Boyero, J.R, Antunez, E., & Moreno, R. 2000 [System to support tactical decision making for plant protection of orange orchards. I: Establishment of the sample unit of the tree.]. Boletín de Sanidad Vegetal, Plagas 26(4) Suppl.: 673-688.

Notes: [Original title: Sistema de ayuda a la toma de decisiones tácticas en protección fitosanitaria de plantaciones de naranjo. I: Establecimiento para diaspinos de la unidad de muestreo en árbol.] This study is a first step to introduce a tactical decision support system (DSS) into IPM for orange orchards in the province of Malaga (Spain). The most important Diaspididae species, Aonidiella aurantii, Lepidosaphes beckii and Parlatoria pergandii will be studied. A computer program will be developed to make decisions. Later modules will be developed for whiteflies, mites, aphids, leafminer, medfly and lepidopterous pests. Colonization (presence of scales) was chosen as a valid parameter to analyse the progress curve of the attack and to be able to make correct decisions later. Two-stage sampling was used. The aim of the first part of this study was to choose the best secondary sampling unit. Four Navelina trees, 2 Navelate trees and 3 Valencia Late trees were sampled in 1998. Three shoot types (last, last but one, and last but two position in the branch) and 2 strata (leaf and wood) were used. The presence of immature and mature stages of Diaspididae was observed, and likewise whether they were living or dead. Leaves of the last and last but one shoots were the best sampling units, and the presence of mature stages (living and/or dead) on them should be observed.