The Integrated Pest Disease and Weed Management (IPDM) manual for Australian Apple and Pears has been newly revised and is now available online.
This practical manual is in large part due to the depth of knowledge and efforts of Agriculture Victoria Entomologist David Williams and Plant Pathologist Oscar Villalta, who are both retiring in the near future.
The manual includes useful information on how to develop an IPDM plan, key pests and diseases, integrated weed management, how to optimise the effectiveness of mating disruption, in addition to tables showing the toxicity of pesticides on beneficial species.
Apple and Pear Australia Ltd (APAL) Technical Manager Rosalie Daniels said the manual is a comprehensive resource for those interested in IPDM.
"It contains not only information about how to manage local pests and diseases using an integrated approach for Australian orchards and conditions, but it also provides details about unwanted pests that are not present in Australia and what to look out for," Ms Daniels said.
"One of the most valuable and rare things about this manual is the local information that has been included by the two authors through working in different regions with growers and advisors, which ensures the information is relevant, topical and applicable," she said.
The Integrated Pest Disease and Weed Management Manual for Australian Apples and Pears is available.
This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the Hort Innovation apple and pear research and development levy and contributions from the Victorian government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.
