Fruit growers in South Australia will no doubt be aware of the issues that have beset canola crops in the mid-north of their state this winter.
A wet summer followed by mild autumn conditions led to an explosion of green peach aphid in crops—canola has been particularly hard hit but the aphids also invaded pulse crops such as faba beans, field peas and lentils.
Green peach aphids in stonefruit
In stonefruit, green peach aphids cause leaves to yellow and fall. The honeydew that they secrete can cause sooty mould, and to exacerbate matters, they are also known to carry and spread viruses.
Usually when there is a plague of insects, a range of products is available to manage the infestation, but green peach aphid is different.
Resistance to old chemistry
Through repeated use of the same old chemistry, green peach aphids have developed resistance to many of the products available to stonefruit growers.
In fact, green peach aphid has developed resistance to more insecticides than any other insect (74 insecticides).
Transform™ insecticide a solution
Transform™ insecticide from Dow Agro-Sciences provides a solution for fruit growers.
Transform controls green peach aphids in stonefruit and its active ingredient, Isoclast™ active, has no published reports of resistance.
The rapid knockdown of insects given by Transform can also aid in reducing the spread of viruses by quickly controlling their populations and halting their movement through orchards.
As well as offering control of green peach aphid, Transform also controls cherry aphid and black peach aphid in stonefruit.
IPM
As a result of the development of insect resistance, the importance of using an effective IPM program is increased.
Transform has an excellent fit within IPM programs as it has minimal impact on beneficial insects and predatory mites.
This means that unlike other products, Transform maintains beneficial insect populations which can aid in the control of pests throughout the season.
Do it right the first time
Using the broadest range of IPM strategies is the best way to avoid future spray failures.
The current state of affairs, in which the continued use of chemicals to which insects are resistant, is wasted money that fruit growers just can't afford.
The most expensive insecticide a grower can use is the one that doesn't work.
If a stonefruit grower suspects resistance amongst the aphids attacking the crop, then apply Transform insecticide and do it right the first time!
visit dowagrosciences.com.au
see Tree Fruit November 2014
