Efficacy of organic plant protection programs against Myzus cerasi on cherries

Summary

This project evaluated the efficacy of seven different organic plant protection programs against the black cherry aphid Myzus cerasi (MYZUCE) in a low stem cherry orchard. The standard paraffin oil (Weissöl) applied after bud swelling (BBCH 03) significantly reduced the number of infested long shoots and aphid colony size, represented by the number of curled leaves. Additional treatments with Pyrethrum (Pyrethrum FS) and Neem oil (Neem Azal T/S) added no further efficacy. Neem oil and Majestik applied twice showed only limited efficacy. A test oil was clearly less efficient than the standard paraffin oil. Ant baits placed on the stems after bud swelling to prevent ants from promoting aphids offered an interesting, sustainable control approach should for further investigation.