Author Archives: Sacramento Valley Orchards

Protecting Sacramento Valley Waterways from Pyrethroid Exceedances

As farmers have reduced their reliance on organophosphate insecticides for pest control, there has been a shift to other control tactics. Most challenging for the topic of watersheds has been a shift towards increased use of pyrethroids. In general, the amounts found are low, nevertheless, cases of exceedances do occur, and these cases need to be eliminated. Continue reading

Ethephon for Earlier Harvest

Ethephon, also known as Ethrel®, is an ethylene-based plant growth regulator applied at walnut maturity, or shortly thereafter, which accelerates hull cracking and separation from the shell. This advances walnut harvest by four to seven days, depending on the season and variety, and nut value is increased by lighter kernel color and possibly less insect damage. Continue reading