Spring is a crucial time for almond growers, as they need to protect their trees from pests and diseases that can reduce yield and quality. One of the most important practices is spring insecticide spray, which can help control various insects that attack almond blossoms, leaves, and nuts. In this blog post, we will discuss why, when, and how to apply insecticide spray in your almond orchard.
Why spring insecticide spray?
Insect pests can cause considerable damage to almond trees in spring, especially during bloom and nut development stages. Some of the common pests that affect almonds in spring are:
- Navel orangeworm (NOW): This is the most serious pest of almonds, as it can infest nuts and cause kernel damage, mold growth, and aflatoxin contamination. NOW caterpillars feed on the nutmeat and create holes that allow secondary pests and pathogens to enter. NOW adults emerge from overwintering sites in spring and lay eggs on mummy nuts or new crop nuts.
- Peach twig borer (PTB): This pest feeds on young shoots and leaves, causing branch dieback and growth. PTB larvae can also bore into developing nuts and cause direct damage or entry points for fungal infections.
- Leaffooted bug: This pest sucks sap from developing nuts and causes them to shrivel, drop, or become discolored. Leaffooted bug adults overwinter in protected areas and migrate to almond orchards in spring when nuts begin to size.
- San Jose scale: This pest infests twigs, branches, and fruit of almond trees and reduces their vigor and productivity. San Jose scale produces a sticky substance called honeydew that attracts ants and promotes sooty mold growth. San Jose scale crawlers emerge from under the protective scales in spring and move to new feeding sites.
Spraying insecticides in spring will help to reduce the pest populations and orchard damage. Spring insecticide spray will also prevent further infestations later in the season.
Spring insecticide spray timing
The timing of insecticide spray depends on the pest you are targeting and the phenological stage of your almond trees. You should monitor your orchard regularly for pest presence and activity using traps or visual inspections. You should also consider the weather conditions, as rain, wind, or temperature can affect the effectiveness and safety of insecticide spray applications.
Here are some general guidelines for insecticide spray timing in spring:
- Navel orangeworm: Perform the first spray at petal fall or soon after. That’s when most of the flowers have dropped and the nuts are exposed. The second spray follows about four weeks later, depending on the pest pressure and degree day accumulation.
- Peach twig borer: Apply first spray at pink bud stage, when the buds begin to show pink color. A second spray may be needed at full bloom or petal fall, depending on the pest pressure and degree day accumulation.
- Leaffooted bug: The first spray for this bug should be applied when the nuts reach 1/4 inch (6 to 8 mm) in diameter. That is usually around late April or early May. A second spray may be needed about two weeks later, depending on the pest pressure and degree day accumulation.
- San Jose scale: The first spray for San Jose scale should be applied at delayed dormant stage, when the buds are swollen but not yet open. A second spray may be needed at full bloom or petal fall, depending on the pest pressure and degree day accumulation.
How to spray insecticides in spring
The choice of insecticide product, rate, and volume depends on several factors. Factors such as the pest you are targeting, the phenological stage of your almond trees, the label recommendations, and the environmental regulations. You should always read and follow the label instructions carefully before applying any insecticide product.
Some of the common insecticide products used for almond pests in spring are:
- Pyrethroids: These are synthetic compounds that mimic the natural insecticides found in chrysanthemum flowers. They have a broad spectrum of activity against many insects, including NOW, PTB, leaffooted bug, and San Jose scale. They are inexpensive and have a long residual effect. They can also cause resistance development in some pests if used repeatedly.
- Organophosphates: These are synthetic compounds that interfere with the nervous system of insects. They have a broad spectrum of activity against many insects, including NOW, PTB, leaffooted bug, and San Jose scale. They are relatively inexpensive and have a moderate residual effect. They can also cause resistance development in some pests if used repeatedly.
- Spinosyns: These are natural compounds derived from soil bacteria that affect the nervous system of insects. They have a narrow spectrum of activity against some insects, including NOW and PTB. They are expensive and have a short residual effect. They have a minimal risk of resistance development in pests if used sensibly.
- Neonicotinoids: These are synthetic compounds that act on the nicotinic receptors of insects. They have a broad spectrum of activity against some insects, including leaffooted bug and San Jose scale. They are relatively expensive and have a long residual effect. They can also cause resistance development in some pests if used repeatedly.
The rate and volume of insecticide spray depends on the product label, the pest pressure, the tree size, and the spray equipment. You should use enough spray product and water to cover the entire canopy of your almond trees uniformly and thoroughly.
AgNote for spray application tracking
AgNote is a cloud-based farm management software that lets you easily and accurately record, monitor, and analyze your spray applications. One of the major features in AgNote is spray tracking. You can use your smartphone, tablet, or computer to enter data, view maps, generate reports and share information with your team. AgNote helps you optimize your spray efficiency, reduce costs, comply with regulations, and improve your crop quality. With AgNote, you can take your spray management to the next level. Try AgNote today and see the difference!
Conclusion
Spraying insecticides in spring is an important practice for almond growers, as it can help protect their trees from pests and diseases that can reduce yield and quality. However, insecticide spray should be used as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) program, which combines various methods such as cultural, biological, and mechanical control to reduce pest populations and damage. By using IPM, you can optimize your pest management decisions, minimize your environmental impact, and maximize your economic returns.
