of field trials in the Sacramento Valley, soil applied fall N did improve yield next year in orchards with good production and adequate leaf N levels in the summer leaf samples. If you want to apply N, use a low rate (for example, 20–30 lbs N/acre). Why such a low rate even if trees are low in N ? Flower bud differentiation has already occurred, so any N applied now simply goes to storage for the next spring and even deficient trees have limited storage space. Dry potassium fertilizer can be applied in bands or targeted broadcasting down the tree row in the fall. The conventional maintenance rate of potassium sulfate (SOP) in mature, productive orchards is 400–500 lbs fertilizer per acre. If the soil has a lower capacity to hold potassium (cation exchange capacity), then the dry, fall applied rate should be scaled back to avoid the risk of K leaching. Dry K fertilizers are generally less expensive per acre than liquid K products that are usually injected with irrigation water during the growing season. However, fall applied
Now, more than ever, orchard sanitation is important. Inshell almond prices are UP. Navel orangeworm (NOW) standards for inshell almonds are high, meaning low damage is critical for gaining the inshell premium. Orchard sanitation is the foundation of NOW management. Fall is the time to plan and prep for orchard sanitation. Once leaves are out of the trees, count the mummies in 20 trees per orchard. The target is 2 mummies or less per tree by February 1, with very low numbers (0.2 mummies per tree and less than 4 “grounder” mummies under each tree) suggested in high pressure areas. Keep final mummy counts under these thresholds for best results next harvest. If shaking doesn’t get the mummy numbers down below recommended levels, consider polling with hand crews — especially in areas with a high damage history (and/or high income potential). Growers with “dirty” neighbors might consider sharing sanitation costs with those neighbors to reduce damage potential.
dry materials require rain or irrigation to incorporate the fertilizer so K is available to the trees next spring. Dry fertilizer bands can be scattered by sweeper passes used in orchard sanitation and/or to clear
away leaves before spraying preemergent herbicide(s). Pest management practices in the fall are mostly focused on
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monitoring and preparing for winter practices. Big issues are mummy counts to decide if/where orchard sanitation for navel orangeworm management is needed, early dormant spur sampling for scale, and weed surveys to evaluate the weed management program last year and plan for the next one.
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