Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/307101
48 MAY 15, 2014 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com New SWD trap T récé, Inc., has developed a high- performance lure and trap for spot- ted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) that went on the market this sea- son. It is based on chemical attractants identifi ed by U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers over the past three years. The Pherocon SWD Dual-Lure provides signifi cantly higher and earlier capture of the insect than natural baits currently in use. It also captures fewer nontarget insects when used with a neutral drowning solution (such as anti- freeze or soapy water). The controlled release lure lasts up to 30 days. Nonchemical water conditioning H ydroFlow is a nonchemical water conditioning method that is used in the tree fruit industry to remove scale from apples and equipment and to kill bacteria and algae in water ponds and packing house fl umes. The technology, which employs elec- trical currents, was developed in England, where the equipment is manufactured today under the trade name Hydropath. The conditioner is installed on the water line. When dissolved calcium and bicar- bonate ions crystallize, they form cal- cium carbonate (lime scale), carbon dioxide, and water. According to infor- mation from MBI Water Solutions LLC, distributor of HydroFlow in the Pacifi c Northwest, this process can be reversed by the Hydropath signal, which promotes the formation of crystals in the water and releases carbon dioxide, which combines with the scale, releasing the ions back into the water, thus dissolving existing scale as well as preventing further build-up. Hydropath also controls bacteria and algae by applying a charge that causes water to enter the bacteria by osmosis and burst the bacterial cells, according to HydroFlow. For more information, check the website at www.hydrofl ow-usa.com or e-mail sales@ hydrofl ow-usa.com. Cherry packing technology in California T wo northern California cherry packers are using new grading and sorting technol- ogy for the 2014 cherry season. Both held open houses in April to show off the new equipment to growers and industry members. Rivermaid Trading Company in Lodi installed a GP Graders Air Jet Defect Grader on a 40-lane cherry line, the largest ever installed by GP Graders, a company from Australia. The Air Jet grader uses optical technol- ogy and Ellips software to grade and size cherries for defects, softness, size, and color. The line includes a twin feed submersible dumper, new style cluster cut- ters, hydro-cooling shower conveyors, a 40-lane defect grader, and 36 exits. Rivermaid plans to process 26 tons per hour with the new line, according to a news release. O-G Packing unveiled its new 72-lane optical cherry sorting system in April, claimed to be the largest cherry sorting system in the United States, according to a news release. Unitec's Cherry_Vision optical sorting technol- ogy, which allows nondestructive detection of internal and external quality, was fi rst installed at O-G Packing last year and covered 40 lanes. The packing house added sorting capacity to 32 lanes this year. Unitec S.p.A. is from Italy. To learn more, visit http://eng.unitec-group.com and www.gpgraders.com. Tours of the GP Graders machine at Rivermaid are available by contacting Taylor Thompson at taylor@gpgraders.com. Merivon labeled in New York M erivon fungicide has been registered for use on pome and stone fruit in New York. In fi eld trials, it has controlled diseases such as apple scab and pow- dery mildew in pome fruit and brown rot in stone fruits, according to information from the manufacturer, BASF. The active ingredients are equal parts of F500 and xemium. F500 is also the active ingredient in the fungi- cide Pristine. For more information, check the website www.agproducts.basf.us/products/merivon-fungicide. html. A selection of the latest products and services for tree fruit and grape growers. GOOD STUFF goodfruit.com The essential resource for growers. Melissa Hansen Associate Editor