Sustained Chemical Control of Avocado Arthropod Pests
We have further refined methods for evaluating field populations of avocado thrips and persea mite for resistance to abamectin, spinetoram, and fenprothrin. It appears to us that abamectin resistance is evolving with both avocado thrips and persea mite but it has not proceeded far enough such that field failures are common – instead, one sees a shortening of field efficacy (for example, spring avocado thrips treatments used to control persea mite through the summer and fall in the Ventura region; most years it no longer does and a second treatment with a miticide is needed).
Foreign exploration for the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer and associated fungi in Viet Nam
The polyphagous shot hole borer (Euwallacea fornicatus) is an invasive species in California that has been present at least since 2003. Using DNA finger prints Dr. R. Stouthamer’s lab at UCR determined that the PSHB invading California shared a DNA finger print with the invasion that was taking place in Israel where this beetle/fungus combination caused severe damage to avocado. It was not until we received a large sample from Viet Nam that we found beetles having DNA fingerprints identical to ours, in addition to beetles with slight variants of the DNA finger print were found in Viet Nam was well, indicating that Viet Nam most likely belong to the native area of this beetle.
Survey for armored scales and their natural enemies on California avocados
Armored scales present on California avocados are under excellent biological control and rarely build to economic levels. This study is the first to determine which species of parasitoids attack these scales and the results are somewhat different than what we expected. The dominant parasitoids in California are 5 species of unidentified and poorly studied Signiphora wasps.
Management and resistance monitoring of avocado thrips and persea mite
The current CAC project over the 5-year period 2007-2012 focused on continuing to monitor for avocado thrips and persea mite resistance to abamectin and on developing pesticides in other classes of chemistry that could be used in rotation with abamectin; efficacy data were generated to support registration and working with pest control advisors (PCAs), we began to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each of these new products.
AVOCADO SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENT AND PRODUCTION COSTS AND PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS FOR VENTURA, SANTA BARBARA, AND SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES ORGANIC PRODUCTION PRACTICES
In this study, we provide up to date costs of establishment and production and profitability; benchmark indicators for evaluating the viability and sustainability of organic avocado production. This study is based on assumptions of organic avocado orchard establishment and production practices that are considered typical in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties and is based on 10 acres orchard. Data regarding production practices, inputs and prices was collected from growers, the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) farm advisor, agricultural institutions, and supply and equipment dealers.
AVOCADO SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENT AND PRODUCTION COSTS AND PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS FOR VENTURA, SANTA BARBARA AND SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES, CONVENTIONAL PRODUCTION PRACTICES
In this study, we provide up to date costs of establishment and production and profitability; benchmark indicators for evaluating the viability and sustainability of avocado production. This study is based on assumptions of orchard establishment and production practices that are considered typical in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties and is based on 20 acres orchard. Data regarding production practices, inputs and prices was collected from growers, the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) farm advisor, agricultural institutions, and supply and equipment dealers.
