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Prune > Year-Round
IPM Program >
Dormant/Delayed Dormant > Why Is This
Season Important?
Prune
Why Is the Dormant/Delayed Dormant Season Important
to IPM?
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Dormant spur |
Bud swell |
Green tip |
Dormancy is generally defined as the period from leaf fall until growth
resumes in spring. Delayed dormancy is the period from the resumption
of growth, indicated by bud swell until green tip.
The dormant season is a critical period for certain pest management
activities:
- Several key insect and mite pests overwinter in orchards and
are vulnerable to sprays at this time.
- Because leaves are off the tree, good spray coverage is easier
to obtain than during the growing season.
- Dormant applications can start as early as November 1; these
early applications of insecticides will control the key pests
of prunes and reduce the impact of dormant insecticides in runoff
and surface water.
- Beneficial insects and mites are less affected by sprays during
dormancy than during the growing season.
- Dormant season is an excellent time for monitoring and assessing
pest populations because several pests are concentrated on the
twigs and spurs at this time of year.
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