Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/466321
12 MARCH 1, 2015 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com N ew York fruit growers may have found a more effective biocontrol tool for manag- ing plum curculio—and a new model that could be developed and used by growers elsewhere. The New York method involves seeding orchards with two species of nematodes that are native to the state and are able to survive and thrive year after year. Cornell University entomologist Dr. Art Agnello says the biocontrol method is not new. Growers can buy, from biologi- cal supply houses, the same two species of nematodes, but, past experience shows, they don't persist more than six months and have to be reapplied every year. But the native strains seem better adapted. One application could populate an orchard indefi nitely. Agnello says fellow Cornell entomol- ogist Dr. Elson Shields laid the groundwork. He was seeking—and found—a biological control for alfalfa snout beetle, which attacks alfalfa crops that dairy farmers use to feed their cows, and he began helping dairymen treat their alfalfa fi elds. Shields fi gured out how to gather a population of native New York nematodes and grow them. Now, BEETLE biocontrol For over 40 years, growers have been enjoying the fruits of our labor. At ProTree Nursery, experience has taught us to select the best varieties, graft only the highest quality rootstocks and grow hearty trees. As one of the leading suppliers of apple and cherry varieties to orchard growers, our customers have come to depend on our trees and our service. You can too, call us today. 10500 Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood, CA 94513 800.634.1671 or 925.634.2191 (Alison Clegg or Richard Chavez) 877.457.6901 (Henry Sanguinetti) Apples Aztec Fuji ® (DT-2 cv) Banning Red Fuji (USPP 16,624 P2) Blondee™ (USPP 19,007 McLaughlin cv) Buckeye ® Gala (USPP 10,840) Firestorm™ Honeycrisp Honeycrisp™ (USPP 7197) JonaStar JonaGold™ (USPP 20,590) September Wonder™ Fuji (USPP 11,193) Ultima™ Gala (USPP 13,753 P2) These apple varieties are available on B-118, BUD-10, EMLA-7, EMLA-26, EMLA-106, EMLA-111, G-30, M-9 (T-337), NIC ® -29, or Pajam #2. Cherries Benton™ Bing Black Tart BlackPearl ® Brooks™ BurgundyPearl ® Chelan™ Coral Champagne Cristalina™ EbonyPearl ® Lapins RadiancePearl ® Rainier Selah™ Skeena™ Sweetheart™ Tamora Tulare™ Vans Available on Colt, Gisela ® , Krymsk ® , Mahaleb, or Mazzard. * * Not all varieties are available on all rootstocks. Call for specific grafting information. M E M B E R O F w w w . p r o t r e e n u r s e r y. c o m Pest Management New research improves prospects of plum curculio control using nematodes. by Richard Lehnert