 different legislators, many legislative staff members, CDFA, CDPR, a CA Water Board representative and six Ag Commissioner’s. There are many issues facing Agriculture, and all of us at CAPCA are advocating on your behalf to make sense of it all. Legislators in Sacramento are becoming very familiar with CAPCA and what and who we represent. They are also aware that CAPCA will not be silent on issues that affect PCA’s and Agriculture. The next big challenge in Sacramento is who will be our new Governor after the November election. Whoever that person is could be very good or very bad for Agriculture. So, let’s review what happened in the primary in June. At that time there were three top contenders; Gavin Newsom, Antonio Villaraigosa, and John Cox. All the polls at the time were indicating that Newsom and Villaraigosa would come out on top and run against each other in November, with Cox not having a significant advantage. So, with that information most of agriculture, including CAPCA, engaged in backing Villaraigosa because he was more open to connecting with us and looking for common ground on the issues we face and would be easier to work with than Newsom. The voters must have forgot to read the polls and voted for Cox instead of Villaraigosa and as it turned out our support for Villaraigosa did not see the results we were hoping for. When it comes to politics these things happen. So now what do we do? We pull up our boot straps and pick a new candidate that would be the best for agriculture moving forward. So that is what CAPCA did in August, by endorsing and backing John Cox for Governor of the State of California. We all know what the polls indicate, which do not signify that John Cox has a chance against Newsom in the November election. However, as we found out in the primary, polls don’t always reflect reality. In today’s political climate you cannot rely on polls but must look at other factors in play. I firmly believe that John Cox will be our next governor for the following reasons: Californian’s, including the left leaning ones are fed-up with the high cost of housing and rents they cannot afford. Taxation without representation. The deplorable state of our large cities. 6

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

There is a silent majority out there ready for a change of the status quo in Sacramento. We are at a pivotal time in California’s future and the future of agriculture as we know it. Our hope is that with our endorsement, other Ag Organizations will join us in support of John Cox. Many are on the fence and are not willing to commit to supporting John Cox for fear that should Gavin Newsom win, there will be consequences. This is not a time to be timid, but a time to be bold and stand up for what is the right thing to do. So I say to all who are involved in agriculture, get on board to make California Great Again! The time is now! I would like to introduce you to my two grandchildren in the picture for this article, Noel (4 years) and Blaire (11 months). They are my constant reminder of why we must all fight for their future and the future of California. █

KENJA PROFILE

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Maximize shelf life. Already proven to provide in-season disease control, a harvest day application of KENJA continues to provide disease protection. And Kenja holds a 0-day PHI in strawberries, so it can increase marketable shelf life for strawberries, all while providing application and harvest flexibility.

KENJA® KENJA® 400SC fungicide • Attack Botrytis • Maximize marketable yields

When applied at 15.5 oz. as the last spray

• Increase sellable shelf life

before harvest, Kenja can help add days

• Minimize SDHI fungicide resistance potential

to post-harvest strawberry shelf-life.

Minimize resistance potential. The SDHI molecular flexibility and unique molecular structure of Kenja give it one of the lowest potentials for fungicide resistance, furthering its excellent disease control year to year.

KENJA®

KENJA 400SC Fungicide is sold exclusively through Helena Agri-Enterprises and Tenkoz member companies.

KENJA was invented by Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd. and developed and manufactured by ISK Biosciences Corporation. KENJA is a registered trademark of Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, LTD. ©2018 Summit Agro USA, LLC. All rights reserved.

OCTOBER 2018 | CAPCA ADVISER

GOVERNMENT

CAPCA Leadership engages with California legislators Adam Barsanti, Outreach Relations Manager In August, CAPCA leadership attended their second annual Legislative Day at the State Capitol. CAPCA was able to have 14 members of our leadership in attendance for this outreach event. It began on Monday the 13th where we met with George Soares at the Capitol to begin our day. After a luncheon with legislative staff members Reichel Everhart, Victor Francovich, Justin Turner and Ariana Joven, our membership was given an in-depth tour led by George Soares. George was able to capture the interest of our members, and as it happened, a member of the public who took interest while George was introducing the group to the interworkings of the Capitol. Our afternoon continued with a brief stop in the Senate chambers, and then off to a meeting room where our members got a chance to sit and talk with Chief Deputy Director Theresa Marks from CDPR. One of Mrs. Marks’ biggest challenges she faces is being able to manage the unknowns. This is a consistent theme throughout Agriculture, being able to manage and be prepared for what might be coming. We then were able to meet with Mary Kaems, policy consultant of Agriculture for the Speaker of The Assembly, Anthony Rendon. She was able to share her insight about how things are introduced and discussed in the California Assembly. In the last meeting of the day, we were able to visit with Assembly Member Devon Mathis of Visalia. With all 15 members in his little office, the conversation was intimate and spirited. Devon stressed that communication is vital to progress. If CAPCA does not share what is happening and how changes are affecting

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

growers, then nothing is going to change. He also said that though talking with a local politician can be nerve-wracking, understanding that the legislator is as nervous as you are helps ease some of that pressure. Knowing that you are constituents of theirs, gives you a slight advantage to have them listen to you. The networking continued into the evening with a dinner for the CAPCA leadership and six agricultural commissioners, discussing the insights and issues addressed earlier in the day. Our second day began at the offices of Kahn, Soares, and Conway for breakfast meetings with Doreen D’Adamo from the State Water Resource Control Board and Secretary Karen Ross from California Department Food and Agriculture. Secretary Ross and Mrs. D’Adamo were gracious enough to spend time with all of us listening to the questions and some of the issues that PCAs face with their growers and how they have been impacted by changing regulations. The group returned to the Capitol for a series of small group meetings with several legislators or members of their staff. Overall, the meetings were a success and the beginning of meaningful relationships with more legislators as groups were assigned so a constituent member could interact with their state representative. Creating an open-ended relationship between CAPCA and California Legislation is the overarching goal for CAPCA. The more we are in the minds of our leaders, the more they will consider how decisions will affect agriculture and our profession. █

OCTOBER 2018 | CAPCA ADVISER

GOVERNMENT

CAPCA Leadership meets with Gubernatorial Candidate

John Cox CAPCA Staff

The CAPCA Board and Government Relations Committee recognizes that the membership and agriculture are greatly impacted by regulators appointed by the Governor, such as the Director of California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Given the election year, CAPCA strategized on how we might get involved in the influential gubernatorial race. Under the guidance of the CAPCA State Board, CAPCA leadership endorsed gubernatorial candidate John Cox after meeting with him on August 24th to discuss issues and his campaign strategy. As a part of the endorsement, CAPCA Government Relations Co-Chair Jeff Rasmussen challenged other Ag groups to join in supporting Cox in a grassroots type outreach. A simple interaction with neighbors, friends, and professionals you meet on a day-to-day basis in your communities can help raise awareness for Cox and ultimately name recognition.

(L-R) Jeff Rasmussen, John Cox, Ruthann Anderson, Dennis Fuller

CAPCA endorsed Cox knowing he is a successful businessman who relates to the over-restrictive regulations hurting all of us across this state. His focus is straight forward and practical: affordable housing, immigration reform, water shortage and much more. California agriculture could influence the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s race and help elect a Governor that will listen to meaningful solutions to problems we face daily. This is an opportunity for CAPCA membership to exercise their voice and influence - grassroots movement starts with you to make the extra effort in doing more than just going to the voting booth, but to help educate others!

Cox meeting with various stakeholders and growers in Visalia, CA in August. 10

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

DECEMBER 4–6 | SACRAMENTO, CA

THIS IS HOW WE GROW. OUR ORCHARDS • OUR COM MUNITY • OUR FUTURE The Conference is free to attend. This year’s event will be held at the Sacramento Convention Center. 08.01.18 09.10.18

REGISTRATION OPENS HOTEL BLOCKS AVAILABLE

OCTOBER 2018 | CAPCA ADVISER

PCA PROFILE

Ted Swartzbaugh:

CAPCA Involvement = Opportunities for Ventura Chapter PCA CAPCA Staff Ted Swartzbaugh graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and Environmental Plant Sciences, and a minor in Plant Protection. In addition to his PCA license, obtained in 2016, Ted also holds a QAL and is a Certified Crop Adviser. Some of the major crops he consults in are cabbage, celery, spinach, lettuce, cane berries, and other vegetable crops. When he entered college, he knew that he wanted to pursue a career working outside with plants. Ted worked on the school’s organic farm gaining what he sees as a well-rounded experience with a variety of row crops. It was his internship with Paramount Farming (now Wonderful) that he cites as being most instrumental: “It was my first taste of wanting to be a PCA,” he says. “I got to see what

an in-house PCA does vs. more of a sales role.” It was the scouting, data collection and day-to-day activities that caught his interest. “The experience really changed my career decision and gave me valuable knowledge of the industry.” Ted currently works for Tri-Tech Ag Products Inc., a full-service ag production company. Asked how he explains his job to people outside of the industry, Ted answered, “Well I came from inner city San Diego without a background in agriculture, so nobody I grew up with was in the industry. I’m pretty aware of the statistics, that less than 1% of the nation works in agriculture, so I tell them PCAs are like plant doctors, who write prescriptions for plants to address pests, disease, and nutritional issues.” Photos by Daniel Cruz

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

Like many new PCAs Ted admits that he initially joined CAPCA mainly for the hours tracking, but was soon asked to get involved with the board by another member and he quickly learned much more about what CAPCA does. “For a new PCA, engagement with CAPCA is an opportunity for networking and making industry connections at both the local and state-level. It’s all about what you choose to participate in, the sky’s the limit. I definitely wouldn’t have had these opportunities without CAPCA.” he says. Ted served as the Ventura Chapter Secretary previously, and currently as President. He’s proud of the contributions that his Chapter makes locally and for the future of agriculture. In particular, this year their golf tournament raised over $8,000 for scholarships to local college students pursuing a career as a PCA. He enjoys involvement with CAPCA and cites many of the benefits he sees CAPCA offering: being at the forefront of industry news, addressing cannabis issues, the Bee Where project and other statelevel initiatives. “People in agriculture work hard everyday, and now more than ever we need to fight for our interests.” He recently participated at CAPCA’s annual Legislative Day where members come to Sacramento for an intense 24-hour period of meeting with regulators, representatives and decision makers at the Capitol to build connections and represent PCAs and agriculture. “I learned so much in the short time I was there and feel that CAPCA is making the necessary steps to accurately represent agriculture's interests”. Outside of work and his involvement with CAPCA Ted enjoys golfing, disc golf, shooting and hiking. █

THE POWER OF PEPTIDES

Power of synthetics, safety of biologicals.

Vestaron Corporation is a company dedicated to improving the safety, efficacy and sustainability of crop protection through migration of crop protection from chemical pesticides to biological peptides. Vestaron is initially focused on a class of peptides that kills crop pests efficiently but is safe for humans, birds, fish and the environment. The company has developed fermentation-based peptide production and an insect-resistant crop platform that will allow it to develop a wide variety of biological crop protection and trait products.

| CAPCA ADVISER

EDUCATION

2018 Scholarship Winner Announced Each year CAPCA, the Stanley W. Strew (SWS) Education Fund awards a scholarship to an exceptional student who is pursuing a career in the pest management industry. The Stanley W. Strew Educational Fund, Inc., Mission Statement states, “We promote and communicate the development and implementation of educational and scholarship programs to insure the future prosperity of our nation’s food, fiber and ornamental enterprises.” The Fund is dedicated to establishing educational opportunities and career growth avenues for the students of today and the leaders of tomorrow. The Stanley W. Strew Education Fund administers these programs. Applications were distributed to interested students, universities and were posted on CAPCA’s website. The CAPCA Scholarship recipient receives $3,000. This year we congratulate our 2018 Stanley W. Strew Scholarship recipient, Karina Medrano. Karina Medrano 2018 CAPCA Scholarship Karina is a senior attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo this fall. Her major is Agricultural Science with a double minor in Crop Science and Plant Protection. Karina plans to graduate in 2019 and become a Pest Control Adviser to aid farmers in improving their crop health, pest management efficiency and implement Integrated Pest Management techniques, and ultimately begin her own farming operation. In 2017, she attended the National FFA Conference and served as a nation level judge for the Diversified Crops and Agriscience Fair Proficiency Awards, and has sought out many leadership experiences to prepare herself, including serving as Cal Poly Crops Club President, and participating in advocacy at the state capitol. She has interned with Coastline Family Farms in Salinas, CA and plans to intern with Corteva Agriscience (formerly DowDupont) this summer. Eight years ago Karina “dug her roots” into agriculture through involvement with FFA and sites the greatest takeaway was a new understanding of the word agriculture and a desire to pursue a career in an industry she loves. One of her faculty references noted her work ethic and consistent enthusiasm for the agriculture industry, stating, “I was impressed with Karina’s professionalism and poise.” In her application Karina says, “One day, I will plant my own seeds and contribute to the 2% of the farming population who feed the world. The passion and dedication I have towards obtaining a career within the agriculture industry as a PCA and moving on one day to my very own farming operation is unexplainable. My love for agriculture is more than just words on a page. It’s a feeling of dedication.” █ 14

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

We received the following letter from Karina: Thank you for choosing me to be the 2018 Stanley W. Strew Educational Fund scholarship recipient. It is an honor to receive this scholarship and I am beyond thankful. The money from this scholarship will go towards applying for my Pest Control License this following year and towards the rest of my studies as well. This summer I am excited to begin my internship for DowDupont as they enter their new merger as Corteva Agriscience. I will be working on expanding my knowledge of plant protection, sales, and continue pursuing my career within the agriculture industry. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to use this scholarship money to aid my studies financially as I continue my journey. Sincerely, Karina Medrano

SAVE THE DATE! PATHWAY TO PCA

STUDENT NETWORK EVENT Facilitating Conversation, Investing in the Future

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2018 | DISNEYLAND HOTEL | ANAHEIM, CA For more information about the Student Network Event, visit capca.com/pca/events/ 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | 10:00 a.m. Educators' Workshop Registration Available through CAPCA Conference: capca.com/conference/ EDUCATORS: • 1-Day Student Network Event & Educators' Workshop (Sunday Only) $50

• Full Conference (incl. Student Network Event) $150

• Full Conference (incl. Student Network & Educators' Workshop) $225

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

Photo: Fred Rehrman, Elysian Fields

STUDENTS: • 1-Day Student Network Event (Sunday Only) $50

Meeting will only be accredited with ICCA - Soil/ Water & Nutrient Management categories

Nitrogen Management Update October 13, 2018 1:00-5:00 pm Disneyland Resort

$100 registration fee - meeting only $75 registration fee - combined with CAPCA Conference Registration REGISTER AT CAPCA.COM/CONFERENCE  Topics Include:   

Enhanced Efficiency Nitrogen Fertilizers Optimizing Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization in Coast Berrys and Vegetables Fertilization Practices & Nutrient Management Plans in Nursery Production Nitrogen Fertilization for Desert Vegetables

Open to All Agricultural Professionals Additional Sponsors

CCA Accreditation: 1.5 Soil & Water 2.5 Nitrogen Mgmt

COMMUNICATIONS

The challenges of cannabis and pesticides Rachel Kubiak, Cannabis Program Supervisor, CDPR Regulating pesticide use on cannabis equates to managing change. In November 2016, California voters approved Proposition 64 that allows adults to legally grow, use, and possess cannabis for nonmedicinal purposes. On January 1, 2018, cultivation of cannabis for commercial production began and with that came an obligation for the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to recognize cannabis as an agricultural commodity. In preparation for this significant event, DPR began developing guidance materials to help direct what once was a completely unregulated marketplace and introduce it to the comprehensive world of pesticide regulation. While traditional farmers recognize both the complexity of pesticide regulation and the benefits it provides, including worker and environmental protection, pesticide regulation is unfamiliar to many cannabis cultivators. Guidance documents alone are not enough. While these documents can be useful, they do not replace the experience and enforcement authority of the county agricultural commissioner (CAC) offices throughout the state. DPR staff has worked closely with CACs and other stakeholder groups over the past year to ensure collaboration, clarity, and strong unity exists between DPR and its partners. Because pesticide use enforcement is delegated to the CACs, decision making at the local level is paramount. DPR is dedicated to providing guidance and support to CACs so that they can effectively exercise their authority to ensure decision making is consistent with that for conventional agriculture to the largest extent possible. The CACs bear responsibility for enforcement of the use of pesticide products and have been instrumental in shaping both guidance and messaging to cultivators. DPR secured $1 million

out of the California Cannabis Tax Fund for each of the fiscal years 2018/19 and 2019/20 to fund CAC compliance assistance activities. Despite the enormity of educating a previously unregulated marketplace, the CACs continue to prove such efforts are achievable. Beginning in 2017, DPR received eight limited-term positions to address additional cannabis related work. The state funded positions provide DPR with critical resources to address the additional workload associated with bringing a new agricultural commodity into compliance with existing pesticide regulations. This includes marketplace surveillance inspections to ensure retail establishments focused on the cannabis industry are licensed to sell agricultural use products, and sell only those products that are in regulatory compliance. Additional studies are also in development to determine if pesticide related human health and environmental hazards exist in the legalized cannabis cultivation facilities beyond those seen in traditional agriculture. The immense number of indoor grow operations far exceeds those traditionally seen in conventional agriculture, a scenario which presents a unique set of challenges and potential concerns. DPR has assembled a team of highly skilled staff to assess this new industry and determine if additional mitigation or compliance assistance is warranted. Educating DPR staff on both traditional agricultural practices as well as cannabis cultivation is a key component to the success of DPRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regulatory program. Staff have participated in multiple field tours to observe cannabis cultivation techniques and practices that vary dramatically from grower to grower and region to region. Local ordinances dictate how and where cannabis may be grown, which results in outdoor or indoor cultivation sites that come with unique challenges regarding land use, energy restrictions, cost, etc. While not all of Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s citizens agree with the legalization of cannabis, most agree that its cultivation and processing should be regulated and that there will be many more challenges and changes ahead. Communication with other governmental agencies remains a priority as we strive to ensure pesticide regulation is carried out consistently among respective agencies. DPR also remains committed to continued discussions with CAPCA, its members, and other impacted stakeholders as part of this effort. Change remains inevitable, and DPR remains committed to the protection of human health and the environment by regulating pesticide use and fostering reduced risk pest management. â&#x2013;&#x2C6;

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

Mark Your Calendar

CAPCA’s 44 Annual Conference & Agri-Expo th

AT THE CENTER OF PLANT HEALTH

October 14-16, 2018 Disneyland Resort - Anaheim, California REGISTRATION OPEN Conference Registration and Hotel Accommodations can be made at

CAPCA.COM/CONFERENCE Registration Rates:

Accommodations:

Member/Exhibitor - $325 Non Member - $405 Educator - $225 Student - $150 Spouse - $175 Children - $100

The Disneyland Resort group rate has sold out. You are welcome to still book rooms through your registration link at the Disneyland Resort. CAPCA has arranged for another Group Block at the Hilton Anaheim - 777 W Convention Way.

Questions - Contact Dee Strowbridge 916-928-1625 x 3 or dee@capca.com

Hotel is across the street from the Disneyland hotel, but still within Walking distance (1 mile). Rate is $229 / night. Visit CAPCA.com/conference to see reservation instructions Please always remember to book accommodations through CAPCA’s website or directly with the hotel. Most 3rd party companies offering lower rates are a scam.

Providing Resources For Value Creation Fertilizer Lab

SPONSORS

NUTRIENT

TECHNOLOGIES

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

REGISTRATION OPEN

CAPCA’s 44 Annual Conference & Agri-Expo th

AT THE CENTER OF PLANT HEALTH

EXHIBITORS Option 1 CMYK

A4 Promotions Acadian Plant Health ACG Materials Actagro ADAMA AeroVironment AEF Global, Inc Ag Alert Ag Laboratory & Consulting AgNet West Radio Network Ag Spray Equipment Agrian Agrinos AgroLiquid Agroplantae Agroplasma, Inc Agroscience Solutions AgroSource, Inc AgroThrive Organic Fertilizer AGQ Labs Albaugh Albion Plant Nutrition Almond Board of CA Amvac Chemical Corporation Andermatt USA Arable Labs, Inc Arborjet Arysta LifeScience NA Atticus LLC Baicor BASF Belchim Crop Protection BioFlora BioSafe Systems Blue Mountain Minerals

Brandt California Organic Fertilizers Caltec Ag

CDFA PD | GWSS Board CDMS

Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention

CV Water Control Quality Bd Ceres Imaging Certis USA Chemurgic Agricultural Chemicals

Compass Minerals Converted Organics LLC Crop Science a division of Bayer CSI – Nutri-Cal Davis Instruments Dellavalle Laboratory, Inc Diamond K Gypsum Drexel Chemical Company DTN Duarte Nursery Dupont Crop Protection EarthSol LLC FBSciences, Inc FMC Agricultural Solutions GoatThroat Pumps Gar Tootelian, Inc Gowan USA LLC Grower’s Secret Harsco Metals & Minerals Helena Agri-Enterprises LLC HELM Agro US Hortau Huma Gro ICL Specialty Fertilizers Insero | AgOtter

Interstate Ag Plastics Irrometer Co Isagro USA JCS Marketing Jet Harvest Solutions Keyplex Lida Plant Research Liphatech, Inc JH Biotech Magna Bon II Malcolm Media Ag Publishing Mar Vista Resources Marrone Bio Innovations Mazzei Injector Company Meister Media Worldwide Miller Chemical & Fertilizers Momentive Montage for Ag Motomco Naiad Company, Inc Nature’s Source Nature Safe Natural & Organic Fert. Netafim USA Neudorff North America Nichino America NovaSource Nufarm America Nutrien Ag Solutions Nutrient Technologies Ocean Organics Corp OHP, Inc Organic Ag Products Organic Farms Fertilizers Oro Agri Plant Food Systems

Polymer Ag LLC QualiTech Redox Semios USA, Inc Simplot Grower Solutions Solutions 4Earth Spectrum Technologies SQM North America STK Bio-ag Technologies SummitAgro USA Suterra Symborg Syngenta Crop Protection Syntech Research, Inc Taminco US LLC TerraVesco Tiger-Sul Products TKI Crop Vitality Trece True Organic Products, Inc UCANR UPI Valent Vegalab - The Agronomy Group Verdegaal Brothers, Inc Verdesian Life Science Vestaron Corporation Westbridge Agricultural Products

Western Farm Press Western Milling Western Region CCA Wildeye Willowood Wonderful Nurseries Yamaha Motor Yara

MAXIMIZE INSECT PROTECTION

IN FALL VEGETABLES. From transplant drenches to foliar sprays, diamides deliver control.

oracious Lepidopteran insects can pose a big

“They also offer a breakthrough mode of action for

threat to fall vegetable crops. “Beet armyworms,

resistance management programs.” Palumbo adds, “The

cabbage loopers, diamondback moths and corn

diamides are widely used because of their spectrum of

earworms are damaging pests so it’s critical to scout

control and their flexibility to be applied via soil preplant,

early, scout frequently and treat when populations

drip irrigation, transplant drenches or foliar sprays.”

reach threshold levels,” says John Palumbo, Extension entomologist at the Yuma Agricultural Center in Arizona. Fortunately, the diamide insecticide class — IRAC Group 28 — selectively targets these pests so they don’t take such a big bite out of your clients’ crops and profits. “The diamide chemistry provides excellent control of Lepidopteran pests in several crops, including leafy greens and cole crops. It has a unique mode of action, low impact on pollinators and doesn’t flare mites or other secondary pests,” says Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdivia, entomologist and area IPM Extension advisor for Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties in California. Coragen® insect control, powered by Rynaxypyr® active, and Verimark® and Exirel® insect control products, powered by Cyazypyr® active, from FMC effectively protect vegetable crops from a wide range of Lepidopteran pests, including diamondback moths, cabbage maggots, armyworms, leafminers and loopers. Verimark and Exirel insect control products are also

ALLEVIATE PEST PRESSURES AT TRANSPLANT Each year, pest pressures vary, so growers must remain vigilant. In 2016, diamondback moths (DBM) were an unexpected problem in fall cole crops in Arizona, but in 2017 they were not. Palumbo speculates the 2016 outbreak was caused by transplants carrying DBM populations into fields where they quickly multiplied. “We have to keep an eye out for diamondback moths at the nurseries and by monitoring early-season development, so we aren’t caught off guard,” says Palumbo. A transplant tray drench of Verimark insect control at the highest labeled rate has proven to be a great preventative management tool. “Growers have reported good success with the Verimark insect control drench for diamondback moths and whiteflies in cauliflower and cabbage transplants,” Palumbo notes.

“THE DIAMIDE CHEMISTRY PROVIDES EXCELLENT

effective against aphids, thrips and whiteflies. “These

CONTROL OF LEPIDOPTERAN PESTS IN SEVERAL

diamide products provide lasting control for reduced

CROPS, INCLUDING LEAFY GREENS AND COLE

reset and replant costs as well as improved yield and

CROPS. IT HAS A UNIQUE MODE OF ACTION, LOW

quality opportunities,” explains Issa Qandah, FMC

IMPACT ON POLLINATORS AND DOESN’T FLARE

technical services manager.

MITES OR OTHER SECONDARY PESTS.”

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

ROTATE MODES OF ACTION A transplant drench of Verimark® insect control should be followed by a foliar treatment with a different mode of action than Group 28. “We don’t want to use any diamide insecticide for 60 days following the drench

BEST INSECT RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: •

Ensure insect-free transplants.

•

Use insect traps to monitor insect populations.

application to minimize selection pressure of the diamide chemistry on both leps and whiteflies,” says Palumbo.

•

Scout for eggs, mines and larvae soon after emergence or transplanting.

Modes of action should be alternated for foliar sprays, too. Consider an adjuvant/penetrant, high water volumes per acre and a reduced sprayer speed to

•

Initiate foliar insecticide control early

improve coverage, penetration and efficacy when foliar

at recommended rates based on

insecticides are applied to cole crops. Also, avoid using

insect populations.

premixes that expose insects to sublethal doses, which can lead to resistance.

•

Use an adjuvant/penetrant with foliar insecticides on cole crops.

Palumbo concludes, “It’s much easier and much less expensive to practice good IPM from the start than

•

Always rotate modes of action.

•

Minimize the use of broad-spectrum

battle resistant insects later. When insect populations are resistant to an insecticide class, growers suffer large yield reductions and high control costs.”

insecticides to conserve beneficials. •

Manage all weeds, especially cruciferous, to break insect life cycle.

Always read and follow all label directions, restrictions and precautions for use. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states. As of November 1, 2017, the USEPA registrations for DuPont™ Coragen® insect control, Cyazypyr® active, Rynaxypyr® active, Verimark® insect control and Exirel® insect control were sold to FMC by DuPont. FMC, Coragen, Cyazypyr, Exirel, Rynaxypyr and Verimark are trademarks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2018 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 18-FMC-1499 08/18

OCTOBER 2018 | CAPCA ADVISER

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2018 CAPCA Ed & Chapter Events DATE

EVENT TITLE

LOCATION

SPONSOR

10/13/18

Nitrogen Mgmt Update

Anaheim

CDFA & WR CCA

10/14-16/18

CAPCA Annual Conference & Agri-Expo

Anaheim

CAPCA

11/8/18

CE Seminar

Imperial

Desert Valleys CAPCA

11/13/18

Label Update

Stockton

Central Valley CAPCA

11/14/18

CE Seminar

Arcadia

CAPCA Ed & UC ANR

11/15/18

Label Update

Fresno

Fresno-Madera CAPCA

12/5/18

Laws & Regulations Seminar

Escondido

San Diego CAPCA

VENTURA CHAPTER 2018 SCHOLARSHIPS Ventura Chapter is pleased to announce their 2018 Scholarship winners: Tim Klittich – Agricultural & Environmental Plant Science major, Fruit and Crop concentration. Cal Poly SLO. $2500

Patrick Dotsy – Agricultural Business, minor in Fruit Science, seeking his PCA. $2,500

Benjamin Waddell – Biology major taking the Pathway to PCA Program at Cal State University Channel Islands. $2,500

Alexandra Alamillo – Agricultural & Environmental Plant Science, concentration in Plant Protection. $1,000

Kayla Reiman – Agricultural & Environmental Plant Science major – Transferring from Moorpark College to Cal Poly SLO. $2,500

Alondra Valle – Animal Science, emphasis on Animal Nutrition, Rangeland/Livestock Management. $1,000

OCTOBER 2018 | CAPCA ADVISER

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

TERRITORY MANAGERS Daniel Abruzzini Yuba City • 209-338-7405 Jill LeVake Sacramento • 530-713-2565

A COMMITMENT TO GROWING PROGRESS

Ryan McCoon Escalon • 209-484-4408 Andre Alves Merced, Firebaugh area 559-451-1028 Chris Scott Kingsburg • 559-573-5467 Nate Alonso Tulare area • 559-321-3162 Nicole Smith Kern County • 559-967-3806 Brian Hegland Bakersfield • 661-331-9729 Kristen Nelson Arizona • 928-216-6668 Junior Evans Yuma, Imperial, Indio • 928-446-5705 Bill Seaman Santa Cruz • 831-818-5612 Chris Steppig San Luis Obispo • 559-368-3281

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OCTOBER 2018 | CAPCA ADVISER

Special to the Adviser

Postharvest Fertility - Fate of the 2019 Crop Dylan Rogers, AgroLiquid Sales Account Manager With almond and grape harvest well underway here in California, it is easy to fall into the mindset that the finish line for yet another growing season is near. Unfortunately, that is not the case. In fact, the most important part of the growing season is still upon us. Postharvest irrigation and fertility can be the most crucial aspect of growing trees and vines. Growers, PCAs, and CCAs are always striving to increase yields and quality. Having a solid postharvest game plan plays a critical role in ensuring better yields and quality for next seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crop. After the stress of harvest, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium will begin to transition from leaves to spurs in almonds, and from leaves to roots and woody tissues in vines. In almonds, bud initiation and differentiation has already begun, so the fate of the 2019 crop is already underway. Water stress at this point in time will significantly reduce next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crop. Postharvest irrigation is also very important to ensure that the leaves stay active for as long as possible so they can continue photosynthesizing and storing much needed carbohydrates for next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crop. When dormancy breaks in early spring, trees and vines will be functioning solely on stored nutrients. Nutrient uptake from the soil is very minimal at this point due to cool soil temperatures as well as the lack of leaves. Adequate postharvest fertility to replenish nutrient reserves will ensure that

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

your crop has the energy it needs to maximize production when dormancy breaks come spring. Nitrogen (N) Up to 20% of the total seasonal demand for nitrogen in almonds can be applied postharvest. This is also very similar for grapes. Postharvest nitrogen will help maintain leaf area and extend the time for photosynthesis to keep producing carbohydrates in the trees and vines. Postharvest N will also ensure that reserves are replenished and early shoot growth and leaf out will be strong in the spring. It is important to take in-season tissue samples into consideration when determining how much nitrogen to apply. Any soil-applied nitrogen in the nitrate form that is not taken up by the roots will be subject to leaching from rainfall and irrigations. Foliarapplied nitrogen is also a good choice for postharvest applications. It is common to use a fast acting nitrogen source in this situation, such as urea-based products. Phosphorous (P) The amount of phosphorous used by trees and vines is much less compared to the demand for nitrogen and potassium. However, this does not mean it is less important for optimal growth and yields. A postharvest application of phosphorous will promote healthy fall and

• 2019 CCA Exam • The next CCA exam will be Friday February 1, 2019 Registration will be available online from October 1 - December 14, 2018 https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/exams An exam prep workshop will be held for the State portion of the exam. Friday, November 30, 2018 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Sacramento, CA Cost: $100 Registration available at: https://capca.com/events/ CCA Continuing Education Opportunities For the most recent list see: https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/ meetings/calendar Exam Registration:

Exam Prep:

CE List:

CWSS

California Weed Science Society

2019 Annual Conference “New Challenges and Opportunities for Weed Management in California” January 23-25, 2019 Hyatt Regency Sacramento 1209 L Street Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 888.421.1442 www.cwss.org Featured Sessions Include:

 Weed School sessions presenting Invasive Plant Management for Wildfire Mitigation.  General session that discusses control of invasive weeds in the Delta.  Latest findings from student researchers and poster presentations.  The latest in weed biology and management in California agricultural crops & orchards, turf & ornamentals, roadside & industrial sites, forestry, range & natural areas, and aquatic sites  Laws and Regulations Sessions DPR CEU’s have been requested To register online and view hotel reservation details, visit www.cwss.org or call the business office (831) 442-0883 for a program agenda and registration form. Water Hyacinth near Rio Vista, CA, by S. Martarano, licensed under CC BY 2.0

OCTOBER 2018 | CAPCA ADVISER

spring root flushes, as well as ensure the trees and vines have a good energy source when dormancy breaks in the spring. Choosing a phosphorous fertilizer that is protected from tie up from cations in the soil is important and will ensure that it is free and available for the plant to uptake as needed. Potassium (K) Potassium demand in almonds and grapes is even higher than that of nitrogen. A postharvest application of potassium is essential in order to restore reserves, even more so if your yields were above average this season. Potassium is an important aspect in plant water relations and cell reproduction. If potassium reserves are deficient when dormancy breaks in the spring, new fruiting spurs will develop at a slower pace or even die prematurely as compared to a tree that has optimal potassium reserves. Root uptake is minimal at this point, so a soil application of potassium will serve to replenish K reserves in the soil. A postharvest foliar application of potassium is a great way to ensure you get the potassium into the trees and vines to replenish those reserves. Choosing a K product that is free of chlorides and hydroxides, as well as effective at penetrating the leaf cuticle and easily translocated once in the leaf will provide the greatest return on your fertilizer investment. Zinc (Zn) Zinc is a very important micronutrient that plays a major role in synthesizing auxins. These auxins ensure a uniform bud break and a good fruit set in the spring. Almonds are commonly zinc deficient. This is due to a number of reasons, including certain rootstocks that are not adequate at taking up zinc from the soil. Zinc deficiencies are also common in areas with alkaline soils. Zinc is fairly immobile in the soil so postharvest foliar applications are most effective at correcting deficiencies and restoring reserves. Boron (B) Collecting hull samples to send off for boron analysis should be a staple in your postharvest game plan. Hull samples are the most effective indicator of boron levels in almonds. Boron is very critical for development of flowers, specifically pollen development and viability. If the hull analysis shows less than 80 parts per million boron, the trees are deficient and are most likely losing yield potential. Postharvest foliar applications of boron are an effective way to correct deficiencies and restore boron levels in the tree. As you complete this year’s harvest, let your mind shift gears and begin thinking about next year’s crop. Its fate is already underway and having a solid postharvest irrigation and fertility game plan will ensure your trees and vines go into dormancy with adequate nutrient reserves. With a good postharvest fertility program, your crop will be off to a great start come spring and you’ll be well on your way to improving yields and quality year after year. █

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

ADVERTORIAL

What Can I Do NOW to Influence 2019?

What you do now could be the most critical management decision in ensuring better yields and quality for next season’s crop. Adequate postharvest fertility to replenish nutrient reserves will ensure that your crop has the energy it needs to maximize production when dormancy breaks come spring.

Armando Gutierrez Sales Account Manager (916) 225-7640 armando.gutierrez@ agroliquid.com

Dylan Rogers Sales Account Manager (619) 538-1012 dylan.rogers@ agroliquid.com

This premium nitrogen product provides more flexibility in application than other nitrogen fertilizers. Specifically formulated for effective foliar application and great post harvest nitrogen source, NResponse™ is quickly assimilated into the crop, providing a fast nitrogen response. It contains three forms of nitrogen with the majority from urea for faster absorption. NResponse allows trees and vines to maintain the leaf area and extend photosyntheses. NResponse™ has proven, in situations where a quick nitrogen response is needed.

Potassium demand in almonds and grapes is even higher than that of nitrogen. Sure-K and Kalibrate are clean, chloride- and hydroxide-free potassium products, and Kalibrate is a great option for drip or soil application due to the added benefit of sulfur. They can both be applied in combination with other crop production or protection products. Because of Flavonol Polymer Technology, Sure-K is well suited for postharvest foliar applications, as Sure-K is effective in penetrating the leaf cuticle and translocating in the plant.

Providing a good energy source for spring is an important consideration this fall. PrG contains both ortho-phosphate and Flavonol Polymer Technology-protected polyphosphate to provide readily available and controlled-release phosphorus with minimal danger of tie-up in the soil.

Carlos Palavicini Sales Account Manager (480) 341-4519 carlos.palavicini@ agroliquid.com

AgroLiquid’s microLink nutrients include secondary and micronutrients. microLink can be adapted to virtually any management practice. These micronutrients, while needed in smaller amounts, are just as important to your 2019 crop as N-P-K.

To learn more visit agroliquid.com OCTOBER 2018 | CAPCA ADVISER

UC IPM

Pests, Pesticides, and IPM Project Creating a Roadmap for the Next Generation of IPM in California Lori A. Berger, Academic Coordinator; James J. Farrar, Director; Peter B. Goodell, Emeritus IPM Advisor; UC Statewide IPM Program The Pests, Pesticides, and IPM Project (PPI) was initiated due to the increasing need for meaningful discussions about pests and the use of pesticides in California. While Californians have been leaders in IPM, the need to broaden our communication about the complex topic of pest managementâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;as a broad societal issueâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;has never been greater. Viewpoints regarding management approaches quickly become highly charged and polarized with each new pest and pesticide issue encountered in our diverse state. The differing concerns raised by the public, growers, PCAs, registrants, consumers, community groups, and workers seem to repeat themselves until the next crisis occurs. Unfortunately, this scenario has become all too familiar and we have become stuck in neutral when trying making real progress in reaching out to those with opposing viewpoints from our own. Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) Director Brian Leahy had a vision for a project that would bring a diverse group of Californians for a series of frank discussions to overcome this treadmill and move us forward. This practical and common-sense approach was appealing to the UC Statewide IPM Program, and we took on this project to look at IPM under a variety of lenses. PPI was started in late 2016 as a two-year conversation to tackle the complex topics of pests and pest management, and to examine ways we could encourage a common approach and understanding of the issues surrounding pests, pesticides, and IPM. Equally as important, we examined barriers and drivers of IPM adoption and greater IPM use.

Over the course of the project, small teams of community members, scientists, extension personnel, regulators, commodity group representatives, conservationists, worker advocacy representatives, health workers, growers, and pest control advisers from throughout California met for in-depth discussions. To ensure a powerful and robust conversation, we invited people from agricultural, landscape, and structural IPM communities in both urban and rural areas of California to engage them in discussions of their particular concerns. Each participant came to creatively and cooperatively address social, economic, and community concerns about pest management. We also listened to people with policy, innovation, and communication expertise to learn how to support improved IPM adoption. We found that many of the underlying issues surrounding improved pest management systems were social, rather than scientific, in nature. The groups came to realize that managing pests is a common experience for every Californian and we need to focus on this commonness rather than the differences. We learned of dozens of projects and efforts that were overcoming a variety of barriers. There is much that can be done right now to improve our communication about risk and extend the benefits of IPM throughout our diverse state. We learned the importance of trusted messengers and how they can be foundational to new partnerships and collaborations within diverse communities. IPM provides a unique opportunity to engage the wisdom, values, and knowledge of all California communities, including indigenous communities and communities of color. This

The IPM Summit was part one of a culmination of lessons learned and next steps of the Pests, Pesticides, and IPM Project. The PPI project could not have been possible without key personnel from universities, state agencies, industry, and the community. The PPI white paper, part two, will be published in the fall. (Photo by Craig Cassidy)

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UC IPM, CONT., Pests, Pesticides, and IPM Project

approach helps us to credibly connect on common issues and learn from diverse viewpoints and experiences. Pest control professionals can play a major role in making IPM more readily understood by the public and how to play a more active role in this process.

Director Brian Leahy of the Department of Pesticide Regulation welcomes IPM Summit participants in April 2018. (Photo by Craig Cassidy)

It is these partnerships and trusted relationships that will be most productive moving forward. We must build connections now and not just when a crisis occurs. We must “begin with the end in mind” and equip the next generation of IPM leaders with new tools and communications skills. Overall, we must commit to ongoing dialogue about pest management in California. Based on successful models of social change, we need to support the understanding that IPM is the best way to limit pest damage and to reduce risks to people, the environment, and the economy of California. Sufficient time must be allowed for broad acceptance of new concepts and widespread behavioral change to take root. Once established, this change, such as nonsmoking areas and recycling efforts, actually becomes a type of societal “value” that is accepted, embraced, and ultimately expected in a community. The findings of the project were shared at the IPM Summit held in Davis on April 17, 2018. The format was designed for maximum engagement and after each series of talks, participants discussed the issues and shared ideas on the topics led by a professional facilitator. It was interactive, positive, and energizing to engage with people that all too often we tune out. The setting lent itself to honest discussions about things all of us really care about—our health, our economy, and our communities. We found we had

Advisory Board

more in common than we thought. Simply put, it was encouraging and uplifting and we hope to continue this opportunity for exchange. The White Paper for the Pests, Pesticides, and IPM Project will be published later this fall. This document will be used as a tool to launch new communications and to leverage resources with agencies, organizations, legislators, and individuals with the goals of bringing new energy, insights, and support for IPM in California. As we come to the end of the road on this project, we simultaneously begin a new and more important phase. We are reminded that successful pest management is the shared responsibility of each and every Californian, including you, the PCA. Please consider how you can be involved to encourage your chapter and the CAPCA organization to support this new initiative. For more information on the project or to see the recommendations, go to http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PPI/ We sincerely hope the forthcoming recommendations from this project will contribute to a more informed California on pests, pesticides, and IPM, leading to the commitment and creativity required to continue this important dialogue and advance intelligent pest management in our state. █

Bob Curtis, Almond Board of California Annie Joseph, Our Water Our World Program Tony Linegar, California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association Gabriele Ludwig, Almond Board of California Jennifer Maloney, Bayer CropScience Nayamin Martinez, Central California Environmental Justice Network Keith Pitts, Marrone Bio Innovations Gary Silveria, Tremont Ag and CAPCA Iana Simeonov, Public Health Institute, University of California San Francisco Mark Starr, California Department of Public Health Jim Steed, Neighborly Pest Management, Inc. and Pest Control Operators of CA Dave Tamayo, Sacramento County Stormwater Program Juan Uranga, Center for Community Advocacy Carl Winter, FoodSafe Program, University of California Davis

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

Objectives of the Pests, Pesticides, & IPM Project (PPI) To articulate the diversity of pest management needs and perceptions of risk at the field, research, regulatory, and policy levels. To suggest policy, innovation, and communication approaches that support increased adoption of IPM. To equip leaders with broadened knowledge and tools so that all stakeholders might consider and use more IPM-based approaches. To establish ongoing dialogue between diverse stakeholders in IPM.

Next season starts

from the ground up.

Clean floors are vital to success in fruit, nut or vine operations. Tuscany® SC is the foundation herbicide that ensures long-lasting, residual control of more than 60 tough weeds. As a liquid flumioxazin, it’s also the most convenient choice growers can make.

Learn more about Tuscany SC and the Nufarm products it can tankmix with at NufarmPoint.com.

Visit us at CAPCA this year at Booth #705 and learn about Tuscany SC and other Nufarm products. For specific application rates, directions, mixing instructions and precautions, read the product label. Please visit www.nufarm.com/us to download a full label.©2018 Nufarm. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Tuscany ® SC, Grapple™, Cheetah ® and Credit ® Xtreme are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nufarm Americas.

FARM ADVISORS

Evaluation of mating disruption as part of an IPM program for navel orangeworm in almonds David Haviland, Kern County, Jhalendra Rijal, Merced County, and Emily Symmes, Butte County

Growers and PCAs that seek to improve their existing NOW management programs should consider mating disruption (MD). This technique uses dispensers to flood an orchard with synthetically-produced pheromone, thus interrupting the ability of male moths to find and mate with females. Reductions in the eggs occur if females fail to mate or if there is a delay in when mating occurs. There are currently four different companies that have California labels for MD products. All four systems use similar amounts

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

of the same active ingredient, but each system dispenses the product differently. Some use active dispersion of pheromone from pressurized canisters hung in cabinets while one releases pheromone passively from plastic dispensers. Dispenser density varies from one to twenty per acre, and most have static release rates while one has the ability to manipulate rates wirelessly from a remote location. There are also differences in costs and value-added services related to installation, take-down, and pest monitoring services. Field trials for MD of NOW have been ongoing for nearly a decade, mainly as privately-funded research in the southern San Joaquin Valley. These trials showed that use of MD can result in reductions in NOW damage, especially when used on thousands of contiguous acres. Our goal was to expand on that research to include all MD systems currently available, determine if NOW reductions can be seen on 40 to 100-acre plots more typical of many smaller growers, and determine if the benefits gained from MD are worth the costs.

Photo by David Haviland

Experienced almond PCAs know that there is little room for error when battling navel orangeworm (NOW). Effective control requires a combination of good sanitation, well-timed insecticide sprays, and timely harvest, often followed by some sleepless nights while waiting for grade sheets to appear. Every year is a new adventure as complexities related to NOW and nut susceptibility make it difficult to predict damage levels, sometimes leaving growers disappointed, as routinely occurred in 2017.

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FARM ADVISORS, CONT., MD for navel orangeworm in almonds

Economic analyses were performed by calculating crop value using assumed per-acre yields of 1,500 lbs of nonpareil at $2.50/lb and 1,500 lbs of pollinizers at $2.25/lb base price, plus the addition of quality premiums according Blue Diamond’s 2017 Crop Quality Schedule. Where mating disruption was used, grower returns increased by an average of $112 per acre. This was comparable to the cost of implementing mating disruption. In other words, adding MD to existing management programs on a 40-acre scale pays for itself. In the process, levels of NOW damage for nuts arriving at the huller were cut in half and risks of aflatoxin were reduced. Mating disruption demonstration plots As part of its mission to promote sustainable and environmentally-friendly pest management practices, the Department of Pesticide Regulation provided us with two years of funding to demonstrate IPM practices in almonds, including MD. Six side-by-side comparison orchards were established in the Central Valley (Wasco, Maricopa, Lost Hills, Turlock, Escalon and Ballico). Each trial compared approximately 60 to 100 acres of conventionally-grown almonds to adjacent orchards of similar size where MD was used. Four of the orchards were rectangular, whereas the other two were used to see if MD would work in orchards oriented as triangles. 40

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

NOV Males/trap/week

Buttonwillow

No MD

System 1

70 60

System 2 System 3 System 4

50 40 30 20 10 0 20‐Mar

20‐Apr

20‐May

140 120

NO Males/trap/week

All four MD systems caused greater than 90% reductions in the capture of males in pheromone traps from April through September (Fig. 1). Egg captures during the same time period were reduced by 22% where MD was used. Across all orchards the average percentage of NOW-infested kernels was 2.28% for the no-MD checks compared to 1.13 to 1.33% for the four MD products. When all four MD products are averaged, MD reduced NOW damage by 35% in Nonpareil, 51% in Monterey and 55% in Fritz, with an overall reduction of 46% (Fig. 2).

100

100 80

20‐Jun

20‐Jul

20‐Aug

20‐Sep

20‐Aug

20‐Sep

Maricopa

No MD System 1 System 2 System 3 System 4

60 40 20 0 20‐Mar

20‐Apr

20‐May

30 No MD 25

NOW males/trap/week

Mating disruption field evaluations: 40-acre plots During 2017 we evaluated four MD systems on 40acre plots compared to an untreated check. These trials were funded by almond growers through the Almond Board of California. The MD systems were manufactured by four different companies and all released approximately the same amount of pheromone over the course of the season. The systems utilized active or passive dispersion of pheromone, different dispenser densities, and either static or variable rates of pheromone release. All systems were installed around April 1st onto 40-acre plots in three different orchards in Kern County. Each orchard had good winter sanitation and was sprayed once or twice with insecticides at hullsplit. In other words, we evaluated mating disruption as an added component to an existing IPM program, not as a replacement for sanitation or chemical control.

20‐Jun

20‐Jul

Wasco

System 1 System 2

System 3 System 4

15 10 5 0 20‐Mar

20‐Apr

20‐May

20‐Jun

20‐Jul

20‐Aug

20‐Sep

Figure 1. The effects of no mating disruption (MD) and four mating disruption systems on male navel orangeworm (NOW) captures in pheromone traps.

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FARM ADVISORS, CONT., MD for navel orangeworm in almonds

Table 1. The effects of adding mating disruption (MD) to conventional (conv.) IPM programs for navel orangeworm (NOW). HS: hullsplit Southern San Joaquin Valley Northern San Joaquin Valley Wasco Lost Hills Turlock Escalon Philosophy Conv. MD Conv. MD Conv. MD Conv. MD 2017 HS + PostMD HS spray + HS spray + HS spray + HS spray HS spray HS spray Applications HS Spray (no spray) MD MD MD Trap captures 6 18 11 7 198 311 385 122 (% change) ↓97.2% ↓94.2% ↓97.1% ↓94.7% NOW 0.06% 0.97% 0.45 1.3 Damage 0.11% 5.11% 0.90 5.65 ↓73% ↓79% ↓50% ↓77% (% change) $7,623 $7,740 $6,382 $6,363 Crop value1 $7,590 $7,376 $6,342 $6,029 ($ change) ↑$34 ↑$364 ↑$40 ↑$334

Crop value estimates assume yields of 3,000 lb/ac, base prices of $2.50 for nonpareil and $2.25 for pollinators, and quality premiums based on Blue Diamond’s 2017 Crop Quality Schedule 1

Figure 2. The effects of no mating disruption (MD) and four mating disruption systems on percent (perc.) navel orangeworm (NOW) damage on 40-acre plots. 5.0 4.5

Perc. NOW damage

4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 NonPareil No MD

Monterey System 1 System 2

Across all sites, MD reduced the number of male NOW caught in pheromone traps by 93% from April through September. The average percentage of NOW damage was 2.59% in conventional orchards compared to 1.14% where MD was included. This is a reduction of 55.7%. When only the four rectangular orchards are evaluated, moth captures were reduced by 96% and the average reduction in damage improved to 76.4% (Table 1). When only considering the two triangular orchards, MD helped reduce male captures, but did not result in a reduction in damage at harvest. Evaluation of the economic benefits of MD showed that grower returns increased by an average of $122 per acre across all sites, and by $222 per acre in the four rectangular orchards. Either way you look at it, adding MD paid for itself. Additionally, at one location with relatively low NOW pressure (Wasco), the grower successfully omitted two insecticide sprays in the MD orchard and still had less damage than where the sprays were used. These economic benefits on approximate 100-acre orchards are even larger than the benefits shown previously on 40-acre plots, confirming a long-known fact that the efficacy of MD systems improves as the contiguous acreage under MD increases. 42

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

Fritz System 3

Average System 4

Summary All of our field work in 2017 suggests that incorporating MD for navel orangeworm in almonds in addition to an existing IPM program pays for itself when implemented on at least 40 acres, and generates a positive return on investment when implemented on at least 100 contiguous acres, all while reducing NOW damage and risk of aflatoxins. This statement assumes that the orchard is square to rectangular in shape. If the orchard has a high ratio of edges to middle (such as a triangle or a really long rectangle), growers who want to use MD should pair up with neighboring growers to make larger, more contiguous areas under MD to improve efficacy. Mating disruption is compatible with, and should be used in conjunction with (not instead of), other historically-proven management techniques: namely winter sanitation, insecticide sprays, and early harvest. Mating disruption is recognized as a sustainable, environmentally-friendly tool for controlling pests that goes hand in hand with the Almond Board of California’s Almond Sustainability (CASP) Program, and compliments almond growers’ efforts to produce food products for health-conscious consumers around the world. █

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FARM ADVISORS

Evaluation of additive, soil amendment, and biostimulant products in Santa Maria strawberry Surendra K. Dara, CE Advisor-Entomology and Biologicals, University of California Cooperative Extension, San Luis Obispo, CA; Dave Peck, Manzanita Berry Farms, Santa Maria, CA In the recent years, interest in biological products – nutrient, biostimulant, soil amendment or pesticide products of plant and microbial origin – is increasing for use in agriculture. While the growth of the organic industry is partly responsible for this interest, an increase in research exploring the potential of these products and a continued emphasis on sustainable agriculture could also be among other contributing factors. In an undisturbed ecosystem, both beneficial and pestiferous arthropods and microorganisms coexist, limiting each other’s proliferation and maintaining a balance. This coexistence is out of balance in an agricultural ecosystem especially where fumigants and other agricultural inputs are routinely used. Introducing beneficial microbes or certain biological or synthetic compounds can enhance the soil structure, promote root and plant growth, improve crop health, reduce salt and drought stress, increase the uptake of nutrients and water, and protect against pests and diseases. In a continuous effort to explore the potential of biological soil amendments, a new study was conducted at the Manzanita Berry Farms in Santa Maria in a conventional strawberry field. Each treatment was replicated four times and arranged in two blocks. Each treatment had a 165’ long and 5.7’ wide bed where a 15’ long plot in the center of the bed was marked for collecting yield and some other parameters that were compared. Strawberry cultivar BG 6-30214 was planted on November 7, 2017. Other than the untreated control, all other products were administered on top of the grower standard fertility program. However, only the grower standard transplants were dipped in a fungicide (cyprodinil+fludioxonil) before planting. 1. Treatment 1-untreated control: Other than the soilincorporated fertilizers during the field preparation, no other nutrient inputs were added during the study. 2. Treatment 2-grower standard: Transplants were dipped in cyprodinil+fludioxonil (5 oz/100 gal) before planting and a proprietary nutrient regimen was followed. 3. Treatment 3: A product containing polyhydroxy carboxylic acids at 28 fl oz/ac, starting week 2 after planting and every 3 weeks thereafter through drip. Another product containing carboxylic acids with calcium and boron at 28 fl oz/ac, starting at the first fruit set (early January) and every 2 weeks thereafter as a foliar spray. 44

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

4. Treatment 4: A microbe-rich worm extract at 10% vol/vol for transplant dip for 3 hours, followed by application through drip at 7.5 gal/ac after planting and again in December, 2017 and January, 2018. 5. Treatment 5: Transplant dip in 1% vol/vol of a fertilizer from marine algae, followed by drip applications of a biostimulant and natural organic fertilizer made from seaweed at 0.5 gal/ac in late November and late December, 2017; a biostimulant and natural organic fertilizer based on silicon enriched with phosphorus, potassium and seaweed extracts at 0.5 gal/ac late December, 2017 and once a month starting from mid-February to early July, 2018; and a biostimulant and natural organic fertilizer from marine algae at 0.5 gal/ac in mid and late January. 6. Treatment 6: A silica fertilizer at 800 ml/ac once a month starting from early December, 2017 to May, 2018 through drip, and at 200 ml/ac in early May and June, 2018 as a foliar spray; a plant extract at 20 gr/ac and a microbial consortium of Azotobacter spp., Bacillus spp., Paenibacillus spp., Pseudomonas sp., Trichoderma spp., and Streptomyces spp. at 12 oz/ac one week after the silica fertilizer through drip until May, 2018, and again the plant extract at 10 gr/ac and the microbial product at 12 oz/ ac as a foliar spray in May and June, 2018. 7. Treatment 7: A product containing 1% bacterial culture (of Pseudomonas putida, Citrobacter freundii, Comamonas testosterone, and Enterobacter cloacae) and 2% alfalfa extract applied at 0.6 ml/gal through drip for 90 min weekly from the first drip application. 8. Treatment 8: The same product in treatment 7 applied at 1 ml/gal through drip for 90 min weekly from the first drip application. 9. Treatment 9: A biodegradable fertilizer additive made with thermal polyaspartate at 1 qrt/ac through first drip after planting with follow up applications in early January (first bloom), mid-February, and mid-May, 2018. The active ingredient binds with cations such as ammonium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and zinc and improves their availability for the plant. 10. Treatment 10: Formula 1 at 1.33 oz/gal for transplant dip followed by 3.53 oz/ac through drip starting 2 weeks after planting and every 4-5 weeks thereafter.

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FARM ADVISORS, CONT., Evaluation in Santa Maria strawberry

2017-2018 STRAWBERRY TRIAL - MANZANITA Means

Treatment 1 Treatment 2 Treatment 3 Treatment 4 Treatment 5 Treatment 6 Treatment 7 Treatment 8 Treatment 9 Treatment 10 Treatment 11 Treatment 12 Treatment 13

Plant growth

Marketable fruit yield (grams)/plot Seasonal % over/ % over/ Seasonal Avg Wt Fruit Soil Brix Dead EC total from below below total of each firmness temp. (Bx) plants (dS/m) 2/6-6/22 grower untreated number of marketable (kgf) (C) standard control marketable berry berries

Canopy size (cm2) 12/11/17 1/7/18 1/30/18 2/8/18

52672.50

6.51

0.00

1622.80

32.42

8.19

0.98

12.50

0.27

15.28

174.58

49371.25

0.00

-5.52

1485.50

33.24

9.53

0.86

14.75

0.29

15.36

120.04 237.23

386.10 646.81 794.55

56041.25

13.71

7.53

1759.80

31.85

8.06

0.91

9.75

0.28

15.36

150.11

50780.75

2.71

-3.48

1563.00

32.47

9.22

0.92

12.25

0.28

57383.75

16.19

9.76

1712.80

33.48

8.66

0.82

8.50

0.25

53135.00

7.93

2.25

1636.80

32.46

8.56

0.82

18.50

0.28

54270.00

10.21

4.42

1668.80

32.53

8.72

0.86

12.25

0.26

517.01

3/12 3DAH

1.00

626.69

1.00

420.36 655.88 797.79

1.00

15.14

160.80 363.84 607.16 752.60

1.00

15.36

153.50 363.28 614.74 756.70

1.00

15.08

139.78 392.30

754.30

0.75

15.19

165.47 383.32 681.47 819.88

1.00

611.63

52688.75

6.93

0.94

1613.50

32.65

8.56

0.88

9.50

0.28

15.11

148.25 356.40 613.80 762.99

1.00

56782.50

15.12

8.95

1744.30

32.55

8.97

0.87

14.00

0.27

15.19

173.76 404.50 691.73 849.59

0.75

53440.00

8.60

3.06

1646.50

32.46

8.63

0.90

21.50

0.27

15.28

142.05 297.74 540.78 705.68

1.00

52547.25

6.42

0.66

1638.80

32.07

8.63

0.93

12.75

0.29

15.29

152.65

1.00

389.91 610.00 713.49

53465.00

8.65

2.61

1657.80

32.25

8.28

0.96

18.25

0.25

15.29

149.53 386.99 657.94 787.24

1.00

55797.50

13.03

6.80

1735.00

32.17

9.00

0.85

4.75

0.26

15.16

171.94 385.40 637.84 786.06

1.00

2/18 5DAH

Fruit disease severity

4/3/18 4/13/18 5/17/18 Average 3DAH 5DAH 3DAH 5DAH 3DAH 5DAH 3DAH 5DAH

Monthly marketable fruit yield (grams)/plot 1/3

FEB MAR APR Mrkt Mrkt Mrkt Yield Yield Yield (7 dates) (8 dates) (8 dates)

FEBAPR

1/3

% of Seasonal total

1/3

MAY JUN Mrkt Mrkt Yield Yield (7 dates) (6 dates)

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

1.00

1.50

1.00

1.25

0.75

1.25

0.94

1.25

2530.0

2752.5

11548.8 16831.3 18432.5 17408.8

0.05

0.22

0.35

0.33

1.00

2.00

1.00

1.25

2187.5

2552.5

11155.0 15895.0 16671.3 16805.0

0.04

0.05

0.23

0.34

1.00

1.25

0.75

2.00

0.75

1.25

0.88

1.38

2678.8

2748.8 11085.0 16512.5 20756.3 18772.5

0.05

0.20

0.37

0.33

1.00

1.75

1.00

1.19

2533.8

2783.8 10928.8 16246.3 17863.8 16670.8

0.05

0.22

0.35

0.33

1.00

1.25

1.00

2.50

1.00

1.75

1.00

1.63

2690.0

2775.0 12427.5 17892.5 19715.0 19776.3

0.05

0.22

0.34

1.00

2.00

1.00

1.25

1.00

1.50

0.94

1.44

2433.8

2611.3

11077.5

16122.5 18720.0 18292.5

0.05

0.21

0.35

0.34

1.00

1.50

1.00

2.00

1.00

1.25

1.00

1.44

2556.3

2771.3

11991.3

17318.8 18940.0 18011.3

0.05

0.22

0.35

0.33

1.00

1.50

1.00

1.50

0.75

1.25

0.94

1.31

2330.0

2752.5

11387.5 16470.0 18915.0 17303.8

0.04

0.05

0.22

0.36

0.33

1.00

0.50

1.25

1.00

1.75

1.00

1.25

0.81

1.31

2615.0

2742.5

11578.8 16936.3 20393.8 19452.5

0.05

0.20

0.36

0.34

1.00

1.25

1.00

1.50

1.00

1.19

2371.3

2806.3 11843.8 17021.3 18401.3 18017.5

0.04

0.05

0.22

0.34

1.00

0.75

1.25

1.00

1.50

1.00

1.25

0.94

1.25

2561.0

2726.3

0.05

0.21

0.35

0.34

1.00

2.25

1.00

1.50

1.00

1.44

2711.3

2842.5 11863.8

17417.5 18775.0 17272.5

0.05

0.22

0.35

0.32

1.00

1.50

1.00

1.50

1.00

1.25

1.00

1.31

2636.3

3037.5 11698.8 17372.5 19456.3 18968.8

0.05

0.21

0.35

0.34

11282.5 16569.8 18271.3 17706.3

Standard Errors

FARM ADVISORS, CONT., Evaluation in Santa Maria strawberry

Treatment

1 Treatment 1 2 Treatment 2 3 Treatment 3 4 Treatment 4 5 Treatment 5 6 Treatment 6 7 Treatment 7 8 Treatment 8 9 Treatment 9 10 Treatment 10 11 Treatment 11 12 Treatment 12 13 Treatment 13

Marketable fruit yield (grams)/plot Seasonal % over/ % over/ Seasonal Avg Wt total below below total of each from grower untreated number of marketable 2/6-6/22 standard control marketable berry berries 3131.80 4.70 0.00 81.35 0.55 1257.10 0.00 4.40 27.68 0.64 1017.90 3.20 6.70 33.44 0.22 2724.30 3.90 0.50 76.64 0.22 1949.20 1.90 5.40 27.42 0.72 844.01 4.10 7.90 18.20 0.21 600.27 3.90 7.70 22.75 0.16 1676.10 4.40 5.80 46.40 0.13 896.62 1.70 6.60 26.40 0.15 1749.80 5.70 9.20 55.46 0.10 1933.50 2.60 6.00 61.53 0.07 2305.70 6.30 7.30 69.29 0.25 1316.40 0.40 5.00 47.53 0.26

Brix (Bx)

0.35 0.43 0.25 0.57 0.28 0.19 0.36 0.48 0.46 0.24 0.26 0.56 0.14

11. Treatment 11: Formula 1 at 1.33 oz/gal for transplant dip followed by 3.53 oz/ac as a foliar spray starting 2 weeks after planting and every 4-5 weeks thereafter. 12. Treatment 12: Formula 1 at 1.33 oz/gal for transplant dip followed by 3.53 oz/ac through drip starting 2 weeks after planting alternated with a foliar spray every 4-5 weeks. 13. Treatment 13: Formula 1 at 1.33 oz/gal for transplant dip followed by a microbial consortium (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, B. lichenoformis, B. pumilus, and B. subtilis) at 3.53 oz/ac through drip starting 2 weeks after planting and every 4-5 weeks thereafter. Various parameters were measured during the vegetative growth and fruit production periods to evaluate the impact of the treatments on crop growth, health, fruit yield and quality. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and significant means were separated with LSD test. Means that were significantly different were indicated by the P value and the rest of the comparisons were numerical.

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

Fruit Dead firmness plants (kgf) 0.03 0.01 0.04 0.04 0.07 0.03 0.04 0.08 0.07 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.02

6.36 7.61 2.14 2.69 1.19 4.50 2.87 0.87 5.58 9.24 6.14 6.80 1.32

Plant Fruit disease growth severity Marketable yield at Soil Canopy EC intervals temp. size Average (dS/m) (C) (cm2) 2/8/18 3DAH 5DAH FEB- MAY JUN APR 0.01 0.23 58.67 0.06 0.18 680.3 1466.7 1190.9 0.01 0.17 14.54 0.00 0.10 307.8 1041.0 569.5 0.01 0.13 22.47 0.13 0.24 653.9 453.2 942.3 0.01 0.16 68.56 0.00 0.19 553.7 1459.5 854.3 0.01 0.13 23.16 0.00 0.22 652.0 522.7 2020.2 0.01 0.45 43.44 0.06 0.21 433.1 549.3 365.6 0.02 0.12 25.04 0.00 0.06 130.3 514.4 441.9 0.02 0.19 20.25 0.06 0.19 283.8 1076.2 842.6 0.01 0.18 52.02 0.12 0.19 334.8 564.8 118.4 0.00 0.07 48.08 0.00 0.12 722.1 632.7 573.6 0.01 0.14 58.44 0.06 0.10 553.1 1140.7 521.9 0.01 0.19 35.37 0.00 0.12 698.6 823.0 618.5 0.01 0.16 20.75 0.00 0.12 223.0 462.7 687.6

Canopy growth: Canopy growth was observed on December 11, 2017, January 7 and 30, and February 8, 2018 by measuring the size of the canopy along and across the length of the bed from 20 random plants per bed. Canopy size was significantly (P = 0.0261) different among the treatments only on the last observation date where plants receiving treatments 7 and 9 were larger than those in the grower standard. Electrical conductivity and temperature of soil: From two random location on each bed, electrical conductivity (EC in dS/m) and temperature (ยบC) were measured about 3 inches deep from the surface on January 12 and 25, February 7, March 19, April 18, and May 29, 2018. Only soil temperature on January 25 significantly (P = 0.0007) varied among treatments where the difference between the highest (untreated control) and the lowest (treatment 4) values was 0.8ยบC. Dead plants: This represents empty spots in the bed due to the death of transplants. There were no obvious signs of disease or a particular stress factor associated with those plants except that they were randomly distributed within each bed. When counted on April 18, 2018, treatments 3, 4, 8, and 13 had <10 dead plants per bed.

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FARM ADVISORS, CONT., Evaluation in Santa Maria strawberry

Fruit diseases: Fruit harvested on March 12, April 3 and 13, and May 17, 2018 from each marked plot was incubated at room temperature in the dark in plastic containers, and the fungal growth was rated 3 and 5 days after harvest (DAH) using a scale of 0 to 4 where 0=no fungal growth, 1=1-25%, 2=26-50%, 3=51-75%, and 4=76-100% fungal growth. Botrytis fruit rot or grey mold was predominant during the first two observation dates and the growth of other fungi (possibly Rhizopus spp.) was also seen during the last two dates. In general, fruit disease occurred at low levels throughout the observation period with <1 rating 3 DAH and <1.6 rating 5 DAH. Sugar content in fruit: Sugar content was measured from two harvest-ready berries per bed on May 17, 2018 using a handheld refractometer. Sugar content varied from 8.06 ÂşBx in treatment 3 to 9.53 ÂşBx in the grower standard. Fruit firmness: Fruit firmness was measured from eight randomly collected harvest-ready berries from each bed on June 28, 2018. Firmness varied from 0.82 kgf/cm2 in treatments 5 and 6 to 0.98 kgf/cm2 in the untreated control. Fruit yield: Strawberries were harvested from February 6 to June 22, 2018 on 36 dates. When compared to the grower standard, the marketable berry yield was 16.2, 15.1, 13.7, and 13% higher in treatment 5, 9, 3, and 13, respectively. The marketable berry yield was 9.8, 9, 7.5, and 6.8% higher in those respective treatments when compared to untreated control. There was a significant difference (P = 0.0141) among treatments only in the number of marketable berries. There were more than 1700 in treatments 3, 9, and 13 treatments while the grower standard had 1485, treatment 4 had 1563, and the rest of the treatments had marketable berries in 1600s. The average fruit weight was a little over 33 grams in

Tamas Zold taking canopy measurements (photo by S. Dara) 50

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

the grower standard and treatment 5 whereas the weight varied between 31.9 and 32.7 grams in the rest of the treatments. When data were analyzed without the untreated control, there was a significant difference (P = 0.0279) among the treatments where treatment 5 had significantly higher marketable yield than the grower standard and treatments 3, 8, and 11. The first third of the total seasonal yield was obtained from February to April 2018 from 23 harvest dates and the remaining two thirds were obtained from the seven harvest dates in May and the six dates in June. Marketable fruit yield was higher than the grower standard in all treatments and higher than the untreated control in most treatments. In general, fruit yields were higher and the pest and disease pressure was lower than usual during the study period. A garlic oilbased fungicide at lower label rates was periodically used for disease management and bug vacuums were operated a few times against the western tarnished plant bug as a standard across all treatments. This study evaluated some treatment regimens as recommended by the collaborating manufacturers and some of them appear to have a potential for use in strawberry production. These results help the manufacturers fine tune their recommendations for achieving better yields through additional studies. Authors' Acknowledgments: We thank the planting and harvest crew at Manzanita Berry Farms for their help with the crop production aspects, Chris Martinez, Tamas Zold, and Maria Murrietta for their technical assistance, Sumanth Dara for statistical analysis, and the support of the industry collaborators who funded the study. â&#x2013;&#x2C6; Full version of this study can be found at http://ucanr.edu/ strawberries-vegetables.

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• Always read and carefully follow label directions. • For product label and more information, visit www.certisusa.com

800-250-5024 • www.CertisUSA.com

Special to the Adviser

Active Ingredient Spotlight: Beauveria bassiana Tim Damico, Executive Vice President, Certis USA While the research pipeline is the source of new synthetic pesticides, the soil has been the pipeline or source of many biopesticide active ingredients since their inception. It still is. For example: • The active ingredient in sprayable Bts is the naturally occurring soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. • Paecilomyces lilacinus naturally occurs in the soil and is a fungal parasite of nematodes. • Bacillus amyloliquefaciens also occurs in soil and is a bacterium that produces a powerful fighter against root pathogens. These fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms all carry survival mechanisms in the teaming underworld of the rhizosphere. Those mechanisms, or modes of action, are what put new strategies, tools and approaches into the hands of PCAs who manage pest control programs.

Always carefully review the product label, but generally B. bassiana products control whitefly, thrips, aphids, psyllids, mealybugs, plant bugs, weevils, Lepidoptera and other soft-bodied insects in vegetable, tree and vine crops, berries and greenhouses and nurseries. Mode of Action The fungal spores of B. bassiana products are alive. Once spray is applied, when the spores come into contact with a target pest and adhere to the insect's skin or cuticle, the spores germinate and produce enzymes that attack and dissolve the cuticle, allowing them to penetrate and grow en masse in the insect body. All live stages are controlled—egg, immatures and adults.

Found in soils from around the world is the fungus Beauveria bassiana. It is a parasite of a broad spectrum of pests making it an ideal source of a microbial bioinsecticide active ingredient.

The pest will die, and its color will change to pink or brown as the spores continue to grow inside the body cavity. It is commonly thought that seeing a white, cottony growth on the insect is a sign that B. bassiana is working and this discoloration confirms that B. bassiana is effective. The pest dies within 24 to 48 hours, long before white fungal growth occurs.

Pests Controlled B. bassiana-based bioinsecticides are broad-spectrum insecticides that vary by the particular microbial strain the product contains.

Application Timing B. bassiana is most cost-effectively used when it is applied early before heavy insect populations develop. Scout early to time

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

PFR-97 deploys new modes of action in the control of mites, whiteflies, aphids,

INSECTICIDE / MITICIDE

The potent power of infection.

and thrips. A naturally derived product, it causes multiple points of infection to all life stages (eggs, nymphs, pupae, adult). Death occurs soon after. Extremely potent, safe to beneficials, and cost effective. For use on all food crops.

For Citrus Psyllid Control

Bombs away. 4 hr. REI 0 PHI

2018 Certis USA

1-800-250-5024 • www.CertisUSA.com

CONT.: Active Ingredient Spotlight: Beauveria bassiana

treatment at the first appearance of the insect pest. Typically, it may take 3 to 5 days after the first spray to see discolored pests, the telltale sign that B. bassiana is controlling them. Reapply as necessary at approximately 5- to 10day intervals to keep target pest populations in check. Continue to closely scout the crop. If later applications are applied late or pest populations get out of hand, consider the use of a quick knockdown material in rotation or combination with the B. bassiana applications that may need to be applied at 2- to 5-day intervals. Some B. bassiana formulations are already coformulated with naturally occurring pyrethrins. Environmental Safety B. bassiana shares the environmental safety attibutes of many of the biopesticides. It is of low risk to workers, wildlife and the environment. B. bassiana is of low risk to beneficial insects, but do not use B. bassiana in areas where honey bees are actively foraging or near hives. Special Instructions B. bassiana spores are alive and can be harmed if stored at high temperatures. They can also be destroyed if they are in contact with water for more than 24 hours. B. bassiana Profile • Unique mode of action • Resistant management tool • Cost-effective when applied early • Excellent safety profile: Reduced risk to workers and the environment • Many B. bassiana-based products are NOP Approved and OMRI® Listed • Exempt from residue tolerance • 4-hour REI, 0-day PHI Please Note: Different strains of B. bassiana vary in the pests they control and their host ranges. The most commonly used and most effective B. bassiana strain used in North America and other regions of the globe is the GHA strain. Please check manufacturer literature and product labels for product-specific information.

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

Scientific Classification Kingdom: Fungi Division: Ascomycota Class: Sordariomycetes Order: Hypocreales Family: Cordycipitaceae Genus: Beauveria Species: B. bassiana Strains: Various

Double Nickel. Cueva. LifeGard. Engineered to work better, together.

TRIPLE GEAR CONTROL. Introducing a powerful protection-packed threesome. Together they offer fungal and bacterial control of the most difficult-to-control foliar diseases. They work like a machine to help keep your crops clean of bacterial spot and speck, Botrytis gray mold and early and late blight. Double Nickel® biofungicide boasts a highly potent CFU count with multiple modes of action for greater efficacy and control.

2018 Certis USA

Cueva® liquid copper fungicide concentrate features a low-load liquid formulation that enhances coverage for optimal disease control. LifeGard™ is the ﬁrst biological plant activator. It activates your crops’ natural defense mechanisms making the plants resistant to disease.

Biopesticides without compromise.

1-800-250-5024 • www.CertisUSA.com

Bacillus mycoides isolate J

INSECTICIDES Bt Biolarvicides Agree® WG Bt aizawai strain GC91 Crymax® Bt kurstaki strain EG7841 Deliver® Bt kurstaki strain SA-12 Javelin® WG Bt kurstaki strain SA-11 Trident® Bt tenebrionis strain SA-10 Bioinsecticides BoteGHA™ Beauveria bassiana strain GHA PFR-97™ 20% WDG Isaria fumosorosea Apopka strain 97 Insect Growth Regulators Neemix® 4.5 Azadirachtin Insecticidal Viruses CYD-X® and CYD-X® HP Cydia pomonella GV Gemstar® LC Helicoverpa zea NPV Madex® HP Cydia pomonella CpGV V-22 Insecticidal Soaps and Oils DES-X® Potassium salts of fatty acids Trilogy® Clarified hydrophobic extract of neem oil Insecticidal and Moluscicidal Baits Ferroxx® AQ Iron phosphate Bug-N-Sluggo® Spinosad, iron phosphate Seduce® Spinosad Sluggo® (Eastern U.S. only) Iron phosphate

LifeGard™ WG

Active Ingredient BIOLOGICAL PLANT ACTIVATOR

Product List 2018

✔ — ✔ ✔ ✔ — ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ — ✔ ✔ ✔

Whiteflies, aphids, thrips, psyllids, mealybugs, leafhoppers Aphids, whiteflies, thrips, mites, psyllids, root aphids, phorid flies Leafminers, whiteflies, aphids Codling moth larvae Corn earworm larvae, earworm, bollworm, budworm, tomato fruitworm Codling moth, Oriental fruit moth larvae Aphids, whiteflies, powdery mildew Aphids, whiteflies, mites, thrips

Slugs, snails, including the brown garden snail and gray garden slug Ants, earwigs, cutworms, slugs, snails, pillbugs, sowbugs Ants, earwigs, cutworms Slugs, snails

✔

— ✔ ✔ ✔

✔ ✔

✔ ✔ ✔

✔

— ✔

✔ — ✔ ✔ ✔

✔

✔ — — ✔

✔ ✔

✔ ✔ ✔

✔

✔ ✔

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

✔

OMRI NOP Residue Listed Approved Exempt

Lepidoptera (caterpillar) pests Lepidoptera (caterpillar) pests Lepidoptera (caterpillar) pests Lepidoptera (caterpillar) pests Colorado potato beetle larvae and adults

Early blight, late blight, white mold, PVY potato virus Y (seed potatoes), Cercospora blight, fire blight, bacterial disorders, downy mildew

Pest Controlled

0 0

0 0 0

0 0

0 0 0 0 0

PHI

4 hrs. 0 4 hrs. Varies 4 hrs. Varies 0 hrs. 0

12 hrs. 4 hrs.

4 hrs. 4 hrs. 4 hrs.

4 hrs.

4 hrs. 4 hrs.

4 hrs. 4 hrs. 4 hrs. 4 hrs. 4 hrs.

4 hrs.

REI

None 14-28 days 14-28 days 14-28 days

7-21 days 7-21 days

7-14 days 7-14 days 7-14 days

7-21 days

5-10 days 7-10 days

3-14 days 3-14 days 3-14 days 3-14 days 3-14 days

7-10 days

Application Interval1

1-800-250-5024 • www.CertisUSA.com

Paecilomyces lilacinus

AgSil and Sil-MATRIX are registered trademarks of PQ Corporation; Cueva, Sluggo and Bug-N-Sluggo of W. Neudorff GmbH KG; and Madex of Andermatt Biocontrol AG.

HERBICIDES Final-San-O™ Ammoniated soap of fatty acids SILICON AND POTASSIUM BIONUTRIENT SOURCE AgSil® 16H Potassium silicate AgSil® 21 Potassium silicate AgSil® 25 Potassium silicate

MeloCon® WG

FUNGICIDES and/or BACTERICIDES Biofungicides Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Double Nickel 55®WG strain D747 (Ba D747) Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Double Nickel® LC strain D747 (Ba D747) OSO® 5% SC Polyoxin D zinc salt SoilGard® Gliocladium virens GL-21 Trilogy® Clarified hydrophobic extract of neem oil Biochemicals Carb-O-Nator® Potassium bicarbonate Cueva® Copper octanoate Kocide® 2000 Copper hydroxide Kocide® 3000-O Copper hydroxide ManKocide® Copper hydroxide and mancozeb Rendition® Peroxyacetic acid 5% Sil-MATRIX® Potassium silicate Bacteriophages AgriPhage™ Bacteriophage AgriPhage™ CMM Bacteriophage MITICIDES (Acaricides) PFR-97™ 20% WDG Isaria fumosorosea Apopka strain 97 Trilogy® Clarified hydrophobic extract of neem oil Sil-MATRIX® Potassium silicate NEMATICIDES — — ✔ ✔ ✔

✔

Bacterial spot and speck on tomatoes and peppers Bacterial canker disease on tomatoes Mites, aphids, whiteflies, thrips, psyllids Spider mites, broad mites, rust mites Mites, powdery mildew, Botrytis, aphids Plant parasitic nematodes, including root knot, burrowing, cyst, root lesion, false root knot and sting nematodes

— — —

✔

✔ ✔ ✔

✔ ✔

✔ ✔ — — — — ✔

— ✔ ✔

✔

✔ ✔ ✔

✔

✔ ✔ ✔

✔ ✔

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ — ✔ ✔

✔ ✔ ✔

✔

0 0 0

n/a n/a n/a

24 hrs.

4 hrs.

4 hrs. 4 hrs. 4 hrs.

4 hrs. 4 hrs.

n/a n/a n/a

0 0 0

0 0

4 hrs. 0 4 hrs. 0 48 hrs. 03 48 hrs. 03 48 hrs. Varies 0 /1 hr. 0 4 hrs. 0

4 hrs. 0 hrs. 4 hrs.

4 hrs.

Always read and carefully follow label instructions.

3PHI is 0 unless otherwise noted.

2OMRI listed with conditions.

n/a n/a n/a

14-21 days

4-6 weeks

7-10 days 7-21 days 7-10 days

3-7 days 3-7 days

5-14 days 7-10 days 7-10 days 7-10 days 5-14 days 5-14 days 7-10 days

7-14 days 7-28 days 7-14 days

7-10 days

2018 Certis USA ©

1These intervals are for general information purposes. Actual use patterns may vary according to pest pressure, crop growth stage, and other circumstances. All applications must be consistent with label use instructions.

— — —

✔ ✔ — — — — ✔

Powdery mildew, Botrytis Bacterial disorders, downy mildew, powdery mildew Bacterial disorders, fire blight Bacterial disorders, fire blight Alternaria, powdery mildew, Botrytis, purple blotch Bactericide/fungicide Powdery mildew, Botrytis, mites, aphids

Stress, drought, salinity, metal toxicity management Stress, drought, salinity, metal toxicity management Stress, drought, salinity, metal toxicity management

— ✔ ✔

Anthracnose, Botrytis, powdery mildew, fruit rots, sooty blotch, flyspeck Damping off and other soil-borne diseases Powdery mildew, rust, black spot

✔2

✔

Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora, Sclerotinia, Pythium, Fusarium, soil diseases

Grasses and broadleaf weeds

✔

Powdery mildew, Botrytis, bacterial disorders, foliar diseases

FARM ADVISORS

Stormwater runoff from plastic tunnels: What can be done to improve runoff quality and help meet regulations? Figure 1. Treatments applied to tunnel post rows Oleg Daugovish, Ben Faber, Eta Takele (UC-ANR), Jamie Whiteford (Ventura Co. Resource Conservation District), Laosheng Wu (UC-Riverside).

To protect water quality, the current agricultural conditional waiver requires the use of best management practices (BMPs) that limit pollutant loads in runoff. In areas with exceedances of TMDLs (total maximum daily loads), typical pollutants include nitrogen, sediment, phosphorus and pesticides, such as chlorpyrifos. Many surface water TMDL exceedances occur during the rainy season, indicating the need for practices that address stormwater runoff. In some areas, practices that reduce rain-induced leaching of soluble pollutants into groundwater may also be needed. Rain-induced leaching and runoff can be especially problematic for agricultural lands covered in impervious plastic because flows are channeled and accelerated compared to open fields, especially on slopes. Therefore, in a project with sites in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, four stormwater runoff treatment practices were used in post-rows of plastic-covered raspberry operations and evaluated for efficacy and cost. Post-rows are where the hoop support legs are and where all the water from the plastic coverings drain and runs off. This collaborative project included scientists from UC-Riverside and Ventura RCD, Advisors from UC ANR, and help and contributions from Driscoll/Reiter AC, AGQ lab and funding from Cal Dept of Food and Agriculture. The project covered a three-year period of erratic winter rainfall (2015-2018). This study used plastic-covered raspberry tunnels as a model system and the post-row stormwater runoff treatment practices that were studied included: 1) barley cover crop sowed at a density of 500-600 lbs/acre and lightly raked into the moist soil of the post-row after the first rain; 2) weed block fabric, the kind commonly used in organic and hydroponic systems, unrolled and pinned to cover as much of the post-row surface as possible; 3) yardwaste mulch, applied at volumes sufficient to cover the entire post-row with a 2-3 inch thick layer; 4) polyacrylamide (PAM), a non-toxic soil-binding polymer used on >1 million acres in the US for erosion control, that was applied prior to rain events; At both locations, all stormwater runoff treatment practices were replicated and randomized in post rows and results from those treatments were compared to bare ground (untreated) controls.

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

Barley

Weed block fabric

Yardwaste mulch

Polyacrylamide

Untreated soil

ANTAGONIST Visit Booth #1212 to Learn More!

Botector

BIOFUNGICIDE

Stop disease before it gets started! Beneficial microorganisms in Botector® out-compete fungal pathogens for space and nutrients, creating a protective barrier between the plant and potential disease. • Efficacy is comparable to conventional fungicides • No development of pathogen resistance

www.bio-ferm.com • Ideal for use in IPM programs

• No pre-harvest interval or MRL restrictions • Safe for bees and beneficial insects Botector® Increases Botrytis Control in Strawberries

PATHOGEN

BOTECTOR

PROTECTIVE SHIELD University Trial, CA, 2012 28.57

Percent Control

19.05

20 15

14.97

10 5

Botector® prevents botrytis in grapes, berries and tomatoes, anthracnose, phomopsis and rhizopus rots in berries, and blossom blight and brown rot in stone fruit and almonds.

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- Spray schedule: 6/8, 6/22, 7/6, and 7/20; GPA: 150; PSI:120 - Botector was applied at 10 ounces per acre

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FARM ADVISORS, CONT., Stormwater runoff from plastic tunnels

Here is what we found out: • Nitrogen. Weed block fabric and PAM did not consistently reduce ammonium and nitrate in runoff samples. During several rain events, barley and yardwaste mulch reduced nitrate concentrations 20-77% compared to untreated soil controls, and, during light rains, these treatments did not have any runoff. This suggests that barley and mulch can reduce both the concentration of dissolved nitrogen and the volume of runoff with dissolved nitrogen. Furthermore, barley and mulch had significantly higher soil moisture content and 70-80% less soil nitrate compared to other treatments. Apparently, barley and mulch act somewhat like sponges: they intercept postrow flows (and all things moving with it) and retain the infiltrated water. • Phosphorus. Phosphorus is mostly adsorbed to soil so, since all treatments reduced soil movement, phosphorus in runoff was reduced 24-85% compared to untreated soil. • Turbidity and sediment. Runoff turbidity (a measure of suspended sediment loads) was reduced 5 to 10-fold by all treatments compared to bare soil and 75-97% less sediment was collected from all treated post-rows compared to untreated. Besides being a good agronomic practice, retaining soil in the field is also a good pesticide management practice because soil-adsorbed pesticides stay in the field and do not end up in receiving bodies of water. In a previous study, chlorpyrifos concentrations in runoff were shown to be linearly related to sample turbidity. This suggests that retaining waterborne sediments on-site is an effective method for mitigating runoff of this pesticide.

• Treatment efficacy varied with time and was influenced by events in the post rows. For example, reseeding barley in the second season disturbed the soil and temporarily reduced the treatment’s soil conservation and weed suppression efficacy. As another example, if undisturbed, PAM can be effective over multiple rain events. However, if the PAM seal is broken by foot traffic or other disturbances, its efficacy quickly deteriorates, and the polymer has to be reapplied. Similarly, mulch was washed away in small areas near the ends of the post-rows during strong runoff events and had to be replaced. Finally, when soil from the adjoining raspberry beds was deposited on top of the weed block fabric, runoff turbidity increased substantially compared to clean fabric. • Costs and benefits. All treatments had some associated material and application costs but there were also cost-reduction benefits to consider. Fabric was the most expensive (~$462/acre) but it can be reused, and it provided near perfect weed control which can otherwise amount to $200-300/acre, especially in organic systems. Barley (~$225/acre) provided good weed control after seeding through competition and by preventing wind-dispersed weed seeds from reaching the wet soil. Gaps in the straw and stubble (after mowing) did allow for a second flush of weeds, however, but these were controlled with the next mowing. Under certain circumstances, mulch can be free, but its spreading costs can reach $300-350/acre. However, a 3” thick mulch layer controls annual weeds (but not raspberry shoots). PAM was the cheapest ($150-200) but did not affect weeds. We will be doing outreach events and learning on how we can improve. When finished we plan on developing bi-lingual guidelines for runoff management in plasticulture systems that can help growers select options that fit the needs. █

Figure 2. Turbidity of runoff water from post rows with different treatments and untreated bare soil.

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

CAPCA

Dedicated to Supporting PCAs MISSION & PURPOSE CAPCA’s mission is to facilitate the success of the PCA and to represent our 3,000 members who provide pest management consultation for the production of food, fiber and ornamental industries of California. CAPCA’s purpose is to serve as the leader in the evolution of the pest management industry through the communication of reliable information. CAPCA is dedicated to the professional development and enhancement of our members’ education and stewardship which includes legislative, regulatory, continuing education and public outreach.

Photo: Fred Rehrman, Elysian Fields

FARM ADVISORS

Is it a Spray Day? How weather conditions influence airblast spray deposition and coverage Lynn R. Wunderlich, University of California Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor-Central Sierra Region

Is it a good day to spray? And what do we mean by “a good day”? Once the season starts, many applicators are on their rigs nearly every working day to keep up with the demands of their operation and needed pest control. PCA recommendations may occur weekly to prevent an unwanted pest outbreak, and nearly every day is a “spray day” out of what seems like necessity. But spraying routinely without paying attention to weather conditions can cost growers money by resulting in the need for another application. And, off target deposition (speakeasy for drift), is affected by weather conditions. By harvest, if not before, field inspections tell us if we achieved a clean quality crop, or if there is pest damage. When damage occurs, the client will look back and may ask you, their PCA, “What went wrong?” With an increase in reports of pesticide resistance, it may be easy to point a finger in that direction to blame for poor pest control. And, indeed, resistance can occur when a sub-optimal dose of active ingredient is delivered to the target. But an effective spray job depends on many things: a trained applicator, a well maintained and set up sprayer, the right material for a correctly identified pest,

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

an accurate mixing and loading job, and the right ground speed to deliver the rate, to start. All are or should be within our control. Weather conditions are one critical aspect influencing a safe and effective spray job that we cannot control, and in the worst case, can disrupt an application so completely that it may as well have never gone out. PCAs can help their clients make good spray day decisions by understanding the key weather conditions affecting spray coverage: wind, temperature, relative humidity (RH) and inversion layers, and by reminding their clients that spraying in poor conditions can result in lack of adequate pest control requiring another application or worse, off-target deposition. Wind direction and speed. It’s a still, calm morning. Good to go for spraying, right? Well, not quite. Calm or still conditions are not desirable, since some air turbulence or air cycling is required for droplets to avoid becoming suspended in air (“hanging spray cloud”) and then moving off-site. Light to gentle breezes of about 2-6 mph are considered ideal wind conditions for spraying, as indicated by a light rustling of leaves. Some turbulence is good and causes air to circulate, so that any spray that is not captured by the target rises

Hanging spray cloud in an inversion layer. Don’t spray when an inversion is present. Spray particles remain suspended and drift off-site in inversion conditions. (Photo courtesy of David Bryson, Washington State Dept. of Agriculture.)

ADVERTORIAL SPONSORED BY NETAFIM USA

SEASONAL MAINTENANCE KEEPS DRIPLINES PERFORMING Like most farm machinery, drip irrigation systems also require annual maintenance to ensure that they continue to perform at peak efficiency during each growing season. An end-of-season dripline maintenance program to keep driplines free of sediment and debris is strongly recommended. One of the first keys in determining the type of maintenance schedule needed is understanding the water source and water quality. This will help identify the type of maintenance required to obtain the best results. In some cases, growers may need to put in extra work and resources to improve their water quality to keep driplines and emitters clean so that they can deliver water and nutrients at the specified design flows. Beyond initial water quality concerns or seasonal/annual upkeep, determining what type of maintenance begins with identifying potential causes of system degradation. These factors, which can be responsible for reducing water flow, may include suspended material, chemical precipitation, biological growth, root intrusion, soil ingestion, and the crimping of lines.

Every brand-new system starts with a performance index of 100, meaning it’s operating to design specifications and uniformity. Once irrigation starts, that index begins to drop due to a number of possible reasons. There’s a direct relationship between decreased uniformity and reduced yield. Precisely why we recommend that every grower with a drip irrigation system perform a system flush in between growing seasons. While drip systems have a primary filter, it’s important to remember that for Agricultural applications no filter exists that is capable of removing 100 percent of particulates from the water. Mainline flushing is recommended to reduce sediment build up, and submains that service smaller field blocks should also be flushed to eliminate any build-up. When the water changes from cloudy to clear while running, it’s a good indication that the lines are properly flushed. In orchards or vineyards where lines are usually above ground, it’s important to open the end of the drip tubing for additional flushing, similar to what was done for the mainlines and

submains. In alfalfa systems, wherethe drip is buried 12 inches below the surface, flushing manifolds are installed so each dripline doesn’t need individual cleaning. Regular ‘in-season’ maintenance, inspection, and flushing will also help prevent emitters from becoming clogged. Chemical treatment is often required to prevent emitter plugging due to either microbial growth or mineral deposits. This option may be necessary when inorganic particles attach to biological slimes, which can be a significant source of plugging. Chlorination can be an effective measure in managing against biological slimes. If scale deposits become problematic, an acid injection may be used to remove them. Several acids can be used effectively to lower the pH of irrigation water to reduce the potential for chemical precipitation and to improve the effectiveness of chlorine injection. Acid can be injected in much the same way as fertilizer; however, it’s important to use extreme caution and understand how to properly apply it.

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OCTOBER 2018 | CAPCA ADVISER

FARM ADVISORS, CONT., Is it a Spray Day?

Guidelines for Spray Day Weather Conditions. Consistent Wind Direction

Still, smoke rises vertically 2-6 mph 6-9 mph >10 mph

Gusty wind Temperature % Relative Humidity Foliage wet from dew, rain, or fog

>83°F <40%

Inversion conditions

Cloudless sky Still (no to little wind) Evening to 2 hours post-sunrise Smoke rises vertically Fog or dew present

A flare can help determine inversion conditions. If smoke concentrates and moves laterally, don’t spray, an inversion exists. (Credit: University of California Regents).

quickly and becomes diluted in the atmosphere, moving up and away from any non-target site. But too much turbulence is not a good thing. Caution is advised when spraying in high speed winds of 6-9 mph. Spraying in higher than 10 mph will cause even larger droplets to move off target. Gusty wind conditions, where wind direction keeps changing, are also not recommended for spraying. Droplet size plays a role. Droplet size, controlled by the physical body of the nozzle and the operating pressure, effects how droplets move in different weather conditions. If the nozzle is a simple disc-core combination, then the larger the disc, the larger the orifice, the larger the droplet. And, the higher the pressure, the smaller the droplet. How do we measure droplet size? We know spray droplets are all very small, so small that we use “micron” (um), as the unit of measure. One micron is about 0.00004 inch in diameter, about 100 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair! When we talk about droplet size, also recall that nozzles produce a range of droplet sizes. The term volume median diameter, VMD 0.5, is used to describe the droplet size range from any given nozzle. The VMD0.5 means half of the droplets are larger, and half are smaller. So, a VMD 0.5 of 150 um, considered a “fine” droplet, would mean that still 64

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

Don’t spray Ideal conditions Caution Don’t spray Don’t spray Caution or Don’t spray Caution or Don’t spray Don’t spray

Don’t spray

roughly half of those droplets are less than 150 um, or considered “very fine.” The finer the droplet the more likely it drifts. But how far can droplets really move? Probably every PCA is aware of driftable droplets, and has seen the unfortunate effects of herbicide drift. In 1964, UC Davis Engineers Norm Akesson and Wesley Yates published a paper in the Annual Review of Entomology journal on the effects of wind on different spray droplet sizes that is still referenced today. In their paper, they estimated a 100 um droplet falling 10 feet would be carried 48 feet laterally in a 3 mph wind; in the same conditions, a 20 um droplet would be carried 0.21 mile! And that is only in a 3 mph wind, imagine how far a droplet can move in a larger wind. A good rule to remember is: the smaller the droplet the longer it may stay suspended, and the longer a droplet remains suspended in the air, the more likely the chance that it moves off-target. One job of an airblast sprayer fan is to entrain the droplets into the fan’s airstream to deliver them to the target, but the sprayer’s airstream can be significantly impacted by the direction and speed of a competing wind. This is especially true for very fine-fine diameter droplets (150 microns or less VMD 0.5); the smaller the droplet, the more easily they are carried by wind, while the mass of larger droplets (VMD 0.5 greater than 150 microns) causes them to fall out due to gravitational force and be deposited more quickly relative to smaller droplets. Low drift nozzles work by producing larger droplets and can be used, especially in ground applications, to mitigate some weather conditions. Temperature and RH: When it’s hot and dry beware! When we think about what’s in our tank mix, we generally have: active ingredient, an adjuvant, and mostly, water. Water makes up most of our tank mix and so most of the droplet, especially when we think

Advertorial

Extend Almond Bloom for Increased Nut Set Each year between February and early March, California almond orchards burst with beautiful flowers as almond buds begin to bloom. The longer the bloom, and if weather cooperates, the better your chances for each of those almond blooms to become pollinated, and the better your chances for a strong nut set and yield potential.

Extend the Pollination Period Field studies have demonstrated that ReTain extends the life of an almond bloom for a 43% longer pollination period over the untreated check. 3

Flowering Stage (0–3)

“Keeping the almond bloom viable longer is important for pollination — especially if wind, cloudy days or rain interfere with bees foraging,” said Tom Caruso, almond crop lead for Valent. “By keeping the flower alive longer, growers can help ensure the success of their investment.” Keep Flowers Alive Longer There’s never been a way to keep almond flowers viable longer. Until now. ReTain® Plant Growth Regulator for California extends the viability of almond bloom, allowing more opportunity for nut set, thus ensuring optimum crop load potential. ReTain works by reducing the blooms’ production of ethylene, thus delaying flower and stigmatic senescence. This results in flowers being viable longer, which allows more time for pollination to occur.

Untreated

2.5 2

Normal Pollination Period

1.5

To learn more about ReTain for almonds, visit valent.com/ReTainCA or contact your PCA.

ReTain Effect

43% Longer Pollination Period

0.5 0

Days After First Open Bloom

Boost Nut Set for Optimized Yield Potential In more than 30 commercially applied research trials over three years, ReTain increased nonpareil almond variety yields by an average of 185 pounds per acre over the untreated check. Nonpareil Almond Variety (32 sites)

“ReTain is a proven technology with established use patterns for fruit and nut set in California cherries and walnuts,” Caruso said. Apply from 30 to 60% Bloom ReTain can be applied from 10% bloom to petal fall via airblast sprayer, but for best results apply from 30 to 60% bloom, with one water-soluble pouch per acre.

ReTain

+185

ReTain

Untreated

2,768 b

2,583 a

2450

2500

2550

2600

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2750

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FARM ADVISORS, CONT., Is it a Spray Day?

about some formulations and how small of an amount-the A.I. percentage can be as low as 0.1-0.3%-we are using. A tiny droplet made up mostly of water, being sprayed in hot and dry conditions in an air stream to a target a few to many feet away: what can happen to the droplet out there? Evaporation. Evaporation of small droplets can shrink them even smaller and cause them to move off target or disappear completely before they reach the target. Evaporation is a major problem for spraying in some areas of the world where the climate is hot and dry, such as Australia (sound familiar, California PCAs?) So much so that the Australian Government’s Bureau of Meteorology publishes an informative brochure entitled “Weather for Pesticide Spraying”, available online at: http://www.bom.gov.au/info/leaflets/PesticideSpraying.pdf In it, the Australian’s advise not to spray when temperatures are above 83°F. Summer daytime temperatures regularly rise above 83°F, so spraying in the evening or early morning, when possible is recommended. Especially when the target is a large distance from the nozzle. Relative humidity combined with temperature gives a better indication of the risk of droplet evaporation than either parameter alone. The term “Delta T” refers to the dry bulb temperature minus the wet bulb temperature. Nu Farm Ltd. in Australia created a chart comparing %RH and temperature to provide Delta T values and advise not to spray when Delta T is too high or too low. Generally, as the temperatures get warmer and the relative humidity decreases, the window for good spray conditions also gets smaller. For a more in-depth look at Delta T and how it’s measured, check out the Sprayers 101 page https://sprayers101.com/what-isdelta-t-and-why-is-it-important-for-spraying/ Inversion layers. While spraying at night may avoid hot, dry conditions that can evaporate droplets, inversion conditions typically build during the night, especially when winds are light or calm, and this can cause serious problems with non-target deposition. An inversion can be thought of as simply a difference in temperatures at two different heights, where the lower air is cooler than the air above it. This is the reverse of normal daytime conditions, thus the term “inversion”. In normal daytime conditions, the sun warms the earth and the air just above the ground is warmer than the air above it. Warm air expands and rises because it is less dense than cooler air, so there is a gradient of warm to cooler air from the earth upwards. In the evening, after sunset, the earth and the air above it cools. If the night is clear and calm, an inversion can occur so that the “cap” of warm air above the cooler air blocks vertical air movement. On cloudy nights, the air will be warmer and strong inversions are less likely to occur. Likewise, if there are windy conditions, the wind will provide turbulent mixing of air and prevent the formation of a strong inversion. How can an applicator know if an inversion is present? Look for the following signs: a clear, cloudless night, light to gentle winds, the 66

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

A handheld weather station is a handy tool for measuring local weather conditions. Records should be kept for the start and end of an application. (Photo: L.R. Wunderlich) presence of fog or dew. If a flare is lit, the smoke will move sideways instead of moving straight up. Beware of hillside locations where inversions may occur due to cooler air at the bottom of the slope. Measuring weather. In most California agricultural regions today, there are networks of weather stations, with real time data publicly or privately available online. Each station, depending on its purpose, is equipped with different sensors. Handheld weather stations are also a good option for measuring temperature, RH, and wind speed. Some handheld stations will also provide Delta T. At last check, the price for these tools ranges between $125-$300, depending on the options. If the applicator or supervisor is equipped with a simple handheld station, the spray day weather conditions can be recorded. At the minimum, the conditions at the beginning and at the end of the spray job should be logged with other spray records. Even something as simple as a wind sock or piece of flagging, strategically located near a sensitive area, can help tell the applicator when it is time to shut the rig off and return to finish the job at a less windy time. Perhaps every working day is currently a spray day for growers with large acreage and too few sprayers. But if we can empower our applicators and supervisors with tools, we may actually be more efficient in the long run by saving a spray we have to repeat when the original application fails due to poor weather conditions. And that’s good for everybody. █

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FARM ADVISORS

The tuliptree scale: a serious pest of magnolias and their relatives Donald R. Hodel, Landscape Horticulture Advisor, UCCE, Los Angeles, drhodel@ucanr.edu Jerry Rowland, City Certified Arborist/Street Maintenance Supervisor, City of Long Beach, jerry.rowland@longbeach.gov Eliud Aguirre, City Certified Arborist/Street Tree Supervisor, City of Long Beach, eliud.aguirre@longbeach.gov Michael C. Wallich, Campus Arborist/Landscape Specialist, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, wallich@usc.edu

The tuliptree scale (Toumeyella liriodendri) can be a serious and damaging pest of tuliptrees (Liriodendron tulipifera), magnolias (Magnolia spp.) and other members of the Magnoliaceae, and even some non-magnolia hosts. Its gregarious nature and heavy feeding remove plant sap, reduce plant vigor, cause shoot dieback and defoliation, distort growth, and can even lead to death (Fig. 1). This pest also produces copious amounts of honeydew, which promotes the growth of black sooty mold on leaves and stems, and coats portions of the tree and everything beneath its canopy in a severely annoying, sticky, dark to amber-colored, glossy, lacquerlike finish (Fig. 2). Here we provide a summary of its history in California, signs and symptoms, identification and biology, hosts and distribution, and possible management strategies. History The tuliptree scale was detected in California as early as 1982 in San Leandro in Alameda County in the Bay Area. The California Department of Food and Agriculture Plant Health and Prevention Services assigned it an “A” pest rating: a pest of the agricultural industry or environment that scores high and is not known to occur or be under official control in California (Papp and Tidwell 1982). An eradication program was implemented in Alameda County but was unsuccessful (Dreistadt 2004), and the tuliptree scale was detected several times over the next 10 years in Alameda County (Gill 1983a, b; 1987; 1991a, b). It is now established in many places throughout California. Although wind can spread tuliptree scale nymphs locally, movement of infested plant material is mostly responsible for long-distance dispersal throughout the State. Recent Infestations of tuliptree scales in central Los Angeles and Long Beach on southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) have been damaging and difficult to control. The pest’s gregarious nature and densely packed colonies, completely covering stems for a few feet and appearing like plump kernels on a corn cob, are striking (Fig. 3), and the copious amounts of honeydew it produced were impressive and made nearly any type of activity beneath the tree impossible. Fig. 1. The gregarious nature and heavy feeding of tuliptree scales remove plant sap, reduce plant vigor, and cause shoot dieback and defoliation. All photos: © Donald R. Hodel

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

Signs and Symptoms The tuliptree scale damages the host in several ways. Feeding extracts large quantities of plant nutrients. The honeydew waste that the scales excrete causes sooty mold on leaf surfaces, which reduces photosynthesis and transpiration. The damaged leaves and

Fig. 2. Tuliptree scales produces copious amounts of honeydew, which coats everything beneath its canopy in a severely annoying, dark, sticky, glossy, lacquer-like finish, making it a particularly vile and nasty pest.

Fig. 3. The tuliptree scale’s gregarious nature and densely packed colonies completely cover stems for a few feet and appear like plump kernels on a corn cob.

stems and sooty mold reduce plant value and marketability (Borden and Dale 2016). Also, the damage and inconvenience that the honeydew causes to surfaces and objects under and near the host tree can be significant.

The copious honeydew, which falls as a sticky, nearly syrupy, ambercolored material that sometimes darkens with age, likely from the accumulation of dust and dirt, typically covers all surfaces beneath the infested tree, such as sidewalks (Fig. 6), curbs and gutters, roads, children’s toys, automobiles (Fig.7), and landscape plants. However, white surfaces, such as sidewalks, curbs, and gutters, sometimes appear as if they have been lacquered or varnished with shiny, amber-colored shellac (Fig. 8).

The first noticeable signs might be the copious honeydew that the tuliptree scale produces. Looking up into the tree, the main branches, stems, and twigs, especially their upper surfaces, appear dark and oil-stained or water-soaked (Fig. 4). In especially heavy infestations, the oil-stained or water-soaked areas sometimes extend down the trunk. Tremendous and vast amounts of sooty mold cover leaves and twigs, causing them to turn dark or even black (Fig. 5).

Typically the easily seen, unusually large scale insects and their gregarious nature, densely packed along twigs and stems, are sufficient for diagnosis (Fig. 9).

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FARM ADVISORS, CONT., Tuliptree scale

Host symptoms include loss of vigor, leaf chlorosis and necrosis, premature leaf drop, distorted new growth, twig and branch dieback (Fig. 10), canopy thinning (Fig. 1), and death (Borden and Dale 2016, Donley and Burns 1971). Although old and young trees are equally susceptible to the tuliptree scale, the latter are reported to be more easily killed (Donley and Burns 1971). Identification and Biology Most of the information about the tuliptree scale, especially its lifecycle, was developed from studies of the pest in cold-temperate localities in the eastern United States. In southern California all life stages of the tuliptree scale can be found year round although populations of immatures and adults dip significantly during the winter months. Similarly, honeydew production lessens but does not stop entirely in the winter. In colder areas of northern California, tuliptree scales overwinter as second instar nymphs on twigs and mature in late spring to early summer (Dreistadt 2004).

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Taxonomy Burns and Donley (1970) and Kondo and Williams (2008) reviewed the taxonomy of the tuliptree scale. Other scientific names (synonyms) sometimes used for this pest include Coccus liriodendri, Eulecanium liriodendri, Lecanium liriodendri, and L. tulipiferae. Eggs Female tuliptree scales are ovoviviparous: the eggs develop and hatch inside the femaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body (Donley and Burns 1971). Newly hatched nymphs crawl out of the female and find a feeding site. One female tuliptree scale can produce over 3,000 offspring in its lifetime (as few as 45 days) (Borden and Dale 2016, Donley and Burns 1971). Nymphs First instar nymphs (crawlers) are typically dark red and 0.5 mm long (Fig. 12). In cold-temperate areas they emerge from beneath their stationary mother from August through October. These crawlers are the only mobile female stage (adult males are mobile), and their small size means that wind can easily carry them to new sites up to 30 m distant (Borden and Dale 2016, Donley and Burns 1971). Indeed, the infestation in Long Beach was first detected on a southern magnolia street tree on 3rd Street in 2016, only a few blocks inland from the coast; however, because of prevailing westerly winds off the ocean, it has spread and fanned out inland to at least 30 blocks from the coast within two years. Once they land on a susceptible host, they crawl to find a bud or young twig, insert their mouth parts, and begin to feed (Borden and Dale 2016, Donley and Burns 1971). Once feeding begins, crawlers are unable to remove their mouthparts and they remain at the initial feeding site for the remainder of their lives (Burns and Donley 1970, Donley and Burns 1971). After a few weeks male and female nymphs molt into their second and final instar and lose their legs. Females become circular and begin rapid growth while males become long and slim. After a few weeks, males pupate. The tan, elongate-oval pupae appear white because of a conspicuous opaque covering (Borden and Dale 2016, Donley and Burns 1971) (Fig. 13).

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

Fig. 6

Fig. 4. The first noticeable signs of a tuliptree scale infestation might be the copious honeydew that it produces, drenching the upper surfaces of branches, making them appear dark and oilstained or water-soaked. Fig. 5. The copious honeydew that the tuliptree scales produces causes leaves to darken or blacken with sooty mold. Fig. 6. Honeydew typically covers sidewalks beneath infested trees.

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FARM ADVISORS, CONT., Tuliptree scale

Fig. 7. Honeydew typically covers automobiles parked beneath infested trees.

Fig. 7

Fig. 8. White surfaces like curbs and gutters appear as if they have been lacquered or varnished with shiny, amber-colored shellac. Fig. 9. The large size and gregarious, densely packed nature of the tuliptree scales are usually sufficient for diagnosis. Fig. 10. Twig and branch dieback is a symptom of a tuliptree scale infestation. Adults In late May immature females become hemispherical and develop a distinctive, flange-like lip around the lower part of their waxy covering. They also begin a rapid period of growth and produce copious amounts of honeydew. Adult females are conspicuous because of their large size, convex or helmet-like shape, and densely packed, gregarious nature (Fig. 12). They are typically so densely packed that they are often angled from mutual pressure (Dreistadt 2004). Varying in color but typically orange or brown to gray to pink with gray to black, orange, pink, red, or yellow speckling or banding (Dreistadt 2004), they are 2.6 to 7(-11) mm (nearly 0.5 inch) wide or long (Borden and Dale 2016, Donley and Burns 1971). During the summer they fill with eggs and their bodies swell, flattening out even more the flange-like lip. In colder areas adult females die in the fall, turn brown, but remain attached to the twigs (Borden and Dale 2016). Female tuliptree scales are similar to the magnolia scale (Neolecanium cornuparnum), which is an even larger scale but lacks the distinctive flared flange on its covering (Borden and Dale 2016). Also, adult female tuliptree scales are alive in the summer and “bleed” when crushed while those of magnolia scales mature earlier and are dead and dried out by June (Dreistadt 2004).

Fig. 8

Fig. 9

Adult males have one pair of wings and can easily be confused with parasitoid wasps. They mate with females and die shortly thereafter (Borden and Dale 2016, Donley and Burns 1971). Hosts The tuliptree scale has been reported on at least 20 host species in 12 genera in 8 families (Dietz 1916, Gill 1988, Hamon and Williams 1984, Kondo and Williams 2008, Miller and Williams 1995, Novoa et al. 2011, Williams and Kosztarab 1972). Scalenet (2018) provides a detailed summary of the hosts of the tuliptree scale and its distribution. Magnoliaceae is a family that has many hosts, including Liriodendron tulipifera, Magnolia acuminata, M. figo, M. grandiflora, M. × soulangeana, and M. stellata), which are considered primary hosts in Florida (Borden and Dale 2016). In southern California the primary host of tuliptree scales appears to be M. grandiflora. Management Once established, tuliptree scales are difficult to control and a combination of measures will likely work best. Plant Selection and Cultivation Provide proper cultivation for optimal plant health. Select the right plant for the right spot, and plant and care for it correctly. Appropriate irrigation, nutrition, pruning, mulch, and root zone management are especially critical. Avoid stressing plants. Plant 72

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

Fig. 10

Fig. 11 Fig. 11. Canopy thinning is a symptom of a tuliptree scale infestation. Fig. 12. First instar nymphs (crawlers) of tuliptree scales are typically dark red and 0.5 mm long. Here they can be seen crawling over densely packed adult females. Fig. 13. Male pupae of the tuliptree scale are tan, elongate-oval, and have a conspicuous opaque, white covering that remains after the adult has emerged.

stress can lead to an increase in scale infestations. We have observed that southern magnolia trees lacking adequate water, growing in compacted soils, and/or subject to root disturbance, such as root pruning to protect hardscape, all conditions that stress plants, seem to show more damage and are more likely to die from tuliptree scales than unstressed trees. While tuliptree scales will attack healthy trees, such trees will recover more quickly when promptly treated. Exclusion and Sanitation Be vigilant and practice exclusion and sanitation. Inspect all new plant material thoroughly, preferably at the nursery, before introducing it to the site. Reject all infested material. In some instances new, early infestations on small trees can be hand removed or, with deciduous species, dislodged with high-pressure water sprays when leafless. Twigs and stems with small, isolated infestations can be pruned off, securely bagged, and properly disposed (Borden and Dale 2016). Fig. 12

Fig. 13

Ant Control As with all scales and other sap-sucking insect pests, ants are typically associated with tuliptree scales and their control is critical to achieving overall management of this pest. In a mutualistic relationship, ants tend or â&#x20AC;&#x153;farmâ&#x20AC;? scales, protecting them from natural enemies in exchange for accessing the sugary honeydew that the scales produce. Some ants actually construct protective structures of soil, grass, and even mud over scales (Borden and Dale 2016). Ants tending scale populations can increase scale survival up to 50% (Burns and Donley 1970). Ants can cause up to a 98% reduction in parasitism of soft scale species (Bartlett 1961). Sometimes the presence of ants is a good indicator that scales are present even before twig and leaf damage and honeydew are noticed. Monitor ants on trunks, branches, and leaves. Control ants with appropriate baits. Natural Enemies Encourage natural pests of the tuliptree scale, which include predaceous moths, ladybird beetles, parasitoid flies and wasps, and pathogenic fungi. The predacious moth larvae is Laetilia coccidivora (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae); ladybird beetles include Hyperaspis proba and H. signata, Chilocorus stigma, and Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae); and the parasitoid syrphid fly is Pelecinobaccha costata (Diptera: Syrphidae) (Borden and Dale 2016). Parasitoid wasps include three genera in two families (Myartseva et al. 2016). These are Anicetus toumeyellae and Metaphycus OCTOBER 2018 | CAPCA ADVISER

FARM ADVISORS, CONT., Tuliptree scale

flavus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Coccophagus bivittatus, C. flavifrons, and C. lycimnia (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). Some pathogenic fungi, including Aschersonia cubensis, have killed tuliptree scales in Florida (Donley and Burns 1971). Chemical Control Contact sprays can be ineffective because of the protective waxy covering the scale has for most of its life. If using such sprays, timing is critical to target crawlers or early second instars that have emerged and are active in mid to late summer (Borden and Dale 2016, Dreistadt 2004). In some instances insecticidal oils have been effective on overwintering nymphs (Borden and Dale 2016, Donley and Burns 1971, Dreistadt 2004). The most effective chemical control is likely a combination of contact sprays on the foliage and one or more of the new systemic materials applied to the trunk or root zone. â&#x2013;&#x2C6;

Save-The-Date

November 14, 2018 Special presentations for PCAs at the CAAA 69th Annual Convention

Literature Cited Bartlett, B. R. 1961. The influence of ants upon parasites, predators, and scale insects. Ann. Ent. Soc. America 54: 543-551. Borden, M. and A. Dale. 2016. Tuliptree Scale Toumeyella liriodendra (Gmelin) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae. Univeristy of Florida, IFAS Pub. EENY-667. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312084441_Tuliptree_ Scale_Toumeyella_liriodendri_Gmelin_Insecta_Hemiptera_Coccoidea_Coccidae Burns, D. P. and D. E. Donley. 1970. Biology of tuliptree scale, Toumeyella liriodendra (Homoptera: Coccidae). Ann. Ent. Soc. America 63: 228-235. Dale, A. G. 2016. Tuliptree scale enjoying this winter. University of Florida, Landscape Entomology blog. https://dalelab.org/2016/03/04/we-arent-the-onlyones-enjoying-this-weather/ Accessed 15 January 2018. Dietz, H. F. and H. Morrison. 1916. The Coccidae or scale insects of Indiana. Indiana State Ent. Eighth Ann. Rep. (1914-1915) 8: 195-321. Donley, D. E. and D. P. Burns. 1971. The Tuliptree Scale. U. S. D. A., Forest Service, Forest Pest Leaflet 92 (rev.). On-line: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/ FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev2_043616.pdf Dreistadt, S. 2004. Pests of Landscape Trees and Shrubs. An Integrated Pest Management Guide, 2nd ed. Agriculture and Natural Resources Pub. 3359. University of California, Davis, CA. Gill, R. J. 1983a. Insects Highlights. Calif. Plant Pest Dis. Rep. 2(1) (January): 15. https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/PPD/PDF/CPPDR_1983_2_1.pdf Gill, R. J. 1983b. Entomology Highlights. Calif. Plant Pest Dis. Rep. 2(2) (March): 51. https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/PPD/PDF/CPPDR_1983_2_2.pdf Gill, R. J. 1987. Entomology Highlights. Calif. Plant Pest Dis. Rep. 6(1-2)(JanuaryMay): 4. Gill, R. J. 1988. The Scale Insects of California, Part 1, The Soft Scales (Homoptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae). CDFA Tech. Ser. Agric. Biosys. Plant Path. No. 1. On-line: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/ppd/PDF/Technical_Series_01.pdf

Registration available at:

Gill, R. J. 1991a. Entomology Highlights. Calif. Plant Pest Dis. Rep. 10(1-2) (January-May): 5.

https://capca.com/events/november-14-2018caaa-69th-annual-convention/

Gill, R. J. 1991b. Entomology Highlights. Calif. Plant Pest Dis. Rep. 10(5-6) (October-December): 67.

Cost: $40 Location: Wyndam Visalia | 9000 W. Airport Road, Visalia, CA 93277 Full program details for the CAAA Convention, November 12 - 14, 2018, will be available soon at https://www.caaa.net/

Hamon, A. B. and M. L. Williams. 1984. The soft scale insects of Florida (Homoptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae). Arthropods of Florida and Neighboring Land Areas. Boletin del Museo de Entomologia de la Universidad del Valle and Florida Department of agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industries, Gainesville, FL. Kondo, T. and D. J. Williams. 2008. Neotype designation and redescription of Toumeyella liriodendri (Gmelin) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae). J. Insect Sci. 8(56): 1-6. On-line: https://academic.oup.com/jinsectscience/ article/8/1/56/900359 Miller, G. L. and M. L. Williams. 1995 Systematic analysis of the adult males of Toumeyella group, including Mesolecanium nigrofasciatum, Neolecanium cornuparvum. Pseudophilippia quaintancii and Toumeyella spp. (Homoptera: Coccidae) from America north of Mexico. Cont. American Ent. Inst. 28(4): 1-68. Myartseva, S. N., E. Ruiz-Cancino, J. M. Coronado Blanco, J. R. Lomeli-Flores, and R. C. Hernandez-de la Cruz. 2016. Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) of Toumeyella scales (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in the New World, with description of a new species from Mexico. Florida Ent. 99(4): 781-784 Novoa, M., N. Hamon, A. Evans, G. Kondo, T. Oliver, P. Marrero, A. Alonso. 2011 Los cocoideos (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea) presentes en la Cordillera de Guaniguanico, Pinar del Rio, Cuba, y la relaciĂłn con sus hospedantes. Insecta Mundi 0183:1-25. Papp, C. S., and T. E. Tidwell (Eds.). 1982. Pest Rating List. Calif. Plant Pest Dis. Rep. 1(2-3) (February-March): 28. On-line: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/ppd/ PDF/CPPDR_1982_1_2-3.pdf Accessed 15 January 2018. Scalenet. 2018. http://scalenet.info/catalogue/Toumeyella%20liriodendri/ Williams, M. L. and M. Kosztarab. 1972 Morphology and systematics of the Coccidae of Virginia with notes on their biology (Homoptera: Coccoidea). Res. Div. Bull., Virginia Poly. Inst. State Univ. 74: 1-215.

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

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FARM ADVISORS

The current state of herbicide resistance in California Lynn M. Sosnoskie, PhD, Agronomy and Weed Science Advisor for Merced and Madera Counties

Weeds are a significant concern in agronomic and horticultural systems because of their direct impacts on the quantity and quality of crop yields. In addition to competitive interactions, weeds can diminish biodiversity and disrupt ecosystem services in natural areas, impart physical harm to humans and animals, and reduce scenic aesthetics, among other negative effects. Consequently, many tools are employed to manage weeds, not least of which are herbicides. However, despite the widespread use of chemical control strategies, weeds persist in both crop production systems and natural area environments. Weeds can escape herbicide applications for many reasons, including: improper herbicide or rate selection relative to the identity and growth stage of the target species, incorrect sprayer calibration or malfunctioning equipment, and applications made under unfavorable conditions. In some cases, weed biotypes can develop resistance to formerly effective herbicides. This evolutionary process is defined is defined by the Weed Science Society of America as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the inherited ability of a plant to survive and reproduce following exposure to a dose of the herbicides normally lethal to the wild typeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, can also affect weed control success (http://wssa.net/wssa/weed/resistance/). The first recorded reports of herbicide resistance occurred in 1957 when biotypes of spreading dayflower (Commelina diffusa) and wild carrot (Daucus carota) were determined to be insensitive to 2,4-D. Worldwide, there are 495 cases of herbicide resistance Figure 1. Glyphosate-resistant junglerice (Echinocloa colona) in a California orchard. Photo by Brad Hanson.

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

(species x site of action combinations) present across 255 species (148 broadleaf species and 107 grass or grass-like species) (http:// weedscience.org/). Of the 26 known herbicide sites of action, weeds have developed resistance to 23 of them (~90%). The United States leads the world with respect to the development of herbicide resistance (161 occurrences) followed by Australia (90), Canada (60), France (50), and Brazil (48). Thirty unique instances of herbicide resistance have been documented in California (Table 1). The first confirmed occurrence was in 1981 when a common groundsel biotype was found to be insensitive to atrazine (a photosystem II inhibitor). Between 1989 and 2001, most of the resistance cases in California developed in grass and sedge species in flooded rice systems. These documented instances of resistance have primarily been to the ALS inhibiting herbicides (such as bensulfuron-methyl), the ACCase inhibiting herbicides (such as cyhalofop-butyl and fenoxaprop-P-ethyl), and the lipid biosynthesis inhibiting herbicides (such as thiobencarb) (Hanson et al. 2014). Since 2002, glyphosate (an EPSPS inhibitor) resistance has developed in several species common to perennial cropping systems, agronomic crops, and non-crop areas of the Central Valley. Further complicating matters for some growers, five weed species in California (late watergrass (Echinochloa oryzicola), barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli ssp. crus-galli), hairy fleabane (Conyza bonariensis), horseweed (Conyza canadensis), and

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FARM ADVISORS, CONT., The current state of herbicide resistance in California

Table 1. List of herbicide resistant weeds confirmed in California. Data derived from the International Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds (http://www.weedscience.org/). Descriptions of herbicide sites of action can be found at the Weed Science Society of America web page: http://wssa.net/wp-content/uploads/WSSA-Mechanism-of-Action.pdf Year Species Site(s) of action (WSSA Group) 1981 Common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) Photosystem II inhibitors (5) 1989 Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) ALS inhibitors (2) 1993 California arrowhead (Sagittaria montividensis) ALS inhibitors (2) 1993 Smallflower umbrella sedge (Cyperis difformis) ALS inhibitors (2) 1994 Russian thistle (Salsola tragus) ALS inhibitors (2) 1996 Wild oat (Avena fatua) Cell elongation inhibitors (8) 1997 Eared redstem (Ammannia auriculata) ALS inhibitors (2) 1997 Ricefield bulrush (Schoenoplectus mucronatus) ALS inhibitors (2) 1998 Late watergrass (Echinochloa oryzicola) ACCase inhibitors (1) 1998 Rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) EPSPS inhibitors (9) 1998 Late watergrass (Echinochloa oryzicola) Lipid biosynthesis inhibitors (8) 2000 Early watergrass (Echinochloa oryzoides) Lipid biosynthesis inhibitors (8) 2000 Redstem (Ammannia coccinea) ALS inhibitors (2) 2000 Barnyardgrass (Echinichloa crus-galli ssp. crus-galli) ACCase inhibitors (1) Lipid biosynthesis inhibitors (8) 2000 Late watergrass (Echinochloa oryzicola) ACCase inhibitors (1) Lipid biosynthesis inhibitors (8) 2001 Little seed canary grass (Phalaris minor) ACCase inhibitors (1) 2002 Smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum) Synthetic auxins (4) 2005 Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) EPSPS inhibitors (9) 2007 Hairy fleabane (Conyza bonariensis) EPSPS inhibitors (9) 2008 Junglerice (Echinochloa colona) EPSPS inhibitors (9) 2008 Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum) EPSPS inhibitors (9) 2009 Hairy fleabane (Conyza bonariensis) EPSPS inhibitors (9) Photosystem I electron diverter (22) 2013 Smallflower umbrella sedge (Cyperis difformis) Photosystem II inhibitors (7) 2013 Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) EPSPS inhibitors (9) 2014 Ricefield bulrush (Schoenoplectus mucronatus) Photosystem II inhibitors (7) 2014 Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) EPSPS inhibitors (9) Photosystem I electron diverter (22) 2015 Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) EPSPS inhibitors (9) 2015 Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum) Glutamine synthase inhibitor (10) 2015 Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum) ACCase inhibitors (1) EPSPS inhibitors (9) Photosystem I electron diverter (22) 2016 Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum) ACCase inhibitors (1) ALS inhibitors (2) EPSPS inhibitors (9) EPSPS inhibitors (9) Photosystem I electron diverter (22)

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FARM ADVISORS, CONT., The current state of herbicide resistance in California

Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum)) have populations resistant to two or more herbicide sites of action. The development and spread of herbicide resistance can have significant consequences for growers, including increased herbicide use and need for soil disturbance, which can increase production costs (Carpenter and Gianessi 2010; Sosnoskie and Culpepper 2014). The expansion in the number and distribution of herbicideresistant weeds may also increase the need for hand-laborers, which would need to be drawn from a dwindling labor pool (Martin 2017). While California’s production systems have been historically diverse with respect to weed management practices, herbicide resistance (particularly, glyphosate resistance) is always a concern, especially in reduced-tillage systems that rely almost exclusively on one herbicide or herbicide site-of-action for weed control (Sosnoskie and Culpepper 2014). Knowing that herbicide resistance is (and will likely continue to be) a part of California’s agricultural landscape, what can growers do to mitigate the spread of resistance traits and prevent the evolution of new ones? • Control weeds while they are small and more susceptible to treatment. • Don’t cut herbicide rates and don’t let weeds that escape herbicides set seed. • Scout fields following herbicide applications to identify trends in weed control failure. • Diversify herbicide use; employ multiple sites of action, when possible, to reduce the selection pressure that is imposed by repeated use of a single mode of action. • Clean equipment to prevent seeds of herbicide-resistant weed species from hitching a ride into clean fields and orchards. • Don’t forget about forget about margins, ditches, canals, and fence lines; resistant weeds aren’t only found in the field. • Make use of cultural (i.e. crop rotation) and physical (i.e. cultivation or mowing) weed control strategies as is appropriate. █

Figure 2. Glyphosate-resistant hairy fleabane (Conyza bonariensis). Photo by Lynn Sosnoskie.

Citations: Carpenter, J.E. and L.P. Gianessi. 2010. Economic Impact of GlyphosateResistant Weeds. In: Glyphosate Resistance in Crops and Weeds: History, Development, and Management. V.K. Nandula (Editor), John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Hoboken, NJ. pp. 297-312. Hanson, B.D. S. Wright, L.M. Sosnoskie, A.J. Fischer, M. Jasieniuk, J.A. Roncoroni, K.J. Hembree, S. Orloff, A. Shrestha, and K. Al-Khatib. 2014. Herbicide-resistant weeds challenge some signature cropping systems. California Agriculture. 68:142-152 Martin, P.L. 2017. The race in the fields, imports, machines and migrants. California Agriculture. 72:100-101. Sosnoskie, L.M. and A.S. Culpepper. 2014. Glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) increases herbicide use, tillage, and handweeding in Georgia cotton. Weed Science 62:393-402.

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Figure 3. Did you know that herbicides select for resistance traits that are already present in weed populations?

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FARM ADVISORS

Using soil moisture sensors to guide irrigation scheduling of celery Andre Biscaro, Irrigation and Water Resources Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension, Ventura County

Soil moisture sensors can be important allies for improving irrigation scheduling and yield. While crop evapotranspiration estimations from weather stations and crop coefficients provide fairly accurate assessments of crop water needs, soil moisture sensors provide guidance to start irrigations at the right time to maintain optimum soil moisture for plant growth. Insufficient soil water induces plants to shut off the stomata to avoid further water loss, which consequently leads to proportional decreases in CO2 intake, resulting in lower photosynthesis and yield losses. Different crops respond differently to water deficit, and vegetables are among the most susceptible. Moderate deficits can cause significant yield losses and possibly quality issues. Water stress is also a predisposing factor in plant disease, especially when roots are exposed to excessively dry and/or excessively wet conditions for extended periods. Scientific evidence addressing the impact of irrigation scheduling and soil moisture regimes on celery yield and quality is limiting, which makes it challenging for soil sensors users. In order to determine how dry the soil can get before celery yield and qualify are affected, a replicated field study conducted in Ventura County in Fall 2017 quantified the impacts of irrigating celery with different frequencies, according soil water potential readings from tensiometer-like sensors (Figure 1). The treatments were based on pre-determined thresholds of soil water potential (soil moisture) for starting each irrigation event: 20, 30 40 and 50 centibars, called T-20, T-30, T-40 and T-50, respectively. Every time the soil moisture of a treatment reached its threshold, this treatment was immediately irrigated. The amount of water applied on each irrigation was calculated based on the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) estimation since the last irrigation: ETc = ETo x Kc, where ETo = reference evapotranspiration, and Kc = crop coefficient. The soil type was Camarillo sandy loam, and the sensors were installed at 8 and 18 inches depth. Decisions to irrigate were based on the sensors installed at 8 inches depth. Both qualitative and quantitative parameters were measured at harvest. 82

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

Fig. 1. Soil moisture sensors installed in the study site (a), and detailed view of the ceramic tip (b) designed for soil water potential measurements. Fig. 1a

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FARM ADVISORS, CONT., Using soil moisture sensors to guide irrigation scheduling of celery

Although the total amounts of water applied were very similar among treatments (Figure 2), the irrigation frequency varied considerably. The average interval between irrigation events was 4.0, 5.7, 7.0 and 9.2 days for T-20, T-30, T-40 and T-50, respectively. Figure 3 illustrates the contrast between the two most distinctive treatments: actionable thresholds set at 20 and 50 centibars. Overall, total and marketable yield and plant height linearly decreased from 20 to 50 centibars. Total and marketable yield were 11.4% and 9.0% smaller, respectively, for 50 centibars (compared to 20 centibars). Petiole pithiness was not affected by the treatments of this study, suggesting that it might be triggered by soil moisture readings above 50 centibars. Soil fertility and plant nutrition parameters were very similar at harvest. In summary, the results of this study suggest that celery yield is significantly decreased when soil moisture readings at 8 inches depth rise above 20 centibars. Although it is not always practical to keep soil moisture at that level, efforts to increasing irrigation frequency and avoiding constant exposure to drier soil conditions can be rewarded with significant yield gains. The soil water potential sensors used in this study showed to be very helpful in guiding irrigation scheduling and to ensure optimum yields.

In addition to optimizing plant growth, soil moisture sensors connected to dataloggers can also assist with managing salts by providing feedback on how rainfall and irrigation water moves through the root zone. Understanding whether the applied water was enough to reach the desired moisture content at specific depths is crucial for effective salt leaching. The two major types of soil moisture sensors used for vegetable crops are the tensiometer-like sensors, and the volumetric water content sensors. Tensiometers measure the suction necessary to extract water from the soil, which is what plants roots experience. They are often considered more appropriate for crops with low tolerance to water stress because of its superior accuracy for near field capacity conditions. In addition, yield limiting thresholds of soil moisture are usually set in centibars, which makes it simpler for tensiometer users since these thresholds can be used across soils of different texture. The volumetric water content sensors usually require less maintenance; however, the actionable thresholds for stating irrigation vary according to soil texture. For example, the same volumetric water content value (say 0.20 cm3/cm3) represent two very different conditions of water availability for a clay soil (very dry) and a sandy soil (wet). This makes it more challenging for data interpretation and decision making.

Fig. 2. Cumulative irrigation for the four treatments of this study.

Fig. 3. Contrast of soil water potential between the two extreme treatments: 20 and 50 centibars.

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

Other important factors that are often overlooked while using soil moisture sensors are the placement location and installation. In order to obtain representative readings, the sensors need to be placed in uniform areas with similar soil type, growth stage and management. Once the location is defined, determining the number of sensors per location and the depths of installation are also crucial for obtaining representative readings. Typically, two sensors are installed per location: one at the depth where most roots are concentrated, and another one just below where most roots are concentrated; both sensors between plants, in the plant row. The shallower sensor can be used as the reference for starting the irrigation since its readings reflect what most roots experience, while the deeper sensor indicates whether the irrigation water reached the bottom of the rootzone. Decreasing soil moisture content at deeper depths throughout the crop season is an indication that the soil water ‘reserve’ is getting low, and the shallower soil will dry up faster. Understanding the crop root depth is essential for defining the sensor’s depth. Most celery fields have approximately 90% of the roots reaching a range of 24 to 34 inches, and soil moisture sensors are commonly installed at 8 and 18 inches depth. Ensuring the sensors have good contact with the soil is essential for obtaining representative readings. █

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Biology and control of a new olive disease, neofabraea leaf spot and twig lesion Dani Lightle, Orchards Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Glenn, Butte & Tehama Counties; Florent Trouillas, Cooperative Extension Assistant Specialist in Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis

A new olive disease, Neofabraea leaf spot and twig lesion, was first detected in California super-high-density oil olive orchards in 2016. Two pathogens have been identified: Neofabraea kienholzii and Phlyctema vagabunda (syn: Neofabraea vagabunda). These pathogens are responsible for a variety of disease symptoms in olive in Spain and are cause for increasing concern in Spanish olive production. Recent research in Dr. Trouillas’ laboratory at UC Davis has outlined the disease epidemiology, disease cycle, and highlighted possible spray timings and materials that will help to control the disease. Disease symptomology and host susceptibility Neofabraea leaf spot and twig lesion symptoms are primarily associated with wounds, such as those sustained during mechanical harvest. Leaf lesions are circular to elongate and approximately 0.5 to 1cm in diameter. Lesions may be confused with those caused by peacock spot, but Neofabraea leaf spots are necrotic, lack the yellow halo typically seen around peacock spot lesions, and normally do not number more than one lesion per leaf (Figure 1). Twig lesions are reddish in color, while branch cankers may be reddish brown and appear as sunken lesions on the bark (Figure 2). The disease may occasionally cause spots on the fruit near the time of harvest (Figure 2). In severely infected orchards, defoliation and fruit loss have occurred. The disease has been detected primarily from superhigh-density oil olive orchards in Glenn and San Joaquin counties. The cultivar ‘Arbosana’ is the most susceptible but the disease has also been isolated on occasion from ‘Arbequina’ olives in the Central Valley. Earlier reports of the disease in California olive orchards have included fruit spots in ‘Cortina’, ‘Picholine’ and ‘Frantoio’ varieties in Sonoma county. To date, surveys of table olive varieties (Manzanillo and Sevillano) in the Central Valley have not tested positive for Neofabraea. Epidemiology and disease cycle Two pathogens have been identified using morphological and molecular techniques: Neofabraea kienholzii and Phlyctema vagabunda (syn: Neofabraea vagabunda). These pathogens have been associated with Lepra Fruit Rot disease (also known as olive leprosy) of olives in Spain, Portugal and Italy, as well as bull’s eye rot and canker in apples and pears in California, Washington and Oregon. 86

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

Fig. 1. Neofabraea leaf spot (top picture) compared with Peacock spot (bottom picture) symptoms. Neofabraea leaf spots lack the yellow halo seen around the peacock spot lesions. Fig. 2. Twig lesions, branch cankers and fruit spots characteristic of Neofabraea leaf spot and twig lesion disease.

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Currently, there are only a few product choices when it comes to high performance and management of resistance for challenging fungal and bacterial diseases. Stargus’ performance on Downy mildew and white mold will represent a game changer for growers of crops like grapes, leafy greens, potatoes, legume crops and dry beans. Stargus works by utilizing multiple modes of action utilizing a new strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens that helps plants by triggering systemic responses. The responses create healthier and stronger plants that are able to better resist diseases; all the while, Stargus promotes plant growth, resulting in higher yields. Stargus targets a number of problems in the field. It combats Downy mildew, white mold, Botrytis gray mold and bunch rot, as well as controlling soil fungi responsible for diseases such as Fusarium, Phytophthora, and Rhizoctonia. Stargus is currently being tested in seed treatment applications; its potential is also being investigated in turf and ornamental markets. “Stargus is a key component of a complete IPM program, and is complementary to Regalia®. Programs including both Regalia and Stargus have no MRL concerns, have the shortest REI available, and have the benefit of a 0-day pre-harvest interval.” says Andre Trepanier, MBI’s Director of Marketing.

Stargus against Fusarium Celery, Holden Research Camarillo, CA

% Stunted

Serious Disease Control Marrone Bio Innovations is dedicated to finding biological solutions that work for both organic and conventional growers. Introducing Stargus - one of the newest and most advanced biofungicides available today. Stargus is a broad spectrum biofungicide containing peptides and featuring unique, patented active ingredients. Stargus is OMRI listed and represents an important new active complex for managing both soil and foliar diseases on a wide variety of crops.

05/10 05/16

Grower Standard (GS)

GS + Serenade

GS +

2 qt/A B-G

3 qt/A B-G

Data from 05/10 and 05/16 GS = Grower Standard fertilizer regimen (90Gal/A)

Smart Solutions Marrone Bio Innovations is dedicated to pioneering smart biological products to enhance growth and plant health while supporting a better tomorrow for both farmers and consumers around the globe.

Crop

Strawberry Cucurbits Grape Potato Sugar Beet Tomato Celery Soybean Sunflower/Canola Beans Lettuce

Examples of Disease Targets Botrytis Downy Mildew Botrytis, Black Rot, Downy Mildew Pink Rot, White Mold, Late Blight, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia Cercospora Leaf Spot Fusarium Fusarium White Mold White Mold White Mold White Mold, Downy Mildew

marronebio.com • Visit MBI at CAPCA Conference, Booth 812

FARM ADVISORS, CONT., Biology and control of a new olive disease, neofabraea leaf spot and twig lesion

Infection occurs at the site of plant injuries. In super-high-density oil olives, these wounds are typically associated with damage caused by mechanical harvesters, but may also include abrasion sites where leaves or twigs rub against each other. Following mechanical harvest, rain events allow for fungal inoculum to be released in the air, leading to infection of the fresh wound sites. Wounds are susceptible to infection for 4 weeks after the time of injury. Leaf spot symptoms are most visible in March, with defoliation occurring in April and May. Infected leaves and fruits act as inoculum sources for infection the following year.

events in December and January. These were compared to the single post-harvest application treatment. Trees were rated for disease incidence in the following March.

Fungicide trials Methodology. Fungicide trials were conducted in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 to determine material efficacy. Treatments included i) untreated control, ii) fluopyram/tebuconazole at 17 fl oz/ac, iii) ziram at 24 oz/ac, iv) tebuconazole at 8 oz/ac, v) copper hydroxide at 7 lbs/ac, vi) chlorothalonil at 64 fl oz/ac, vii) thiabendazole at 5.8 fl oz/ac, viii) thiophanate-methyl at 1.5 lbs/ac, ix) flutriafol at 7 fl oz/ ac, x) cyprodinil at 10 oz/ac and xi) difenoconazole/cyprodinil at 20 fl oz/ac.

Our results showed also that the disease is best controlled with one fungicide application right after harvest. A second application at two-weeks after harvest may be necessary if rain remains in the forecast.

Experimental units consisted of two ‘Arbosana’ trees and treatments were replicated four times. Trees were sprayed with backpack sprayers. Treatments were made and compared during two growing seasons. Application timing studies compared one post-harvest application vs two or three postharvest and winter season applications. The first fungicide application was made right after harvest, with additional applications made prior to major rain

Results. The best materials for reducing leaf spot and twig lesion incidence were thiophanate-methyl, ziram, fluopyram/ tebuconazole, cyprodinil, difenoconazole/cyprodinil and tebuconazole. Unfortunately, copper hydroxide, which is already routinely applied after harvest for control of olive knot, had no efficacy in controlling the disease.

Summary and next steps Several fungicides provided great efficacy for controlling Neofabraea leaf spot and twig lesion, reducing disease incidence by up to 80 percent when compared with an untreated control. Application procedures for fungicide registration including IR-4 project (Interregional Research Project No. 4) and Section 18 (Pesticide Emergency Exemptions) are underway. With this work we hope to help growers mitigate the disease and limit its spread. Authors' Acknowledgements We are thankful to the Olive Oil Commission of California for funding this research. █

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RUTHANN ANDERSON CAPCA President/CEO Adviser Editor ruthann@capca.com (916) 928-1625 x7

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Thank You 2018

Platinum Sustaining Members

AgroLiquid

Brandt

Prospering the Farmer Through Responsible Nutrient Management

Leading Plant Health Innovation and Sustainability

Willowood USA LLC Manufacturer of Post Patent Crop Protection Products

Crop Science, a division of Bayer Science for a Better Life

Thank You 2018 Su DIAMOND LEVEL

CHROME LEVEL

Grow with Agrian BioFlora Nutures the Partnership between Plants and Soil

The Biopesticide Company

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Simply Sustainable. Always Effective.

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Bringing Plant Potential to Life

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OCTOBER 2018 | CAPCA ADVISER

Thank You 2018 Sustaining Members

SILVER LEVEL ADAMA

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AgroPlantae, Inc

Capturing Maximum Genetic Potential

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Relevant. Simple. Reliable.

Buttonwillow Warehouse Central Life Sciences The Ant Control Experts

Drexel Chemical Company Serving Growers Since 1972

EarthSol

Official Licensed Distributor of Seasol

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Sustainable Technology Solutions

J.G. Boswell Company Miller Chemical and Fertilizer

Serving Global Agriculture Through Committed People, Innovation and Quality Products

Nature Safe Natural & Organic Fertilizers The Natural Choice for Soil and Plant Nutrition

Nufarm Americas, Inc www.nufarm/com/US/Home

S.P. McClenahan, Inc 100 Years of Arboriculture

Suterra LLC

Making Your World a Better Place. Naturally.

Target Specialty Products www.target-specialty.com

Verdesian Life Sciences The Nutrient Use Efficiency People 92

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

BRONZE LEVEL

Actagro Ag 1 Source AG RX Agrinos, Inc Agro Logistic Systems, Inc Agroplasma, Inc Baicor, L.C. Bio Ag Services Corp Blue Mountian Minerals California Organic Fertilizers, Inc CDMS, Inc Deerpoint Group, Inc Dellavalle Laboratory, Inc Diversified Waterscapes Duarte Nursery, Inc HELM Agro US, Inc Hortau, Inc Hydrite Chemical Interstate Ag Plastics Isagro USA JCS Marketing Jet Harvest Solutions Key Plex Magna Bon II Monsanto Crop Protection Motomco Nature's Source North Valley Ag Services Nutrient Technologies, Inc OHP, Inc Organic Ag Products Pacific Biocontrol Corporation Polymer Ag LLC PowWow Energy Wonderful Nurseries Precision Laboratories Zenith Insurance Company Produce Careers, Inc Ratto Bros. Inc Rotam North American San Joaquin Grower Services Solutions 4Earth Spectrum Technologies SQM North America STK Bio-ag Technologies Symborg, Inc Taminco US LLC Terra Aerial Drone Services The Morning Star Packing Co Tiger-Sul Products, LLC Van Beurden Insurance Svcs Western Region Certified Crop Advisers

OCTOBER 2018 | CAPCA ADVISER

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES NOTE: Some of the following job opportunities may be abbreviated postings. To view the complete posting, please log into your membership access on our website at https://capca.com/my-account/ Market Manager 3 Firebaugh SGS AB – Firebaugh, California JR Simplot Company

Summary: This position provides Sales and Marketing leadership, direction and management for locations across an agronomic growing area or within specifically designated key strategic geographies for Simplot Grower Solutions. This position’s primary responsibility will be to focus efforts on recruiting, training and developing the success of Crop Advisors and promoting the ITA platform. Requirements: AG retail experience is a must and must have managed people before in previous work experience. Knowledge of the local agriculture industry; agronomic sales, procurement and logistics systems; of crop nutrition, crop protection, technology, specialty and seed product offerings. Ability to effectively manage people and assets within the context of a diverse and growing agronomic marketplace. Apply: Visit www.simplot.com/careers Select Job Search > Current Opportunities > All Open Positions > Apply to Job ID#5674

Pest Control Adviser – Visalia, California Nutrien Ag Solutions

Summary: Visalia, CA Nutrien Ag Solutions has an immediate opening for an experienced PCA. With high earning potential, full benefits and a 401k plan that is second to none, experienced candidates should not pass on this opportunity. Requirements: Sells company products and services. Maintains sales programs within assigned territory/accounts. Responsible for meeting annual sales goals and monitoring competitive activity and trends. Knowledge of product features, benefits, and use. Initiates trials that will support marketing efforts. Interprets soil, tissue, and water analysis as well as researches and responds to technical inquiries. Develops proprietary fertilizer formulations. Minimum 5-7 years of sales experience, valid PCA License and agricultural based degree desired. Valid driver's license. Apply: Send resumes to Breanna.Errotabere@nutrien.com or apply online, www.nutrienagsolutions.com/careers and search “Visalia”

Product Manager – Fresno through Bakersfield, CA Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC

Summary: Plans, organizes, supervises and provides leadership to achieve the Division's short-range and long-range business development objectives related to commercially branded products as they relate to overall company strategy. Must primarily perform office or non-manual work directly related to management policies or general business operations. Requirements: Promotes sales of Helena products in the Fresno through Bakersfield Area. Trains and coaches sales force and management in Helena Branded products to enable the salespeople and management to market the Helena Brand. Assists salespersons in conducting sales meeting with customers within area on Helena Branded products. Provides input for advertising Helena Branded products and works up literature that is needed for product promotion programs. B.S. degree in Ag plus 3 years’ experience in agri-chemical business. Apply: Email resume to either Stuebnerp@helenaagri.com or romeroa@helenaagri.com.

Sales Manager – Porterville, California Nutrien Ag Solutions

Summary: The primary focus is overseeing the sales and marketing at the Nutrien Ag Solutions facility. This position includes the coordination of supporting resources for personnel, and maintaining compliance to Nutrien Ag Solutions credit, safety, and regulatory policies. Competitive salarydependent on experience; performance based bonus opportunity; excellent benefits including a company vehicle. Requirements: Defines facility sales pricing philosophy. Uses company resources to promote services beneficial to customer. Sets annual sales goals with each crop consultant. Develops and promotes new and unique products and services. Coordinates ordering of fertilizers, seeds and chemicals. Forecasts and budgets for facility profitability. Other duties as assigned. Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in the Ag Business, with a track record in sales, marketing, or branch management. Applicant should have experience with crops, pesticides, and fertilizers in the current market Apply: Visit www.nutrienagsolutions.com/careers and search “Porterville”

Area Sales Manager Pro Products AB – Southern California JR Simplot Company - ProProducts

Summary: The J.R. Simplot Company is a diverse, privately held organization, with roots firmly planted in agriculture and agriculture-related businesses. These endeavors have been around for centuries and will continue to be a vital part of the global economy. We currently have an Area Sales Manager position available for the Southern CA region in our Pro Products Division. Requirements: Bachelor's Degree from 4-year college or university. Ten plus years related experience and/or training. In depth knowledge of Simplot/ BEST and or Apex products, as well as assigned area turfgrass and or nursery market. Understanding of the complexity of distribution marketing. Sales skills, organizational skills and the ability to delineate and share these with others. Excellent customer service and communication skills are essential. The ability to develop relationships with key distributor personnel influencing sales of Best and or Apex Fertilizer. Apply: Visit www.simplot.com/careers Select Job Search > Current Opportunities > All Open Positions > Apply to Job ID#5600 █

CAPCA ADVISER | OCTOBER 2018

Date

10/1/18 10/2/18 10/2/18 10/2/18 10/10/18 10/10/18 10/10/18 10/14/18 10/15/18 10/16/18 10/16/18 10/19/18 10/23/18 10/23/18 10/24/18 10/25/18 10/30/18 11/5/18 11/6/18 11/6/18 11/6/18 11/9/18 11/13/18 11/14/18 11/14/18 11/14/18 11/14/18 11/15/18 11/30/18 12/5/18 12/6/18 12/11/18 12/12/18 12/17/18 12/18/18

Title

Ag CE 1 E Sisk. Pesticide Use Mo. Update PAPA QAC/QAL Test Prep Ag CE 2 PAPA QAC/QAL Test Prep Tree & Landscape IPM Pepper Weevil & Other Pests of Bell Peppers CAPCA Conference & Agri-Expo - Sunday CAPCA Conference & Agri-ExpoMonday CAPCA Conference & Agri-ExpoTuesday Ag CE 2 Glenn IPM Breakfast Proper Use & Application of Crop Protection Chemicals Ag CE 2 Proper Use & Application of Crop Protection Chemicals Proper Use & Application of Crop Protection Chemicals Ag CE 2 Invasive Shothole Borer/Fusarium Disease Complex E Sisk. Pesticide Use Mo. Update Ag CE 2 CE Course PCA Breakfast Meeting Ag CE 2 PAPA QAC/QAL Test Prep BioNatural Healing College Prof. Hort. Seminar UCR Fumigation School 2-day Course Label Update Meeting Annual Worker Safety Training SD CAPCA Laws & Regulations PAPA QAC/QAL Test Prep Pesticide Handler: Instructor of Trainers Pesticide Handler: Instructor of Trainers CE Course BioNatural Healing College

Location

Fresno Merrill, OR Indio Fresno Bakersfield Fairfield

Breen Professional & CE Siskiyou Ag Dept PAPA Breen Professional & CE PAPA Wilbur Ellis

Breen, Troy Smith, James Faver, Amanda Breen, Troy Faver, Amanda Adam, Stan

(661)864-9160 (530)841-4402 (831)442-3536 (661)864-9160 (831)442-3536 (916)991-4451

Phone

Hrs

Indio

Riverside Co Ag

Arias, Ruben

(951)312-7892

Anaheim

CAPCA

Strowbridge, Dee

(916)928-1625

Anaheim

CAPCA

Strowbridge, Dee

(916)928-1625

6.5

Anaheim

CAPCA

Strowbridge, Dee

(916)928-1625

4.5

Pismo Beach Orland

Breen Professional & CE UCANR

Breen, Troy Symmes, Emily

(661)864-9160 (530)538-7201

10 1.5

Spreckels

Nutrien Ag

Saldivar, Albert

(831)809-0053

El Centro

Breen Professional & CE

Breen, Troy

(661)864-9160

Spreckels

Nutrien Ag

Saldivar, Albert

(831)809-0053

Spreckels

Nutrien Ag

Saldivar, Albert

(831)809-0053

Manteca

Breen, Troy

(661)864-9160

Lahaie, Jerri

(706)340-5916

Merrill, OR Woodland Verdi, NV Santa Rosa Calistoga Petaluma Pomona Bonita

Breen Professional & CE Society of Municipal Arborists Siskiyou Ag Dept Breen Professional & CE CTN SoCo Winegrape Comm Breen Professional & CE PAPA BioNatural Healing Coll Ed Brainard

Smith, James Breen, Troy Kezar, Tommy Cappelloni, Dana Breen, Troy Faver, Amanda Sidiqi, Nadir Brainard, Ed

(530)841-4402 (661)864-9160 (512)829-5114 (707)522-5851 (661)864-9160 (831)442-3536 (909)568-4150 (619)938-0915

2 10 6 2 10 7 7 5.5

Riverside

Agri Turf Dist

Selsted, Paula

(831)345-5899

9.5

Fresno North Hollywood Escondido Sacramento

CAPCA Agri-Turf Dist CAPCA PAPA

Barber, Greg Selsted, Paula Vander Mey, Bryan Faver, Amanda

(559)824-4045 (831)345-5899 (760) 715-8083 (831)442-3536

7 4 4 7

Oroville

AgSafe

Kiehn, Theresa

(209)526-4400

Oroville

AgSafe

Kiehn, Theresa

(209)526-4400

Las Vegas, NV Pomona

CTN BioNatural Healing Coll

Kezar, Tommy Sidiqi, Nadir

(512)829-5114 (909)568-4150

6 7

Irvine

Sponsor

Contact

OCTOBER 2018 | CAPCA ADVISER

10 2 7 10 7 6

Higher Almond Yields with Luna

Luna Sensation® | Luna Experience®

From bloom to harvest Luna® fungicide protects almonds from

8 major diseases to improve plant health and ensure higher almond yields season after season.

How It Works

PRAY AT BLOOM FOR BEST RESULTS AT HARVEST.

LUNA® OUT-YIELDS IN PERFORMANCE TRIALS Merivon® by +251 lbs./A average

Luna® is a breakthrough systemic fungicide with uniform uptake after application, allowing it to effectively enter the buds, blooms and new tissue where disease hides. Make Luna a cornerstone of your fungicide program to control eight almond diseases for long-term tree health.

Protection Means Proﬁts

Pristine® by +110 lbs./A average

Luna® out-yields Merivon® by more than 251 lbs./A.

+251 lbs. = an additional Merivon 3,102

3,353

2,778

SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER (AROUND BLOOM TIME) IS WHEN MOST DISEASES OCCUR.

Scab

Jacket Rot

Cladosporium carpophilum

Botrytis cinerea

Shothole

Hull Rot

Wilsonomyces carpophilus

Rhizopus spp. Monilinia spp.

Colletotrichum acutatum

Monilinia laxa

Alternaria Leaf Spot Alternaria alternata

Luna out-yields Pristine® by more than 110 lbs./A.

+110 lbs. = an additional

$ 351/A

*Source: Average yield gain in dollars per pound based on California Agricultural Statistics Review, 2014–2015 2014–2015, California Department of Food and Agriculture, page 81.

Anthracnose

Brown Rot Blossom Blight

$ 800/A

Pristine 2,668

8 DISEASES Almond Leaf Rust Tranzschelia discolor

THAT IMPACT ALMOND TREE HEALTH & YIELD

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW LUNA CAN HELP YIELD ABUNDANT HARVESTS AT LUNAFUNGICIDES.COM. © 2018 Bayer CropScience LP, 2 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, Luna, Luna Experience, and Luna Sensation are registered trademarks of Bayer. Pristine and Merivon are registered trademarks of BASF Corporation. Not all products are registered for use in all states. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.CropScience.Bayer.us.