Survey and Pest Monitoring System for Southern Pine Seed Orchards

Abstract A survey and pest monitoring system (SPMS) for pine seed orchards is described that estimates total orchard yields of female strobili and seeds, quantifies pest damage, documents the times of year when losses occur, and produces life tables for female strobili. The method utilizes sample clusters of female strobili located in the southeast crown quadrants of sample trees for obtaining three estimates per year of numbers and conditions of the two crops of cones present on seed orchard trees; additional periodic subsamples are used to determine causes of strobilus damage during periods of major loss. Interactive, user-friendly computer programs facilitate data analyses. Estimates of orchard productivity are accompanied by statistics on the precision of sampling and on the losses caused by specific pests and other factors. South. J. Appl. For. 14(3):147-159.