California Ag Network

Category: Pest/Disease Management

  • Stay Vigilant with Asian Citrus Psyllid Finds on the Rise

    In the past few months, we have seen sporadic Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) detections popping up across California. While the citrus industry’s efforts have thus far kept Huanglongbing (HLB) out of commercial groves, these recent ACP detections are a reminder that we cannot let our guard down. The most effective way to prevent the spread of HLB is to keep psyllids out of our orchards.

    After ACP detections in multiple counties (Kern, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Tulare, Contra Costa and others) were confirmed earlier this fall — including areas with historically low ACP activity — the Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Committee is encouraging all growers to stay informed, scout for ACP and treat when advised.

    The recommendations outlined in the Voluntary Grower Response Plan, developed collaboratively by growers and scientists, represent the most effective tools known to the citrus industry at this time and are meant to supplement the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s required regulatory response. You can help prevent the spread of ACP by following these best practices, participating in recommended winter treatments and ensuring haulers and transporters are tarping loads.

    While we should expect to see this type of “flare up” occasionally, we need to remain vigilant – even when things are quiet – to ensure we continue to stay on top of this elusive pest and the dangerous disease it spreads. The upfront cost to manage ACP is much less than the potential hit to our industry if HLB spreads throughout the state. To date, HLB has only been identified in backyard citrus trees in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and hasn’t made its way into a commercial citrus grove yet. To keep HLB out of commercial citrus, psyllid control is especially critical this season with warmer weather encouraging more pests.

    Here is what you can do:

    • Follow the best practices outlined in the Voluntary Grower Response Plan for Huanglongbing
    • Participate in treatment strategies recommended by the University of California (UC)
    • Adhere to tarping regulations that help keep pests from hitching a ride to new areas of the state

    Visit citrusinsider.org for more information and resources on the voluntary grower best practices, tarping regulations and UC treatment recommendations.

    Questions?
    Contact your regional grower liaison for the latest information on detections near you and coordinated or area-wide treatment schedules. Find your grower liaison here.

    Let’s work together to protect California citrus for your businesses, neighbors and generations to come.

    Sincerely,
    Jim Gorden
    Chair, Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Committee

  • Almond Ganoderma Butt Rot Spore Survey

    Ganoderma butt rot has been an increasing problem in the almond industry. The disease has been responsible for trees falling over all throughout the Central Valley. Ganoderma butt rot is caused by wood decay fungi that can spread via spores in the air. In order to better focus our management efforts, researchers must conduct a spore survey that will help us determine the times and locations that are at greatest risk of infection and spread by spores.

    The survey will include collecting air samples at almond orchards once a month for 2 years, so it will require long-term cooperation, but will be non-invasive and will not interfere with management practices. Any almond growers interested in volunteering their orchards (any age orchard works) for the research conducted by UC Davis plant pathologists, please contact Daisy Hernandez.

    Thank you all for your time and help.

    Contact:
    Daisy Hernandez, PhD, Student
    David Rizzo Lab,
    UC Davis
    Email: dahe@ucdavis.edu

  • Synergy between Biotech and Classical Control Tactics Rid U.S. of Invasive Pest

    Genetically engineered cotton and classical pest control tactics combined to rid the United States and Northern Mexico of a devastating pest, according to a new study by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and University of Arizona (UofA) scientists published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

    For most of the past century, the pink bollworm was the major cotton pest in the Southwest. For decades, cotton growing in Arizona, California, Texas, and New Mexico was only possible because farmers sprayed pesticides an average of 12 times a year, nine specifically against pink bollworm. Some farmers sprayed as often as 25 times a year without reaching control. In 1990, pink bollworm cost cotton growers $48 million in Arizona alone.

    A coordinated and multitactical list of areawide and integrated pest management strategies were developed over the years in hopes of putting down this pest while replacing expensive and environmentally hazardous chemical pesticides, explained research entomologist Jeffrey Fabrick, one of the authors of the study. Fabrick is with the ARS-USDA Pest Management and Biocontrol Research Unit in Maricopa, Arizona.

    “By analyzing computer simulations and 21 years of field data from Arizona, we proved that genetically engineered cotton and release of billions of sterile pink bollworm moths acted synergistically to suppress this pest,” Fabrick said.

    Both the computer simulations and what was seen in the field from 2006 to 2010 showed neither of the two tactics would have worked if used alone, he added.

    “Collaboration among farmers and scientists from government, industry, and academia was essential for the remarkable success of the pink bollworm eradication program,” said Bruce Tabashnik, lead author of the study and regents professor in the UofA Department of Entomology.

    In the late 1960s and 1970s, ARS scientists first began powering up the fight against pink bollworm. They helped create the artificial pheromones that allowed precise tracking of the pest as well as the first synthetic diet and methods for raising sterile pink bollworm moths to disrupt mating. Releasing synthetic female sex pheromone in cotton fields also was used to confuse males and disrupt mating Another important tactic required farmers to plow down cotton residues after harvest to reduce overwintering survival of pink bollworm.

    Enter genetically modified Bt cotton in 1996. Bt cotton is engineered to produce one or more proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt for short) that kills pink bollworm and other related caterpillar pests and are harmless to people and most other insects, unlike broad spectrum pesticides. Growing mostly Bt cotton knocked the pink bollworm population down by 90 percent in 10 years. At the same time, farmers continued employing other techniques.

    By 2006, for the first time, eradication became a practical reality. With an eye to finishing off pink bollworm, detailed cooperative plans were developed by a coalition that included cotton farmers, grower organizations, ARS researchers, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the biotech industry, the Arizona Department of Agriculture, the Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council, and UofA extension and research scientists. Many of these groups’ counterparts in Northern Mexico were also were also recruited.

    APHIS also scaled up production of sterile pink bollworm moths so that billions of them were unleashed by airplanes to overwhelm any field populations of the pest.

    Removal of pink bollworm saved U.S. cotton farmers $192 million from 2014 to 2019 alone, according to the study. Pink bollworm suppression has also facilitated integrated pest management for all other cotton pests. Overall, this reduced insecticide use by 82 percent, avoiding application of 25 million pounds of insecticides in Arizona alone during the past two decades. It improved the overall environment and brought back beneficial insects as the ecology returned to a more natural balance.

    The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in agricultural research results in $17 of economic impact.

  • COVID-19 Impact on the Almond Industry & Future Prospects

    Many have heard initial projections as to how COVID-19 might impact the California almond industry, especially at such a critical time with growers expecting their largest crop ever this year. But how has the market actually been impacted up to this point?  And are evolving consumer habits beneficial to this growing industry?  Watch this brief interview with Emily Fleischmann from the Almond Board of California to find out and read more about it in the coming issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Navel Orangeworm Winter Sanitation Considerations

    Winter sanitation is a critical step in your Navel Orangeworm IPM programs. But when should you start and is it enough just to shake those mummy nuts off of the trees? Watch this interview with Bob Klein from the California Pistachio Research Board as he shares some key insights growers should consider when approaching winter sanitation and read about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • The Essential Pieces of Protecting Ag Workers, Preventing COVID-19 Spread

    Christopher Valadez — As president of the Grower Shipper Association of Central California (GSA), I talk to farmers, farming companies, farm labor contractors and farm workers about the challenges faced when protecting essential employees from COVID-19 exposure. These conversations and hearing the needs firsthand formed the impetus for many of the programs established by GSA over the last few months to lessen or prevent the spread of COVID-19 among the farm worker community.

    But I also speak regularly with county health officials, local hospitals and health clinics, farm labor advocates, academics, state regulators, elected officials and local community leaders about COVID-19 and its impact on farm workers. Many have become important partners and have worked with GSA and the local ag community to develop on-farm prevention training programs led by health professionals, provide daily health checks for farm workers in GSA’s quarantined housing program, acquire additional PPE and establish expedited testing programs to provide faster results for farm workers.

    As we end the harvest season in our region, we have an opportunity to reflect and learn before workers return in the spring. What can we do better to enhance efforts to prevent the spread of this virus on the job and within our communities to keep our workforce healthy? At GSA, we hope to see more emphasis on contact tracing as well as a prioritization of farm workers to receive vaccinations against this virus. But let’s start with contact tracing.

    After a positive test is confirmed, contact tracing is the process of identification of persons who may have come into contact with an infected person and subsequent collection of further information about these contacts. It is vitally important that public health officials have the resources to conduct more extensive contact tracing once a positive test is obtained so we are effectively targeting prevention strategies with a focus on where the virus is spread – work, transit to work, at home or within our community. Otherwise we may be enacting rules and regulations in one area when better information on where the virus is being spread may indicate they are actually needed in another. Or, the solution may not address the real problem.

    While public health officials are integral to effective contact tracing, employers are also required to conduct their own tracing to determine if a COVID-positive employee may have exposed others and where – work or home. Once an employer learns of an employee potentially exposed or sick, they can then provide options and information about quarantined housing. GSA’s quarantined housing program provides COVID-positive or exposed farm workers with daily meal deliveries and health checks to ensure they can isolate or recover in a safe and comfortable environment.  And, California mandates that essential workers receive two weeks paid sick leave if they test positive or are sickened by the virus.

    Farmers and farming companies are spending significant time and monetary resources to protect workers through both regulatory compliance and their own best practices. And, as we learn more about the virus, prevention practices in agriculture are continually improving. But, we are not experts in public health and we are reliant on public health guidance. Adequate testing and effective contact tracing combined with isolation alternatives through quarantined housing is the best way to yield real results and target the spread of this virus at its source.

    While GSA will work collaboratively to ensure these crucial prevention strategies are improved and ready in 2021, it is the prioritization of providing vaccines to essential workers that will ultimately protect our workforce from this persistent and relentless virus. GSA will join with industry, local elected officials, labor groups and community leaders to advocate for vaccine prioritization so farm workers are among the first groups to receive them.

    We have learned a significant amount since the early days of the pandemic when farmers and farming companies had to quickly learn and implement prevention strategies while striving to provide healthy fruits and vegetables to consumers. I look back over these last few months and ponder what was accomplished, what has changed and what we could have done better. But one thing is clear: Our work to protect farm workers at the workplace as well as educate this community about prevention practices at home must continue to evolve and improve. The 2021 harvest season will be here before we know it. We must be ready.

  • Broccoli Rotations Lower Pathogen Populations and Reduce Disease Incidence of Verticillium Wilt

    In 1999, several UC researchers published foundational research in a paper titled, “Evaluation of broccoli residue incorporation into field soil for Verticillium wilt control in cauliflower.” Since this publication more than 20 years ago, many studies have further investigated this concept and many coastal growers, especially organic producers, have adopted broccoli rotations as a strategy for Verticillium wilt control. Today, typical implementation of this strategy is two broccoli plantings back to back prior to the crop for which Verticillium wilt suppression is desired. While California coastal vegetable production has been the framework for much of this work, the adaptability of this practice to the Sacramento Valley is very promising for management of Verticillium wilt in warm and cool season crops.

    Verticillium wilt is caused by the soilborne fungal pathogen Verticillium dahliae. Microsclerotia, the fungal inoculum that causes infection, dwell in the soil until root exudates stimulate germination and direct the fungal hyphae towards the root. In susceptible plants, infection occurs when hyphae enter the roots right behind the root tip, and continue growth into the water-conducting vascular tissue, the xylem. Once in the xylem, hyphal growth and sporulation can move the fungus into the upper plant tissue. Plant death triggers the fungus to a reproductive stage, prompting microsclerotia formation. When infected crop residue is incorporated into the soil, microsclerotia in the crop residue are incorporated, too. Management is particularly challenging because the pathogen host range is over 300 crops and the inoculum survive upwards of 13 years. To establish control of the pathogen, the key is to reduce inoculum—the number of microsclerotia, below levels damaging to susceptible crops.

    BROCCOLI SUPPRESSES VERTICILLIUM WILT AND DECREASES PATHOGEN PROPAGULES

    Broccoli is one of the few non-host vegetables and member of the Brassicaceae family. Bok choy, broccoli raab, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, and rapini are susceptible to V. dahliae, as are black mustard, Indian mustard, oilseed rape, and turnip. In broccoli, no infection to minor infection from V. dahliae has been observed. In the case of minor infections, the pathogen does not progress beyond the roots and microsclerotia formation in the roots is repressed. Apart from the importance of selecting a non-host as a rotation crop, the glucosinolate profile of broccoli, the secondary compounds responsible for the toxic effect, differs from other brassicaceous crops

    Following broccoli residue incorporation, research out of Japan demonstrated Verticillium wilt incidence of eggplant decreased by 53% compared to eggplant without broccoli rotation. In California Cauliflower production, disease incidence and severity were both reduced approximately 50% following broccoli residue treatments.

    Broccoli did not just decrease disease incidence, but decreased the amount of pathogen inoculum, showing promise for longer term management. In a California study, overall reduction in the number of propagules in V. dahliae-infested plots after two broccoli crops was approximately 94%, in contrast to the five-fold increase in the number of propagules after two cauliflower crops. These findings corroborate earlier studies showing reductions in the numbers of soilborne microsclerotia of V. dahliae and incidence of wilt on cauliflower that were comparable to reductions caused by chloropicrin and metham sodium treatments. Importantly, following broccoli rotations, microsclerotia continue to decline through-out the following cropping season and remain low during the following season. In contrast, propagules in soil fumigated with chloropicrin and metham sodium declined initially but later returned to pre-treatment levels by the end of the cropping season.

    MECHANISM OF SUPPRESSION

    Shetty et al. (2000) reported that the effects of broccoli in reducing microsclerotia and suppressing disease may be associated with the following mechanisms: production of volatile antifungal substances such as allyl-isothiocyanate (ITC) by broccoli residue, increase in antagonistic microorganisms, and degradation of microsclerotia melanin by ligninase/melaninase produced by soil microorganisms in the presence of broccoli lignin. ITCs are chemically similar to methylisothiocyanate, the active agent from the chemical fumigant metam sodium. Likely associated with the ability to generate these conditions, fresh broccoli residue was shown to be more suppressive than dry residue. During tissue decomposition, the glucosinolates in crucifer crops, the characteristic sulfur-containing constituents of the members of Brassicaceae responsible for their inherent pungent odor, break down to produce sulfides, isothiocyanates, thiocyanates, and nitriles that have either fungistatic or fungicidal properties. In addition to release of toxic compounds and microbial activity provided by broccoli residue, the plant may be serving as a ‘decoy’, ‘trap crop’ or ‘dead end host’, further driving population numbers down. As described earlier, some V. dahliae infection is observed in broccoli roots, but it does not result in microsclerotia formation. By stimulating inoculum germination and preventing fungal reproduction, the number of viable microsclerotia decrease in the soil.

    GROWER IMPLEMENTATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS

    To facilitate greater adaptation of rotations with broccoli in other crops susceptible to V. dahliae, Bhat and Subbarao asked the question whether isolates of V. dahliae originating from different susceptible hosts could cause wilt on broccoli. They evaluated 15 different host isolates against multiple broccoli varieties. This included tomato, eggplant, bell pepper, lettuce, potato, watermelon and strawberry, and found that only isolates from cabbage and cauliflower were weakly pathogenic. Broccoli cultivars Baccus, Greenbelt, Parasol, Patriot, and Symphony showed resistance to Verticillium infection. This provides some evidence for the usefulness of this method in other cropping systems.

    Implementation of broccoli rotations for Verticillium wilt management is optimized when two successive broccoli crops are grown immediately prior to desired Verticillium wilt reduction. Higher amounts of glucosinolates, specifically glucobrassicin, are found in older plants. Research has reported a complete absence of glucobrassicin in broccoli seedlings, 50% of the total in immature heads (5-10 cm diameter) and the highest levels at fully developed Packman broccoli heads (15-20 cm diameter). These results suggest that glucobrassicin synthesis is active during later stages of broccoli development. Plants should be mowed and finely chopped in order to disrupt the plant cells as much as possible. The greatest reductions in microsclerotia occur at soil temperatures above 68°F, and most of this reduction occurs within 15-30 days of incorporation. Variation in efficacy of this method is attributed to multiple factors: fluctuation in climate and cultivation conditions, physical and chemical properties of the soil, soil microbial properties, the type of broccoli cultivar used, differences in pathogen density, and variance in the susceptibility of the following crop host. The types and amounts of glucosinolates vary with the crucifer species and determine the level of plant pathogen growth reduction.

    This practice could also have other potential benefits and drawbacks. Growers in California have observed for many years that where broccoli residues from processing plants are dumped onto a field, weed populations are reduced the following year. Thus, rotations with broccoli may have multiple pest management benefits. However, in recent years in the Sacramento Valley, crop damage from bagrada bug has been significant. Although these outbreaks have largely occurred in fall, outbreaks have occurred in the spring in this region. Members of the Brassicaceae family are the host plants for bagrada and under favorable environmental conditions would support this pest population.

    This management strategy is specific to Verticillium dahliae and is not transferrable to other soilborne pathogens such as Fusarium spp.. Because these two pathogens are common in the Sacramento Valley and above ground symptoms are similar, diagnosis is important. Contact me at any time for disease diagnostic support. All visits and sample analyses are provided free of charge.

    Thousands of microsclerotia, small, black propagules of V. dahliae, formed on susceptible crop residue and remained intact post residue incorporation (Photo by M. Lloyd).

    SUMMARY

    • Two broccoli plantings immediately prior to growing the verticillium-susceptible crop is recommended for best protection
    • Fresh broccoli residue has greater reduction in V. wilt than dry residue
    • Field tarping following fresh residue incorporation did not increase (or decrease) efficacy
    • Suppression of V. dahliae is specific to broccoli and not provided by other Brassicaceae crops.
    • V. dahliae isolates from 15 host crops, including tomato, eggplant, bell pepper, lettuce, potato, watermelon and strawberry, were effectively suppressed by 5 broccoli cultivars
    • The most significant reduction in V. dahliae occurs 15 days post-incorporation, and continues to decline over the season.
    • More mature broccoli plants have higher levels of volatile antifungal substances
    • The mechanisms of action are hypothesized to include: volatile antifungal compounds, changes in the soil microbial communities and serving as a ‘dead-end host’.
    • Broccoli has been shown to reduce pathogens causing Verticillium wilt and lettuce drop, but not other soilborne pathogens such as Fusarium spp. — By Margaret Gullette Lloyd, UCCE Small Farms Advisor

    SUGGESTED READING

    Koike S, Subbarao K. 2000. Broccoli residues can control Verticillium wilt of cauliflower. Calif Agr 54(3):30-33. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.v054n03p30.

    http://calag.ucanr.edu/archive/?type=pdf&article=ca.v054n03p30

  • Transform (sulfoxaflor) Full Label Could be a Major Benefit for Alfalfa IPM

    The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is currently reviewing the use of Transform (sulfoxaflor) for insect pest management in alfalfa hay production. A decision on whether to register Transform with a label for use in California alfalfa is expected to occur by the end of 2020. The registration of Transform has been so far deferred due to concerns of potential impacts on pollinators. Transform currently has a full EPA label for use in alfalfa hay in all other states, but not in California. 

    This is something California alfalfa growers and PCAs should pay attention to, and consider weighing in.

    Why is this of interest? California, with its mild climate, supports a wide range of sucking insects, including an array of alfalfa pests including blue alfalfa aphid (BAA), pea aphid (PA), spotted alfalfa aphid (SAA), cowpea aphid (CPA), as well as whitefly and leafhoppers.

    Figure 1. Blue Alfalfa Aphid Damage, Nevada, 2020. Growers in other states are able to use Transform to control this damaging pest.

    There have been major insect pest outbreaks in alfalfa in recent years (see article “The Blue Alfalfa Aphid: A continuing problem” ). Growers have struggled to control these devastating pests, unfortunately often spraying multiple times with broad-spectrum insecticides in attempts to control their damage. The BAA especially has become more difficult to control.

    This is a problem for several reasons: 1) These hard-to-control infestations have been economically devastating to California growers, 2) growers often use broad-spectrum insecticides which have the unfortunate effect of damaging beneficial predator populations (which help to control remaining pests) – see ‘Natural Enemies are Important”, and 3) over-use of the same insecticides can lead to insecticide resistance (see blog). These lead to environmental problems (excessive pesticide use), insecticide resistance, as well as high costs and low production.

    Diverse Tools Needed. Targeted and effective, aphid-specific tools for alfalfa are critically needed by this industry, which is losing insecticides (e.g. see ‘The End of Chlorpyrifos’) and has seen pests become increasingly difficult to control. Transform would be a useful tool to address this need.

    Figure 2. Blue alfalfa aphid (left) and Cowpea aphid (right) are commonly seen in alfalfa fields. The blue aphid is particularly difficult to control.

    Our data suggest that Transform works well for managing serious sucking insects like aphids, whiteflies, and leafhoppers that cause significant yield and quality losses in alfalfa. BAA continues to be challenging to control with significant yield and quality losses occurring statewide (See Blog ‘I’ll be Back’ from April, 2020). Stubble fields that are just breaking dormancy late winter are the most at risk of stand and yield losses. Small, growing plants are vulnerable to the toxins that BAA inject during feeding.

    Statewide Label Needed. Transform currently has a Section 24c Special Local Needs (SLN) in California for Siskiyou, Lassen, Modoc, and Shasta Counties for helping to manage BAA and other aphid pests, with restrictions (applications must occur between 7pm and 7am OR when the temperature is below 50 F at the site of application).

    Alfalfa growers would greatly benefit from a statewide label for Transform in alfalfa, similar to what is in place in other states, especially for southern regions which have seen devastating aphid infestations. Transform would be a good tool to have in alfalfa because UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) research has shown that:

    1)      In UCCE low desert trials, Transform can have better efficacy controlling BAA than Sivanto (flupyradifurone), another aphicide registered for use in alfalfa.

    2)      Transform is softer on beneficial insects than currently registered pyrethroids, organophosphates, and carbamate insecticides, helping to prevent secondary pest outbreaks and resurgence of pests.

    3)      Transform provides growers with a much-needed tool to control multiple pests during a single growing season, including whiteflies, aphids, and leafhoppers, which unfortunately may take multiple insecticide applications otherwise.

    Restrictions.  CA-DPR also needs to address the restrictions in the current 24c SLN because they are problematic for several reasons:

    1)      UCCE research shows that night time or early morning dew on the alfalfa foliage may interfere with the efficacy of Transform, resulting in a 30% reduction in efficacy. This is important since yield damage can occur from blue alfalfa in just a few days.

    2)      For warmer regions of the Central Valley and the Low Desert regions (Palo Verde and Imperial Valley), restricting applications to < 50oF is nearly impossible to meet because BAA is most problematic in March when temperatures are often above this.

    3)      Keep in mind that forage alfalfa harvested in spring (when aphids are most damaging) is largely harvested in the bud stage, not flowering, lessening the risk to pollinators, especially given a 7-day pre-harvest interval, which is typically well before flowering.

    4)      Night-time applications are more dangerous for applicators. Worker health and safety is improved for daytime applications.

    Summary

    A full label for Transform would be of benefit to farmers and would help reduce the over-use of broad spectrum insecticides that we have observed taking place in attempts to control large aphid infestations. We have observed farmers unfortunately spraying multiple times (e.g. a pesticide treadmill), when a more focused aphid control measure would be more effective, and protect beneficial insects. UCCE research has shown that Transform provides excellent control of piercing-sucking insects like aphids, whiteflies, and leafhoppers, and would contribute to a diversity of tools to manage insect pests in an integrated way. Transform (sulfoxaflor) is a selective insecticide that is relatively safe for important aphid predators such as lady beetles and lacewings and thus contributes to goals of IPM. — By Dan Putnam, Rachael Long, Michael Rethwisch & Ian Grettenberger, UC Cooperative Extension

  • $12 Million to Eradicate an Invasive Rodent of Unusual Size

    You may have heard of them in the comedy film Princess Bride as “Rodents of Unusual Size”, but this is the real thing — only not so large and formidable.  Nutria were originally introduced into the United States as part of the fur trade in the late 1800s, but were eradicated from California in the 1970s.  They made a sudden reappearance a few years ago, and are a great threat to our water infrastructure, indigenous wildlife, and even certain crops. Watch this brief interview with Brian Popper from USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services, who spoke about a number of wildlife pests at Malcolm Media’s annual Tree & Vine Expo recently.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Numbers Threaten Resurgence of Pierce’s Disease in SJV Grapes

    When it comes to Pierce’s Disease and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter, it’s critical for growers to pay attention to both the disease and the vector.  Although collaborative efforts within the grape industry have kept disease levels down in recent years, population levels of the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter have been elevating in the San Joaquin Valley. Watch this brief interview with UC Cooperative Extension Entomology Farm Advisor David Haviland as he addresses these concerns and read more in American Vineyard Magazine.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.