Farm advisors in Tulare, Kings and Madera counties have participated in more than 20 defoliant research trials over the last four years. They have evaluated various chemical combinations, harvest aids, organic chemicals, fertilizer-based defoliants and new surfactants. In the ongoing tests the advisors seek to find cotton defoliation products that are less odorous, safe for the environment and that would provide the most effective leaf drop and boll opening at the lowest cost to growers. Pheromone Mating Disruption in Fruit Crops Thanks to research pioneered by UCCE personnel, Tulare County growers have another weapon in their on-going battle to produce quality fruit. Over the past 10 to 12 years, pheromone mating disruption has become a safe and effective pest control option for growers.
Pheromones are substances that insects use to communicate and seek out one another for mating.
Small dispensers of synthetically produced pheromones are placed in trees and the chemical blankets the orchard. Because of the overabundance of pheromone material, pests cannot find one another to mate and reproduce. This short-circuits the pests life cycle and consequently serves to protect trees and fruit. In most instances, results are comparable to those obtained using traditional chemical pesticide applications. But, because these materials are so safe, workers can even apply them by hand.