1 March - Whitefly & pruning

7 March 2018,

Pruning Clear and burn ?prunings to prevent early, unnecessary fungal infections on vulnerable crops. Use the relevant Agricultural Waste exemptions D7, T6, U10 or U12. More information at www.gov.uk/manage-waste-on-land-guidance-for-land-managers#waste-use-treatment-recovery-and-disposal.
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Buffer zones Note that some newly issued pesticide labels now detail information on arthropod buffer zones in addition to aquatic buffer zones. These arthropod buffer zones can be either 5m or 6m wide and either statutory or advisory. Check the label carefully — "respect" or "do not" mean that the buffer zone is statutory, while "avoid" means it is advisory but may require supporting evidence should it not be followed.
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Dianthus Check crops for Fusarium infections — patchy dieback showing as brown, dead foliage. Remove any dead or dying plants and then apply a directed spray to the crowns of the rest of the crop with Prestop (EAMUs required), Serenade ASO (EAMUs required) or Switch. Also control any sciarid populations, which can spread this disease, using one of the following: Atheta, Hypoaspis, Macrocheles or consider also Steinernema feltiae nematodes.
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Rust Check Mahonia ‘Apollo’ and Bellis for early rust infections on protected crops — spray Reflect (EAMU 2016-1602), Switch or Signum (EAMU 2012-2141) if seen. Do not spray if a frost is predicted that night, or foliage damage may occur.
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Weed control Control weed growth on cleared container beds with a tank-mix of glufosinate-ammonium or Reglone plus Venzar Flowable or Flexidor. These product combinations will burn ?off any weeds present and help prevent re-emergence this spring. Clean up liverwort with Mogeton (EAMU 2015-2273).
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Adelgids Check Abies, Picea, Pinus, Pseudotsuga, Juniperus and Larix for the white fluffy deposits exuded from pests’ bodies. The pineapple galls that develop later on contain young nymphs so control is important now to keep plants clean. Apply Decis or Hallmark WZT (EAMU 2008-2944) plus a wetting agent (depending on product formulation and instructions) to penetrate the "wax". Sooty moulds that can grow on the honeydew can be controlled using Rovral WG (EAMU 2011-3200) or Switch.