UC in the Valley
 

For Immediate Release
June 27, 2003
Contact: Jeannette Warnert
Sr. Public Information Representative
UC Ag and Natural Resources
Ph: (559) 241-7514
Fax: (559) 241-7513
jwarnert@uckac.edu

 

Putting the brakes on vine mealy bug topic at August 12 UC Grape Day 2003

Fresno – Even though the destructive vine mealy bug spread from three counties to 11 new counties last year, a UC entomologist will share researchers’ confidence at UC Grape Day 2003 that the pest’s trek across California table, wine and raisin vineyards will now be slowed down.

UC Grape Day 2003 will be from 8 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, at the University of California Kearney Research and Extension Center, 9240 S. Riverbend Ave., Parlier.

“UC farm advisors on the north coast discovered that vine mealy bugs were being spread through the state in cuttings used to establish new vineyards,” said Walt Bentley, the UC integrated pest management entomologist based at the UC Kearney Research and Extension Center. “We’ve adapted a heat dip technique for nurseries to use to kill the vine mealy bugs on those cuttings and slow the pest’s spread.”

During the field day program, Bentley will encourage grape growers to be vigilant in their efforts to monitor for and eradicate vine mealy bug.

“Since vine mealy bug doesn’t fly, new infestations are usually very small. If they’re less than an acre, farmers can eradicate it,” Bentley said. “But once vine mealy bug is established throughout the vineyard, it’s tough to get rid of.”

An infested vineyard would require annual pesticide treatments to preserve the crop.

Treatment with Admire, a systemic pesticide that is applied through the drip irrigation system, costs about $70 to $80 per acre. The synthetic growth regulator Applaud, another treatment option, costs about $20 per acre.

“The cost is putting some raisin growers out of business,” Bentley said. “With the prices of raisins down, they cannot afford the insecticide treatments and are pulling the vineyards out.”

UC Grape Day 2003 will also feature presentations on dried-on-the-vine (DOV) raisin systems, irrigation management and in-row spacing. The agenda follows:

 Physiological implications of DOV systems for raisin grapes, Matthew Fidelibus, extension viticulturist, UC Davis
   
Interaction of irrigation amounts and canopy management practices on wine grape yield and wine quality in the San Joaquin Valley, Larry Williams, viticulture professor, UC Davis
   

New directions in DOV raisin production research, Bill Peacock, viticulture farm advisor, UC Cooperative Extension in Tulare County
   
Influence of in-row spacing and training systems on the performance of Syrah grapevines in the San Joaquin Valley, Nick Dokoozlian, extension viticulturist, UC Davis
   
Control of vine mealy bug, Walt Bentley

For more information, contact Diana Nix at (559) 646-6526, dnix@uckac.edu.

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