As growers finish harvest and see the fruits of their labor after another season, it’s time to reevaluate pest control measures and their impact on yield potential.  At our CA Grow More^TM Experience sites in Hickman and Woodland, we’re researching ways to help area growers prepare for next year. Here are a few key tips for growers to consider looking forward to 2019.

1. Navel orangeworm (NOW) continues to be an ongoing challenge. We saw heavy NOW pressure at the CA sites this year, and we anticipate the same pressure next year. The key to successful management is the May spray application with an insecticide like Minecto® Pro. The May spray timing is vital because it provides early mite control, while also decreasing the populations of first and second generations of NOW. In the end, the earlier the spray and control measures, the less significant the later generations of NOW will be. Following up with an insecticide like Besiege® during hullsplit provides knockdown and long-term control of plant bugs and later-season NOW.
2. We observed the severe impact powdery mildew and Botrytis can have on grape quality and marketability when left untreated. It is vital to use fungicides with multiple sites of action to avoid resistance. Miravis® Prime fungicide is anticipated for registration in mid-2019 and will provide later season powdery mildew and Botrytis
3. Phytophthora can impact the integrity of a tree’s root system, which affects yield potential for multiple years. Growers should be proactive in protecting tree roots by applying a fungicide like Ridomil Gold® SL and practicing good water management. Spring and fall applications of a fungicide can help ensure that perennial crops’ root systems remain healthy to support maximum yield potential throughout the growing season.

For more tips like these and to visit a Grow More Experience site in 2019, contact your Syngenta representative.

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