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possible plant death even in mature plants. Hueppelsheuser says there are a number of species that can cause problems, including the Black Vine Weevil, which is very common in berry fields. Each species produces similar symptoms but they have slightly different life cycles. Some are more active in spring or


summer; some notch more or less; some are active only in particular parts of the canopy, which makes identification more complex. Because it is a chronic condition, management of weevils is challenging and takes time. Foliar insecticides can be effective, but must be applied when the adults are active in the evening and before they lay their eggs. Most lay eggs in late June through late July, although the Rough Strawberry Weevil and the Clay-coloured Weevil are active as early as April. Most weevils spend the winter as larvae, but some adults will overwinter.


Most root weevils are unable to fly and most are only active at night, with adults feeding in the foliage after hiding in ground litter or protected within the canopy during the day.


Weevil females can lay up to 200 eggs during their short lifetime, near the soil surface. Larvae then burrow into the soil and feed on the plant’s roots through the winter, pupating in spring and emerging in spring and early summer as adults.


Because much of the worst damage to plants is done underground in the roots, it can go unnoticed until it’s too late.


Larvae are protected from pesticides because they’re living underground, in the soil.


Weevils are often part of a complex of factors affecting plant health. For the best diagnosis, all of the story is needed.


“We need to find the organism that’s causing the damage where it’s causing it,” Hueppelsheuser explained. Watching for leaf notching in blueberries is not a reliable enough tool for diagnosis of weevils, because they don’t necessarily feed on the leaves, she warned, suggesting that keeping grassed alleyways promotes habitat for predator beetles, which can feed on weevils. It is proven in other crops as helping to decrease weevil populations. It doesn’t provide 100 per cent control and it’s not proven yet in blueberries. “It can’t hurt, though,” she added.


Weevils are a stubborn, persistent


problem. Ministry staff continue to analyze information from last year and will continue tackling weevils in upcoming years, she said.


B


Pesticides gain PMRA approval By Judie Steeves


erry growers will have a number of new tools in their arsenal against weeds, pests and diseases in the coming year, reports Mark Sweeney, berry specialist with the provincial ministry of


agriculture. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency has approved Centurion with clethodim in it, for cranberry growers to use against weeds such a annual bluegrass. It’s a grass herbicide that is sprayed on. Strawberry growers will benefit from the use of Flint, a fungicide containing trifloxystrobin, against powdery mildew. Phostrol, a fungicide, will also be helpful for both raspberry and strawberry growers to control Phytophthora or root rot; and for suppression of leather rot in strawberries.


Blueberry growers will be able to use Quash, a fungicide which contains metconazole, another option for dealing with mummyberry, of particular concern to blueberry growers, but also for cranberries. There are some other registrations pending too, notes Sweeney. For details of new registrations, go to the website at: www.al.gov.bc.ca/ pesticides and click on pesticide registration.


Sweeney also advises growers to make use of the regularly-updated, online berry production guide at: http://productionguide.agrifoodbc.ca./


10757-182 St. Edmonton, AB Ph: (780) 484-2231 www.tramsales.com info@tramsales.com


Row Crop Fertilizer Spreader for Berries & Orchards


Bogballe Model L1-Base, Row Crop Spreader


Standard Equipment: hydraulic remote control, hopper cover, cat. II 3 pt hitch, sieves, twin disks, degree meter, PTO w/sealed clutch, 775L / 0.775 cu meter capacity. Row widths - 2 to 6 meters. Spreading pattern - 1 to 2 meters on each row.


Ideal for use in vineyards, fruit orchards and berry production, the L1 spreader is mounted with row equipment made of stainless steel. The spreader is fitted with a hopper with a width of only 125 cm (49”) for narrow distances between rows of plants, bushes or trees.


The row equipment places the fertiliser in 100-120 cm (39”-47”) bands around the plant base so that the use of nutrients is optimized. The row spacing can be adjusted in stepless settings between 1.5 and 5 metres (4’-11” and 16’-5”) using the angled flaps at each side.


The 2-row equipment is easily mounted and dismounted using only a single lever. Without row equipment installed, the spreader can work at spread widths from 10 - 18 metres (32’-10” - 59’-0”).


16 British Columbia Berry Grower • Spring 2013


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