Research and extension efforts on pome fruit, onion and grape has been to study the efficacy of newly developed pest management tools, employing them in a cost-effective, environmentally sound approach, providing fruit growers with the knowledge to improve insect pest management strategies. Educating farm managers in the use of the biological control agent T. pyri, to provided current information on the use of specific management  techniques, that provides phytophagous mite population control while reducing the need for yearly miticide applications. And continuing to study the impact on fruit production of implementing a non-organophosphate pest management strategy in fruit production. Complimentary to this are peripheral projects to study the development of optimum timing, use of insecticide rate reductions, and insecticide resistance management strategies specific to individual species or insect complexes. Through supplemental grant projects, we test a variety of alternative control technologies for insect pest and biological control management including the use of herbicide alternatives, exclusion netting for pest insect damage reduction, and augmentation of predatory arthropods. In cooperation with the laboratory plant pathologist, we are evaluating the development of transitional organic management tactics in apple and pear production for both insect and disease management. In conjunction with the Hudson Valley Regional Fruit Program Extension Agent, we are using digital and web based communication technologies to broadcast concise video clips to highlight timely issues of insect development to communicate critical pest management windows.

Outreach
Video based pest management guidelines (video clips)
Scouting reports (view reports)

Historical Perspectives on Apple Production: Fruit Tree Pest Management, Regulation and New Insecticidal Chemistries.

Societies
Entomological Society of America
New York State Horticultural Society
LEADNY Class 11 alumni

Committee Assignments
University: NYS-IPM Working Group (Fruit)

Recent Extension  and Non-refereed Journals

• P. J. Jentsch 2007.   Obliquebanded Leafroller Management for Apple Production: Investigating Strategies for Resistance Management with Emerging Insecticide Tools. New York Fruit Quarterly, Fall Issue

• P. J. Jentsch 2007.   Pear Psylla Management Strategies: Investigating The Use Of Kaolin Clay And Summer Oil For Commercial And Organic Pest Management In NY Pear Production. New York Fruit Quarterly, Summer Issue (view pdf )

• P. J. Jentsch 2007.   Much Obliqued: Summer OBLR Management Options. Scaffolds Vol.16 No. 14 June 17 (view pdf)

• P. J. Jentsch 2007.   A Petal Fall Preview. Living with the OP transition or transforming to a Non-OP Insect Pest Management Program from Petal Fall to First Cover ? Scaffolds Vol.8 No. 10, May 7 (view pdf)

• D. R. Rosenberger and P. J. Jentsch, 2007. Controlling Fabraea Fruit And Leaf Spot On Pears. Scaffolds No. 10, May 21 (view pdf)

• P. J. Jentsch 2007.   Hudson Valley Psylla Management Options From Pre-Bloom to Petal Fall Scaffolds No. 10, May 21 (view pdf)

Presentations:

• CCE Orange & Ulster County Onion & Vegetable School, Middletown, NY - 19 March. 2008
  Onion Insects / IYSV Update. (view PowerPoint)
  
  
• NOFA – 26th Annual Organic Farming & Gardening Conference, Saratoga, NY - 26 Jan. 2008
  Pest and Disease Management for Organic Apple. (view PowerPoint with audio)
   
• Long Island Agricultural Forum, Riverhead, NY - 11 Jan. 2008
  Using Degree-Day Insect Developmental Models to Effectively Use Reduced Risk Insecticide Management Strategies (view PowerPoint with audio).
   
• New England Vegetable and Fruit Conf., NH - 12 Dec., 2008
  Pear Psylla Management Alternatives in Northeast Orchards.
  Apple Pest Mgt, Using Precision Application Timings of Reduced Risk Insecticides
   
• In-Depth Apple Pest  Management Workshop 2005-07
   Biology, life cycles, and pest management of major and minor fruit insect pests; toxicological mechanisms of new apple insecticides; uses of degree day predictive  modeling in apple production.