CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PESTICIDE REGULATION California Environmental Protection Agency 1001 I Street Sacramento, California 95814-3510 Arnold Schwarzengger, Governor Alan Lloyd, Secretary for Environmental Protection Mary-Ann Warmerdam, Director Department of Pesticide Regulation

January 2005

Any portion of this report may be reproduced for any but profit-making purposes.
For information on purchase of additional copies or of electronic data files, see order form on Page ii.
This report is also available on DPR's Web site www.cdpr.ca.gov.
If you have questions concerning this report, call (916) 324-4100.

Table of Contents

Order Form

I. INTRODUCTION

II. COMMENTS AND CLARIFICATIONS OF DATA

III. DATA SUMMARY

IV. TRENDS IN USE IN CERTAIN PESTICIDE CATEGORIES

V. TRENDS IN PESTICIDE USE IN CERTAIN COMMODITIES

VI. Summary of Pesticide Use Report Data 2003 Indexed by Commodity This link downloads the compressed ASCII version. This version does not include figures. See UNZIP HELP)

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Questions regarding the Summary of Pesticide Use Report Data or information regarding the availability and cost of the computerized database should be directed to: Department of Pesticide Regulation, Pest Management and Licensing Branch, P.O. Box 4015, Sacramento, California 95812-4015.Telephone (916) 324-4100.

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Order Information

To continue to make the Summary of Pesticide Use Report Data available, it is necessary to charge for the costs of reproduction and mailing. The reports can also be downloaded free of charge from the Department's web site (www.cdpr.ca.gov).

The 1989 - 2002 Summary of Pesticide Use Report Data indexed by chemical or commodity reports can be found on DPR's web at www.cdpr.ca.gov. The Annual Pesticide Use Report Data (the complete database of reported pesticide applications for 1990-2002) are available on CD ROM. The files are in text (comma delimited format).

The Summary of Pesticide Use Report Data is available in two formats. One report is indexed by chemical and lists the amount of each pesticide used, the commodity on which it was used, the number of agricultural applications, and the acres/units treated. The second report is indexed by commodity and lists the chemicals used, the number of agricultural applications, amount of pesticides used, and the acres/units treated.

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I. INTRODUCTION

Development and Implementation of the Pesticide Use Reporting System

This 2003 Summary of Pesticide Use Report Data includes agricultural applications and other selected uses reported in California. The report represents a summary of the data gathered under full use reporting. The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) uses the data to help estimate dietary risk and to ensure compliance with clean air laws and ground water protection regulations. Site specific use report data, combined with geographic data on endangered species habitats, also helps county agricultural commissioners resolve potential pesticide use conflicts. Detailed, individual pesticide use report data may be obtained from DPR for in-depth, analytical purposes. To provide public access to the data as soon as possible, DPR is releasing the 2003 data before the majority of error corrections have been completed. Values have been substituted for some errors (see Outliers), but data correction is ongoing.

Under full use reporting, which began in 1990, California became the first state to require reporting of all agricultural pesticide use, including amounts applied and types of crops or places (e.g., structures, roadsides) treated. Commercial applications-including structural fumigation, pest control, and turf applications-must also be reported. The main exceptions to full use reporting are home and garden applications, and most industrial and institutional uses. Pesticide use reporting is explained in more detail below.

Types of Pesticide Applications Reported

Partial reporting of agricultural pesticide use has been in place in California since at least the 1950s. Beginning in 1970, anyone who used restricted materials was required to file a pesticide use report with the county agricultural commissioner. The criteria established to designate a pesticide as a restricted material include hazard to public health, farm workers, domestic animals, honeybees, the environment, wildlife, or other crops. Restricted materials, with certain exceptions, may be possessed or used only by, or under the supervision of, licensed or certified persons and only in accordance with an annual permit issued by the county agricultural commissioner.

In addition, the State required commercial pest control operators (those in the business of applying pesticides, such as agricultural applicators, structural fumigators, and professional gardeners) to report all pesticides used, whether restricted or nonrestricted. These reports included information about the pesticide applied, when and where the application was made, and the crop involved if the application was in agriculture. The reports were entered into a computerized database and summarized by chemical and crop in annual reports.

With implementation of full use reporting in 1990, the following pesticide uses are required to be reported to the commissioner, who, in turn, reports the data to DPR:

• For the production of any agricultural commodity, except livestock.
• For the treatment of postharvest agricultural commodities.
• For landscape maintenance in parks, golf courses, and cemeteries.
• For roadside and railroad rights-of-way.
• For poultry and fish production.
• Any application of a restricted material.
• Any application of a pesticide with the potential to pollute ground water (listed in section 6800 (b) of the California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 6, Chapter 4, Subchapter 1, Article 1) when used outdoors in industrial and institutional settings.
• Any application by a licensed pest control operator.

The primary exceptions to the use reporting requirements are home and garden use and most industrial and institutional uses.

How Pesticide Data Are Used

DPR undertook the expansion of use reporting primarily in response to concerns of many individuals and groups, including government officials, scientists, farmers, legislators, and public interest groups. It was generally acknowledged that the system for estimating dietary exposure to pesticide residues did not provide sufficient data on which to make realistic assessments; this often resulted in overestimates of risk. Farm worker representatives were also demanding more information to determine exposure and potential risk to those who handle pesticides or who work in treated fields. There are several key areas in which data generated by full use reporting are proving beneficial.

Risk Assessment

Without information on actual pesticide use, regulatory agencies conducting risk assessment assume all planted crop acreage is treated with many pesticides, though most crops are treated with just a few chemicals. If the assumptions used by regulatory agencies are incorrect, regulators could make judgments on pesticide risks that are too cautious by several orders of magnitude, reducing the credibility of risk management decisions. The use report data, on the other hand, provides actual use data so DPR can better assess risk and make more realistic risk management decisions. After the passage of the federal Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) in 1996, complete pesticide use data became even more important to commodity groups in California and to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). FQPA contains a new food safety standard against which all pesticide tolerances must be measured. The increased interest in the state's pesticide use data, especially for calculating percent crop treated, came at a time when DPR was increasing the efficiency with which it produced its annual report. DPR was able to provide up-to-date use data and summaries to commodity groups, University of California specialists, U.S. EPA programs, and other interested parties as they developed the necessary information for the reassessment of existing tolerances.

Worker Health and Safety

Under the reporting regulations, pest control operators must give farmers a written notice after every pesticide application that includes the date and time the application was completed, and the reentry and preharvest intervals (respectively, the intervals between the time a pesticide is applied and when workers may enter the field, and the time of application and when a commodity can be harvested). This notice gives the farmer accurate information to help keep workers from entering fields prematurely, and also lets the farmer know the earliest date a commodity can be harvested. DPR's Worker Health and Safety Branch also uses the data for worker exposure assessment as part of developing an overall risk characterization document. Use data helps scientists estimate typical applications and how often pesticides are used.

Public Health

The expanded reporting system provides DPR and the State Department of Health Services with complete pesticide use data for evaluating possible human illness clusters in epidemiological studies.

Endangered Species

DPR is working with the commissioners to combine site-specific use report data with geographic information system-based data on locations of endangered species. The resulting database helps commissioners resolve potential conflicts over pesticide use when endangered species may occur. DPR and the commissioners can also examine patterns of pesticide use near habitats to determine the potential impact of proposed use limitations. With location-specific data on pesticide use, restrictions on use can be better designed to protect endangered species while still allowing necessary pest control.

Water Quality

In meeting the requirements of the Pesticide Contamination Prevention Act of 1985, site-specific records help track pesticide use in areas known to be susceptible to ground water contamination. Determinations can also be made from the records on whether a contaminated well is physically associated with agricultural practices. These records also provide data to help researchers determine why certain soil types are more prone to ground water contamination. Since 1983, DPR has had a program to work with the rice industry and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board to reduce contamination of surface water by rice pesticides. Using PUR data to help in pinpointing specific agricultural practices, more precise alternative use recommendations can be made to assure protection of surface water.

Air Quality

Many pesticide products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to the formation of smog. DPR worked with the state Air Resources Board to put together a State Implementation Plan under the federal Clean Air Act to reduce emissions of all sources of VOCs, including pesticides, in nonattainment areas of the state. DPR's contribution to the plan included accurate data on the amount of VOCs contained in pesticides and the ability to inventory the use of those pesticides through pesticide use reporting.

Pest Management

The Department uses the PUR database to understand patterns and changes in pest management practices. This information can be used to determine possible alternatives to pesticides that are subject to regulatory actions and to help determine possible impacts of different regulatory actions on pest management. The PUR is used to help meet the needs of FQPA, which requires pesticide use information for determining the appropriateness of pesticide residue tolerances. As part of this process many commodity groups have created crop profiles, which include information on the pest management practices and available options, both chemical and nonchemical. Pesticide use data is critical to developing these lists of practices and options.

The PUR data have been used to support and assess grant projects for a grant program conducted by DPR to develop, demonstrate and implement reduced-hazard pest management strategies from 1995 to 2003. Due to the statewide budget shortfall, no funds are available to offer grants. Currently, the PUR data is used in several projects that build on work conducted in our grant program in the almond and stonefruit industries. In these and other projects, the PUR data are used to address regional pesticide use patterns and environmental problems such as water and air quality. The data are used to better understand current changes in pesticide use.

DPR has published general analyses of statewide pesticide use patterns and trends. The first analysis covered the years 1991 to 1995, and the second more detailed analysis covered 1991 to 1996. These analyses identified high-use pesticides, the crops to which those pesticides were applied, trends in use, and the pesticides most responsible for changes in use. In addition, since 1997, the annual Summary of Pesticide Use Report Data reports include summary trends of pesticides in several different categories such as carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and ground water contaminants.

Processor and Retailer Requirements

Food processors, produce packers, and retailers often require farmers to submit a complete history of pesticide use on crops. DPR's use report form often satisfies this requirement.

II. COMMENTS AND CLARIFICATIONS OF DATA

The following comments and points should be taken into consideration when analyzing data contained in this report:

Terminology

The following terminology is used in this report:

Number of agricultural applications - Number of applications of pesticide product made to production agriculture. More detailed information is given below under "Number of Applications."
Pounds applied - Number of pounds of an active ingredient.
Unit type - The amount listed in this column is one of the following:
A = Acreage
C = Cubic feet (of commodity treated)
K = Thousand cubic feet (of commodity treated)
P = Pounds (of commodity treated)
S = Square feet
T = Tons (of commodity treated)
U = Miscellaneous units (e.g., number of tractors, trees, bins, etc.)

Commodity Codes

III. DATA SUMMARY

This report is a summary of data submitted to DPR. Total pounds may change slightly due to ongoing error correction. The revised numbers will more accurately reflect the total pounds applied.

Pesticide Use In California

In 2003, there were175,627,323 pounds of pesticide active ingredients reported used in California. Annual use has varied from year to year since full use reporting was implemented in 1990. Reported pesticide use was 172 million pounds in 2002, 151 million pounds in 2001 (not all of Kern County PUR data was available), 188 million pounds in 2000, 203 million pounds in 1999, 214 million pounds in 1998, and 205 million pounds in 1997. Such variances are, and will continue to be, a normal occurrence. These fluctuations can be attributed to a variety of factors, including changes in planted acreage, crop plantings, pest pressures, and weather conditions. For example, extremely heavy rains result in excessive weeds, thus more pesticides may be used; drought conditions may result in fewer planted acres, thus less pesticide may be used.

As in previous years, the greatest pesticide use occurred in California's San Joaquin Valley (Table 1). Four counties in this region had the highest use: Fresno, Kern, Tulare, and San Joaquin.

Table 2 breaks down the pounds of pesticide use by general use categories: production agriculture, post-harvest commodity fumigation, structural pest control, landscape maintenance, and all others.

Pesticide Sales In California

Reported pesticide applications are only a portion of the pesticides sold each year. Typically, about two-thirds of the pesticide active ingredients sold in a given year are not subject to use reporting. Examples of non-reported active ingredients are chlorine (used primarily for municipal water treatment) and home-use pesticide products.

The preliminary figure for 2003 is approximately 570 million pounds of pesticide active ingredients sold in California, 598 million pounds in 2002, 563 million pounds in 2001, 601 million pounds in 2000, 707 million pounds in 1999, 617 million pounds in 1998, and 645 million pounds in 1997. Prior years data are posted on DPR's web site at www.cdpr.ca.gov under programs & services/mill assessment/report of pesticides sold in CA.

In addition, it should be noted that the pounds of pesticides used and the number of applications are not necessarily accurate indicators of the extent of pesticide use or, conversely, the extent of use of reduced-risk pest management methods. For example, farmers may make a number of small-scale "spot" applications targeted at problem areas rather than one treatment of a large area. They may replace a more toxic pesticide used at one pound per acre with a less hazardous compound that must be applied at several pounds per acre. Either of these scenarios could increase the number of applications and amount of pounds used without indicating an increased reliance on pesticides.

IV. TRENDS IN USE IN CERTAIN PESTICIDE CATEGORIES

Reported pesticide use in California in 2003 totaled 175 million pounds, an increase of 7.2 million pounds from 2002. Production agriculture, the major category of use subject to reporting requirements, accounted for most of the overall increase in use. Applications for production agriculture increased by 6.2 million pounds. The active ingredients with the largest uses by pounds were sulfur, petroleum oils, metam-sodium, and methyl bromide. Sulfur use decreased by 46,000 pounds (-0.1 percent) but was still the most highly used pesticide in 2003, both in pounds applied and acres treated. By pounds, sulfur accounted for 30 percent of all reported pesticide use. Sulfur is a natural fungicide favored by both conventional and organic farmers. Petroleum oil use decreased by 209,000 pounds (-1 percent), metam sodium use decreased by 322,000 pounds (-2 percent), and methyl bromide use increased by 834,000 pounds (13 percent).

Major crops or sites that showed an overall increase in pesticide pounds applied from 2002 to 2003 included almonds (1.4 million pounds increase), strawberries (1.0 million pounds), carrots (0.8 million pounds), rights of way (0.6 million pounds), and rice (0.5 million pounds). Major crops or sites with decreased pounds applied included wine grapes (0.6 million pounds), table and raisin grapes (0.6 million pounds), structural pest control (0.3 million pounds), potatoes (0.3 million pounds), and lemons (0.2 million pounds).

DPR data analyses have shown that pesticide use varies from year to year depending upon pest problems, weather, acreage and types of crops planted, economics, and other factors. For most of the 12 crops investigated, pest problems, especially diseases, were higher in 2003 than in 2002 in several areas due to the wet and cool spring in 2003. Prices for most of the 12 crops improved in 2003, which may have also been an incentive to use more pesticides to protect valuable crops. However, acreage of most of the 12 crops decreased.

Pesticide use is reported as the number of pounds of active ingredient and the total number of acres treated. The data for pounds include both agricultural and nonagricultural applications; the data for acres treated are primarily agricultural applications. The number of acres treated means the cumulative number of acres treated; the acres treated in each application are summed even when the same field is sprayed more than once in a year. (For example, if one acre is treated three times in a season with an individual active ingredient, it is counted as three acres treated in the tables and graphs in Sections IV and V of this report.)

Use increased in most pesticide categories. Most of the increase in pounds applied was due to increases in mineral oil and the fumigants methyl bromide and 1,3-dichloropropene. (Fumigants are applied at high rates, in part, because they treat a volume of space rather than a surface area such as the leaves and stems of plants. Thus, the pounds applied are large even though the number of applications or number of acres treated may be relatively small.) Some of the major statistical changes from 2002 to 2003 include:

• Chemicals classified as reproductive toxins increased in pounds applied from 2002 to 2003 (up 480,000 pounds or 2.0 percent) and increased slightly in cumulative acres treated (up 22,000 acres or 0.9 percent). The increase in pounds was due mostly to the fumigant methyl bromide.

• A similar pattern appeared for chemicals classified as carcinogens. Use of these chemicals increased in overall pounds applied (up 1.9 million pounds or 7.4 percent) and in cumulative acres treated (up 390,000 acres or 11 percent). The increase in pounds was mainly due to increase in uses of the fumigant 1,3-dichloropropene but the increase in acres treated was due mainly to the fungicides maneb, iprodione, mancozeb, and captan.

• Use of insecticide organophosphate and carbamate chemicals, which includes compounds of high regulatory concern, continued to decline by pounds, decreasing by 680,000 pounds (7.9 percent) although acres treated was nearly the same, down only 3,000 acres (0.05 percent). Use of chlorpyrifos increased; the largest decreases in use were molinate, thiobencarb, and diazinon.

• Use of chemicals categorized as ground water contaminants was nearly the same in 2003 as in 2002. Use by pounds increased 38,000 pounds applied (1.7 percent), but cumulative acres treated decreased by about 5,000 acres (0.3 percent). Most of the increase in pounds was due to diuron and simazine.

• Chemicals categorized as toxic air contaminants, another regulatory concern, increased by 2.6 million pounds applied (7.9 percent). Cumulative acres treated increased by about 367,000 acres (12 percent). Most of the increase in pounds was due to increases in methyl bromide and 1,3-dichloropropene; most of the increase in acres was due to maneb and 2,4-D.

• Use of reduced-risk pesticides increased considerably, by 311,000 pounds applied (41 percent) and by 1.8 million acres treated (47 percent). The biggest increase was in use of the insecticide indoxacarb.

• Biopesticide use decreased by 81,000 pounds (7.2 percent) but increased by 174,000 acres treated (8.1 percent). Use of the biopesticides potassium bicarbonate, GABA, and Bacillus thuringiensis increased; the decrease in pounds was due mostly to a decrease in use of liquefied nitrogen.

Since 1994, the reported pounds of pesticides applied has fluctuated from year to year with no general increasing or decreasing trend. An increase or decrease in use from one year to the next or in the span of a few years does not necessarily indicate a general trend in use; it simply may reflect normal variations. Short periods of time (three to five years) may suggest trends, such as the increased pesticide use from 1994 to 1998 or the decreased use from 1998 to 2001. However, statistical analysis from 1994 to 2003 does not indicate a significant trend of either increase or decrease in pesticide use.

To improve data quality when calculating the total pounds of pesticides, DPR excluded values that were so large they were probably in error. The procedure to exclude probable errors involved the development of complex error-checking algorithms, a data improvement process that is ongoing.

Over-reporting errors have a much greater impact on the numerical accuracy of the database than under-reporting errors. For example, if a field is treated with 100 pounds of a pesticide active ingredient and the application is erroneously recorded as 100,000 pounds (a decimal point shift of three places to the right), an error of 99,900 pounds is introduced into the database. If the same degree of error is made in shifting the decimal point to the left, the application is recorded as 0.1 pound, and an error of 99.9 pounds is entered into the database

To provide an overview, pesticide use is summarized for eight different categories from 1993 to 2003 (Tables 3-10 and Figures 1-8). These categories classify pesticides according to certain characteristics such as reproductive toxins, carcinogens, or reduced-risk characteristics.

The statistical summaries detailed in these categories are not intended to serve as indicators of pesticide risks to the public or the environment. Rather, the data supports DPR regulatory functions to enhance public safety and environmental protection. (See "How Pesticide Data are Used" on page iv.) The different pesticide categories, described more fully, are:

1. Pesticides listed on the State's Proposition 65 list of chemicals "known to cause reproductive toxicity."
2. Pesticides listed by U.S. EPA as B2 carcinogens or on the State's Proposition 65 list of chemicals "known to cause cancer."
3. Pesticides that are cholinesterase inhibitors, that is, organophosphate and carbamate chemicals.
4. Pesticides on DPR's groundwater protection list (section 6800 (a) of the California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 6, Chapter 4, Subchapter 1, Article 1) and norflurazon, which DPR is recommending be listed as a restricted material.
5. Pesticides from DPR's toxic air contaminants list (California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 6, Chapter 4, Subchapter 1, Article 1, section 6860).
6. Oil pesticides, which may include some chemicals on the State's Proposition 65 list of chemicals "known to cause cancer" but which also serve as alternatives to high-toxicity pesticides.
7. Active ingredients contained in pesticide products that have been given reduced-risk status by U.S. EPA.
8. Biopesticides, which include microorganisms and naturally occurring compounds, or compounds essentially identical to naturally occurring compounds that are not toxic to the target pest (such as pheromones).

USE TRENDS OF PESTICIDES ON THE STATE'S PROPOSITION 65 LIST OF CHEMICALS THAT ARE "KNOWN TO CAUSE REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY"

Table 3A. The reported pounds of pesticides used which are on the State's Proposition 65 list of chemicals that are "known to cause reproductive toxicity." Use includes both agricultural and reportable nonagricultural applications. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

Table 3B. The reported cumulative acres treated with pesticides that are on the State's Proposition 65 list of chemicals "known to cause reproductive toxicity." Use includes primarily agricultural applications. The grand total for acres treated may be less than the sum of acres treated for all active ingredients because some products contain more than one active ingredient. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

Figure 1. Use trends of pesticides that are on the State's Proposition 65 list of chemicals that are "known to cause reproductive toxicity." Reported pounds of active ingredient (AI) applied includes both agricultural and nonagricultural applications. The reported cumulative acres treated includes primarily agricultural applications. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

USE TRENDS OF PESTICIDES LISTED BY U.S. EPA AS CARCINOGENS OR BY THE STATE AS "KNOWN TO CAUSE CANCER"

Table 4A. The reported pounds of pesticides used that are listed by U.S. EPA as B2 carcinogens or that are on the State's Proposition 65 list of chemicals "known to cause cancer." Use includes both agricultural and reportable nonagricultural applications. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

Table 4B. The reported cumulative acres treated with pesticides listed by U.S. EPA as B2 carcinogens or on the State's Proposition 65 list of chemicals "known to cause cancer." Use includes primarily agricultural applications. The grand total for acres treated is less than the sum of acres treated for all active ingredients because some products contain more than one active ingredient. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use.

Figure 2. Use trends of pesticides that are listed by U.S. EPA as B2 carcinogens or that are on the State's Proposition 65 list of chemicals "known to cause cancer." Reported pounds of active ingredient (AI) applied includes both agricultural and reportable nonagricultural applications. The reported cumulative acres treated includes primarily agricultural applications. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

USE TRENDS OF CHOLINESTERASE-INHIBITING PESTICIDES

Table 5A. The reported pounds of cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides used. These pesticides are the currently registered organophosphate and carbamate active ingredients. Use includes both agricultural and reportable nonagricultural applications. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

Table 5B. The reported cumulative acres treated with cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides. These pesticides are the currently registered organophosphate and carbamate active ingredients. Use includes primarily agricultural applications. The grand total for acres treated is less than the sum of acres treated for all active ingredients because some products contain more than one active ingredient. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

Figure 3. Use trends of cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides, which includes pesticides with organophosphate and carbamate active ingredients. Reported pounds of active ingredient (AI) applied includes both agricultural and reportable nonagricultural applications. The reported cumulative acres treated includes primarily agricultural applications. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

USE TRENDS OF PESTICIDES ON DPR'S GROUNDWATER PROTECTION LIST

Table 6A. The reported pounds of pesticides on DPR's ground water protection list. These pesticides are the currently registered active ingredients listed in section 6800(a) of the California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 6, Chapter 4, Subchapter 1, Article 1. Use includes both agricultural and reportable nonagricultural applications. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

Table 6B. The reported cumulative acres treated in California with pesticides on DPR's ground water protection list. These pesticides are the currently registered active ingredients listed in section 6800(a) of the California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 6, Chapter 4, Subchapter 1, Article 1. Use includes primarily agricultural applications. The grand total for acres treated is less than the sum of acres treated for all active ingredients because some products contain more than one active ingredient. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

Figure 4. Use trends of pesticides on DPR's ground water protection list. These pesticides are the currently registered active ingredients listed in section 6800(a) of the California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 6, Chapter 4, Subchapter 1, Article 1. Reported pounds of active ingredient (AI) applied includes both agricultural and reportable nonagricultural applications. The reported cumulative acres treated includes primarily agricultural applications. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

USE TRENDS OF PESTICIDES ON DPR'S TOXIC AIR CONTAMINANTS LIST

Table 7A. The reported pounds of pesticides on DPR's toxic air contaminants list applied in California. These pesticides are the currently registered active ingredients listed in the California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 6, Chapter 4, Subchapter 1, Article 1, section 6860. Use includes both agricultural and reportable non-agricultural applications. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

Table 7B. The reported cumulative acres treated in California with pesticides on DPR's toxic air contaminants list. These pesticides are the currently registered active ingredients listed in the California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 6, Chapter 4, Subchapter 1, Article 1, section 6860. Use includes primarily agricultural applications. The grand total for acres treated is less than the sum of acres treated for all active ingredients because some products contain more than one active ingredient. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

Figure 5. Use trends of pesticides on DPR's toxic air contaminants list. These pesticides are the currently registered active ingredients listed in the California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 6, Chapter 4, Subchapter 1, Article 1, section 6860. Reported pounds of active ingredient (AI) applied includes both agricultural and reportable nonagricultural applications. The reported cumulative acres treated includes primarily agricultural applications. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

USE TRENDS OF OIL PESTICIDES

Table 8A. The reported pounds of oil pesticides. As a broad group, oil pesticides and other petroleum distillates are on U.S. EPA's list of B2 carcinogens or the State's Proposition 65 list of chemicals "known to cause cancer." However, these classifications do not distinguish among oil pesticides that may not qualify as carcinogenic due to their degree of refinement. Many such oil pesticides also serve as alternatives to high-toxicity chemicals. For this reason, oil pesticide data was classified separately in this report. Use includes both agricultural and reportable nonagricultural applications. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

Table 8B. The reported cumulative acres treated in California with oil pesticides. (See qualifying comments on U.S. EPA B2 carcinogen and Proposition 65 listing with Table 8A.) Uses include primarily agricultural applications. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

Figure 6. Use trends of oil pesticides. As a broad group, oil pesticides and other petroleum distillates are on U.S. EPA's list of B2 carcinogens or the State's Proposition 65 list of chemicals "known to cause cancer." However, these classifications do not distinguish among oil pesticides that may not qualify as carcinogenic due to their degree of refinement. Many such oil pesticides also serve as alternatives to high-toxicity chemicals. For this reason, oil pesticide data was classified separately in this report. Reported pounds of active ingredient (AI) applied includes both agricultural and reportable nonagricultural applications. The reported cumulative acres treated includes primarily agricultural applications. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

USE TRENDS OF REDUCED-RISK PESTICIDES

Table 9A. The reported pounds of reduced-risk pesticides applied in California. These active ingredients are contained in pesticide products that have been given reduced-risk status by U.S. EPA. Use includes both agricultural and reportable nonagricultural applications. Zero values in early years likely indicate the pesticide was not yet registered for use. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

Table 9B. The reported cumulative acres treated of reduced-risk pesticides in California. These active ingredients are contained in pesticide products that have been given reduced-risk status by U.S. EPA. Use includes primarily agricultural applications. Zero values in early years likely indicate the pesticide was not yet registered for use. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

Figure 7. Use trends of reduced-risk pesticides. These active ingredients are contained in pesticide products that have been given reduced-risk status by U.S. EPA. Reported pounds of active ingredient (AI) applied includes both agricultural and reportable nonagricultural applications. The reported cumulative acres treated includes primarily agricultural applications. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

USE TRENDS OF BIOPESTICIDES

Table 10A. The reported pounds of biopesticides applied in California. Biopesticides include microorganisms and naturally occurring compounds, or compounds essentially identical to naturally occurring compounds that are not toxic to the target pest (such as pheromones). Use includes both agricultural and reportable nonagricultural applications. Zero values in early years likely indicate the pesticide was not yet registered for use. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

Table 10B. The reported cumulative acres treated of biopesticides applied in California . Biopesticides include microorganisms and naturally occurring compounds, or compounds essentially identical to naturally occurring compounds that are not toxic to the target pest (such as pheromones). Use includes primarily agricultural applications. The grand total for acres treated is less than the sum of acres for all active ingredients because some products contain more than one active ingredient. Zero values in early years likely indicate the pesticide was not yet registered for use. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

Figure 8. Use trends of biopesticides. Biopesticides include microorganisms and naturally occurring compounds, or compounds essentially identical to naturally occurring compounds that are not toxic to the target pest (such as pheromones). Reported pounds of active ingredient (AI) applied includes both agricultural and reportable nonagricultural applications. The reported cumulative acres treated includes primarily agricultural applications. Data are from the Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports.

V. TRENDS IN PESTICIDE USE IN CERTAIN COMMODITIES

This summary describes possible reasons for changes in pesticide use from 2002 to 2003 for the following commodities: (1) cotton, (2) wine grapes, (3) table and raisin grapes, (4) almonds, (5) alfalfa, (6) processing tomato, (7) rice, (8) oranges, (9) head lettuce, (10) peaches and nectarines, (11) strawberry, and (12) carrots. These 12 commodities were chosen because they were treated with more than 2 million pounds of active ingredients (AI) or cumulatively treated on more than 5 million acres. Information used to develop this section was drawn from several publications and phone interviews with pest control advisers, growers, University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisers and specialists, researchers, and commodity association representatives. The information collected was analyzed by DPR staff, using their extensive knowledge of pesticides, California agriculture, and pest management practices to draw conclusions about possible reasons for changes in pesticide use. Thus these explanations are based on anecdotal information, not rigorous statistical analyses.

Reported pesticide use in California in 2003 totaled 175 million pounds, an increase of 7.2 million pounds from 2002 (4.3% increase). The active ingredients with the largest uses by pounds were sulfur, petroleum oils, metam-sodium, and methyl bromide. Sulfur use decreased by 46,000 pounds (-0.1%) and was the most highly used pesticide in 2003, both in pounds applied and acres treated. By pounds, sulfur accounted for 30% of all reported pesticide use. Sulfur is a natural fungicide favored by both conventional and organic farmers. Petroleum oil use decreased by 209,000 pounds (-1.2%), metam sodium use decreased by 322,000 pounds (-2.1%), and methyl bromide use increased by 834,000pounds (13%).

DPR data analyses have shown that pesticide use varies from year to year depending upon pest problems, weather, acreage and types of crops planted, economics, and other factors. For most of the 12 crops investigated, pest problems, especially diseases, were higher in 2003 than in 2002 in several areas due to the wet and cool spring in 2003. There was a dramatic increase in the use of some newer, reduced-risk pesticides such as indoxacarb, spinosad, azoxystrobin, tebufenozide, and acetamiprid. Prices for most of the 12 crops improved in 2003, which may have also been an incentive to use more pesticides to protect valuable crops. However, acreage of most of the 12 crops decreased..

Sulfur was used mostly to control powdery mildew on grapes; use decreased from 2002 to 2003 because of better understanding of powdery mildew control and increased use of some newer, reduced-risk fungicides. The fumigant 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3 D) had the largest increase in pounds, mostly on almonds, strawberries, and carrots.

Different pesticides are used at different rates. In California, most pesticides are applied at rates of around 1 to 2 pounds per acre. However, fumigants are usually applied at rates of hundreds of pounds per acre. Thus, comparing use by pounds will emphasize fumigants. Comparing use among different pesticides using acres treated gives a different picture.

By acres treated, the pesticides with the greatest use in 2003, after sulfur, were glyphosate, oxyfluorfen, chlorpyrifos, and paraquat dichloride, all herbicides except for chlorpyrifos. Glyphosate was used mostly on rights of way, almond, cotton, and wine grapes. Glyphosate use on all these sites, except for wine grapes, increased from 2002 to 2003, because of a trend toward more use of postemergence herbicides and because it is less costly than other herbicides. On cotton, glyphosate use also increased because of increased acreage of varieties genetically engineered to be tolerant to glyphosate. Oxyfluorfen is often applied with glyphosate.

Most of the increase in total acres treated was from increased use of chlorpyrifos and indoxacarb, both insecticides. Chlorpyrifos use increased mostly on alfalfa, cotton, and almonds, and indoxacarb use increased mostly on cotton and alfalfa. Use increased on all these crops because of increased insect pressures. Chlorpyrifos has traditionally been used in the dormant season on orchards but this practice is declining because of concern about its appearance in surface water. The increased use of chlorpyrifos in 2003 was from increased use during the summer months.

Use is given by pounds of active ingredient applied and by acres treated. Acres treated means the cumulative number of acres treated; the acres treated in each application are summed even when the same field is sprayed more than once in a year. (For example, if one acre is treated three times in a season with an individual active ingredient, it is counted as three acres treated).

Cotton

Cotton is grown for fiber, oil, and animal feed and is one of the most widely grown crops in California. Cotton acres planted remained about the same from 2002 to 2003, increasing only slightly by 1 percent. Two main kinds of cotton are grown: upland and Pima. Most cotton acreage is in upland cotton, and its acreage increased from 2002 to 2003. Pima acreage decreased from 2002 to 2003. Most cotton is grown in the southern San Joaquin Valley, but a small percentage is grown in Imperial and Riverside counties and several counties in the Sacramento Valley.

Table 11A. Total reported pounds of all active ingredients (AIs), acres treated, acres planted, and prices for cotton each year from 1998 to 2003. . Planted acres in 1998 to 2000 are from CDFA, 2002; planted acres in 2001 to 2003 are from California Grape Acreage 2003, CASS, June 2004; all marketing year average prices are from NASS, July 2004.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	8,526,378	9,359,879	8,127,020	7,157,764	7,141,281
Acres Treated	10,178,518	11,708,728	9,676,609	8,352,686	10,529,041
Acres Planted Upland Cotton	610,000	775,000	630,000	480,000	550,000
Acres Planted Pima Cotton	240,000	145,000	240,000	210,000	150,000
Acres Planted Total	850,000	920,000	870,000	690,000	700,000
Price Upland $/lbs	$0.58	$0.52	$0.44	$0.57	$0.77
Price Pima $/lbs	$0.82	$1.01	$0.94	$0.86	$1.16

Table 11B. Percent difference from previous year for reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for cotton from 1999 to 2003.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	-11	10	-13	-12
Acres Treated	-21	15	-17	-14	26
Acres Planted Upland Cotton	-6	27	-19	-24	15
Acres Planted Pima Cotton	20	-40	66	-13	-29
Acres Planted Total		8	-5	-21	1
Price Upland $/lbs	-15	-10	-16	32	35
Price Pima $/lbs	-11	24	-7	-9	35

Figure 9. Acres of cotton treated by all AIs in the major types of pesticides from 1993 to 2003.

Although cotton acreage was nearly the same in 2003 as in 2002, total acres treated with all pesticides increased by 26 percent. Acres treated with insecticides and harvest aids increased; however, acres treated with herbicides remained about the same. Acres treated increased in all San Joaquin Valley counties and Riverside County and decreased in the Sacramento Valley and Imperial County.

Although acres treated increased, total pounds applied decreased by 1 percent from 2002 to 2003. The decrease in pounds was mostly from decreases in sodium chlorate, metam-sodium, and oils, which are all used at high rates which explains how acres could increase while pounds decreased. Most other major AIs increased by pounds applied.

By acres treated, the major insecticides in cotton in 2003 were indoxacarb, avermectin, chlorpyrifos, acetamiprid, and aldicarb; the major herbicides were glyphosate, trifluralin, oxyfluorfen, pyrithiobac-sodium, and pendimethalin; the major plant growth regulator was mepiquat dichloride; and the major harvest aids used were paraquat dichloride, ethephon, diuron, thidiazuron (diuron and thidiazuron are mostly applied together), and sodium chlorate. The use of most pesticides increased in 2003 from levels in 2002. Some of the major exceptions were decreases in pendimethalin, MSMA, bromoxynil, cyclanilide, and naled.

In 2003, weather conditions for cotton production were generally good, except for warm nighttime temperatures in late July and early August, and pest levels were moderate. The following comments on pest activity and treatment apply mostly to the San Joaquin Valley production area. Early season thrips and Lepidopteran pests were a bigger problem than normal in many areas. Lygus populations were fairly high through May then generally declined in many areas to levels lower than in some recent years. Aphids were a problem in several areas, and though there were no major, continuing outbreaks, many growers treated for them to prevent sticky cotton during harvest. Sticky cotton occurs when high populations of aphids and/or silverleaf whiteflies produce sugary excretions, which drop on the cotton lint. The presence of sticky cotton at levels that impact end use of cotton lint can have a large impact on lint price and acceptability for some uses. Late season whiteflies were a problem in some counties as well. Beet armyworms were widespread, sometimes requiring multiple treatments. Levels of armyworm damage in the first half of the summer were unusually high in several areas of the San Joaquin Valley. Spider mites were a slightly bigger problem in 2003 than 2002.

Total insecticide use by acres treated has been decreasing in 1990's but increased by 39 percent from 2002 to 2003, and use of most of the major insecticides increased from 2002 to 2003. Major insecticides with the largest percent increase in acres treated were spinosad, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), acetamiprid, tebufenozide, and indoxacarb, all low risk pesticides. Most of these pesticides (all except for acetamiprid) were used primarily to control beet armyworm and other lepidopteran pests, which were a bigger problem in 2003 than usual. Acetamiprid was used to control aphids and whiteflies which have been a major concern in recent years because of the need to prevent sticky cotton. Indoxacarb and acetamiprid were also used some to control lygus bugs. Avermectin, the second most used insecticide, was used for spider mite control. Chlorpyrifos was used mostly to control aphids. Major insecticides with the largest decreases were carbofuran, naled, pyriproxyfen and endosulfan, which are used mostly to control aphids or whiteflies.

Herbicide use fluctuated from year to year between -22% to +30% throughout the 1990's; it increased by 7 percent from 2002 to 2003. Glyphosate accounts for most of this increase. Its use was highest in 1995 and 2001 and, though its use in 2003 was not quite as high as in those two years, it increased by 18 percent from 2002 to 2003. It has become the most widely used herbicide in cotton production in recent years, used on more than twice as many acres from 2001 to 2003 as trifluralin, the next most widely-used herbicide.

The herbicide glyphosate is effective against many annual and perennial weeds that occur in California cotton fields. It can be used as an early over-the-top herbicide with Roundup-Ready cotton varieties (which are genetically engineered to be resistant to the herbicide glyphosate), or with hooded sprayers for a longer application window. Although it does not offer complete control, it can be an effective material for use in managing annual morningglory, nutsedge, and field bindweed, which continue to be problem weeds affecting an expanding acreage. It can be used as a harvest aid, particularly when late season weeds are also a problem; however, this use has been quite limited to date. It has replaced some other herbicides because of increased acreage of Roundup-Ready cotton. Roundup-Ready cotton acreage increased from 175,000 in 2002 to 220,000 in 2003. Roundup-Ready varieties were not planted as extensively prior to about 2001 in the San Joaquin Valley because the varieties initially available were either lower in yield potential or had reduced fiber quality in some cases. Adoption of Roundup-Ready varieties is also influenced by whether growers have weed problems suitable for control with glyphosate and returns that make the technology fee for use of these varieties cost-effective. University of California and other researchers continue to point out potential for cotton to develop resistance to glyphosate as well as to other herbicides, emphasizing that growers should not rely on single herbicide systems.

About 15 percent of the acreage was genetically engineered Buctril-resisant cotton. However, Buctril (bromoxynil, another herbicide) use decreased by 46 percent from 2002 to 2003 and by 83 percent from 2000 to 2003. Lower fiber quality in some varieties and lower yield performance in other available Buctril-resistant cotton varieties likely had an impact on grower adoption of this technology.

Oxyfluorfen use increased because it is one of the few herbicides that can be used at layby. The other layby herbicides are cyanazine, which is no longer registered, and prometryn.

Use of defoliants as harvest aids decreased nearly every year from 1995 to 2002; however, use by acres treated increased by 17 percent from 2002 to 2003. Use of nearly all defoliants increased from 2002 to 2003 except for cyclanilide and sodium cacodylate/cacodylic acid. Acres treated with sodium chlorate were nearly the same in 2002 and 2003, but total pounds used decreased. Use of the plant growth regulator (also a harvest aid) mepiquat chloride, which is used mid-season for vegetative growth management, had an exceptionally large increase (over 70 percent) from 2002 to 2003. The use of and perceived need for plant growth regulators such as mepiquat chloride is strongly influenced by both weather conditions and early insect problems that cause fruit loss, both of which can affect relative levels of vegetative growth versus fruit retention and growth. Environmental and plant conditions in 2003 were mixed. Some crops could not be planted until later than usual. These late crops tended to have more vegetative growth late in the season making it more difficult to defoliate the plants before harvest. Thus, growers had to treat these fields several times with defoliants. This also explains the increased use of mepiquat chloride, which is a plant growth regulator that causes the plant to divert its energy from vegetative production to fruit (cotton boll) production. In contrast, use of cacodylic acid, another harvest aid, decreased probably because some buyers of raw Pima cotton were concerned that residues of an arsenical like cacodylic acid might appear in cotton fiber residue tests.

Wine grapes

California has four major wine grape production regions: 1) North Coast (Lake, Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma counties); 2) Central Coast (Alameda, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara counties); 3) Northern San Joaquin Valley (San Joaquin, Calaveras, Amador, Sacramento, Merced, Stanislaus, and Yolo counties); and 4) Southern San Joaquin Valley (Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Kern, and Madera counties). Each region has distinct climatic and geologic characteristics that lead to different pest types and pressures and cultural and pest management practices. From 2002 to 2003, acreage and grape prices decreased somewhat, 5 percent and 1 percent respectively.

Table 12A. Total reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for wine grapes each year from 1998 to 2003. Planted acres in 1998 to 2000 are from CDFA, 2002; planted acres in 2001 to 2003 are from California Grape Acreage 2003, CASS, June 2004; all marketing year average prices are from NASS, July 2004.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	30,661,224	27,615,039	22,780,014	24,110,818	23,463,989
Acres Treated	7,209,484	6,995,305	6,450,639	6,662,141	6,641,695
Acres Planted	554,000	568,000	570,000	556,000	529,000
Price $/ton	$585.00	$567.00	$597.00	$535.00	$530.00

Table 12B. Percent difference from previous year for reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for wine grapes from 1999 to 2003.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	-11	-10	-18	6	-3
Acres Treated	-3	-3	-8	3
Acres Planted	9	3		-2	-5
Price $/ton	1	-3	5	-10	-1

Figure 10. Acres of wine grapes treated by all active ingredients in the major types of pesticides from 1993 to 2003.

Total pesticide use and the use of fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides on wine grapes have remained fairly steady in the last few years. Major pesticides with the largest percentage increases in acres treated include buprofezin, oryzalin, copper oxide, copper oxychloride sulfate, and bifenazate. Those with the largest decreases include diuron, avermectin, petroleum distillates, Bt, lime sulfur, and azoxystrobin. In 2003, factors influencing the small pesticide use changes included pest pressure (which varied by region), competition from newer products, pressure from wineries to eliminate use of some products (buyer restrictions), efforts by growers to reduce costs, and continued increasing emphasis on sustainable farming.

The major fungicides by acres treated in wine grapes in 2003 were sulfur, myclobutanil, copper hydroxide, trifloxystrobin, tebuconazole, fenarimol, triflumizole, and kresoxim-methyl. The major insecticides and miticides were imidacloprid, tebufenozide, Bt, petroleum distillates, pyridaben, fenpropathrin, and bifenazate. The major herbicides were glyphosate, oxyfluorfen, paraquat dichloride, simazine, oryzalin, and diuron.

Most fungicide use was for control of powdery mildew. Sulfur use declined 6 percent but use of most other fungicides increased from 2002 to 2003. Several reasons contribute to the fluctuation in fungicide use between the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Lower cost is an important reason for the increased use of fenarimol and newer materials such as tebuconazole and trifloxystrobin.

In the southern San Joaquin Valley, the 2003 season was difficult due to the cool spring weather that caused excessive berry set in certain varieties leading to tight bunches prone to bunch rot. The late in-season precipitation, which also promotes bunch rot, further explains the increase in use of copper-based and other fungicides labeled for bunch rot control. In other regions, the abnormally wet spring weather caused greater than normal potential for disease problems. Reasons for the decreased use of certain fungicides used for powdery mildew include a better understanding of fungicide efficacy, resistance management, and powdery mildew phenology models that optimize application timing and use. The increased use of both trifloxystrobin and kresoxim-methyl for powdery mildew control explains the decreased use of azoxystrobin. Additionally, efforts by growers to reduce costs, pressure from wineries to eliminate use of some products, lower pest pressure over seasons, and competition from other products further explain fluctuations in use from year to year.

Insecticide and miticide use decreased slightly from 2002 to 2003 due mainly to reduced pest pressure from worms and mites. However, the use of Bt, petroleum distillates, fenpropathrin, bifenazate, and pyridaben increased significantly. Economic considerations and market competition from newer products (such as tebufenozide and bifenazate) contributed to the decreased use of several of the top insecticides and miticides (such as imidacloprid, avermectin, and cryolite). Growers' increasing emphasis on sustainable farming practices was another major factor accounting for decreased uses. Buyer restrictions also contributed to use reductions in certain products such as cryolite and propargite. Some of the largest decreases in use were for propargite and avermectin (for spider mites); cryolite (for omnivorous leafroller); dimethoate (for leafhoppers and sharpshooters); and methomyl (for leafhoppers, spider mites, and omnivorous leafroller). Propargite use (for spider mites) decreased mainly due to competition from newer miticides, its long re-entry interval, restrictions from wineries, and cost.

Herbicide use decreased slightly from 2002 to 2003. The use of all herbicides decreased with the exception of oryzalin, paraquat, and sethoxydim. The decrease in use of soil-applied herbicides such as simazine and diuron is explained, in part, by the efforts of growers to minimize the potential for off-site movement to ground and surface water, and by regulatory restrictions. This decrease is also related to the incompatibility of these herbicides with drip irrigation systems, the use of which is increasing. The increased use of paraquat, a foliar-applied herbicide, is partially due to growers' efforts to use foliar-applied herbicides as alternatives to glyphosate where its extensive use has altered the weed spectrum by selecting weed species with lower susceptibility to glyphosate.

Table grapes and raisins

Production of table grapes is largely centered in the southern San Joaquin Valley region (85 percent), although a significant portion of production (14 percent) comes from the Coachella Valley region. The southern San Joaquin Valley region includes Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kern, and Kings counties; the Coachella Valley region includes the Coachella regions of Riverside, Imperial, and San Bernardino counties. The remaining regions account for less than 1 percent of the state's production. Almost all production (99 percent) of raisin grapes is in the Southern San Joaquin Valley region; the remaining 1 percent is in the northern San Joaquin Valley region (San Joaquin, Calaveras, Amador, Sacramento, Merced, and Stanislaus counties).

Table 13A. Total reported pounds of all active ingredients, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for raisin and table grapes each year from 1998 to 2003. Planted acres in 1998 to 2000 are from CDFA, 2002; planted acres in 2001 to 2003 are from California Grape acreage 2003, CASS, June 2004; all marketing year average prices are from NASS, July 2004.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	29,469,669	26,769,275	19,638,908	22,161,905	21,525,557
Acres Treated	9,458,039	8,145,603	5,670,936	5,902,602	5,952,517
Acres Planted Raisin	286,000	287,000	283,000	279,000	260,000
Acres Planted Table	100,000	100,000	98,000	97,000	93,000
Price Raisin $/ton	$321.00	$166.00	$186.00	$152.00	$163.00
Price Table $/ton	$552.00	$565.00	$610.00	$616.00	$601.00

Table 13B. Percent difference from previous year for reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for raisin and table grapes from 1999 to 2003.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	-16	-9	-27	13	-3
Acres Treated	5	-14	-30	4	1
Acres Planted Raisin	2		-1	-1	-7
Acres Planted Table	2		-2	-1	-4
Price Raisin $/ton	10	-48	12	-18	7
Price Table $/ton	11	2	8	1	-2

Figure 11. Acres treated in table and raisin grapes by all AIs in the major types of pesticides from 1993 to 2003.

Pesticide use in table and raisin grapes declined from 1998 to 2001, but increased somewhat from 2001 to 2003. Most of these changes were due to high fungicide use from 1998 to 2000. From 2002 to 2003 insecticide and herbicide use decreased by 6% but fungicide use increased by 2%. Pesticides with large percent increases in use include buprofezin, glufosinate-ammonium, potash soap, copper oxychloride, Bacillus subtilis, and oryzalin. Those with large percent decreases in use include azoxystrobin, pendimethalin, strychnine, sodium tetrathiocarbonate, and pyridaben.

The major insecticides and miticides by acres treated in table and raisin grapes in 2003 were cryolite, imidacloprid, Bt. tebufenozide, and propargite; the major herbicides were glyphosate, paraquat, simazine, oxyfluorfen, and diuron; and the major fungicides were sulfur, myclobutanil, copper hydroxide, tebuconazole, and trifloxystrobin.

Powdery mildew is the number one grapevine disease and accounts for the majority of fungicide use in San Joaquin Valley and Coachella Valley vineyards. Other diseases that growers manage using fungicides are Botrytis bunch rot and Phomopsis cane and leaf spot. Overall, fungicide use was greater in 2003 than in 2002. Several factors, including economics and weather, contributed to the increased use of certain fungicides during the 2002 and 2003 seasons. To reduce costs, growers increased their use of lower-cost alternatives (e.g. fenarimol) and newer materials (e.g. tebuconazole and trifloxystrobin). The cool spring weather in 2003 resulted in an increase in Phomopsis; so, growers used more copper products to control it. The cool spring weather also caused excessive berry set in certain varieties that led to tight bunches prone to Botrytis bunch rot. In-season precipitation also occurred, which promotes bunch rot. Use of copper-based fungicides to control the bunch rot increased. Use of certain fungicides to manage powdery mildew decreased because of a better understanding of fungicide efficacy, resistance management, and powdery mildew phenology models that optimize application timing and use. The decreased use of azoxystrobin is related to the increased use of both trifloxystrobin and kresoxim-methyl for powdery mildew control. In addition, efforts by growers to reduce costs, pressure from wineries and packers to eliminate use of some products, lower pest pressure over seasons, and competition from other products further explain fluctuations in use from year to year.

Overall, use of insecticides and miticides decreased slightly. Cryolite use decreased in part due to competition from other pesticide alternatives for control of lepidopteran pests and because of restrictions from wineries and packers. Cryolite is used to control omnivorous leafroller and other Lepidopteran pests. The decrease in use of imidacloprid can be attributed to the large amount of imidacloprid that was soil-applied in southern San Joaquin Valley vineyards in 2002 to combat glassy-winged sharpshooter. Imidacloprid is used primarily for control of leafhoppers, mealybugs, and sharpshooters. Its use as a soil application can be expected to increase as more vineyards become infested with vine mealybug. Propargite use to control spider mites decreased mainly because of competition from newer miticides, its long re-entry interval, restrictions from wineries and packers, and cost. Methomyl use increased mainly due to increased incidence of vine mealybug in the San Joaquin Valley and around the state.

Herbicide use also decreased slightly. The decreased use of soil-applied herbicides (e.g., simazine and diuron) may be explained, in part, by growers' efforts to minimize the potential for off-site movement to ground and surface water and by regulatory restrictions. The decrease in herbicide use is also related to the incompatibility of these herbicides with the use of drip irrigation systems in vineyards, which is increasing. The increased use of paraquat, a foliar-applied herbicide, is due in part to growers' efforts to use foliar-applied herbicides instead of glyphosate in situations where extensive glyphosate use has altered the weed spectrum by selecting weed species with lower susceptibility to glyphosate.

The weed pests marestail and hairy fleabane are becoming a significant problem in vineyards in the San Joaquin Valley. Simazine and oxyfluorfen have been extensively used to manage these weeds; however, neither AI provides total control. This has altered the weed spectrum in vineyards, favoring species with lower susceptibility to these herbicides. Currently, oxyfluorfen is almost always added to glyphosate to help control these two weeds. Additional sprays of glyphosate and paraquat are often used to control these weeds. Glufosinate-ammonium has been very effective.

An additional reason for the overall decrease in herbicide use is the implementation of new production systems in raisin and fresh market grapes. Once established, vineyards planted to a gable or overhead system reduce the available light for weeds during the growing season. Growers then only need to spot treat to manage weeds in the vine row.

Almonds

Almonds are California's largest tree nut crop in total dollar value and acreage. They are the largest horticultural export from the United States. Approximately 6,000 almond growers produce nearly 100 percent of the commercial domestic supply and more than 75 percent of worldwide production. Nearly 80 countries import California almonds. The United States is by far the largest market for almonds; overseas, Germany is the largest market for almonds, consuming about 16 percent of the export crop, followed by Spain at about 15 percent. Other major importers include the Netherlands, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, India, China and Spain. The Pacific Rim nations are a rapidly growing market for California almonds.

Table 14A. Total reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for almonds each year from 1998 to 2003. Bearing acres in 1998 to 2000 are from CDFA, 2002; bearing acres in 2001 and 2003 are from Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts 2003 Summary, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), July 2004; all marketing year average prices are from NASS, July 2004.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	14,853,588	11,637,568	10,161,186	11,932,343	13,869,152
Acres Treated	7,436,397	7,214,954	5,049,552	5,423,253	6,357,011
Acres Bearing	480,000	500,000	530,000	545,000	550,000
Price $/lb	$0.86	$0.97	$0.91	$1.11	$1.57

Table 14B. Percent difference from previous year for reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for almonds from 1999 to 2003.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	-8	-22	-13	17	16
Acres Treated	11	-3	-30	7	17
Acres Bearing	4	4	6	3	1
Price $/lb	-39	13	-6	22	41

Figure 12. Acres of almonds treated by all active ingredients in the major types of pesticides from 1993 to 2003.

After a decline in almond pesticide use from 1998 to 2001, use increased from 2001 to 2003. From 2002 to 2003 use in pounds increased by 12% and acres treated increased by 17%. Insecticide and herbicide use increased only slightly (by 8% and 2%, respectively) but fungicide use increased by 37%. The largest percent increases in acres treated, between 2002 and 2003, were copper sulfate (pentahydrate), oryzalin, pyriproxyfen, hexythiazox, and 1,3-D. The largest percent decreases in use were for diazinon, phosmet, strychnine, trifluralin, and pendimethalin.

The major insecticides used (by acres treated) in 2003 were avermectin, petroleum oil, esfenvalerate, propargite, and chlorpyrifos; the major fungicides were iprodione, cyprodinil, azoxystrobin, copper hydroxide, and ziram; the major herbicides used were glyphosate, oxyfluorfen, paraquat dichloride, simazine, and 2,4-D, and the major fumigants used were aluminum phosphide, methyl bromide, and 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D).

In 2003, weather, particularly in the northern region, affected production. The wet winter and spring helped to increase navel orangeworm (NOW) mortality, thereby decreasing overwintering populations in mummy nuts. This reduced the need for early NOW sprays. However, the wet weather, which continued into May, did increase disease pressure that required additional fungicide applications. Weather in the central and southern regions was not quite as wet as in the north. Generally, growers checked for mummies and, if numbers were high, they used a winter sanitation program to help reduce the over-wintering population. In some regions, the combination of just enough mummy nuts missed and the mild winter significantly increased the reject potential.

Other factors play a role in understanding pesticide use trends. Almond-bearing acreage continued to increase in 2003, making increased applications more likely. Production was also up, along with the price for almonds. The fact that many growers had reduced pesticide applications for several years and were anticipating a more valuable crop may explain, in part, why some growers chose to put on applications to be sure to protect the more valuable 2003 crop. Generally, in a good year growers are more inclined to treat with pesticides to protect the crop, thereby increasing the number of applications.

Insect pressure in 2003 presented some unexpected results. Early in 2003 many growers thought pests were adequately controlled. However, some problems appeared later that required increased applications. Peach twig borer (PTB) was somewhat of a problem as well as Oriental fruit moth (OFM). These two pests caused significant nut damage in some orchards. The life cycle of OFM and the condition of the nuts were such that damage occurred. Untimely rains delayed the harvest significantly and resulted in much more NOW, PTB and OFM damage than was expected. The increased NOW pressure accounted for the increase in applications of tebufenozide in May and azinphos methyl and chlorpyrifos at hull split.

Ant damage was a problem in 2002 in a number of orchards. To prevent such a problem from occurring again, growers made applications for control in 2003, which explains the increased use of pyriproxyfen and partially explains the increased use of chlorpyrifos.

In 2003, many growers moved away from preemergence herbicides for weed control and instead used glyphosate as a strip spray. Oxyfluorfen was used at a low rate mainly to take advantage of its contact action as a boost for glyphosate. It would be unusual to use oxyfluorfen alone as a preemergence material.

The use of the fumigants methyl bromide and 1,3-D were higher in 2003 compared to 2002. Most of this increase can be attributed to treatment on newly planted and replanted almond acres.

Alfalfa

Alfalfa hay is produced for animal feed. Most counties produce some alfalfa hay, but half of the state's production comes from Kern, Imperial, Tulare, Merced, and Fresno counties. Harvested alfalfa acres decreased in 2003 by 4 percent compared to 2002. Total pounds of pesticide AI applied also declined by 6 percent to the second lowest level in the past six years. The dairy industry is the biggest market for alfalfa hay production.

Table 15A. Total reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for alfalfa each year from 1998 to 2003. Harvested acres in 1998 to 2001 are from CDFA, 2002; harvested acres in 2002 and 2003 are from California Field Crop Review, CASS, January 2004; all marketing year average prices are from NASS, July 2004.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	3,746,269	3,315,152	2,919,521	3,008,510	2,921,442
Acres Treated	5,361,392	5,187,743	4,446,461	4,468,943	4,863,413
Acres Harvested	1,050,000	1,020,000	1,010,000	1,140,000	1,090,000
Price $/ton	$86.50	$92.00	$120.00	$98.00	$93.00

Table 15B. Percent difference from previous year for reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for alfalfa from 1999 to 2003.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	-2	-12	-12	3	-3
Acres Treated	-3	-3	-14	1	9
Acres Harvested		-3	-1	13	-4
Price $/ton	-12	6	30	-18	-5

Figure 13. Acres of alfalfa treated by all AIs in the major types of pesticides from 1993 to 2003.

Pesticide use in alfalfa increased from 1993 to 1998 and then declined from 1998 to 2003. Insecticide and herbicide use generally followed the same pattern as overall pesticide use. Major pesticides with the largest percent increases were (S)-cypermethrin, chlorophacinone, mineral oil, indoxacarb, and propargite; major pesticides with the largest percent decreases were Bacillus thuringiensis, naled, EPTC, imazethapyr, and formetanate hydrochloride.

Insecticides with the largest acres treated in 2003 were chlorpyrifos, lambda-cyhalothrin, indoxacarb, cyfluthrin, and methomyl. Herbicides used on large acreages in 2003 were trifluralin, paraquat dichloride, diuron, hexazinone, and clethodim.

Insecticide use in pounds was reduced by 23 percent overall, though the use of chlorpyrifos increased by 32 percent in 2003. Chlorpyrifos is used primarily to manage Egyptian alfalfa weevil but may have also been used to control late season armyworms, which were a major problem in the San Joaquin Valley in 2003. Pyrethroids, such as lambda-cyhalothrin, which also controls Egyptian alfalfa weevil, replaced much of the chlorpyrifos during the winter and early spring of 2002. This trend reversed in 2003. As chlorpyrifos use increased, the use of the low risk alternative, lambda-cyhalothrin, decreased from 42,147 pounds in 2002 to only 7,173 pounds in 2003. Methomyl use increased along with a further increase in use of indoxacarb for late season armyworms. Indoxacarb, a new insecticide for lepidopteron pests and leafhoppers, became the tenth most popular AI in 2002 and the fifth most popular in 2003, increasing from 8,243 pounds AI in 2002 to 18,547 in 2003. Malathion use decreased 39 percent, dimethoate use decreased 46 percent and carbofuran use decreased 11 percent, accounting for 107,860 pounds of the 179,796 overall reductions in insecticide use in 2003.

Overall, herbicide use decreased 3 percent from 1,363,085 pounds in 2002 to 1,320,834 pounds in 2003. Trifluralin, the leading herbicide used in each of the last four years, decreased by 4 percent compared to 2002. Diuron use increased 14 percent, most likely to reduce costs and broaden winter weed control when combined with hexazinone, which increased 20 percent.

Tomato (Processing)

Virtually all of the 289,000 acres of processing tomatoes planted in 2003 were located in the Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Valley. Fresno County had the largest acreage (104,300 acres), followed by Yolo County (39,200 acres) and San Joaquin County (34,400 acres). The decrease in planted acreage from 2002 to 2003 (nearly 7,000 acres) was followed by an increase in un-harvested acreage from 2002 (5,000 acres) to 2003 (15,000 acres).

Table 16A. Total reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for processing tomatoes each year from 1998 to 2003. Harvested acres in 1998 to 2001 are from CDFA, 2002; harvested acres and marketing year average prices in 2001 to 2003 are from Vegetables 2003 Summary, USDA, January 2004; prices from 1998 to 2000 are from Chuck Rivera, California Tomato Research Institute, Inc, taken from a recent section 18 application for Dual® use in tomato.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	12,754,448	10,665,766	7,917,190	10,645,802	10,943,416
Acres Treated	2,762,511	2,404,273	1,897,319	2,032,755	2,658,987
Acres Harvested	329,000	271,000	254,000	291,000	274,000
Price $/ton	$58.00	$51.50	$57.50	$56.80	$57.20

Table 16B. Percent difference from previous year for reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for processing tomatoes from 1999 to 2003.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	10	-16	-26	34	3
Acres Treated	-12	-13	-21	7	31
Acres Harvested	18	-18	-6	15	-6
Price $/ton	6	-11	12	-1	1

Figure 14. Acres of processing tomatoes treated by all AIs in the major types of pesticides from 1993 to 2003.

Pesticide use on processing tomatoes generally decreased from 1998 to 2001, then increased in 2002 and 2003. Acres treated with insecticides and fungicides increased by 40% and 46% respectively from 2002 to 2003; herbicide use increased only by 5%. The major pesticides with the largest percent increase in 2003 were pyraclostrobin, copper oxide, maneb, acetamiprid, and copper hydroxide; the largest percent decreases in 2003 were pebulate, carbaryl, thiamethoxam, malathion, and napropamide.

By acres treated, the major insecticides in processing tomatoes in 2003 were tebufenozide, indoxacarb, Bt, esfenvalerate, methomyl; the major herbicides were trifluralin, rimsulfuron, glyphosate, (S)-metolachlor, and metribuzin; and the major fungicides were sulfur (though used as a miticide as well), chlorothalonil, copper hydroxide, pyraclostrobin, and mefenoxam.

Northern California growers, particularly those in Colusa, Sutter and Yolo counties were impacted by an unusual series of thunderstorms in August that produced up to 2 inches of rain. This was followed by above normal temperatures, high humidity and stagnant air movement. Fields were not harvested due to high mold incidence, reflected in the large increase in un-harvested acreage.

The use of insecticides considered low risk increased 44 percent and the percentage of low risk insecticides applied increased from 36 percent in 2002 to 42 percent in 2003. Methomyl use increased from 16,000 pounds in 2002 to 45,000 pounds in 2003 due to curly top concerns in the south; the use of methomyl in Fresno County increased from 6,851 pounds in 2002 to 31,433 pounds in 2003.

Herbicide use in 2003 was similar to 2002, perhaps reflecting continued grower concern about the costs and availability of hand labor. The use of several preplant herbicides increased in 2003; trifluralin, metolochlor, and metribuzin use increased, 6 percent, 36 percent, and 20 percent, respectively. The lack of significant rainfall during January and February may have contributed to increased use of preplant herbicides during seedbed preparation and early stand establishment. Also, transplant tomatoes are increasing, resulting in increased use of metolochlor and decreased use of pebulate and napropamide.

Sulfur and metam-sodium made up over 87 percent of the total pounds of AIs applied to tomatoes in 2003, similar to the trend in 2001 and 2002. Sulfur is used for russet mite and powdery mildew, annual pests throughout California. Metam-sodium is used as a preplant herbicide.

Early season weather in April and May favored bacterial speck and other early season diseases; therefore, the use of copper hydroxide increased over 3-fold, from 26,141 pounds in 2002 to 94,582 pounds in 2003. Increased use of mancozeb and maneb (21,620 pounds in 2002 and 86,807 pounds in 2003) is attributed to copper resistant bacterial speck during the early season in the south and some concern over late blight. Use of chlorothalonil increased 8 percent overall, applied in August for late-season disease control, partly in response to the unusual rains. Yolo County growers used 46 percent more chlorothalonil than in 2002.

Rice

California's Sacramento Valley contains more than 95 percent of the state's rice acreage. The remainder is in north to central San Joaquin Valley. The leading rice-producing counties are Colusa, Sutter, Butte, Glenn, and Yolo. Approximately 600,000 acres in the Sacramento Valley are of a soil type restricting the crops to rice or pasture. The remainder of the acreage has greater crop flexibility.

Table 17A. Total reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for rice each year from 1998 to 2003. Planted acres in 1998 to 2001 are from CDFA, 2002; planted acres in 2002 and 2003 are from Field Crop Review, CASS, January 2004; marketing year average prices in 1998 and 1999 are from NASS, July 2000; prices in 2000 and 2001 are from NASS, July 2002; prices for 2002 and 2003 are from NASS, July 2004.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	4,947,221	7,084,205	5,945,926	5,962,401	6,490,215
Acres Treated	1,639,151	2,164,710	1,738,355	2,062,070	2,229,184
Acres Planted	510,000	550,000	473,000	533,000	509,000
Price $/cwt	$6.40	$4.99	$5.28	$6.32	$9.65

Table 17B. Percent difference from previous year for reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for rice from 1999 to 2003.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	-1	43	-16		9
Acres Treated	11	32	-20	19	8
Acres Planted	11	8	-14	13	-5
Price $/cwt	-30	-22	6	20	53

Figure 15. Acres of rice treated by all AIs in the major types of pesticides from 1993 to 2003.

Total pesticide use in rice has generally increased since 1993, although most of that increase was due to adjuvants. Pesticide use was similar in 2002 and 2003, increasing by just 8%. Herbicides accounted for most of the pesticide use; between 73 to 80% of non-adjuvant pesticide acres treated has been with herbicides. Although herbicide use has increased slightly in the 1990's it decreased by 6% from 2002 to 2003. Insecticide use has been generally decreasing and fungicide use increasing. Pesticides with large increases in use include (s)-cypermethrin, clomazone, oxyfluorfen, paraquat dichloride, and carfentrazone-ethyl. Pesticides with large decreases in use include bensulfuron-methyl, diflubenzuron, MCPA, molinate, lambda-cyhalothrin, and thiobencarb.

The major insecticides by acres treated in rice in 2003 were lambda-cyhalothrin, (S)-cypermethrin, and diflubenzuron; the major herbicides were propanil, triclopyr, thiobencarb, molinate, and cyhalofop-butyl; and the major fungicide was azoxystrobin. The second most commonly used pesticide was copper sulfate, which is used to control algae and tadpole shrimp.

In 2003, there were no major shifts in pest pressure. Rice acres planted decreased slightly from 533,000 acres in 2002 to 509,000 acres in 2003. Besides acreage, other reasons for decreases in herbicide use include weed resistance, wet weather causing difficulty with proper application timing, and increased grower confidence with the use of new herbicides on the market. Reasons for increases in herbicide use include the shift to new herbicides in areas of resistance, and the need for tank mixes and sequential applications for managing herbicide resistant weeds. Prices are not a factor in explaining changes in pesticide use because there are few rice pesticides and the modes of action limited so applications are based on need and not crop price.

The use of the herbicides propanil and triclopyr remained nearly stable; the moderate decreases likely due to the decrease in rice acreage. Wet weather in 2003 made it difficult to properly time the use of both propanil and thiobencarb. For example, thiobencarb is an early-season herbicide applied when the rice is young and the weeds are immature. Storms delayed herbicide applications and the weeds became too advanced for thiobencarb to be effective. The moderate decrease in use of bispyribac-sodium, a reduced-risk herbicide registered for use on California rice in 2002, can be attributed to the acreage reduction. Molinate use continues to decline due to weed resistance and also because it is not compatible with some of the postemergence foliar materials that require drainage. The decreased use of bensulfuron-methyl is due to widespread and worsening resistance. In those areas where bensulfuron-methyl is no longer effective, carfentrazone-ethyl is being used to control weeds. The carfentrazone-ethyl /clomazone combination has become very popular as an early into the water field application for weed control. Clomazone was first registered for use on California rice in 2003 and is being used on much of the acreage where molinate (watergrass control) and thiobencarb (sprangletop control) use has been dropped. Cyhalofop-butyl, a reduced-risk herbicide first registered for use on California rice in 2003, is a popular alternative to thiobencarb as a flexible tool for sprangletop control.

Lambda-cyhalothrin is an insecticide used primarily for rice water weevil control and secondarily for armyworm control. Its use declined mainly due to competition from (s)-cypermethrin that was registered for the first time in California rice in 2003. Insect pressure is low for California rice and lambda-cyhalothrin is used on approximately 10 percent of all rice planted in California.

Copper sulfate is the only algaecide registered for use on California rice, and one of the few products acceptable for organic rice production. The product doubles as an insecticide, which is very important to organic rice growers.

Azoxystrobin is reduced-risk and the only foliar fungicide registered for use on California rice. Disease pressure is low for California rice, which is the reason azoxystrobin is used on approximately one-fifth the total acres planted.

Oranges

Oranges are the eighth highest value crop grown in California. Eighty-six percent of California oranges are grown in the San Joaquin Valley. The rest are grown in the interior region (five percent in Riverside and San Bernardino counties) and on the south coast (about seven percent of the state's acreage, mostly in Ventura and San Diego counties).

Table 18A. Total reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for oranges each year from 1997-98 to 2003. Bearing acres in 1997-98 to 2000-01 are from CDFA, 2002; bearing acres in 2001-02 and 2002-03 are from Citrus Fruits 2004 Summary, USDA, Sept 2004; marketing year average prices (equivalent P.H.D.) in 1997-98 are from NASS, July 2001; prices in 1998-99 and 1999-00 are from NASS, July 2002; prices in 2000-01 to 2002-03 are from NASS, July 2004. A box is about 75 pounds of oranges.

	1998-99	1999-00	2000-01	2001-02	2002-03
Lbs AI	8,779,130	8,569,479	6,293,041	6,949,452	7,237,990
Acres Treated	2,039,194	2,181,618	1,727,085	1,911,195	2,067,987
Acres Bearing	201,500	195,500	194,500	195,000	189,500
Price $/box	$11.22	$5.40	$9.44	$10.85	$7.78

Table 18B. Percent difference from previous year for reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for oranges from 1999 to 2003.

	1998-99	1999-00	2000-01	2001-02	2002-03
Lbs AI	-14	-2	-27	10	4
Acres Treated	1	7	-21	11	8
Acres Bearing	1	-3	-1		-3
Price $/box	26	-52	75	15	-28

Figure 16. Acres treated in oranges by all AIs in the major types of pesticides from 1993 to 2003.

Total pesticide use and insecticide, herbicide, and fungicide use on oranges has remained similar from year to year in the 1990's, though there was a small increase of each pesticide type from 2001 to 2003.

Overall insecticide use was up slightly from 2002. Insecticides used most (in terms of pounds of AI) in 2003 were petroleum oil, mineral oil, chlorpyrifos, cryolite, and carbaryl. When expressed in terms of acres treated, this list changes to petroleum oil, spinosad, cyfluthrin, chlorpyrifos and acetamiprid. The discrepancy lies in the wide variation in rates applied for the various pesticides (some pesticides are applied at high rates per acre (kaolin, cryolite) and some at very low rates per acre (spinosad, cyfluthrin). Between 2002 and 2003 large increases were also reported in the use of the reduced-risk insecticides acetamiprid, fenbutatin-oxide, buprofezin and Bt, even though costs to manage insects are increasing since the newer reduced-risk insecticides are more expensive.

Overall, fungicide use by acres treated was similar in 2002 and 2003. The highest-use fungicides (by acres treated) were copper hydroxide, copper sulfate, mefenoxam, copper oxide, and harpin protein. The reduced-risk fungicides mefenoxam and harpin protein were used on a much larger percentage of acres in 2003 than in 2002.

Herbicide use by acres treated increased slightly between 2002 and 2003.The herbicides used most (by acres treated) were glyphosate, diuron, simazine, bromacil, and paraquat dichloride.

Major pesticides with the largest percent increase in acres treated from 2002 to 2003 were acetamiprid, harpin protein, fenbutatin-oxide, hydrolyzed corn product, mefenoxam, and buprofezin. Major pesticides with the largest percent decrease were methomyl, sabadilla alkaloids, chlorpyrifos, diphacinone, and chlorophacinone.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, the citrus growing regions of California had another dry year (the fourth in a row) with the interior region receiving only 25 percent of normal rainfall. It was a mild winter and summertime temperatures were above normal across California.

A number of new insect pests arrived or spread to new areas of California during 2003. The citrus leafminer expanded its range from Imperial County into San Diego and Riverside counties. It does not affect fruit quality so it only needs to be controlled in new plantings and in nurseries. Area-wide control strategies were implemented for glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) in Tulare and Ventura counties. The Texas citrus mite was first discovered in Kern County in the fall of 2003 and treatments were required to prevent fruit damage. An infestation of Mexican fruit fly was detected and eradicated in the San Diego area.

Growers are required to spray for GWSS in most of the citrus-growing regions. The GWSS program continues to disrupt the reduced-risk approach that is in place in the interior region. Growers prefer using a systemic pesticide that does not impact beneficial insects, e.g. imidacloprid. However, this insecticide acts slowly and so when rapid knockdown of sharpshooters is needed, acetamiprid is foliar applied.

Petroleum oil and mineral oil are broad-spectrum insecticides for aphids, mites and scales; chlorpyrifos is a broad-spectrum insecticide for insects; cyfluthrin is used for citrus thrips, katydids and worms; spinosad is used for citrus thrips, orangeworms and katydids; and acetamiprid is used for GWSS. Cryolite is used for katydids, leafrollers and cutworms. Kaolin is a whitewash that is used to make citrus trees less attractive to GWSS; some growers also use it to reduce heat stress. Bacillus thuringiensis is used for caterpillar pests. Buprofezin, pyriproxyfen and carbaryl are used to manage scale insects. Fenbutatin-oxide is a reduced-risk insecticide used to manage mites.

Use of the insecticide carbaryl decreased from 2002 to 2003 because it is less efficacious than other insecticides in managing scale pests. Growers are rotating buprofezin and pyriproxyfen to control red scale. Citrus thrips are developing resistance to pyrethroids, so growers are using spinosad. Growers are tank-mixing cyfluthrin, fenpropathrin, or chlorpyrifos with the spinosad used for citrus thrips in order to control katydids, which appear at the same time as thrips. Growers used more of the less expensive petroleum and mineral oils since citrus prices were low in 2003 and as an adjuvant with some of the newer insecticides. Use of kaolin and acetamiprid increased as a result of the GWSS spray program.

The fungicides copper hydroxide, copper sulfate, sulfur and copper oxide are used to prevent Phytophthora gummosis, Phytophthora root rot, and fruit diseases such as brown rot and Septoria spot. Sulfur can also be used to control mites and citrus thrips. Use of these fungicides decreased between 2002 and 2003. Imazalil is used as a postharvest application to non-stored commodities. Harpin protein is a fairly new product and growers tried it for citrus scab, brown spot, greasy spot and bacterial leaf spot.

The herbicide glyphosate is used to control weeds post-emergence. Diuron, simazine, bromacil and norflurazon are used for preemergence weed control. Growers use herbicides to prepare the ground prior to planting. Glyphosate, simazine and diuron increases are most likely due to replanting.

Over half of the increased use of pesticides (in pounds) on oranges from 2002 to 2003 was due to use of the preplant fumigants metam sodium and 1,3-D. These fumigants are used to protect newly planted orange trees from Phytophthora root rot. This increased use appears to be caused by large-scale removal of Valencia oranges and their replacement by new plantings of other citrus varieties. The market for Valencia oranges has been poor, although it has improved recently. Therefore, many growers bulldozed the blocks of Valencia trees and replaced them with other varieties of citrus.

Head (Iceberg) Lettuce

Head lettuce is grown in four regions in the state: the central coastal area (Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara counties); the southern coastal area (Ventura and Santa Barbara counties); the San Joaquin Valley (Fresno, Kings, and Kern counties); and the southern deserts (Imperial and Riverside counties). In 2002, 55 percent of all California head lettuce was planted in the central coastal area, 16 percent in the southern coastal area, 17 percent in the San Joaquin Valley, and 12 percent in the southern deserts. California produces 70 to 75 percent of the head lettuce grown in the United States annually.

Table 19A. Total reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for head lettuce each year from 1998 to 2003. Harvested acres in 1998 to 2000 are from CDFA, 2002; harvested acres in 2001 to 2003 are from Vegetables 2003 Summary, USDA, January 2004; all marketing year average prices are from NASS, July 2004.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	1,631,179	1,770,426	1,431,087	1,440,302	1,468,612
Acres Treated	2,232,832	2,028,305	2,071,215	2,009,926	2,042,679
Acres Harvested	140,000	130,000	128,000	130,000	135,000
Price $/cwt	$13.70	$18.80	$18.50	$14.90	$21.00

Table 19B. Percent difference from previous year for reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres harvested, and prices for head lettuce from 1999 to 2003.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	-16	9	-19	1	2
Acres Treated	-8	-9	2	-3	2
Acres Harvested	4	-7	-2	2	4
Price $/cwt	-16	37	-2	-19	41

Figure 17. Acres of head lettuce treated by all active ingredients in the major types of pesticides from 1993 to 2003.

Pesticide use on head lettuce has gradually declined since 1995, but most of the decline in acres treated was due to adjuvants and in pounds by fumigants; other pesticide use has remain fairly constant from year to year. Major pesticides with the largest percent increase in acres treated were (S)-cypermethrin, fosetyl-al, acetamiprid, tebufenozide, and indoxacarb. Major pesticides with the largest percent decrease were metam-sodium, mefenoxam, glyphosate, benefin, and copper hydroxide. During 2003, the top insecticides used (by acres treated) were permethrin, diazinon, spinosad, acephate, and imidacloprid. The main fungicides used were maneb, fosetyl-al, iprodione, acibenzolar-S-methyl, and vinclozolin. Three herbicides dominated--propyzamide (pronamide), bensulide, and benefin. Four fumigants--metam-sodium, chloropicrin, methyl bromide, and 1,3-dichloropropene--were used.

There was less use of herbicides and fumigants during 2003, and higher use of fungicides. The rising popularity of banding, which reduces application rates and costs, may be the reason for reduced herbicide use. The increase in fungicide use is possibly due to a wetter spring along the Central Coast, which led to outbreaks of diseases such as downy mildew. More acres were treated with insecticides during 2003 than 2002, but fewer pounds were used, possibly attributable to increased use of insecticides that are applied at low rates. There was a four percent increase from 2002 to 2003 in acres of head lettuce planted.

The insecticides permethrin and spinosad are used to manage larvae of beet armyworm and cabbage looper, primarily pests in the southern deserts. Use of permethrin dropped in 2003, possibly due to less worm pressure in the southern deserts, and the increased use of many reduced-risk insecticides such as spinosad, indoxacarb, and emamectin. Spinosad use increased from 2002 to 2003, probably due to high thrips populations. Thrips have become serious pests in coastal and desert regions of California. Use of indoxacarb, an effective reduced-risk material for worms, increased by a third. In the central coastal area, insecticides such as avermectin are replacing permethrin to manage leafminers. However, avermectin use in 2003 decreased because leafminers posed little problem in this area. Use of cyromazine, the most effective leafminer larvicide, increased by almost 50 percent due to a registration change that reduces plantback restrictions.

Diazinon is a preplant treatment applied to manage soil pests. Its use increased in the coastal areas due to higher-than-normal pressure from symphylans. Diazinon use increased in the southern deserts, where it is often used for stand-establishment pests such as crickets, darkling ground beetles, earwigs, and sowbugs. Use of lambda-cyhalothrin decreased throughout California, including the southern deserts, where use had increased in 2002. In the central coastal area, use of imidacloprid fell because lettuce aphids were scarce.

In 2003, maneb was the dominant fungicide used in head lettuce production, primarily to control downy mildew and prevent anthracnose. Use of fosetyl-al more than doubled, and was used on about 40 percent of acreage planted. Although fosetyl-al costs more than maneb, it can be used much closer to harvest. However, examples of downy mildew tolerance to fosetyl-al have been documented. Use of acibenzolar-S-methyl, first registered for lettuce in 2001, increased seven-fold between 2001 and 2002, but fell 15 percent from 2002 to 2003. This new reduced-risk fungicide stimulates plants to resist the pathogen that causes downy mildew. Although characterized as more effective against downy mildew than fosetyl-al, acibenzolar-S-methyl is more expensive. Use of iprodione in 2003 was less than in 2002, as well as that for vinclozolin, also used for lettuce drop management. Use of another lettuce drop fungicide, dicloran, increased only slightly. Another new biofungicide, QST 713 strain of dried Bacillus subtilis, was used on three times more acres in 2002 than in 2001, but use fell in 2003. First registered for use on lettuce in 2000, B. subtilis effectively manages bacterial leaf spot and was the most frequently used bactericide.

Herbicide use decreased by 14% from 2002 to 3004. The rising popularity of banding, which reduces application rates and costs, may be the reason for reduced herbicide use. Use of propyzamide (pronamide), applied as a postplant-preemergence herbicide, decreased from 2002 to 2003, but was consistent with its use for the past ten years, was applied to many more acres than the preemergence bensulide, which targets small-seeded annual grasses and is not as efficacious as propyzamide in the coastal areas. Use of benefin, a pre-plant herbicide, decreased from 2002 to 2003, especially in the San Joaquin Valley.

Nematodes are rarely economic pests of head lettuce, so soil is primarily fumigated to control soil-borne diseases. Although primarily used for this purpose, metam-sodium can also be used to control weeds, if somewhat unreliably. In 2003, one-third fewer acres were treated with this fumigant and preplant herbicide than in 2002, possibly because many growers have switched to band rather than broadcast applications. Still, metam-sodium was applied to more acreage than other fumigants, although fields fumigated with metam-sodium represent less than 1 percent of all lettuce acreage. The second most widely used fumigant, chloropicrin, reduces soil populations of Verticillium wilt and lettuce drop (Sclerotinia drop) alone or when combined with methyl bromide or 1,3-dichloropropene. From 2002 to 2003, use of chloropicrin more than doubled, but use of 1,3-D fell about one third. Most applications of both fumigants were made in Monterey County. In 2003, numbers of acres treated with methyl bromide doubled compared to those treated in 2002, although this represented only about 0.4 percent of acres planted.

Peaches/Nectarines

California ranks first in the U. S. in the production of peaches and nectarines, producing 71 percent of the peaches in the U. S. and 96 percent of the nectarines. California produces 100 percent of the U.S. processed peaches and 49 percent of the U.S. fresh market peaches. Clingstone peaches comprise about 70 percent of the total peach crop in California and are used exclusively for processing, which includes canning (including baby food), juice and frozen. The California fresh shipping freestone peach production represents 30 percent of the annual tonnage. Fresh market nectarines comprise approximately 98 percent of the annual tonnage of nectarines. Clingstone peach acreage increased slightly in 2003 over 2002, while freestone peach acreage decreased slightly; nectarine acreage remained unchanged. Pest management issues for peaches and nectarines are very similar so these crops are discussed together.

Table 20A. Total reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for peaches and nectarines each year from 1998 to 2003. Bearing acres for peaches and nectarines in 1998 to 2000 are from CDFA, 2002; bearing acres in 2001 to 2003 are from Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts 2003 Summary, USDA, July 2004; marketing year average prices for fresh peach in 1998 and 1999 are from NASS, July 2000; fresh peach prices for 2000 and 2001 are from NASS, July 2002; prices for fresh peaches in 2002 and 2003 and for nectarines all years are from NASS, July 2004.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	5,956,635	6,762,775	6,003,210	6,510,986	6,486,354
Acres Treated	1,700,676	1,687,765	1,609,557	1,582,771	1,513,180
Acres Bearing Peach	67,800	67,200	65,800	68,000	68,000
Acres Bearing Nectarine	35,500	35,500	36,500	36,500	36,500
Price $/tons Peach	$396.00	$380.00	$428.00	$418.00	$406.00
Price $/tons Nectarine	$411.00	$398.00	$464.00	$382.00	$436.00

Table 20B. Percent difference from previous year for reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for peaches and nectarines from 1999 to 2003.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	-12	14	-11	8	0
Acres Treated	0	-1	-5	-2	-4
Acres Bearing Peach	1	-1	-2	3	0
Acres Bearing Nectarine	0	0	3	0	0
Price $/tons Peach	0	-4	13	-2	-3
Price $/tons Nectarine	-13	-3	17	-18	14

Figure 18. Acres of peaches and nectarines treated by all AIs in the major types of pesticides from 1993 to 2003.

Pesticide use on peaches and nectarines have fluctuated from year to year since 1993 but with no overall increasing or decreasing trends. The total pounds of pesticides applied and the total acres treated were slightly less in 2003 than in 2002. Major pesticides with the greatest percentage increase in acres treated on peaches and nectarines from 2002 to 2003 were pyriproxyfen, oryzalin, hexythiazox, azoxystrobin, and captan. Major pesticides with the greatest percentage decreases were napropamide, carbaryl, petroleum distillates, pyridaben, and clofentezine. The major insecticides used (by acres treated) in peaches and nectarines in 2003 were esfenvalerate, petroleum oil unclassified, phosmet, mineral oil, and the pheromones E-8-dodecenyl acetate, Z-8-dodecenyl acetate, and Z-8-dodecenol; the major fungicides used were sulfur, copper hydroxide, propiconazole, iprodione, and ziram; and the major herbicides used were glyphosate, oxyfluorfen, paraquat dichloride, simazine, and 2,4-D.

In 2003, weather was a production factor, particularly in the northern region. The wet weather, which continued into May, increased disease pressure that required some additional fungicide applications. In particular copper, azoxystrobin, and captan use increased. The use of most other fungicides went down compared to 2002. Hot summer weather in 2003 was also a factor. The heat caused mites to come out early in cling peaches, which extended the season and resulted in increased applications. This accounts for the increased use of mineral oil and hexythiazox to control mites. The use of other miticides decreased.

Other factors play a role in understanding trends in pesticide use. Peach- and nectarine-bearing acreage was the same in 2002 and 2003. The "Green Drop" program affected peach production in 2003. Through this program, cling peach growers were paid to remove peaches in an effort to balance supply with demand. The reduced production resulted in less acres treated. The price for peaches, particularly freestone, was down in 2003. The price for nectarines was up; however, production was down. Generally, when prices and production are down, growers will look at ways to reduce production costs, such as reducing pesticide applications.

Since OFM was less of a problem in 2003 than it was in 2002, the use of pyrethroid pesticides (e.g., esfenvalerate and permethrin) decreased, as did the use of phosmet, carbaryl, and methomyl on freestone varieties. Many freestone peach growers used pheromone mating-disruption for OFM early in the season. Some growers reportedly were not pleased with the results; therefore, they did not do a mid-season second hanging of pheromone dispensers (due to the labor cost to hang). Reportedly, many clingstone growers used sprayable pheromones in their pyrethroid PTB spray to increase efficacy; however, this practice did not appear to account for any increase in pesticide use.

Controlling San Jose scale continues to be a primary concern for freestone peach growers in the San Joaquin Valley. If infestations are light, then oil alone is used. Heavier infestations require a dormant organophosphate or pyrethroid spray plus oil. Katydids continue to be a secondary pest of concern. As growers continue to move away from using broad-spectrum pesticides, the incidence of fruit damage by katydids is more prevalent. Although pesticides such as phosmet, spinosad and methomyl are reportedly used to control katydid, the use of all these pesticides did not increase in 2003.

Strawberries

Strawberries are grown mostly for fresh market. Depending on market prices, some are processed. California strawberry production occurs primarily along the central and southern coast, with small but significant production occurring in the central valley.

Table 21A. Total reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for strawberries each year from 1998 to 2003. Harvested acres in 1998 to 2001 are from CDFA, 2002; harvested acres in 2002 and 2003 are from Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts 2003 Summary, USDA, July 2004; all marketing year average prices are from NASS, July 2004.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	8,846,907	7,742,885	7,892,756	8,208,032	9,175,187
Acres Treated	899,059	1,018,119	874,220	981,755	1,265,969
Acres Harvested	25,800	27,600	26,400	28,500	29,600
Price $/cwt	$72.50	$61.40	$70.60	$67.40	$72.80

Table 21B. Percent difference from previous year for reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for strawberries from 1999 to 2003.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	22	-12	2	4	12
Acres Treated	5	13	-14	12	29
Acres Harvested	7	7	-4	8	4
Price $/cwt	6	-15	15	-5	8

Figure 19. Acres of strawberries treated by all active ingredients in the major types of pesticides from 1993 to 2003.

In terms of acres treated, total pesticide use has increased most years from 1993 to 2003; fungicides and insecticides account for nearly all of this increase. The greatest increase in use occurred between 2002 and 2003, which saw fungicide use increase by 33%, fumigant use by 11%, and insecticide use by 20%. The major pesticides with greatest increased percentage of acres treated from 2002 to 2003 were pyraclostrobin, triflumizole, pyriproxyfen, bifenazate, 1,3-D. The major pesticides with greatest decreased use were benomyl, azadirachtin, diazinon, carbaryl, and iprodione. Most of the pesticides used, as measured by acres treated, were fungicides. The major fungicides by acres treated in 2003 were captan, sulfur, fenhexamid, myclobutanil, and pyraclostrobin. The major insecticides were Bacillus thuringiensis, malathion, spinosad, methomyl, and bifenazate. The major fumigants were chloropicrin, methyl bromide, 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D), and metam-sodium.

The California Strawberry Commission's acreage survey for the 2003 season reported a total of 28,230 acres. The reported increase over 2002 acreage was 1,401 acres or an additional 5.2 percent with all counties showing an increase. Ventura County had the highest increase with 31.1 percent and San Joaquin County the lowest increase with 1.5 percent. The acreage increase was due to a favorable market and the increase in summer planted strawberries. The organic acreage increased by 59 percent (from 383 acres in 2002 to 607 acres in 2003) due to a high demand for organically grown strawberries.

The older registered fungicides (captan, thiram, thiophanate-methyl, and benomyl) and the newly registered fenhexamid, fludioxonil and cyprodinil are generally used to control Botrytis fruit rot, a major disease of strawberries. Their use in terms of pounds applied increased in 2003, except for benomyl and thiram. This increase was likely due to increased acreage, specifically of summer planted strawberries, and favorable weather conditions for the development of Botrytis fruit rot. Thiram was likely replaced by captan for resistance management. Use of thiophanate-methyl increased by 104 percent in 2003, replacing benomyl as a systemic and inexpensive fungicide. The manufacturer voluntarily canceled benomyl.

Conventional strawberry growers primarily used sulfur and myclobutanil to control powdery mildew. Sulfur is cheap and is also used by organic growers. Increased acreage of both conventional and organic growers coupled with favorable weather conditions for disease development might have also contributed to the increased use of sulfur. Pyraclostrobin, first reported in 2003, is a new and effective fungicide for powdery mildew control. Azoxystrobin is another new fungicide for strawberries that is very effective against anthracnose, a disease that was not as severe in 2003 as in 2002. Its use decreased by 29 percent.

Strawberry production relies on several fumigants, including methyl bromide, 1,3-D, chloropicrin, and metam sodium. These fumigants usually are applied at higher rates than other pesticides types, such as fungicides and insecticides. Fumigants are applied at high rates, in part, because they treat a volume of space rather than a surface area such as leaves and stems of plants. Thus, the pounds applied are large relative to other pesticide types even though the number of applications or number of acres treated may be relatively small. Fumigants accounted for about 88 percent of all pesticide AIs by pounds applied in strawberries. Methyl bromide use decreased 1 percent (from 3,706,589 pounds in 2002 to 3,671,982 pounds in 2003). This decrease in methyl bromide use was likely due to increased restrictions that DPR placed on field applications in the last several years and use of less costly replacements. Growers were replacing methyl bromide with 1,3-D formulated with various percentages of chloropicrin, chloropicrin alone, and metam sodium. 1,3-D use in pounds and acres treated with this fumigant increased 101 percent and 102 percent respectively in 2003. Chloropicrin use and acres treated both increased respectively 13 percent and 12 percent. Acres treated with metam sodium decreased by 18 percent. This fumigant is generally more effective in controlling weeds, but less against soil-borne diseases and nematodes. Regulatory restrictions might also have resulted in its decreased use.

Use of all major broad-spectrum insecticides, such as malathion, methomyl, naled, fenpropathrin, and chlorpyrifos, increased due to increased acreage and pest pressure (mites, whiteflies, lygus, and worms) in 2003. Use of petroleum oil (two-spotted spider mite control) and Bt (worm control) increased in terms of pounds applied and acres treated. Pyriproxyfen, a newly registered insect growth regulator, is effective against white flies. Some of the increased insecticide use might also be due to less use of methyl bromide and the change (from broadcast to bed fumigation) in the way methyl bromide alternatives were applied in 2003. For instance, this change might have increased the usage of chlorpyrifos for various worm control. Bifenazate became available in 2002 for strawberries. It is an effective alternative for the control of two-spotted spider mites. Most conventional growers used this miticide in 2003.

Herbicide use accounts for less than 0.5% of acres treated and less than 0.1% by pounds of AI. Nevertheless, strawberry production depends on the use of herbicides such as napropamide, paraquat dichloride, oxyfluorfen, and glyphosate. Their use increased by 41 percent in 2003. The increase of herbicides was likely due to the increasing dependence on methyl bromide alternatives that are not effective against weeds and the increasing change in the way they are applied; from broadcast to bed fumigation. They are also cheap. Oxyfluorfen is specifically used to control malva, a troublesome weed that is not controlled by methyl bromide fumigation or any other herbicide currently registered for strawberries. The increased use of oxyfluorfen was likely due to growers' dependence on it to control malva and increased acreage.

Carrots

California ranks among the top in the U.S. in the production of carrots. Carrots are grown for fresh market and processing. California has four main production regions for carrots: the San Joaquin Valley (Kern County), with significant production in Cuyama Valley (San Luis Obispo County); the low desert (Imperial Valley and Riverside Counties); the high desert (Los Angeles County); and the central coast (Monterey County).

Table 22A. Total reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for carrots each year from 1998 to 2003. Harvested acres of all carrots in 1998 to 2001 are from CDFA, 2002; harvested acres in 2002 and 2003 are from California Vegetable Review, CASS, January 2004; all marketing year average prices for fresh carrots are from NASS, July 2004.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	8,626,103	7,582,107	6,506,317	7,823,438	8,613,683
Acres Treated	489,268	412,294	359,358	427,102	446,635
Acres Harvested	87,900	85,400	84,300	79,100	77,000
Price $/cwt	$17.20	$13.30	$18.10	$20.30	$20.50

Table 22B. Percent difference from previous year for reported pounds of all AIs, acres treated, acres planted, and prices for carrots from 1999 to 2003.

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Lbs AI	12	-12	-14	20	10
Acres Treated	-2	-16	-13	19	5
Acres Harvested	-3	-3	-1	-6	-3
Price $/cwt	51	-23	36	12	1

Figure 20. Acres of carrots treated by all AIs in the major types of pesticides from 1993 to 2003.

Pesticide use in carrots remained fairly constant from year to year except for an increase in fungicide use from 1997 to 2000 and a generally increasing fumigant use. From 2002 to 2003 fumigant use increased by 11% which is a typical yearly increase for fumigants in carrots. The major pesticides with increased percentage acres treated were pyraclostrobin, malathion, gibberellins, clethodim, and spinosad. The major pesticides with decreased percentage were tau-fluvalinate, fluazifop-p-butyl, cyfluthrin, azoxystrobin, and bifenthrin. The most applied fungicides in 2003 were mefenoxam, iprodione, chlorothalonil, copper hydroxide, and sulfur. The main herbicides were linuron, trifluralin, fluazifop-p-butyl, clethodim, and glyphosate. The fumigants used were metam-sodium, 1,3-D, and chloropicrin. The major insecticides were esfenvalerate, diazinon, methomyl, spinosad, and cyfluthrin.

Most of the pesticides used, as measured by acres treated, were fungicides. Alternaria leaf blight, a major foliar disease, is generally controlled by iprodione, chlorothalonil, pyraclostrobin (registered in 2003), or azoxystrobin. In 2003, growers relied more on chlorothalonil and pyraclostrobin than on iprodione (due to resistance) and azoxystrobin (expensive) to control Alternaria leaf blight. Their increased use also might be due to favorable weather conditions for Alternaria leaf blight development.

Cavity spot is a major, troublesome root disease that is commonly controlled by applying mefenoxam or metam sodium. Growers might have relied more on metam sodium use to manage this root disease in 2003, resulting in a decreased use of mefenoxam. Repeated applications of mefenoxam to soil can increase the activity of microorganisms that degrade it, reducing its efficacy against cavity spot.

Sulfur is used primarily to control powdery mildew. Azoxystrobin is an alternative to sulfur, but is more expensive.

Linuron and trifluralin are two key herbicides in carrot production. Linuron, a postemergence herbicide, provides good control of broadleaf weeds, small grasses, and yellow nutsedge. Trifluralin is used by carrot growers in their weed management to complement linuron. Decreased use of linuron might be due to the decline in harvested acres in 2003. There are no alternatives to this herbicide.

Carrot production relies on the fumigants 1,3-D, chloropicrin, and metam sodium. These fumigants are used at high rates to control soil-borne pests. Methyl bromide is no longer used on carrots. In 2003, fumigants accounted for about 84 percent of the total pounds of pesticide AIs applied to carrots. Acres treated and pounds of 1,3-D used increased respectively by 16 and 22 percent in 2003. More fields might have required fumigation in 2003 than in 2002 due to nematode or fungal infestation, or both. Chloropicrin use also increased (56 percent more acres were treated in 2003); however, chloropicrin is not used by itself in carrot production. It is contained in a formulation of 1,3-D; therefore, the increase in chloropicrin use is likely due to the increased use of 1,3-D. The use of metam sodium increased slightly in 2003.

Insects are generally not a major problem in carrot production, except for white flies that are controlled with esfenvalerate. In 2003, pounds of esfenvalerate use and acres treated increased 20 and 17 percent, respectively, due to increased pest pressure.

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Sources of Information

California Agricultural Statistics Service (CASS). 2003. California Field Crop Review: 24(1).

CASS. 2003. California Field Crop Review: 24(2).

CASS. 2003. California Fruit and Nut Review: 23(3).

CASS. 2003. California Vegetable Review: 24(1).

CASS. January 2004. California Field Crop Review: 25(1).

CASS. June 2004. California Grape Acreage 2003.

CASS. June 2004. California Tomato Acreage 2003.

California Commodity Associations and Commissions

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). 2002. Resource Directory California Agriculture: A Tradition in Innovation. Sacramento, CA. http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/card/pdfs/Directory.pdf

California Strawberry Commission. December 2003. Strawberry Review - 2004 Acreage Survey Results. Watsonville, CA

Cline, Harry. Aug 22, 2003. SJV cotton crop mixed bag going into final weeks of season. Western Farm Press.

Cline, Harry. Jan 31, 2003. Rising cotton biotechnology trend may reverse in 2003. Western Farm Press.

Cline, Harry. Oct 1, 2003. More cotton biotech tools coming for SJV growers. Western Farm Press.

Cline, Harry. March 15, 2004. New Ignite herbicide offers weed resistance management alternative. Western Farm Press.

Cotton Insect Losses 2002. http://www.entomology.msstate.edu/resources/tips/cotton-losses/data/2002/2002loss.htm

Cotton Insect Losses 2003. http://www.entomology.msstate.edu/resources/tips/cotton-losses/data/2003/2003loss.html

County Agricultural Commissioners

Crop Profile for Cotton in California. 2002. http://pestdata.ncsu.edu/cropprofiles/docs/CAcotton.html

Goodell, P. 2002. Sticky Cotton Contamination. California Cotton Review, vol. 64.

Goodell, P. 2003. Late season insect management for 2003: Bringing in a clean crop. California Cotton Review 68: 1 - 2.

Goodell, P. 2004. California Season Overview and Research Activities. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences.

Goodell, P., Godfrey, L., Grafton-Cardwell, B., Toscano, N., Wright, S. Insecticide and Miticide Resistance Management in San Joaquin Valley Cotton for 2001, UC DANR Publication 8033.

Growers

Hutmacher, R.B., R.N. Vargas, S.D. Wright, B.A. Roberts. 2003. Harvest Aid Management and Chemical Materials. California Cotton Review 68: 3 - 6.

Hutmacher, B., S. Wright, B. Marsh, M. Keeley, R. Delgado, G. Banuelos. 2003. Update on Mepiquat Chloride Management. California Cotton Review 67: 7 - 8.

Kurtz, E.A. 2001. Crop Profile for Iceberg Lettuce in California. Western Region Pest Management Center, United States Department of Agriculture.

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NASS. July 2001. Agricultural Prices 2000 Summary. USDA. Pr 1-3 (01)a.

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NASS. 2003. Crop Values 2002 Summary. USDA. Pr 2 (03).

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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2003. Climate. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2003/ann/ann03.html

Pest Control Advisors

Pest Management Strategic Plan for California and Arizona Lettuce Production 2003. Summary of a workshop held on June 18, 2002. USDA, Salinas, CA.

Pest Management Strategic Plan in California Cotton Production. 2002. Summary of a workshop held on November 15, 2001. UC Kearney Ag Center.

Private Consultants

Ross, Karen. 1999. California Winegrape Pest Management Alliance Evaluation. Submitted to the Department of Pesticide Regulation by the California Association of Wingegrape Growers.

Snyder, Jack. Fall 2003. The California Tomato Grower report. Tomato Growers' Association.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 1998. Crop Profile for Rice in California. (USDA crop profiles can be found at http://pestdata.ncsu.edu/cropprofiles/pmcropprofiles.cfm?usdaregion=Western)

USDA. 1998. Crop Profile for Walnuts in California.

USDA. 1999. Crop Profile for Almonds in California.

USDA. 1999. Crop Profile for Grapes (Raisin) in California.

USDA. 1999. Crop Profile for Grapes (Table) in California.

USDA. 1999. Crop Profile for Peaches in California.

USDA. 1999. Crop Profile for Strawberries in California.

USDA. 2000. Crop Profile for Carrots in California.

USDA. 2001. Crop Profile for Iceberg Lettuce in California.

USDA. 2002. Crop Profile for Cotton in California.

USDA. 2002. Crop Profile for Grapes (Wine) in California.

University of California (UC). 1990. Integrated Pest Management for Tomatoes. 3rd edition. Statewide Integrated Pest Management Project, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Davis.

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UC Cooperative Extension Specialists

UC Researchers

Weather station data from California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS), California Department of Water Resources. http://www.cimis.water.ca.gov/cimis/data.jsp

Wright, S. and R. Vargas. 2003. Annual and Perennial Morningglory Control Options. California Cotton Review 67: 3 - 5.

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