Protecting Pecans
From Disease and Pests

Just as in the early days of land cultivation and commercial food production, today, pests and diseases remain to be factors to contend with. However, with the advancements in farming, science, and technology, disease and pest problems are much more manageable. Exercising prevention practices like awareness, continued education, proper sanitation, and integrated pest management (IPM) can help prevent a devastating infection from occurring. Potential threats are always lurking around the corner so get to know your neighbors, your neighboring states, and their pest control measures and programs. Find out if they are having a problem that could quickly become yours. Educating yourself on the origin of certain diseases and pests for your area, the life cycle and how they spread, and measures proven to prevent devastating outbreaks on your farm can ensure the vitality of your management strategies and the orchard as a whole for generations. Exercising proper sanitation of shared farming equipment and especially cleaning of equipment contracted from areas were certain pests are known to be active, is the first measure to help keep your farm and Arizona safe from pests the state is currently quarantined from. If you are scouting the orchard regularly and feel you may be spotting symptoms of a potential devastating disease or pest, contact your local Pest Control Advisors, Crop Consultants, County Agricultural Extension Office and/or Agents or Specialists. They can help you devise a plan of action. Even as food production improves, along with chemical technology, pathogens and pests also evolve with these systems and thus we must be alert as to what continues to be effective and what has potential to get away from us and warrants more aggressive control.