IN YOUR ORCHARD
TIME TO CONSIDER
I’m not sure if I’m sweating because the weather has been over 100 degrees for more than a week (even as I write this article) or if it’s the thought that harvest is right around the corner! You read that right, harvest is coming and it’s coming fast. In this article, I will go through a few key reminders about harvest and how you can position yourself and your operation for a successful harvest season.
Irrigation is vital before and after harvest. Kernel weight will continue to increase through the month of July, depending on the water situation and irrigating at 100% ET will lead to full kernels at harvest. Trees under water stress during this time can have reduced kernel weight. Returning to normal irrigation right after shaking is important, not only for tree stress, but for next year’s crop as well. According to the UC Davis Publication “Drought Tip: Drought Management for California Almonds (ucanr.edu)”¹ severely stressed post- harvest orchards had a 52% reduction in bloom density and a 94% reduction in fruit set, resulting in a 73.6% reduction in the following year’s yield. Growers using drip irrigation can apply water as soon as the almonds are clear of the drip line. Growers with sprinklers or flood will have to pre-plan, so harvest is done in a timely manner and they can return to normal irrigation. Always keep in mind that the first irrigation for next year’s crop starts after this year’s harvest. As growers enter the harvest home stretch, pest management still needs to be in the forefront of their minds. Navel orangeworm , which is one of the leading causes of reject levels, needs to be addressed prior to harvest. An insecticide application made at hull split will help reduce the possibility of damage. Growers with a high Navel orangeworm population may need to consider additional applications, depending on the insect flight and hull split timings. Consult with your PCA on the correct timing and products for your orchard. Timely harvesting can also reduce Navel orangeworm damage by avoiding the late generation flights of the insect. Keep in mind however, if a grower shakes before the nut has matured it can result in “peelers” at the huller. Shaking too early can also cause problems, such as excess moisture leading to crop damage, if your crop is stockpiled after harvest.
As the summer temperatures increase, so does mite pressure. In a year where input costs are high, it may be hard to decide to do an extra treatment for mites. Not treating a mite flare up can result in reduced production in the following years. Heavy mite pressure leads to early defoliation, then reduced photosynthesis, and ultimately, reduced flower production the following year. Ants are what I like to call “The Silent Pest” at harvest time. In many cases, growers do not believe they have an ant issue, but they might not be able to see the damage. Ants typically only leave the skin of the almond after feeding. This skin is then lost through the pickup machine or at the huller, and the damage never shows up as a reject. Even though it may not be showing up as reject, it still has a fiscal impact on the grower. A simple way to scout for ants is to take an empty water bottle with the cap off, place a few plain almonds, potato chips, or hot dogs inside, and set it in the orchard. Check the bottle 24-48 hours later and see if any damage has occurred. This easy scouting method, along with a discussion with your PCA, can provide insight on if treatment is needed. And don’t forget to remove the bottle when you’re done! Carpophilus Beetle is the newest pest almond growers are facing. Much is still being learned about this pest, so control strategies are still developing. The critical timing for a chemical application for this pest will be at hull split. Timely and early harvest also shows promise because vulnerable nuts are exposed for a shorter time. If you believe you are experiencing damage from Carpophilus Beetle be sure to check your Reject Breakdown on your Blue Diamond statement. We have added “Beetle” as a new category to show if this pest is causing your rejects.
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ALMOND FACTS
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