The problem I have is Sooty Mold on Kiwifruit caused by deposits left by Aphids and Ciccadas. I would like to find a control that does not resort to insecticides.
The source of nitrogen will not make any difference on insect incidence. Slow release formulations will make staggered availability of nitrogen and hence may have control over insect population buildup. It is the amount of nitrogen absorbed by plants and amino acids synthesized which exactly have influence over insect population buildup.
l'azote favorise le développement des arbres et la croissance de la population d'aphides. quand il est en excé ou en manque il désiquilibre la physiologie de la plante et donc affaiblissement du système de défonse . Je pense qu'il faut faire une étude bien élaborée sur les éxigences du Kiwi en azote notamment en autre éléments nutritifs par l'analyse du sol et des foliaires auparavant en suite apporter les quantité nécéssaires et exacte. Pour le traitement biologique , un extrait d'ortie associé aux quelques gouttes d'huiles essentielles de l'ail par vaporisation manuelle si le nombre d'arbre est faible peut se faire et diminue la densité des Aphides sur les feuilles et fruits.
Nitrogen form (urea, ammonium or nitrate) would generally not be expected to cause significant differences - while some early research suggested differences in amino acid profile this does not seem to have been upheld as generally significant). The main nitrogen issue is excess supply of nitrogen and thus easy access for sucking insects to ammonium and amino acid nitrogen supply, as well as lush growth with less physical resistance to the insect pests. This can be managed by potentially lower and split applications of nitrogen and avoiding later season applications (peak requirement for nitrogen fertiliser on kiwifruit is prior to and at budburst - applications later than early December are not considered necessary or desirable). Research on New Zealand kiwifruit orchards has indicated lower numbers of cicadas on organically managed orchards (perhaps related to low nitrogen inputs and the nitrogen source being compost material (not so fast available).
Cicadas (particularly Amphipsalta zelandica) are a significant issue in New Zealand kiwifruit and honeydew/sooty mould is part of the problem. Aphids have generally not been an issue until the recent presence in New Zealand of the giant willow aphid (Tuberolachnus salignus) which feeds on willow (e.g. shelterbelts) and to some extent on poplars and has been found on kiwifruit (not really a host) with the honeydew/sooty mould causing some issues for kiwifruit export quality.
Cicada emergence in New Zealand is from December to early March with a peak in February. Prior to this, rotary hoeing or soil cover (e.g. by reflective ground cover useful for increasing light levels for the crop) have been found effective on cicadas but have the disadvantages of soil damage and cost respectively. Trunk bands as used for Fullers Rose Weevil control stop the cicada coming up the trunk but then the flying adults still go on to attack the canopy so no real benefit. Earwig populations could be encouraged to help manage scale if they are an issue but the earwigs
Nitrogen from urea, ammonia nitrate or any chemical fertilizers would generally not be expected to cause significant differences on pest population but if you apply nitrogen through the compost of organic fertilizers it make significant difference as in organic fertilizer plant also obtained many micro nutrients with major nutrients, therefore induced resistance will be there against many pests.
Philip, I am sorry for bit late response . I wonder , how I missed all these so useful questions. I don't think , source of nitrogen , either as nitrate or ammonium will make any difference with respect to sooty mould as result of pests incidence, since the fate of N is to ultimately transform into carious amino acids polymerised into proteins. I can share our experiences on citrus with respect to sooty mould , which is the secondary effect of sucroses deposited by the enaction of the pests while feeding on young leaves. And later invited these black moulds to take over . We in citrus used 4-5% potato starch solution , prepared from fresh potatoes , sprayed it coinciding with emergence of new flush , which proved very effective as non-insecticidal option to control sooty mould.