- Author: Ben Faber
Plant-out-of-place photo galleries:
http://wric.ucdavis.edu/photo_gallery/photo_gallery.htm
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/weeds_intro.html
Horseweed - Conyza canadensis
Herbicide treatment table for citrus:
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r107700411.html
And if you are wondering what herbicide damage might look like on various plant species (this is heavily weighted to annuals and landscape plants):
http://herbicidesymptoms.ipm.ucanr.edu/index.cfm
Blueberry herbicide damage
- Author: Ben Faber
Spray Safe registration opens
Registration is now open for the sixth Ventura County Spray Safe event. This year's keynote speaker will be Brian Leahy, director of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
The event will be on Tuesday, March 20, in the Agriculture Building (Santa Cruz Hall) at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura.
Program
7:30-8:30 a.m.: Registration
8:30-11:50 a.m.: Presentations
11:50 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: Lunch (provided)
12:45-1:30 p.m.: Speakers
Spray Safe is intended to prevent pesticide-exposure incidents and improve communication among growers, agricultural chemical applicators and farm employees. Originally developed by a coalition of farmers, pest control advisers, applicators and labor contractors concerned about drift incidents in Kern County, the program is being embraced by growers throughout California as a way of better protecting the health and safety of farmers, field crews and neighboring residents.
Since our inaugural Ventura County event in 2009, the program has grown steadily in popularity, more than 500 people attending each of the subsequent sessions. Attendees learn about pesticide safety, application technology, regulatory issues and other topics during a half-day program of guest speakers, demonstrations and breakout sessions. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided.
The event is free, but advance registration is required. To register, you must download the form here, fill it out, and fax it to (805) 987-3874, or email it to spraysafe@farmbureauvc.com. The deadline is Tuesday, March 6.
The Spray Safe planning committee could not make this event happen without the financial support of Ventura County's agricultural community. To offset the approximately $20,000 it costs to conduct each event, we rely on the generosity of farm owners, pesticide applicators and advisors, supplier representatives, and anyone concerned about the industry's future.
- Author: Ben Faber
This is the abstract of a presentation that was made at the recent Huanglongbing Conference held in Orlando, FL. This and other paper abstracts will soon be available at: http://irchlb.org/files/33373ab0-7df3-4117-9.pdf
Spray application of different kaolin formulations on sweet orange plants disrupt the settling and probing behavior of Diaphorina citri
M. Miranda1, O. Zanardi1; H. Volpe1; R. Garcia1; N. Roda2, E. Prado3
1 Fundecitrus, Araraquara, Brazil, 2 Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc./NovaSource, Phoenix, USA, 3 Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil.
Abstract: The psyllid Diaphorina citri is the vector of the bacteria associated with huanglongbing (HLB), which is the most destructive citrus disease worldwide. Chemical control is the primary tactic against this insect. However, alternative methods are important to achieve a more effective control in an integrated pest management programs. Thus, this research was carried out to assess the influence of different kaolin formulations on the settling and probing behavior of D. citri. In both studies, two wettable powder (WP) kaolin formulations (Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc./NovaSource) were sprayed three times at different concentrations on sweet orange plants. In the experiment to assess the settling behavior, three concentrations (3, 5 and 7% w/v) of both formulations were tested. A non-choice test was performed, where 16 adult psyllids were released in a cage with seedlings of the same treatment, and the number of psyllids/plant at different time intervals was counted. For the probing trial, the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique was used. Adult psyllids were monitored for 6 h on nursery citrus trees treated with two kaolin formulations at 3 and 5% w/v. The two kaolin formulations have a repellent effect on D. citri, causing an overall reduction of 40% of psyllids settled on treated seedlings compared with untreated control. Moreover, both formulations disrupt D. citri probing behavior, with a significant reduction (60%) in the proportion of psyllids that reach the phloem compared with untreated nursery citrus trees. In general, there were no differences between the kaolin formulations and among the concentrations tested in both experiments (settling and probing). Then, both formulations could be used in an integrated D. citri management program. These findings reinforce the recommendation of kaolin application on young citrus planting as a useful strategy for HLB management, mainly on the edge of the farms.
Photo: ACP Feeding
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- Author: Sarah Risorto and Lisa Blecker
We are in the midst of a new and changing era of Worker Protection Standards (WPS). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) recently published the revised WPS, which is meant to increase protections for agricultural fieldworkers and pesticide handlers from pesticide exposure when they're working in farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses. The changes are already affecting California agriculture!
What major regulatory changes have already gone into effect?
Several changes are required to have been in place as of January 2, 2017. These include:
- All 417,000 fieldworkers in California must attend annual pesticide safety training.
- Records of all fieldworker pesticide safety trainings must be kept on file for 2 years.
- Fields must be posted when the restricted entry interval (REI) exceeds 48 hours.
- “Application-exclusion zones” must be implemented to prevent the entry of anyone into areas up to 100 feet from pesticide application equipment.
- Instructors previously qualified via a DPR-approved Instructor Training programs (Train the Trainer) are qualified to train through 2017. If you wish to be qualified to train fieldworkers and handlers after December 31, 2017 using this qualification, you must complete an updated, DPR-approved Train the Trainer workshop.
Now is the time to make sure these changes are put in place!
What major regulatory changes are still in store for us? When will they happen?
The regulatory changes that must be in place by January 2, 2018 include:
- Additional training topics for fieldworkers and handlers have to be added to the curriculum.
- Handlers have to suspend an application if anyone enters the application exclusion zone.
Who do these changes affect?
Many people who work in the California agricultural community will be impacted by the WPS revisions. These include fieldworkers, pesticide handlers, farm labor contractors, private and in-house safety trainers, growers, farm managers, licensed pesticide applicators (private and commercial), pest control advisors (PCAs), and crop consultants, to name a few.
How do I know if I am qualified to train?
If you attended one of the DPR-approved Train-the-Trainer programs you are qualified through 2017. However, if you wish to continue training after the end of the year, you must complete a DPR-approved Instructor Training Program, which includes the 2018 training topic requirements.
If you maintain certain licenses/government designations, including PAC, QAC, QAL, PCA, and certain County Biologist licenses you are qualified to train. UCCE Advisors are also qualified to train.
How can I get qualified as a trainer?
To become a trainer, take an Instructor Training program that is approved by DPR for 2018 topics. The University of California Pesticide Safety Education Program (part of the UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, UC IPM), in partnership with AgSafe, will offer multiple workshops this spring that cover the new federal requirements for fieldworker and handler training. You can reserve your spot now. At the end of the training you will be a certified pesticide safety instructor.
If I am currently qualified, how can I make sure I stay up to date on all the new requirements?
If you are currently qualified as a trainer because you maintain a California PAC, QAC, or QAL, or if you are a PCA, you can attend an Instructor Training Program this spring to learn about the new WPS requirements and additional training topics. While a certification may qualify you, an Instructor Training Program will prepare you to train! Register today!
UC IPM Pesticide Safety Education Program
- Author: Ben Faber
Chlorpyrifos (Lorsban) is a pesticide long used in citrus along with many other crops. It is an organophosphate that has value partly because it is persistent, which is also one of its drawbacks. One of its uses is to control ant species that "farm" such pests as mealybug, aphids and scales. Many organophosphate materials have been removed from the market and their use in residential settings has been severely curtailed. New restrictive uses are now in place for this material in agriculture and an informational meeting is being held in September for citrus growers on what approaches to take with these restrictions. During the meeting a workshop on ant identification and management will be offered.
Ventura County Breakfast IPM Meeting
Citrus IPM and Chlorpyrifos Regulatory Update
September 16, 2015 8:00 AM – Noon
Hot Breakfast and Coffee at 8:00 AM
Hansen Research Center
14292 W Telegraph Rd (parking accessed from Briggs Road)
Santa Paula, CA 93060
Registration and Hot Breakfast at 8:00 AM
Meeting Runs 8:30 AM until Noon
Time |
Topics |
Org/Speaker |
Minutes |
8:00 AM |
|
Group |
- |
8:30 AM |
|
Ben Faber, UCCE Farm Advisor Ventura County |
15 |
8:45 AM |
|
Peter B. Goodell and Lori Berger, UC Statewide IPM Program |
45 |
9:30 AM |
|
Dennis Chessman or NRCS Representative or UC Statewide IPM Program Personnel |
15 |
9:45 AM |
|
Beth Grafton-Cardwell, UCCE, Lindcove REC |
30 |
10:15 AM |
BREAK |
BREAK |
15 |
10:30 AM |
|
Kris Tollerup, Area IPM Advisor, Kearney REC |
30 |
11:00 AM |
|
Mark Robertson and/or Randy Segawa, CDPR |
20 |
11:20 AM |
|
Representative of the Ventura County Ag Commissioner Office |
10 |
11:30 AM |
|
“Local Leadership”
UCCE/ PCA/Grower/ Crop Team Leader panel
|
30 |
Meeting Adjourns at Noon |
CDPR Continuing Education Units Applied for: 3.0 hours (1.0 Laws/ 2.0 Other)
Hot Breakfast Courtesy of Citrus Research Board