2 research outputs found
BIOS approach tested for controlling walnut pests in San Joaquin Valley
As concerns increase over changes in pesticide regulations, farmworker safety, surface
and groundwater contamination and escalating costs and uncertainties associated with
chemical controls, walnut growers need effective and cost-efficient ways to produce
walnuts with minimal use of pesticides. This study compared the effectiveness of Biologically
Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) with conventionally managed walnut orchards in the
northern San Joaquin Valley from 1999 to 2001. We found no significant differences
between BIOS and conventional blocks in nut quality or yields. Codling moth was effectively
controlled by pheromone disruption and alternative pest-control methods. Mating disruption,
by itself, appears to provide good control of codling moth in many orchards. However,
it is still more expensive for growers than conventional pest-control methods