Improved Peach Tree Longevity with Use of Fenamiphos in Peach Tree Short-Life Locations. David F. Ritchie, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695-7616. . Plant Dis. 73:160-163. Accepted for publication 13 September 1988. Copyright 1989 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-73-0160.

Most rates and application schedules of fenamiphos improved tree longevity (P = 0.05) compared with no postplant treatment. In two experiments, only one of 28 nontreated trees was productive by the ninth year, while several of the fenamiphos treatments resulted in 100% productive trees. In a third experiment, the percent of productive trees depended upon the preplant treatment and the length of the interval before postplant fenamiphos treatments were initiated. Discontinuation of postplant fenamiphos treatments after 2 or 3 consecutive years caused Criconemella xenoplax numbers to increase significantly and generally resulted in fewer productive trees 4 yr later. The 6.72 kg/ha/application treatment applied as two fall plus one spring application provided the longest beneficial effect resulting in 88–100% productive trees by the beginning of the ninth year.