Nematodes for
SOLUTIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL FRUIT CULTIVATION
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CONTROL CODLING MOTHS WITH NEMATODES
Codling moth (Cydia pomonella) larvae are the natural host of the species Steinernema feltiae and thus susceptible to nematodes. The problem is simply to bring nematodes and larvae together. This is best accomplished in the fall when the larvae are in hiding behind the bark. There, the nematodes also feel at home and can kill most of them within a few hours. This reduces egg laying in the spring by 50%. Consultants recommend treatment with nemapom® if infestation exceeds 1% at harvest.
NEMAPOM® AGAINST CODLING MOTH LARVAE
nemapom® is already effective at 8 °C. The ideal period of application is September and October. In most cases a whole-tree treatment is necessary. The trees should be wet when applied and should not dry overnight. Rain, drizzle, mist or dew after application will increase the effect. Temperatures must be above 8 °C for several hours after application. Temporary temperature drops, e.g. during the night, do no harm. nemapom® is also effective against the plum moth.
CONTROL PLUM SAWFLIES WITH NEMATODES
The plum sawfly has only one generation per year compared to the plum moth, but destroys 4-5 plums, which then fall down. The adult wasps appear shortly before the plum blossom, which begins at the end of March to mid-April, depending on the region. The females lay one egg per blossom or young fruit, on average up to 70 eggs.
In case of infestation by plum sawflies, the barely 2 cm large, still green fruits show one or two boreholes which are plugged with black, moist faecal crumbs. In the infested fruits, the pit and flesh are destroyed. After four to six weeks of development, the last larval stage falls to the ground with the last infested fruit and goes 10-15 cm deep into the soil to overwinter.
nemapom® is only effective against adult wasps and is applied to the ground at least one week before they appear. The time of flight is determined with the help of the temperature sum: 165 degree days > 4.5°C air temperature measured from 15 January (Njezic 2017).
Apply nemapom® (500,000/m2) only on well-moistened soil and spray with at least 2,000 litres of water per hectare. Treat the tree strip in a width of approx. 2 m. Sprinkle with at least the same amount of water within 30 minutes after application to allow the nematodes to penetrate the soil. Ideally apply in the evening or when it is raining. Soil temperatures must be at least 8°C.
