Crop protection tools are becoming more and more regulated and limited in California. Biostimulants, biopesticides and biofertilizers offer more options for growers. How they fit into conventional and organic farming systems is still being investigated and how the California Department of Pesticide Regulation should treat and classify them is still in debate. The California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA) …
Western Brassica Growers Troubled by Diamondback Moth Insecticide Resistance
When a prevalent pest like Diamondback Moth develops insecticide resistance, pest management costs can rise astronomically for farmers and can even lead to food shortages. California Fruit & Vegetable Editor-in-Chief Matthew Malcolm met with CAPCA Board Member Kyle Kuechel from Syngenta to discuss the gravity of the situation, what growers can do to manage resistance issues, and what hope can …
Widespread Rat Infestation in Orchards & Vineyards, CAPCA on Tools & Resources Moving Ahead
As if California growers and PCAs didn’t have enough on their plates with rising input costs compounded by the most restrictive laws & regulations in the nation, they’ve been further challenged with an unusual pest problem this year — rats! An increasing number of abandoned orchards and vineyards due to poor economic circumstances has caused a feeding frenzy for some …
Shield Your Yield with Spectra™
SPONSORED CONTENT Shield your yield with Tidal Grow® Spectra™, a bioactive fungicide, bactericide, and nematicide that’s now approved for California growers. Spectra™ fights pests and pathogens directly, enhances natural crop defenses, and fortifies against abiotic stressors. It also boosts nutrient uptake, root function, growth, and yield while working synergistically with other active ingredients. Growers are effectively fighting California crop threats like …
California Orchards Blossom with NRCS Help Managing Pests
California’s Central Valley is a land of agricultural abundance, known for its incredible diversity of crops including fruits, vegetables and nuts. It produces approximately 25% of the nation’s food. But with plenty can come pests – in as many varieties and types as the crops grown in the region. Area farmers have worked with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) …
Medfly Quarantine in Portion of Santa Clara County
A portion of Santa Clara County has been placed under quarantine for the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) following the detection of two wild female flies in the city of San José. If not stopped, Medflies can devastate fruits and vegetables grown in backyards and on local farms by reproducing and leaving larvae in produce, and the invasive flies can then …
California Olive IPM Workshop, Sept. 18
You’re invited to the California Olive IPM Workshop on September 18 from 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at the California Olive Ranch in Artois, CA. This free, hands-on field day is organized by the Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems, American Olive Oil Producers Association (AOOPA), and the California Olive Ranch, as part of the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s …
Funding Available for California Citrus Growers to Fight Asian Citrus Psyllid, Prevent Citrus Disease
Huanglongbing (HLB), the deadly citrus disease that decimated the Florida citrus industry has shown up in Southern California and is now threatening the nation’s number one citrus state. HLB is primarily spread by the invasive Asian Citrus Psyllid, so managing this insect is key to preventing the spread of the disease. Pest mitigation practices may be costly, the California Citrus …
Interesting Insect Find Close to Strawberry Determined Not to Be a Pest
Mark Bolda, coastal UCCE Strawberry and Caneberry Farm Advisor, was easing into some Sunday morning reading recently at a small park in Watsonville that is very close to a strawberry field when the unusual insect depicted below paid him a visit. Given that he had never seen this insect (and doubts that many of you have either), he felt a …
Tolerance of Lettuce Varieties to Fusarium Wilt – 2024
Fusarium wilt of lettuce, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae (FOL), is an economically significant disease on the Central Coast of California. We conducted field trials to evaluate 30 iceberg and 21 romaine varieties for tolerance to Fusarium wilt. The trials were located in commercial fields in Greenfield, CA (wet date of May 27, 2024) and Salinas, CA (wet date of June 8, …
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