Location: Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research
Project Number: 2092-22430-003-048-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: May 1, 2022
End Date: Dec 31, 2023
Objective:
1. Assess the effects of oak leaf volatile sprays on target pests of pear and cherry.
2. Evaluate the effects of oak leaf volatile sprays on non-target beneficials..
3. Assess potential anti-microbial properties of oak leaf volatile sprays on cherry trees infected with X-disease phytoplasma.
Approach:
Objective 1. Test oak leaf volatile sprays for mortality and repellency effects on the pests pear psylla, grape mealybug, leaf hoppers, and spider mites in the lab.
Objective 2. Test oak leaf volatile sprays for mortality and repellency effects on predatory mites, the parasitoid Trechnites insidiosus, green lacewings, and convergent ladybeetle.
Objective 3. Cherry and pear trees infected with phytoplasma will be treated with oak leaf volatile sprays and phytoplasma titers will be monitored with PCR.