BIOPEST® in Orchards

Orchard practices continue to change significantly with updated application technologies, removal of broad-spectrum insecticides, the increased use of foliar fertilisers and export markets requiring IPM production practices. Agrion Crop Solutions continue to invest heavily in research to keep abreast of these changes and provide BIOPEST® users with the best advice around product usage. Over the last 18 months Agrion Crop Solutions have conducted field work investigating the following;

• Proving crop safety of  BIOPEST® with foliar fertilisers in citrus.
• Evaluating BIOPEST® for control of mites’ mid-season in almonds.
• Evaluating BIOPEST® for gall wasp control in citrus.
• Proving crop safety of BIOPEST® in standard insecticide programs in avocados and macadamias.

BIOPEST® Use in IPM Programs – Timing is Key

When using BIOPEST® for pest control, the following guidelines should be followed to maximise pest control and minimise the risk of crop damage.

1. Targeting the correct pest stage is crucial
   Applications to control scale should be made when the 1st instar or crawler stage are visible. Controlling ants at the same time is critical for optimal results (see Figure 1). Set pest thresholds, monitor and spray when necessary (see Table 1 for optimal pest timing). Consider multiple applications if required.
2. Coverage is crucial
   Use high water volumes with air assist to ensure thorough coverage through the canopy. Water rates should reflect the type of equipment being used and the tree size, to get optimal coverage (see Figure 2). In addition, regular calibration of spray equipment is necessary to ensure correct application. BIOPEST™ is registered for multiple applications from 0.25% – 0.6% and for single applications from 0.5 – 1%. Water volumes vary – for small to medium trees (up to 3m) of 2000 – 8000L/ha and for large trees (3m+), 8000 -15,000L/ha.
3. Avoid spraying stressed trees
   BIOPEST® should be applied to well-watered and non-stressed trees where temperatures are not expected to exceed 35C within 24 hours of application. Rapid drying of the leafsurface under ideal temperature and humidity conditions will minimise the risk of phyto-toxicity (see Figure 3).
4. Compatibility
   BIOPEST® has been tested for both crop safety and physical compatibility with a large range of products including foliar fertilisers (see Table 1). Field research conducted in 2014 and 2015 has shown BIOPEST® to be safe to apply with both copper and zinc foliar fertilisers. BIOPEST™ is safe to apply to trees at rates of up to 1% in mixtures with copper up to 16g/L. However, using copper during flowering can cause petal fall (see Figure 4). As fertiliser rates vary between states, refer to the foliar fertiliser’s label for correct use rates prior to application. In addition, BIOPEST™ has been shown to be safe to apply to trees at up to 1% with 2% calcium nitrate (see Figure 5). For further information on the latest compatibility data, contact Agrion Crop Solutions.

Gall WASP Management in 2016

Recent trials conducted by Agrion Crop Solutions over the 2015/16 summer have shown the benefits of BIOPEST™ in controlling gall wasp in citrus (see Graph 1 & Figure 6). In this work, 3 weekly applications of BIOPEST™ at 0.6% in 10,000L/Ha of water applied in Spring proved more effective than Actara in reducing gall wasp damage.

References

• AgWA Bulletin Nc 4313 ‘Orchard Pest and Disease Management Guide’.
• Smith et al (1997) ‘Citrus Pests and their Natural Enemies’.