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About Us
County Impact Statements - White County
Integrated Production Systems for Bunch Grapes
Improving Timing of Insecticide Applications
The two major pests of concern in Arkansas include the grape berry moth and
the grape root borer. The grape berry moth larva feeds in the berries and the
grape root borer larva tunnels in the roots causing decline in vine vigor and
may kill vines. Females of both species release sex pheromone that attracts
males for mating. Male flight of both species is monitored using phermone traps.
As the Environmental Protection Agency cancels use of many organophosphate and
carbamate pesticides on grapes, growers appear more receptive to learning how to
scout vineyards for these pests and berry damage. Daily degree days and weekly
pheromone trap catches are used to predict hatch of grape berry moth and berry
damage is used to justify and improve timing of available insecticide
applications.
This project was funded by a three year grant from Integrated Pest Management
(IPM program provided by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
Service. This project implemented available insect pest management practices and
compared grape quality and pesticide use between an IPM and a calendar-sprayed
vineyard.
This project has demonstrated that, through pest scouting and weather
monitoring, insecticide applications can be better timed. Less pesticide use is
a winning combination for the grower and the consumer.
Damage to a grape from a grape berry moth larva.
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Impacts
- The IPM vineyard had only two perimeter sprays all season compared to
four or more full vineyard sprays in the other traditionally treated
vineyard.
- Less pesticide use saves the producer time, money and labor. A reduction
of pesticides in the environment is a positive that affects everyone.
- Future use of these practices will hopefully bring the producer a
premium price for the fruit due to the quality of the product and the fact
that it has had little pesticide applications.
- Pest management recommendations were given to the participating grape
grower, emailed to county agents, placed on the code-a-phone Horticulture
Hotline, and on the Arkansas Fruit IPM website.
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