Pear, Agri-Mek Timing Evaluation, 1992

The test orchard consisted of mature ‘Bosc’ pear trees planted on a 7.6 m by 7.6 m spacing. Treatments were applied; 14 Apr (petal fall), 5 May (1st cover), and 9 Jun (2nd cover) to four single tree replicates in a randomized block design. All applications were applied to runoff using an FMC Bean handgun sprayer operating at 300 psi. Additional sprays applied to the entire orchard during the trial were Imidan 50% WP 5.6 kg/ha applied 8 May, 2 Jun, and 2 Jul. Treatments were evaluated biweekly. Samples collected prior to 27 Apr consisted of fruiting spur leaves, and all other samples were made be collecting 15 leaves at random from the tree centers and 15 leaves from the middle of 15 terminal shoots. Arthropods were removed from leaves using a mite brushing machine and PP eggs and nymphs, and TSSM egg and post-egg stages counted with the aid of a dissecting microscope.