Peach Leaf Research Articles

Abundance and Consumption Rate of Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on Peaches and Plums

Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar), the glassy-winged sharpshooter, is a primary vector of phony peach and plum leaf scald diseases caused by Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. A survey of H. vitripennis on peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] varieties established that leafhopper abundances varied from 0–13 per tree. Prunus persica cvs. Flordaking and June Gold and Prunus salicina Lindl. (cvs. Methley and Santa Rosa) were then budded on each of 3 P. persica rootstocks (cvs. Aldrighi, Lovell and Nemaguard). Leafhopper abundance was monitored on each of the two scions budded on each rootstock and on non budded rootstocks over a 2-yr period. The genotypes were container-grown in Year 1 and were planted in the field in Year 2. For both years leafhopper abundance was greatest during early June and on Methley and Santa Rosa cultivars compared with the peach genotypes. The feeding rates of leafhoppers were substantially higher on plum scions than on peach scions, and nocturnal feeding rates were often higher than daytime feeding rates. Mean leafhopper feeding rates were correlated with leafhopper abundance on Prunus genotypes from 3–8 June in a quadratic manner (F = 53.8; df = 2,12; R2 = 0.90; P < 0.0001); the mean nighttime feeding rate was best correlated linearly to mean cumulative leafhopper abundance (F= 446.9; df = 1,13; R2 = 0.972; P < 0.0001).

Pretreatment technique for siderite removal for organic carbon isotope and C:N ratio analysis in geological samples

A method for the removal of siderite from geological samples to determine organic carbon isotope compositions using elemental analysis isotope ratio mass spectrometry is presented which includes calculations for % organic carbon in samples that contain diagenetic carbonate. The proposed method employs in situ acidification of geological samples with 6 N HCl and silver capsule sample holders and was tested on modern peach leaf samples (NIST 1547) and ancient lacustrine samples from Valles Caldera, New Mexico. The in situ acidification technique eliminates potential errors associated with the removal of soluble organic material using standard acid decanting techniques and allows for removal of the less soluble siderite, which is not efficiently removed using vapor acidification techniques.

Influence of Environmental Conditions on Spore Production and Budding in Taphrina deformans, the Causal Agent of Peach Leaf Curl

ABSTRACT Environment-controlled studies were carried out to determine the growth of Taphrina deformans under different conditions of temperature, humidity, and nutrient availability similar to those found on plant surfaces during the peach-growing season. Both ascospores and blastospores were able to bud at all temperatures tested (5 to 37 degrees C), with the optimum at 14 and 21 degrees C, respectively. Temperature <20 degrees C favored ascospore production and release, with the optimum at 10 degrees C. Budding was approximately two-and-a-half times higher in a film of water than on a dry substrate, with 100% relative humidity and blastospores also maintained a certain budding ability at lower humidity levels (minimum tested = 47%). Both spore types did not bud after approximately 50 to 55 h in the absence of external nutrients. In the presence of a periodically renewed carbon source, such as simple sugars, at concentrations that typically are present on peach plant surfaces, the fungus maintained its budding capability over time. Results showed that T. deformans is able to bud profusely under a wide range of environmental conditions that occur on peach tree surfaces. This work supports the hypothesis that T. deformans is a part of the normal epiphytic mycoflora of peach trees throughout the entire growing season.

Physiological and biochemical evolution of peach leaf buds during dormancy course under two contrasted temperature patterns

Budbreak anomalies in temperate fruit trees grown under mild conditions have often been described. However, only few authors approached the physiological evolution of leaf buds all along the dormancy period according to the temperature pattern. The aim of this study was to characterize the evolution of peach leaf bud dormancy through some physiological and biochemical parameters under temperate winter conditions and under total cold deprivation after the endodormancy onset. Two treatments were applied in peach trees cv. Redhaven: (i) Regular Chilling Amounts — RCA and (ii) Total Chilling Deprivation — TCD. Buds were sampled periodically from different parts of the stem (terminal, medium and basal ones). We recorded the evolution of: carbohydrate concentrations (glucose, fructose, sucrose, sorbitol and starch), respiration rate, water contents and energy metabolism (ATP and ADP ratio). The dynamics of these parameters were compared and correlated with dormancy evolution ("one node cuttings" test) and budbreak patterns in plank:. The endodormancy intensity of terminal buds was significantly lower than those of median and basal buds in early October. Under RCA treatment, this gradient faded and the bud endodormancy release was completed at the same time in all positions along the stem. Thereafter, the "cuttings" test indicated that terminal buds grew slightly faster than median and basal buds, and, consistently, budbreak in planta started with the terminals buds, followed by the medians and then by the basal ones. The carbohydrate contents showed a transitory change only when the buds began to grow after the endodormancy was released under RCA. Respiration, water content and ATP/ADP changed dynamics only under RCA and only after the end of the endodormancy (their respective changes were very parallel). The dynamics of none of the tested parameters could be related with the endodormancy dynamics, but respiration, water content and ATP/ADP could be consistent markers of the actual bud growth before bud break (in this respect, ATP/ADP could not show differences between the terminal and axillary buds while respiration and water content could).

A comparative survey, by expressed sequence tag analysis, of genes expressed in peach leaves infected with Plum pox virus (PPV) and free from PPV

Plum pox virus (PPV), genus Potyvirus, is a serious threat to the fruit and ornamental horticulture industry in Canada. Genomic resources of its natural hosts, Prunus spp., currently available to researchers studying PPV are very poor. Systematic sequencing of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) can be used as a discovery base for genes associated with PPV infection, replication, and symptom development. Here we describe the construction of two directional, size-selected cDNA libraries derived from PPV-infected and PPV-free peach leaves, and the generation of 3839 ESTs. Based on their partial sequences and putative functions, the ESTs are classified into 611 clusters and 1153 singletons. About 65.36% of the genes (2509 ESTs) show homology to genes from other organisms, and 34.64% of cDNAs (1330 ESTs) have no matches in the GenBank database. Comparison analyses suggest that genes involved in defence, cellular transport, development, protein synthesis, proteins with binding function in the PPV-infected peach leaf tissue are more active than those in PPV-free leaves. Moreover, a number of gene transcripts, including β-1,3- glucanase, cytochrome-P450-like protein, cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, heat-shock protein 70, thioredoxin, alcohol dehydrogenase, catalase, cysteine protease inhibitor, translation factor EF-1α, and pathogenesis-related protein (PR1) are highly prevalent only in the PPV-infected peach leaf. Consistent with results in several recent publications from other laboratories, our finding supports the view that positive-stranded viruses may elicit common responses in susceptible plants. The results of this study help better understand the molecular mechanisms associated with susceptibility to PPV disease in Prunus persica. and provide a studying point for the development of novel strategies to control the virus.

Direct detection of Taphrina deformans on peach trees using molecular methods

The ascomycetous fungus Taphrina deformans is the agent of peach leaf curl, a worldwide disease of peach potentially devastating to both crop yields and tree longevity. Conspicuous leaf curl symptoms result from the invasion of host tissue by the strictly parasitic mycelial phase of the T. deformans dimorphic life-cycle. Successful isolation of the fungus in pure culture is cumbersome and limited to late spring/early summer (time of ascospore discharge from infected leaves) and only rarely has the asymptomatic yeast phase been isolated from buds. Molecular methods, namely those based on the hybridisation of nucleic acids, are advantageous for diagnostic purposes since they do not require isolation of the fungus on culture media. Direct amplification using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) were tested for diagnosis of peach leaf curl disease in order to provide a fast and reliable method for disease risk assessment. Specific primers and probes were designed based on available ribosomal DNA sequence data. Positive and specific diagnoses of peach leaf curl were achieved with primer TDITS1, using PCR-detection, and probe TDE634, using FISH, both on infected leaves and in washings of asymptomatic peach buds.

Feeding and Oviposition Behavior of Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) on Peach Prunus persica L. in Puerto Rico

Peach cultivars are being evaluated for their adaptation to the conditions of the central region of Puerto Rico. The root weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.), a common insect pest in the area, is being previously reported on peach trees. With the purpose of evaluating the potential feeding damage that this insect might represent for future peach production, choice and no-choice tests were made with leaf discs (feeding) and leaf strips (oviposition) to determine adult feeding and oviposition behavior in comparison with `Navel' orange. Larval feeding behavior on the roots was studied on a peach rootstock and `Cleopatra' mandarin planted in 18.9-L containers. In the no-choice test, adults fed significantly more on `Navel' orange foliage than on peach foliage. In the choice test, adults preferred to feed on `Navel' orange leaf discs. Oviposition occurred on both peach cultivars tested, but more egg masses were laid on Navel orange leaf strips in the no-choice test. However, given the choice, adults preferred to oviposit on peach leaf strips while fed on `Navel' orange leaf strips. In some replications this behavior was reversed. At 90 days after infestation, larval feeding damage on the roots was severe on `Cleopatra' mandarin where most of the cortex tissue on the primary root was removed and growth of roots and foliage was reduced. Larvae bore also on peach trees, but there was no sign of growth reduction on foliage or the roots compared to the control. These preliminary results indicate that D. abbreviatus will not be a primary pest on peach.

Characterization of homologues of the apple proliferation immunodominant membrane protein gene from three related phytoplasmas

SUMMARY Homologues of the immunodominant membrane protein gene from apple proliferation (AP) phytoplasma have been cloned and sequenced for three further members of the AP subclade, namely European stone fruit yellows, peach yellow leaf roll and a European isolate of pear decline (PD). The putative translation products of all three were similar in size to that of AP and all had a transmembrane region towards the N-terminus and a large C-terminal hydrophilic domain, probably held on the outside of the cell membrane in vivo. Sequence similarities for the putative proteins were compared with interrelationships of the phytoplasmas as measured by rRNA gene sequence similarity. The proteins from AP and PD were more similar (57% identical in the major hydrophilic domain) than those for any other pair (31-34%), but these two phytoplasmas were not more closely related by rRNA gene sequences than other pairs. The possibility that the relative similarities of these proteins is related to the host is discussed. It is suggested that the similarity of the AP and PD proteins may reflect the fact that these two proteins have narrow plant host ranges in two closely related genera in the tribe Maloideae (family Rosaceae), whilst the other two have broader host ranges, mainly in the tribe Prunoideae.

Determination of mercury in biological tissues by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with an in-situ concentration technique.

A method has been described for the determination of total mercury by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) using an in-situ concentration technique with a Pd-Zr coating and a chemical modifier. The characteristic mass, which gives an integrated absorbance of 0.0044 s, was found to be 42 pg and an absolute detection limit (3sigma) of 33 pg was obtained with the proposed modifier. The total mercury values in standard reference materials, including Mussel (GBW08571), Bovine liver (GBW08306), Peach leaf (GBW08501) and Tea leaf (GBW080001), were determined using the proposed method, and the results were consistent with reference values. The method had been successfully applied to the determination of mercury in biological tissue samples with a recovery range of 94-105%.

Identification of Phytoplasma Taxa and Insect Vectors of Peach Yellow Leaf Roll Disease in California.

Two peach diseases in California, western X-disease (WX) and peach yellow leaf roll (PYLR) are caused by two genetically distinct phytoplasmas. Based on symptoms alone, WX and PYLR cannot be reliably distinguished. The objectives of this study were to determine which phytoplasma was causing PYLR disease in peach orchards planted near pear orchards and which phytoplasmas were present in potential insect vectors captured in both peach and pear orchards. Leafhoppers and pear psylla were collected from yellow sticky traps placed in three pear orchards and four peach orchards located in the Sacramento Valley from 1994 to 1996. DNA was extracted from potential vectors and suspect diseased trees, and analyzed for the presence of the WX and PYLR phytoplasmas using strain-specific DNA hybridization or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. The most abundant phytoplasma detected in diseased peach trees was the PYLR phytoplasma. In 1994 and 1995, 10 to 25% of groups of pear psylla tested positive for the PYLR phytoplasma, while no psylla groups tested positive for the WX phytoplasma. Only one captured leafhopper tested positive for the WX phytoplasma. These results indicate the pear psylla is the primary vector of PYLR in northern California.

Effect of foliar- and soil-applied boron in deciduous fruit orchards 2: apricot and peach

Between autumn 1996 and May 1998 a variety of boron (B) treatments were applied to mature apricot and peach trees in Western Cape orchards on soils containing 0.2 to 0.7 mg B kg−1. Leaf B levels in the B treatments averaged 11.1% higher than the controls in the apricot, and 22.8% higher in the peach orchard. Average apricot fruit B levels in the B-treatments were 47% higher than the controls in 1998. In the B-treated peach trees the average fruit B level was 63% higher than the controls in 1997, and 106% higher in 1998. Leaf and fruit B levels were not affected, relative to non-B treated controls, by single spring B spray applications at concentrations up to 26.0 g B 100 I1, or by treatments in which a single spring B spray at 19.5 g B 100 I−1 was supplemented by a single autumn B spray containing up to 97.5 g B 100 I−1. The application of four early-season sprays at 31.2 g B 100 I−1, followed by a single autumn spray at 41.6 g B 100 I−1, or by an autumn soil application of either calcium borate at 2.10 g B tree−1, or borax at 1.13 g B tree−1, resulted in excessively high fruit B levels in peach. In the absence of spring B sprays both apricot and peach showed increased leaf and fruit B levels where calcium borate was applied each autumn at 2.10 g B tree−1. The peach fruit B levels were excessively high where calcium borate was applied at 2.80 g B tree−1. Apricot and peach leaf and fruit B levels correlated with 0.02 M CaCI2- extractable soil B. Peach fruit calcium levels decreased with increasing soil, leaf and fruit B levels.

Fe enriched biosolids as fertilizers for orange and peach trees grown in field conditions

Iron enriched biosolids (FEB) from water treatment facilities are being used as an alternative to synthetic chelates in order to improve Fe uptake. The impact of this type of products on iron nutrition is not fully understood. Plant response depends on FEB composition, soil and climatic conditions and crop response. In order to study the effectiveness of FEB as fertilisers, two field experiments have been carried out. Two different commercial formulations of FEB (unmodified u-FEB and modified m-FEB) produced as a by-product of a drinking water treatment facility in Tampa (Florida, USA) were used. An orange tree (Citrus sinensis, cv. Navelina) and a peach tree (Prunus persica cv. Sudanell) field experiments took place in different locations in Spain. Macro and micronutrients were evaluated to assess mineral status of orange and peach leaf samples. Yield and fruit size were also determined. Despite the large amount of Fe bound by the organic matter on FEB, these products were less effective than synthetic chelates to improve iron uptake. No differences were found in orange yield or size. Results show that the ferric treatments improve fruit calibre, but not yield in peaches.

Yield, Shoot and Root Growth, and Physiological Responses of Mature Peach Trees to Grass Competition

Competitive effects of different grass species were evaluated on growth, yield, leaf N, and leaf water potential of 8-year-old peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.] trees and on weed abundance. Two cultivars (`Loring' on Lovell rootstock and `Redhaven' on Halford rootstock) of peach trees were planted in separate orchards in 1987. Nine orchard floor treatments were installed beneath the peach trees in 1995: Festuca arundinacea Schreber (tall fescue); Lolium perenne L., var. Manhattan II (perennial ryegrass); Lolium perenne L., var. Linn; Agrostis gigantea Roth (red top); Dactylis glomerata L. (orchardgrass); Phleum pratense L. (timothy); Bromus carinatus Hook. and Arn. (brome); weedy control; and herbicide weed control (simazine, glyphosate). In general, grasses reduced vegetative growth and yield in both cultivars. Orchardgrass was one of the most competitive species and reduced vertical water sprout length by 15% to 27% and lateral shoot length on fruit-bearing branches by 19% to 30% compared with herbicide treatments. Orchardgrass reduced yield by 37% and 24% in `Loring' and `Redhaven', respectively. All grasses were not equally competitive; `Linn' perennial ryegrass did not significantly reduce growth or yield in `Redhaven'. Control treatments with weeds also did not differ from herbicide treatments in peach tree growth and yield. Grass and weed ground covers consistently reduced peach tree leaf N by at least 10%, compared to herbicide treatment, possibly due to reduced root growth. `Redhaven' root density in the top 10 cm of soil was ≈12 cm·cm-3 in herbicide strips vs. 1 cm·cm-3 in weedy or ground-covered strips. Peach leaf water potential was not affected by grass and weeds. Weed weights were significantly reduced by all grasses compared with weedy control. The results indicate that peach cultivars respond differently to grass competition, but the relative competitiveness of each grass species was similar for both cultivars. Grass competition reduced growth, yield, and pruning weights of mature peach trees, but the reduction in vegetative growth did not significantly reduce pruning time per tree. Grasses that are less inhibitory to peach yield may be useful for weed management in orchards.

Apple and Peach Leaf and Stem Surface Morphology and Soybean Oil Retention as Influenced by Simulated Rainfall and Soybean Oil Emulsions

Environmental factors such as rainfall may reduce the efficacy of foliar-applied soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] oil in reducing pest mortality. Greenhouse studies were conducted to investigate the influence of rain on the retention of soybean oil and the influence of soybean oil and rainfall on surface morphology of apple [Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.] and peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch (Peach Group)] leaves and stems. `Contender' peach and `Golden Delicious'/Malling 27 apple trees were grown in 19 L pots in a greenhouse (23 ± 9 °C) and sprayed with soybean oil (1%) emulsified with the adjuvants Latron B-1956 or K1. Twenty-four hours after treatment, the trees were subjected to simulated rainfall of 0.0, 0.25, 1.25, or 2.54 cm. A negative linear relationship existed between rainfall and oil retention. Peach leaves receiving 0.25, 1.25, and 2.54 cm rainfall retained 81%, 38%, and 18% of the applied oil, respectively. Oil retention by apple leaves was also negatively related to rainfall. For both species, a negative linear relationship existed between oil retention on stems and rainfall. There was no effect of emulsifier on retention of 1% soybean oil after rain on apple leaves or on the retention of 8% to 11% soybean oil on the stems of apple and peach. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that epicuticular wax occurred as striations on apple and peach leaves. The wax morphology on peach and apple stems appeared as thin plates and platelets, respectively. The wax morphology of leaves and stems of both trees was not affected either by the soybean oil emulsions or rain. Both emulsions induced stomatal closure in leaves and peach stems, however, stomates opened after rainfall of 1.25 or 2.54 cm. The lenticels appeared to be unaffected by either emulsion. Results illustrate that rainfall of 2.54 cm washed off a major portion of the applied oil. Thus, respraying may be needed under natural climatic conditions with rainfall ≥2.54 cm to restore the efficacy of applied soybean oil.

Functional response of Euseius finlandicus and Amblyseius andersoni to Panonychus ulmi on apple and peach leaves in the laboratory.

The functional response of adult females of the predatory mites Euseius (Amblyseius) finlandicus and Amblyseius andersoni to larvae and adult females of the fruit tree red spider mite Panonychus ulmi was determined on apple and peach leaf disks in the laboratory at 25 degrees C and 16:8 (L:D). For adult females of P. ulmi the predation efficiency of E. finlandicus was higher on peach than on apple, whereas that of A. andersoni was higher on apple than on peach. Efficiency of predation on larvae of P. ulmi by either predator did not differ significantly between apple and peach. On both plants, A. andersoni had a higher predation rate than E. finlandicus on larvae of P. ulmi. It is concluded that in the laboratory the host plant has a substantial effect on predation efficiency of A. andersoni and E. finlandicus when they preyed on adults but not when they preyed on larvae of P. ulmi.

Single primer pair designs that facilitate simultaneous detection and differentiation of peach mosaic virus and cherry mottle leaf virus

Peach mosaic virus (PMV) and cherry mottle leaf virus (CMLV) are viruses which are related serologically and share common Prunus hosts, but cause distinct diseases. An RT-PCR procedure using a single oligonucleotide primer pair that allows simultaneous detection and differentiation of the two viruses was developed. A sense primer with 100% complementarity to PMV and 83% complementarity to the corresponding site of the CMLV genome was combined with either of two antisense primers (one of PMV origin and the other of CMLV origin) with 3′ end complementarity at variable sites. This allowed the differential amplification of PMV and CMLV specific fragments, 419 and 705 bp, respectively. When oligo (dT) was used to generate the cDNA template, differential amplification was not observed, only amplification of the homologous virus associated with the antisense primer. This indicates polyadenylation of both viruses. Incorporation of the antisense primer into cDNA at the reverse transcription step was shown to be essential for this approach. The PMV primer pair reliably detected all isolates of PMV tested by RT-PCR analysis, both in peach leaf and budwood tissue.

Determination of mercury by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry with derivative signal processing

A method has been developed for the determination of total mercury by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS) with derivative signal processing. The effects of several parameters on the derivative absorbance values were investigated and the working conditions were optimized. The sensitivity (characteristic mass, which gives a derivative absorbance of 0.0044) and detection limit (3 σ) of the proposed method were 192 and 155 pg, respectively, 72 and 24.5 times better than those of conventional CVAAS. Total mercury in standard reference materials, mussel (GBW08571) and peach leaf (GBW08501) was determined by the proposed method and the obtained values were consistent with the reference values. The proposed method had been applied to the determination of total mercury in cosmetic samples with a recovery range of 92–102%.

Specific detection of Xylella fastidiosa Pierce's disease strains.

Pierce's disease (PD, Xylella fastidiosa) of grapevine is the primary pathogen limiting vinifera grape production in Florida and other regions of the southeastern United States. Quick and accurate detection of PD strains is essential for PD studies and control. A unique random amplified polymorphic DNA (PD1-1-2) was isolated from a PD strain from Florida. Fragment PD1-1-2 was cloned, sequenced, and found to be 1005 bp in length. PCR primers were designed to utilize these sequence data for PD strain detection. One primer set (XF176f-XF954r) amplified a 779-bp DNA fragment from 34 PD strains including seven pathotypes of X. fastidiosa, but not from strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, Xan. vesicatoria or Escherichia coli. A second primer set (XF176f and XF686r) amplified a 511-bp fragment specific to 98 PD strains, but not from strains of citrus variegated chlorosis, mulberry leaf scorch, oak leaf scorch, periwinkle wilt, phony peach, or plum leaf scald. Sequence analysis indicated that RAPD fragment PD1-1-2 contains a Ser-tRNA gene. The PD-specific region includes a TaqI restriction site (TCGA) and is 150 bp downstream of the Ser-tRNA gene.

299 Response of Mature Peach Trees to Grass Competition

Peach tree size has been restricted when trees were grown continuously with grass after tree planting. However, control of excess vegetative growth of fruit trees was inconsistent when grass was planted beneath mature trees. This research determined the effect of seven grasses on growth, leaf nitrogen concentration, and yield of 8-year-old peach trees and on weed abundance. Two cultivars (`Loring' and `Redhaven') of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] trees were planted in separate orchards in 1987 in a split-plot design with grass as a main effect and time as the subplot. Nine treatments were installed as ground covers beneath peach trees in 1995: Festuca arundinacea, Lolium perenne var Manhattan II; L. perenne var. Linn; Agrostis gigantea, Dactylis glomerata, Phleum pratense, Bromus carintus, weedy control, and herbicide control (simazine, glyphosate). In general, grasses reduced vegetative growth and yield in `Loring' and `Redhaven'. For example, compared to herbicide treatments, orchardgrass reduced sprout length by 27% in `Loring' and by 15% in `Redhaven'. Fruit-bearing branch length was reduced with orchardgrass by 30% in `Loring' and 19% in `Redhaven'. Orchardgrass affected fruit yield more than vegetative growth, reducing yield by 37% and 24% in `Loring' (predominantly in the 2- to 2.5-inch size class) and `Redhaven' (predominantly in the &gt;2.5-inch size class), respectively. All grasses were not equally competitive, `Linn' perennial ryegrass never significantly affected growth or yield. Weedy treatments also did not differ from herbicide treatments in peach tree growth and yield. Grasses and weeds consistently reduced peach tree leaf nitrogen by 17% compared to herbicide treatment, but weed density was not correlated with reductions in yield and vegetative growth. The results indicate that peach cultivars respond differently to grass competition but the relative competitiveness of grass species was similar for both cultivars. Grass competition can reduce growth of mature peach trees but this reduction did not translate to reduced pruning time per tree.

Prelimary Report on the Apparent Control of Pierce's Disease (Xylella fastidiosa) with Admire (Imidacloprid) Insecticide

Pierce's Disease is the major limiting factor in the production of European and American bunch grapes in the Coastal Plain and Lower Piedmont of the Southeastern United States. Pierce's Disease is also a significant problem in some areas of California. The disease has been impossible to control with insecticide sprays up to this point, because the leaf hopper vectors are xylem feeders and have minimal plant/insecticide contact. Admire was cleared for use on grapes 3 years ago, and an experiment was started near Tifton, Ga. Cultivars of European and American bunch grapes in this experiment include `Flame Seedless', `J. Riesling', `Cabernet Franc', `Reliance', `Mars' and `Canadice'. Experimental design is a randomize complete block with two replications and six vines per replication and treatment for a total of 72 vines in the experiment. Treatments are untreated control and vines treated with Admire (3.26 g/vine per application) in an aqueous solution of 1 to 2 L applied as a basal drench. Vines were planted in Mar. 1996 and applications of Admire have been applied in the early spring and mid summer of each year. Apparent Pierce's Disease symptoms became evident on some of the control vines in mid-summer 1997. By Fall 1997, some of the control vines were dead. This trend has continued in Spring 1998. Some vines treated with Admire show slight Pierce's Disease symptoms, but rate of disease development is much slower than in the control vines. Based on company research with virus transmission on other crops, even better results can be expected when large blocks are treated with Admire. Current results on this experiment will be presented. Larger scale experiments are underway as well as experiments to determine the effect of Admire on the development of phony peach disease and plum leaf scald disease.