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 - 30 October 2019
By Kevin Dodds (NSW DPI)

Do I have Primary Scab infection? ……and what does this mean for my Summer-Autumn spray program?

Black spot otherwise known as apple and pear scab (caused by the fungal pathogens Venturia inequalis and V.pirina), survives through Winter as spore bodies mostly on fallen leaves under your trees. In pears, the disease might also overwinter on infected shoots. In Spring during rainfall events, these spore bodies release …
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black spot, scab

Diseases

published - 23 October 2019
By Emily Crawford (Agriculture Victoria)

IPDM orchard walks Spring 2019

Renowned entomologist and IPDM specialist David Williams, together with local experts, will run IPDM orchard walks this Spring.
The sessions will be held on case study IPDM orchards in each state and be a chance to see what IPDM strategies have been implemented and how well they have worked.
The sessions will …
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case study orchards, orchard walks, workshops

Case Study Orchards, Home

published - 18 October 2019
By David Williams (Agriculture Victoria)

Codling Moth emergence

Codling moth larvae will be breaking diapause, pupating and then emerging as adult moths over the next few months. It is important to note that codling moth has a back up plan in case warm winters affect flowering of their host trees. Some moths (the first cohort) will start emerging …
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codling moth, codling moth emergence

Pests

No Black Spot Warning (Queensland only) 15th October 2019

Rain last night did not cause a black spot infection period. Rainfall was apparently very patchy across the Granite Belt but significant falls of 4-6 mm occurred. The rain fell from around 2.30 a.m. and despite the early morning fog, leaves were dry by 10.00 a.m. It is doubtful that …
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black spot, grower alert, warning

Diseases, Home, QLD

published - 12 October 2019
By Peter Nimmo (Queensland Dept Agriculture and Fisheries)

Black Spot Warning 11 October 2019

Rain this morning Friday, 11 October, has triggered a black spot ascospore release in most orchards across the district. Apple leaves remained wet well into the afternoon with further rain on the horizon. Pozieres, Cottonvale and Thulimbah orchards have a higher risk of sustained leaf wetness, with orchards to the …
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black spot

Diseases

published - 9 October 2019
By David Williams (Agriculture Victoria)

Grower Alert for Southern States: ADB and Thrips

Apple dimpling bugs and thrips have been reported in high numbers in Granite Belt orchards in Queensland. The area is suffering from drought and the insects are probably concentrating on fruit trees because there are few other sources of flowers available to them.
Growers in southern orchards should begin monitoring for …
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ADB, apple dimpling bug, grower alert, thrips

Pests

published - 1 October 2019
By Dr Jacqueline Edwards (Plant Pathologist, Agriculture Victoria)

Botryosphaeria

Failed graft union in a young apple tree and Botryosphaeria was diagnosed as the cause (Photo: J Edwards, DJPR)
Many trees and shrubs can be attacked by fungi and bacteria that cause cankers that lead to dieback. Cankers are lesions in the bark of the trunk (stem), branches or twigs and …
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Botryosphaeria, fungi, tree wounds

Diseases

published - 23 September 2019
By David Williams (Agriculture Victoria) and Emily Crawford (Agriculture Victoria)

Cost of Biologicals versus Chemicals

Many growers ask the question: What is the cost per hectare for treatment for a pest such as mites? Are chemicals or biological control agents more expensive?
To answer that question we need to explore what is meant by “expensive”. The initial purchase price for biocontrol agents may be more than …
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beneficials, biocontrols

Beneficials, Useful Tools

published - 18 September 2019
By Emily Crawford (Agriculture Victoria) and Russell Fox (IK Caldwell)

In a dry spring, plan for Powdery

In a dry Spring when spraying for Black Spot is unlikely to occur, it’s important to plan for Powdery Mildew.
Especially in new varieties of apples, more Powdery Mildew is being seen and it tends not to russet as much as in older varieties.
Look out for signs of powdery mildew in …
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pink, powdery mildew

Diseases

published - 10 September 2019
By Dr Stephen Quarrell (University of Tasmania)

Think Pollination

As the 2019 production season draws closer it’s time to think pollination. By now you should already have had or are having discussions with your beekeeper about your pollination requirements for this season including the number of hives, the hive’s strength (number of bees per hive) and their position(s) in …
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bees, pollination

Beneficials, Weeds

published - 3 September 2019
By Jessica Fearnley (NSW DPI) and Emily Crawford (Agriculture Victoria)

Benefits of Cover Cropping

Cover cropping (or vegetation in orchard inter-rows) helps to increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure, combat soil compaction and improve nutrient availability. Cover crops can also support integrated pest management in orchards as they provide pollen (food) and habitat for natural predators and parasitoids. A mixed species inter-row sward …
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beneficial predators, cover crop, inter row, mowing, weeds

Weeds

published - 13 August 2019
By Paul James (Lenswood Co-operative)

Birds, Bats and Other Animal Problems

Australia’s apple and pear growing areas are located in several diverse regions throughout the country. Each of these regions has its own indigenous (and introduced) species of plants, animals and birds. Most of these species are not a problem for orchardists and can often be beneficial but there are several …
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bats, birds, cockatoos, flying fox, kangaroos, lorikeets, netting, noise control devices, rosellas, scaring devices, wallabies

Pests