P1664 Disease, Insect, and Weed Control Guide for Commercial Peach Orchards

Disease, Insect, and Weed Control Guide for Commercial Peach Orchards

Pesticide Precautions

The following information is from the pesticide labels of products mentioned in this guide. For other important data to help you use the products safely and accurately...read the labels.

Abound Flowable -- Do not apply within 14 days of harvest.
Ambush -- Do not apply within 7 days of harvest. Do not exceed 8 applications per season. Do not graze livestock in treated orchards.
Benlate -- Do not apply within 3 days of harvest.
Bravo -- Do not apply Bravo 720 after shuck split.
Captan -- No time limitations.
Carbamate (ferbam) -- Do not apply within 21 days of harvest. When applying ferbam in combination with oil, mix the ferbam thoroughly in half the water, fill remainder of tank, and add oil last--or add ferbam after oil is diluted in spray tank.
Carzol -- Do not use within 21 days of harvest. Do not apply more than 2.5 pounds per acre per season.
Diazinon -- Do not apply within 20 days of harvest.
Dormant Oils -- Temperature requirements. Do not apply when temperatures are below 40 °F or when there is a danger that night temperatures will drop below 32 °F.
Funginex -- Do not exceed 3 applications in the preharvest period. No time limitations.
Guthion -- Do not apply within 21 days of harvest. Do not apply more than 8 times per season.
Imidan -- Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. Do not graze livestock in treated orchards.
Lorsban -- Do not apply more than once per season. Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. Do not allow spray to contact fruit. Do not graze livestock in treated orchards.
Malathion -- Do not apply within 7 days of harvest.
Methomyl (Lannate, Nudrin) -- Do not apply within 4 days of harvest. Do not graze livestock in treated orchards for 10 days after treatment.
Nova -- Preferred for blossom blight phase of brown rot. Not for full season use.
Omite -- Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. Use only 2 applications per season.
Penncap-M -- Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. Do not apply more than 5 pounds actual Penncap-M per acre per year.
Pounce -- Do not apply within 7 days of harvest. Do not make more than 8 applications per season. Do not graze livestock in treated orchards.
Pydrin -- Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. Do not exceed 1.5 pounds of active ingredient per acre per season, with no more than 1.2 pounds active ingredient per acre per season between bloom and harvest. Do not graze livestock in treated orchards.
Rovral -- May be used until harvest.
Sevin -- Do not apply within 1 day of harvest.
Sulfur -- No time limitation.
Thiodan -- Do not apply within 30 days of harvest. Do not apply more than twice during the fruiting season.
Topsin -- Do not apply within 1 day of harvest.
Vendex -- Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. Do not apply more than 2 times per season.

Disease, Insect, and Weed Control Guide for Commercial Peach Orchards in Mississippi

Brown rot, scab, and leaf curl are fungal diseases controlled by a combination of good sanitation and cultural practices and a regular fungicide spray program. Refer to the following Mississippi State University Extension Service publications:

Cultural Recommendations (Publication 376, Information Sheet 490, and Publication 762)
Peach Disease Descriptions and Suggested Sanitation Practices (Publication 568)
Phytophthora Root Rot on Nonbearing Trees -- Chemical Control (M-212)

The information presented is based on the most current information on research conducted in North and South Carolinas, Georgia, and Mississippi.

Use the schedule only as a guideline. Fungicide and insecticide application rates and intervals vary from one location to another due to different disease and insect pressures, climatic conditions, peach varieties, size and number of trees per acre, and sanitation and cultural practices followed. The rates of fungicides and insecticides are expressed as the amount per acre that provides good disease and insect control for peach trees pruned to a height of 8 feet. Use the higher rates when disease and insect pressure is moderate to severe.

Thorough coverage is essential for good control. As a dilute spray, 200 gallons of water per acre is usually sufficient for adequate coverage. However, the amount of water used for application should not affect the amount of chemical used per acre. Each grower should use the volume of water best suited to his orchard and application equipment.

The final authority on the use of a pesticide is the product label. All directions and suggestions on the labels should be followed, particularly the restrictions on the interval between the time of last application and harvest.

Trade and brand names are presented here only for information. The Mississippi State University Extension Service does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any product mentioned and does not imply approval of any product to the exclusion of others that also may be suitable.

Contact your county Extension office for further assistance and information on the control of peach disease, insects, and weeds in Mississippi.

Peach Spray Guide

Read the pesticide restrictions before using this guide.
Thorough coverage is essential for good disease and insect control.

Name and Time of Spray	Disease/Insect To Control	Pesticide Formulation	Amount Per Acre	Remarks
Dormant (after all leaves are off but before bud swell)	Leaf curl	Carbamate 76 WP/WDG	4.25 lb	Carbamate and dormant oil may be applied in combination, provided the Carbamate is added after the oil is diluted in the spray tank.
	Leaf curl	Bravo 720	3.25 - 4 pt
	Mites and Scale insects	Dormant oil or combination spray:	4 gal	Do not increase the oil content above the recommended concentration. To be effective, 2 applications must be made at least 1 week and no more than 10 days apart. Be sure to cover undersides of scaffold limbs with pressure and not from runoff.
		Dormant oil +	2 - 4 gal
		Lorsban 4EC	1 - 2 pt
Blossom (when 10% of blossoms open)	Brown rot Blossom blight	Topsin M 70WP or	0.75 - 1 lb	Topsin or Benlate fungicides should not be used alone. Consult product labels for specific use instructions for each product. Do not use insecticides at this time, because they will interfere with bee activity.
		Benlate WP + captan 50WP or	0.75 - 1.5 lb 8 lb
		captan 50WP	8 lb
		Bravo 720	3.25 pt
		Funginex 1.6EC	1.5 - 2 pt
		Rovral 4F	2 qt
		Ronilan 50WP	2 lb
		Nova 40W	4 oz
		Orbit 3.6EC	4 oz
		Indar 75WSP	2 oz
		Elite 45DF	8 oz
Petal fall (after petals are off but before peach is showing)	Brown rot	Bravo 720	3.25 pt	If rainy conditions favorable for brown rot development persist, products listed for blossom stage preferable to captan, Bravo, or sulfur.
		captan 50WP	8 lb
		wettable sulfur	9 lb actual
	Scab	Abound Flowable	5.5 - 8.3 fl oz	Refer to Abound label for additional application instructions
	Catfacing insects * Plum curculio	Guthion 50WP or	1 - 1.25 lb	Do not mix Penncap-M with emulsifiable concentrates. Do not apply more than 5 pounds actual Penncap-M per acre per year.
		Penncap-M or	1.5 - 2 pt
		methomyl 1.8 SL (Lannate, Nudrin) or	4 - 8 pt
		thiodan 50WP or	2 lb	Do not apply thiodan more than twice per season. Ambush, Pounce, or Pydrin should be applied at the higher rate for Plum curculio.
		Imidan 50WP or	2.5 lb
		Ambush 2EC or	6.4 - 12.8 fl oz
		Pounce 3.2EC or	4 - 8 fl oz or
		Pydrin 2.4EC	8 - 6 fl oz
White peach scale **
Shuck split	Scab Brown rot	Same as petal fall		Shuck split and first and second cover sprays are critical scab sprays. If scab were a problem the previous year, use Bravo 720.
Shuck split	Catfacing insects Plum curculio	Fungicide listed above + Insecticide - see Petal Fall
First cover spray	Scab	captan 50WP	5 lb	If rain occurs, reapply sulfur. Do not apply Bravo 720 after shuck split.
First cover spray	Brown rot	wettable sulfur	9 lb actual
Additional cover sprays	Scab Brown rot Catfacing insects Plum curculio Oriental fruit moth	Same as first cover + Insecticide - see Petal fall Preharvest
Preharvest Begin 2-3 weeks before harvest; apply fungicides at 7- to 10-day intervals until harvest.	Brown rot	Topsin M 70WP or	.75 - 1 lb	Two or three preharvest sprays usually needed. Preharvest uses and restrictions vary according to the product; refer to label for details. Minimum days between application and harvest are: Benlate--3 days with limit of 1 application; Topsin M--1 day with limit of 2 applications; Captan--0 days but 4-day reentry period; Rovral--0 days; Ronilan--14 days; Funginex--0 days with limit of 2 applications; Orbit--0 days with limit of 2 applications; Nova--7 days; Elite--0 days.
		Benlate WP + captan 50WP or	.75 - 1.5 lb 8 lb
		captan 50WP	8 lb
		Funginex 1.6EC	1.5 - 2 pt
		Rovral 4F	2 qt
		Ronilan 50WP	2 lb
		Nova 40W	4 oz
		Orbit 3.6EC	4 oz
		Indar 75WSP	2 oz
		Elite 45DF	8 oz
Pre- or postharvest sprays	Mites	Vendex 50WP	1 lb	As needed to prevent early defoliation. If mites are present, 2 applications 7 days apart may be necessary if mite populations are heavy.
		carzol SP	1 - 1.25 lb
		Omite 30WP	5 lb
	Shothole borer	Sevin XLR-4	2 qt	Can occur late in season and require 1-2 applications after harvest. Late infestations can damage or destroy buds/terminals for next year. Base control decisions on presence of insect.
	Shothole borer	Imidan 50WP	3 lb
Trunk sprays Early varieties: make an application of Thiodan after harvest followed by a Lorsban application 2-3 weeks later. Late varieties: make an application of Thiodan 30 days before harvest; follow with a Lorsban application 2 weeks after harvest.	Peachtree borer	Thiodan 50WP or	1.5 lb/100 gal	Thorough coverage of scoffold limbs and trunk, as well as an area of soil around the base, is important. It is also important to protect young non-bearing trees from peachtree borers. These trees could be sprayed at the same time as applications are made to the regular orchard.
	Peachtree borer	Lorsban 4E	3 qt/100 gal

* Catfacing damage (CFD): The first 4 sprays following petal fall are important in the control of catfacing insects as is the control of winter annuals (henbit, chickweed, etc.) on the orchard floor. Insects responsible for CFD can build up on winter annuals and move into the tree by crawling or flying. The following points will be beneficial:

Make your applications during the warmest part of the day.

If mowing is used in grass and weed management, mow within 3 days after an insecticide application.

Aim the bottom nozzle toward the base of the tree to help control those insects (immatures) that crawl up the tree trunk. It will also help in peachtree borer control.

** White peach scale (WPS): This insect will have three generations per year with a probable fourth generation occurring in the lower third of the state. Approximate times for peak crawler activity are mid-April, late June, mid-August, and early October. For your program to be fully effective, it will be necessary to treat the two generations that occur after harvest. If a problem with WPS develops, the following procedures are suggested:

Use the dormant oils suggested in the guide.

Use a phosphate insecticide (Guthion, Imidan, or Penncap-M) for the cover spray, as materials such as Ambush, Pounce, or Pydrin have little or no activity on WPS.

Make 2 applications to coincide with the middle of August or (in the lower part of the state) early October. Diazinon can also be used for the August and October applications in the following manner:

Diazinon 50WP 1.5 to 2 lb/100 gal water
Diazinon 4EC (AG500) 1.5 to 2 pt/100 gal water

Harvested Fruit

Postharvest treatment with fungicides is essential to control brown rot and Rhizopus rot in storage or transit of fruit.

Check with your county Extension agent for recent recommendations concerning chemicals approved for control.

Peach Chemical Weed Control

A sodded area between rows and a vegetation-free strip under the peach dripline are recommended for peaches.

If water is routed to the sodded middles, soil erosion will be reduced. Use a herbicide band 4 to 8 feet wide down the tree row, and mow the ground cover between the rows. Width is determined by the tree size and individual preference. Cultivation may cause mechanical damage to tree trunks and root systems and encourage soil erosion.

Follow closely all instructions on the varying label rates because of soil types, organic matter, age of trees, grazing of livestock, and other special precautions.

Herbicide Trade Name (Rate/Acre Broadcast)	Herbicide Common Name (Active Herbicide/Acre)	Application Instructions and Remarks
Preemergence (Pre)
Casaron/Norasac 4G (100 - 150 lb) or 50WP (8 - 12 lb)	dichlobenil (4 - 6 lb)	May be used on bearing or nonbearing trees and nursery stock. Do not apply until 6 months after transplanting. Do not make an application within 1 month of harvest. Air temperature should be 50 °F or lower at time of application. Cultivation, rainfall, or sprinkler irrigation after application is needed to move the herbicide into the soil. Use the 50WP formulation only in early spring. Controls annual broadleaf weeds and grasses and certain perennials. Apply as granule or directed spray in early spring before seeds germinate or after cultivation has removed growing weeds. Do not allow animals to graze in treated area.
Devrinol 10G (20 - 40 lb) or Devrinol 50WP (4 - 8 lb)	napropamide (2 - 4 lb)	Apply to nonbearing and bearing trees. Do not apply to newly transplanted trees until the soil has settled and there are no cracks present. Apply in the fall through early spring before weed emergence. Devrinol must not remain on the soil surface for more than 24 hours. If rainfall does not occur during this period, the herbicide must be irrigated in (overhead or sprinkler) with sufficient water to wet the soil to a depth of 2 to 4 inches. Controls many annual grasses and small-seeded broadleaf weeds.
Dual 8 (2 - 4 pt)	metolachlor (2 - 4 lb)	Apply to weed-free soils after trees have been transplanted at least 30 days and after rain has settled soil around trees and no soil depressions exist around trees. If weeds are present, control with postemergence herbicides. Low rates are for coarse, low organic soils and high rates are for fine-textured soils and heavy weed pressure. Controls annual grasses and several small-seeded broadleafs. Do not apply to orchards that will bear harvestable fruit within 12 months.
Gallery 75DF (0.6 - 1.3 lb)	isoxaben (0.5 - 1.0 lb)	Apply to nonbearing trees. Controls many broadleaf weeds. Apply late summer to early fall or early summer. Do not apply before soil has firmed around tree roots.
Karmex, Diurex, Diuron 80WP (2.0 - 3.7 lb/A) 4 lb/gal (3.2 - 6 pt)	diuron (1.6 - 3 lb)	Use only under trees that have completed their third growing season. Read label regarding grafted root-stock. Controls annual broadleaf weeds and grasses. Apply in early spring before weeds emerge or during early seedling stage. If weed seedlings are present, add surfactant at rate of 2 qt/100 gal spray mixture. Do not apply within 3 months of harvest. Read label for special precautions regarding irrigation or flooding. Do not allow animals to graze in treated area.
Princep 80W or Simazine 80W (2 - 5 lb) or Princep or Sim-Trol 4 L (3 - 8 pt)	simazine (1.6 - 4 lb)	Use in orchards established 1 year or more. Controls annual broadleaf weeds and grasses. Apply in early spring (before weeds emerge) or late fall. May be applied as a split application. Use 0.5 rate in spring and 0.5 rate in fall. Avoid contact with fruit and foliage. Use the low rate on coarse-textured soils and the higher rate on finer-textured soils. Do not apply to sands, loamy sands, or gravelly soils. Do not allow animals to graze on treated area. Simazine may be tank-mixed with Surflan and/or Gramoxone. See label for appropriate use rate.
Solicam DF or Zorial Rapid 80 (2.5 - 5 lb)	norflurazon (2 - 4 lb)	Apply to bearing or nonbearing trees. Do not apply until transplanted trees have completed their first growing season (fall treatment). Make only one application per year. Application should be made either postharvest in the fall or in the early spring. Do not graze treated areas.
Surflan AS (2 - 4 qt)	oryzalin (2 - 4 lb)	Apply as a preemergence treatment to bearing and nonbearing trees. Do not apply to newly transplanted trees until the soil has settled and there are no cracks present. Use the low rate for 2-4 months of weed control, the medium rate for 6-8 months weed control, or the high rate for 8-12 months of weed control. Controls many annual grasses and small-seeded broadleaf weeds. Do not graze treated areas.
Postemergence (Post)
Gramoxone Extra (2 - 3 pt) + Nonionic Surfactant (1 - 2 pt/100 gal spray mix)	paraquat (0.6 - 0.9 lb) + nonionic surfactant	One-year-old trees may have green bark and may be injured by herbicide contact. Do not allow spray to contact green stems, fruit, or foliage. Controls annual broadleaf weeds and grasses and top-kill of perennials. Apply when weeds are succulent and new growth is 1 to 6 inches tall. Rates as low as 1.5 pints often provide control of small annual grasses, especially when used in tank mixes. Read label instructions for precautions. Do not allow animals to graze in treated area. Gramoxone is a restricted-use pesticide.
Fusilade 2000 (1.5 pt) + Crop Oil Concentrate (2 pt/25 gal spray mix) or Nonionic Surfactant (4 pt/100 gal spray mix)	fluazifop-butyl 0.2 lb + Crop Oil Concentrate or nonionic surfactant	Apply to nonbearing trees that will not be harvested within 1 year after application. For control of annual and perennial grasses. Apply as a directed spray using 20-40 gallons of spray solution per acre with a spray pressure of at least 30 psi. Use hollow cone or flat fan nozzles. A nonphytotoxic crop oil concentrate or nonionic surfactant must be added to spray mix. Repeat application may be needed if regrowth occurs. Broadleaf weeds and nutsedges (nutgrass) will not be controlled.
Poast 1.5E (1.5 - 2.5 pt) + Crop Oil Concentrate (2 pt/A)	sethoxydim (0.25% - 0.5 lb) + Crop Oil Concentrate	Apply to nonbearing trees that will not be harvested within 1 year after application. For control of annual and perennial grasses, apply as directed spray in a maximum of 20 gallons of spray solution per acre at 40 to 60 psi. A repeat application may be needed. Broadleaf weeds and nutsedge will not be controlled.
Roundup (1 - 4 qt)	glyphosate (1 - 4 lb)	Apply to nonbearing and bearing trees. Apply to nonbearing trees that are at least 3 years old. Apply no later than 90 days after first bloom. Application must be made with a shielded bloom sprayer or wiper applicator that prevents any contact of Roundup with the peach foliage or bark. Extreme care must be taken to ensure no part of the tree is contaminated. Remove suckers and hangers at least 10 days before application. Controls a broad spectrum of annual and perennial weeds and grasses. Do not allow animals to graze in treated area. See label for specific rates.
Goal (2.5 - 10 pt)	oxyfluorfen (0.5 - 2.0 lb)	Apply to bearing and nonbearing trees. Controls many broadleaf and grass weeds. Use low rates for postemergence control and high rate for postemergence and to provide residual preemergence control. Add 0.25% (v/v) (1 quart/100 gallons spray) for postemergence applications. Do not apply after bud swell or when foliage or fruits present. Do not apply more than 10 pints Goal per season.
Kerb (2 - 8 lb)	pronamide (1 - 4 lb)	Apply to bearing and nonbearing trees. Controls many winter annual weeds and perennial grasses. Provides preemergence and postemergence weed control. Do not apply if temperature is > 55 °F. Apply Kerb before leaf drop. One application per season not to exceed 8 pounds.
Touchdown (6 lb/gal)	sulfosate (0.67-5.3 pt or 0.25 to 5 (v/v) solution)	Avoid spray contact with stump, green bark, foliage, or open wounds to avoid injury. Do not exceed 5.3 pt/A per season. Add 2 qt nonionic surfactant per 100 gal.

Guide to General Use Patterns of Herbicides in Peaches *

This table is designed to serve as a preliminary guide in the selection of herbicides for weed control in orchards. Read herbicide labels before applying herbicide.

Herbicides	Peaches
Herbicides	Nonbearing Trees	Bearing Trees *	Preemergence Control	Postemergence Control
Casoron	X	X	Yes	No
Devrinol	X	X	Yes	No
Diuron	X	X	Yes	Yes
Fusilade Poast	X	-	No	Yes
Gallery	X	-	Yes	No
Goal	X	X	Yes	Yes
Gramoxone	X	X	No	Yes
Kerb	X	X	Yes	-
Roundup	X	X	No	Yes
Simazine	X	X	Yes	No
Zorial Solicam	X	X	Yes	No
Surflan	X	X	Yes	No
Touchdown	X	-	No	Yes

* For this table, it is assumed plantings will bear fruit during the third year after establishment.
X = herbicide labeled for use in crop during stated period of growth.

By Frank Killebrew, Ph.D., Extension Plant Pathologist, James H. Jarratt, Jr., Ph.D., Extension Entomologist, and John D. Byrd, Jr., Ph.D., Extension -- Weed Specialist

Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.

Publication 1664
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director

Copyright by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved.

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