Kern County PMA Project Progress report

March 13, 2002

December

            Dormant sprays were applied. The reduced input blocks were sprayed with 6 gallons of oil per acre. The conventional blocks were sprayed with 6 gallons of oil plus 16 ounces of DiazinonÒ per acre

            Barley was planted in the section of the orchard that has water penetration problems. The rate was 80 pounds per acre.

            Spurs were taken to evaluate the orchard for the presence of San Jose Scale.

January

            Beginning on January 16, 2002, soil samples were gathered to evaluate for overwintering female spider mites. Sampling was done as in past years. This evaluation will continue until the end of March.

February

            San Jose Scale traps were placed on February 11, 2002 and are being read on a weekly basis.

            The orchard was shook for mummy removal. Mummies were then counted to make sure shaking had done a sufficient job of removal.

            A number of trees that had heavy infestations of San Jose Scale were flagged. These trees will be observed over the course of the season to watch the progression of the pest and their affect on the tree.