Summary of Most Critical Needs for Pear Pest Management Specific to the Yakima Valley
Research:
- Research variety/rootstock susceptibility to fire blight under different cropping systems,
- Strategies to avoid pear psylla tolerance or resistance to insecticides,
- Improved sprayer technology for better canopy coverage, and management of key pests,
- Development of products and strategies that target different stages of codling moth, and
- Management strategies for emerging exotic arthropods and diseases.
Regulatory:
- Producer guidelines on how to diminish risks of exceeding pesticide MRLs on pears,
- Develop food safety regulations for risks outside the control of pear producers, and
- Develop guidelines for producers to minimize food safety risks associated with pears.
Education:
- Develop a centralized website of pest management information for tree fruit producers,
- Promote the indirect impacts of area-wide programs to encourage producer adoption,
- Consumer awareness of what producers do for public health & as environmental stewards,
- Continue to educate the public on the benefits of eating properly ripened pears.
For More information on commercial pear production, see: Pest Management Strategic Plan for Pears in Oregon and Washington, by Katie Murray and Joe DeFrancesco, Oregon State University.