Pear, Soft Pesticide Test, 1991

Abstract

Abstract 'Bartlett' and 'Anjou' pears were sprayed with handgun or airblast equipment to compare seasonal programs of soft pesticides for control of insect and mite pests of pear and survival of beneficial arthropods. Plots consisted of 3 30-tree replicates in 3-row blocks. An untreated check was also included in the randomized block design. PP adults, PP predators, and parasite, Trechnites insidiosus, densities were monitored by limb-taps. PP nymphs were counted on 50-leaf samples per replication. Samples for first generation nymphs were collected from fruiting spurs, those for second and subsequent generations were collected from growing shoots. The proximal leaf, distal leaf, and 3 leaves from the middle were picked from each of 10 shoots. Leaves were processed with a leaf brushing machine and PP nymphs and mites were counted on 20% of the resulting slides under 10 x magnification. Pest damage to fruit was determined by examining 50 fruit per replication at harvest. Fruit firmness, size, and soluble solids content were compared on 2 10-fruit samples per replication. Treatment histories for the 3 programs are presented in the table.