Naju-si Urges Removal of Pear Orchard Jopi and Timely Pest Control

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Hanhyuk Lee] Jeonnam Naju City is strengthening orchard 'bark peeling' (removal of tree bark) to reduce the density of overwintering pests before the full-scale growth of pear trees, and on-site guidance for timely pest control for farmers.

Winter pest control work for overwintering pests.
[Photo by Naju City]

According to the Naju Agricultural Technology Center on the 14th, overwintering pests such as pear psylla (Psylla pyri), mites, and scale insects occur in early spring, and using mineral oil emulsions can suppress pest density and prevent egg laying.

Mineral oil emulsions are insecticides that form a film on the insect surface, preventing respiration, and are made by mixing emulsifiers with mineral oil.

Especially in orchards that suffered severe damage from scale insects and peach twig borers last year, bark peeling work using a 'high-pressure bark remover' before spraying mineral oil emulsions is essential.

Bark peeling not only reduces the density of overwintering pests but also enhances the adhesion effect of pesticides.

Mineral oil emulsions are diluted 30 to 40 times (about 12.5 to 17 liters per 500 liters of water) and sprayed on the rough bark, branches, and fruiting branches of the trees.

However, since it has almost no effect on laid eggs, pest control before egg laying is optimal.

For pear psylla, which reduces commercial value due to pear sooty mold, the most effective time to control is when about 80% of the overwintering adult insects under the rough bark move up the tree as temperatures warm in February.

This year, mineral oil emulsions should be sprayed around February 20, the optimal pest control time, and farmers should be cautious; in orchards with frequent stem blight or where cold air stagnation causes frequent frost damage, registered pesticides should be used instead of mineral oil emulsions to avoid phytotoxicity and ensure timely control.

Also, when spraying lime sulfur after mineral oil emulsions, a 15 to 20-day interval should be maintained for safety.

Cho Sung-eun, director of the Agricultural Technology Center, said, "If the timing for overwintering pest control is missed, the effort required from the time pear flowers bloom until harvest doubles, so we hope farmers will perform bark peeling and spray mineral oil emulsions at the right time."

Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Hanhyuk Lee baekok@asiae.co.kr