Pneumatic spray delivery-based solid set canopy delivery system for oblique banded leaf roller and codling moth control in a high-density modern apple orchard

Background: Pneumatic spray delivery (PSD)-based solid set canopy delivery systems (SSCDS) have demonstrated comparable spray deposition and reduced off-target drift compared with axial-fan airblast sprayers in high-density apple orchards. An important next step is to quantify whether PSD-based SSCDS can provide effective pest management. This study evaluated the biological efficacy of this fixed spray system variant and compared it with that of an axial-fan airblast sprayer. Partial field trials were conducted in a commercial apple orchard (cv. Jazz) trained in tall spindle architecture. Insecticides were applied at a rate of 935 L ha^-1 (100 gallons per acre) for both application systems. Twenty-four hours after spraying, leaves and fruits were collected to prepare the laboratory bioassays enabling evaluation of efficacy against obliquebanded leafroller (OBLR) and codling moth (CM).

Results: OBLR mortality for SSCDS, airblast sprayer and untreated control treatments after 24 h of larval exposure was 91%, 98% and 4%, respectively and increased to 98%, 100% and 19% after 48 h. First-instar CM leaf bioassay mortality was 100% for SSCDS and airblast sprayer treatment, and 13% for the untreated control at 24 h post exposure. Larval CM mortality on fruit was 100% for SSCDS and airblast sprayer treatments, and 33% on the untreated control.

Conclusions: Insecticides applied using SSCDS and an airblast sprayer had comparable larval mortality in all three assays, significantly higher than the untreated controls. These results suggest that PSD-based SSCDS may provide a viable alternative to axial-fan airblast sprayers in high-density apple orchards. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.