PISTACHIO
Solutions for the Growing World
PISTACHIO
INTRODUCTION
Isoclast™ active is a new foliar-applied sap
feeding insecticide for control of a wide
range of sap feeding pests. It belongs to
a new class of chemistry the sulfoximines,
which has a novel and unique mode of
action.
The product shows excellent systemic and
translaminar activity, effective both by contact
and ingestion, and provides excellent knockdown
and residual efficacy.
Pistachios are grown predominantly in the
Eastern Mediterranean, Middle-East, Iran
and Turkey. In some countries it is viewed
as a cash crop. There are a number of
pests that attack this nut, and Isoclast™
brands formulated as Closer™ 240 SC or
Transform™ 500 WG have shown to be a
very valuable tool to provide good control
and protection against the sap feeding
group of psyllids.
PISTACHIO
PEST SPECTRUM
THE MOST IMPORTANT SAP FEEDING PSYLLIDS BELONG TO THE GENUS AGONOSCENA.
Two species in particular cause wide-spread economic damage; the common pistachio psylla Agonoscena pistaciae and the
pistachio psyllid Agonoscena targioni. The psyllid A. pistaciae, is a key pest throughout the pistachio-producing regions of Iran
and South-East Anatolia. Both nymphs and adults suck sap from leaves and produce large amounts of honeydew which
appear as white globules. Direct feeding causes reduced plant vigor, defoliation, stunting, poor yield and bud drop. A. targioni
has also shown to be injurious on pistachio trees in the East Mediterranean, parts of Middle-East and Mediterranean regions
of Turkey, and symptoms of damage to pistachio are similar to those caused by A. pistaciae. Chemical control is a common
method to manage pistachio psyllids. The control of this pest has been based on insecticides with little attention to the pest
density and economic damage. The economic injury level is an important component of cost-benefit in pest management in
pistachio orchards.
Nymphs of A. pistaciae and globules of honey
dew secreted on the pistachio leaves
Almost simultaneously with the psyllid establishment on
pistachios leaves, normally many beneficial insects appear in
the orchard. Therefore, compatibility between natural enemies
and pesticides is a key factor in programs of integrated pest
management (IPM) of this psyllid pest. The most common
predators pest comprise of the of the family Coccinellidae,
such as the two-spot ladybird (Adalia bipunctata), as well as the
common green lacewing (Chrysopa carnea). Field trials and Lab
testing have shown Isoclast™ active to have minimal effect on
these beneficial insects.
Nymphs and egg of A. pistaciae
on the pistachio leaves
Common green
lacewing
Two-spot ladybird
(Adalia bipunctata)
(Chrysopa carnea)
Field efficacy trials with Isoclast™ active have shown excellent efficacy on pistachio psyllids with a rapid speed of activity
and long lasting effect up to 21 days after application. The rates for both Isoclast™ brands are very similar and choice of
formulation will be country based. Good crop coverage is important due to the waxy surface of pistachio and the spray
volumes in commercial orchards are generally 1 000 l/ha. Rates required for Closer™ 240 SC are 20-30 cc/hl (48-72 g a.i./
ha), and Transform™ 500 WG 10-15 g/hl (50-75 g a.i./ha) (Table 1).
A large effort has been made to apply IPM programs for pistachio psyllids, and novel effective insecticides including
Closer™ 240 SC and Transform™ 500 WG, could play a significant part in control measures for this important insect pest
damaging date palms across the region of MEAF.
Table 1: Sap feeding pests in pistachio for which Closer™ 240 SC and Transform™ 500 WG will provide control
Sap feeding insects
Genus Agonoscana
Common pistachio psylla (Agonoscana pistaciae)
and pistachio psylla (Agonoscana targioni)
Rate
Closer™ 240 SC: 20- 30 cc/hl
Transform™ 500 WG: 10-15 g/hl