Integrated fruit production (IFP) for New Zealand pipfruit: evaluation of pest management recommendations

Abstract

Approximately 370 apple growers in seven districts participated in the implementation of an Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) programme during the 1997-98 season. Pest management was based on monitoring and threshold-based applications of selective insect growth regulator and organophosphate insecticides. Post-bloom insecticide use across all regions ranged from 2.4 -4.1 applications on Gala apples to 3.0 -5.8 applications on the cultivar Braeburn. Average levels of codling moth and leafroller damaged fruit across all regions were low and ranged from 0 -0.06% and 0.01 -0.73% respectively. Mealybug and scale were important pests and infestation ranged from 0 -0.40% and 0.01 -2.90% respectively. Revised IFP recommendations for leafroller control provided acceptable fruit quality, but further revision is required to improve scale and mealybug control.