Cultural Management Library
A new research paper explores nocturnal pollination of ‘Hass’ avocado trees and the presence of nocturnal insects that may play a role in pollination. The paper, entitled “Low Overnight Temperatures Associated with a Delay in ‘Hass’ Avocado (Persea americana) Female Flower Opening, Leading to Nocturnal Flowering,” is based on observations by researchers in New Zealand.
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The following article summarizes how to identify fire damage symptoms in a California avocado grove, how to document that damage, how growers can modify irrigation and pruning after fire damage and the importance of protecting fire-damaged trees from sun damage.
California law requires that employers address workplace hazards in order to protect their employees. With recent temperatures and humidity soaring, it is important that employers take special precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses from occurring
For groves affected by excessive heat, it's important California avocado growers assess the damage to the trees and then take the necessary precautions to limit further damage.
Presentations materials focusing on the polyphagous shot hole borer and Kuroshio Shot Hole Borer are now available.
Growers are reminded to be vigilant about surveying their trees and other known host species on or near their property for signs of the polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) beetle.
Freezing temperatures can cause fruit loss and even tree damage in California’s avocado growing regions. In the event of a freeze or snowfall, here are some key points to remember as you assess the damage in your grove.
After a freeze, California avocado growers should look for the following indicators of freeze damage:
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Since the discovery of polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) in commercial avocado groves in San Diego County, Commission staff have been working with researchers and impacted industry members to communicate critical information to limit the spread of the pest complex. While efforts to identify possible chemical control materials continue, grove sanitation measures constitute the primary activity growers can undertake to further limit the spread of the beetle/fungus complex.
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Although the polyphagous shot hole borer has been present in California since 2003, it was not until 2012 that PSHB, and fungi associated with PSHB, were recognized as potential threats to California avocado growers. Dr. Richard Stouthamer’s lab at the University of California Riverside (UCR) discovered that beetle samples from Vietnam had identical DNA fingerprints to the California PSHB beetle indicating that Vietnam was the most likely origin of the California pest.
As growers and pest control advisors plan their arthropod pest management program for 2014, they should consider the consequences of pesticide resistance that would make pest management problematic in the future.