Australian Apple and Pear IPDM

Independent, expert advice on integrated pest and disease management

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Case Study Orchards

IPDM tools

Pests

Diseases

Weeds

published - 19 March 2020
By David Williams (Agriculture Victoria) and Allan McWaters (QLD DAF)

Bitter Rot (Glomerella)

Bitter Rot (Glomerella) is a disease mostly only found in apples and symptoms mostly develop as the fruit approaches maturity. The rot starts as small light brown circular spots that rapidly enlarge to form saucer shaped depressions. Under humid conditions gelatinous salmon pink masses of spores may be produced on …
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Bitter Rot, Glomerella

Diseases

published - 12 March 2020
By David Williams (Agriculture Victoria)

Fall Armyworm

It’s important that apple and pear growers do not panic about Fall Armyworm. Although apples and pears have been listed as a host, information from North America suggests that it is unlikely to be a major problem for orchards.
Fall Armyworm (Male) (Photo: Lyle J.Buss, University of Florida)
Fall Armyworm (Female) (Photo: …
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fall armyworm

Home, Pests

published - 11 March 2020
By Emily Crawford (Agriculture Victoria)

Controlling codling moth with parasitoid wasp

David Williams summarises the findings from his research project on the parasitoid wasp Mastrus ridens as a biocontrol agent for codling moth:

Further information:
See our other article Advances in Controlling Codling Moth in orchards

codling moth, mastrus wasp, parasitoid wasp

Beneficials

published - 10 March 2020
By Emily Crawford (Agriculture Victoria)

Is netting worth the investment?

Netting brings many benefits, but costs can be prohibitive. A panel discussion at the APAL Grower Update hears from growers on how they made the business case to invest:

netting

Resources

published - 4 March 2020
By Emily Crawford (Agriculture Victoria)

Securing pollination through revegetation

Dr Katya Hogendoorn discusses how growers can harness the pollination services provided by native and feral honey bees using strategic floralistic support at the APAL Grower Update:

bees, pollination, revegetation

Beneficials

published - 4 March 2020
By Emily Crawford (Agriculture Victoria)

Pollination under netting – Learnings from NZ

At the APAL Grower Update, Dr Lisa Evans discussed honey bees and how their behaviour can be affected under netting – focussing on her study in New Zealand kiwi orchards and the implications for apple production. She explores several management strategies to mitigate the effects of netting.

bees, pollination under netting

Beneficials

published - 26 February 2020
By Emily Crawford (Agriculture Victoria) and Alison Matthew (DPIRD WA)

Looking for Loopers

When monitoring for Loopers, the first thing David Williams does when he walks into a block is have a look at the trees.
“If I can see insect dropping on leaves and a few chewed leaves, I stand still and quiet, letting only my peripheral vision watch for movement. You’re a …
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Loopers, monitoring

Pests, Resources

published - 23 February 2020
By David Williams (Agriculture Victoria) and Melly Pandher (Agriculture Victoria)

Interested in starting IPM in your orchard? Here is how you can…..

Australian Pome fruit orchardists vary in their tolerance of fruit damage and appearance of the fruit. The most important measure of success is the marketable yield per hectare. This is defined as the number of cartons or number of kilograms of fruit that meet or exceed the market standards for …
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IPDM, IPDM monitoring, IPM

Resources

published - 20 February 2020
By Dr Stephen Quarrell (University of Tasmania)

Earwigs: ugly critters we should learn to love

Earwigs, everyone knows them, but most people hate them. That said, they are probably one of the best predators in your orchard!
Why are they so good? There are several reasons, in scientific IPM jargon they are what’s called a localised omnivorous predator. What the hell does that mean? The localised …
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beneficial predators, codling moth, earwigs, LBAM, wooly aphid

Beneficials, Pests

published - 13 February 2020
By Emily Crawford (Agriculture Victoria)

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

The brown marmorated stink bug is an exotic plant pest that is a high priority for Australia. This economically damaging pest that could attack over 300 types of fruit, ornamental trees and vegetable crops and become a real nuisance for households.
Arguably the most important action growers can take is simply …
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Brown marmorated stink bug, exotic pest

Pests

published - 6 February 2020
By Alison Mathews (DPIRD WA)

Western fruit moth or light brown apple moth

Pheromone traps are commonly used to monitor for lightbrown apple moth (LBAM). In Western Australia another species, western fruit moth (WFM), occurs. While these species are almost indistinguishable in appearance it is critically important to know which pest is present in your orchard to decide which pheromone to use. The …
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LBAM, light brown apple moth, Western Australia, western fruit moth(WFM)

Pests

published - 28 January 2020
By Alison Mathews (DPIRD WA)

Apple Scab in WA and fungicide resistance

Andrew Taylor of DPIRD spoke about apple scab and fungicide resistance at the recent Apple and Pear IPDM field day in Manjimup, Western Australia. Andrew, in collaboration with Curtin University, recently completed a project that collected scab samples from a number of orchards in various apple growing areas around the …
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apple scab, fungicide resistance, WA

Diseases, Resources