Gyeongbuk Agricultural Research Institute, "Winter Pest Control Can Reduce Astringent Persimmon Pest Density"

Timely Application of 'Gigyeyuyujae' and 'Seokhoe Yuhwang Hapje' to Reduce Pest and Disease Density

Winter pest control work is underway in the orchard.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Lee Dong-guk] The Gyeongbuk Agricultural Research and Extension Services has urged the application of winter pesticides to reduce pest density before the persimmon trees' budding period.

This measure comes in response to recent higher winter temperatures and increasing abnormal weather events, which raise concerns about significant damage from various overwintering pests.

Winter pest control is a very important task to reduce pest density by controlling overwintering pests occurring in orchards during the winter season.

For controlling pests and diseases problematic in persimmon trees, timely application of horticultural oil and lime sulfur mixture is crucial.

The recommended time for applying horticultural oil is late February. When spraying, use a 250-fold dilution (80 ml of horticultural oil per 20L of water) and spray thoroughly over the entire persimmon tree. Coordinated pest control with neighboring farms enhances effectiveness.

The lime sulfur mixture should be applied in mid-March, usually just before bud break when the bud scales open about 2 mm. However, caution is needed as applying too late may cause phytotoxicity.

Experts recommend that if horticultural oil has been applied first, the lime sulfur mixture should be applied after an interval of about 20 days.

Applying lime sulfur mixture during the flowering stage may cause phytotoxicity, so the spraying schedule should consider the flowering period.

Shin Yong-seup, Director of Gyeongbuk Agricultural Research and Extension Services, said, “If winter pest control is thoroughly carried out, stable persimmon production can be achieved by timely pest control during the growing season using pest monitoring information.”

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