The first berry bulletin of 2019, including crop updates, mite management, and fungicide options. Also- last chance to sign up for the Strawberry and Raspberry IPM training on Thursday May 9th.
PDF available here: Berry Bulletin May 7.
Strawberries: It has been a wet, slow spring so far for berry growers. Overwintered June-bearing strawberries are beginning to move slowly and fruit buds can be seen in the crown in early areas and where row covers were used.
Planting has begun for day neutral strawberries. Overwintered day-neutrals are in bloom in early areas.
Tarnished plant bug: scout for tarnished plant bug (TPB) in June-bearing and day-neutral fields once buds begin to extend from the crown. Refer to Publication 360, Fruit Crop Protection Guide for a list of available insecticides, including Assail, Rimon, Mako, Matador, or Beleaf. Do not apply when bees are active and avoid group 3 products if you have a history of mites.
Two-spotted spider mite: Overwintering two-spotted spider mites (TSSM) can be found in some day-neutral strawberry fields. Overwintering TSSM adults can be found on overwintering leaves, where they lay their eggs. Once new growth appears and the eggs hatch TSSM will spread throughout the plant to new growth. Scan the underside of leaves and use a hand lens to find TSSM.
Cyclamen mite: cyclamen mite damage may become more visible as plants begin to grow and buds extend from the crown. Begin to monitor your fields, especially where there were issues last year. Look for distorted, shrunken leaves and stunted growth. Your options for control at this time are Vegol Crop Oil and Agri-Mek SC. Order your products now. Cyclamen mites can be protected in the crown so a high volume spray is necessary to ensure thorough coverage. Avoid using pyrethroid insecticides (group 3) where cyclamen mite is a problem, as these products are hard on natural predators that help manage cyclamen mite. When scouting and working in your fields, start in new fields before moving to older, potentially infested fields.
Botrytis: Bravo or Echo can be applied in June-bearing strawberries as new growth appears to reduce disease inoculum. Please note the Pre-harvest interval (PHI) for Bravo is 30 days (correction in Pub 360 pg. 173).
Blueberries: are at bud swell to early green tip in southern Ontario.
Mummy berry: Blueberries can be infected with mummy berry shoot blight at the bud burst stage. Control for mummy berry beginning at bud swell through early bloom if there is a history of mummy berry on your farm. Mummy berry infections occur after 6 hours of rain or more depending on temperature.
Use fungicides from different groups to control cane diseases such as phomopsis and anthracnose twig blight. Once bloom arrives, use fungicides that control both anthracnose and botrytis.
Weed control: the 2019 edition of Publication 75B, Guide to Weed Control: Hort Crops is available here.
Upcoming events:
Raspberry and Strawberry IPM workshop. Thursday, May 9th, 9:30-3:30. 1283 Blueline Rd, Simcoe, Ontario.
This workshop is free. Handouts are provided. Bring your own lunch. To register contact OMAFRA’s Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300. CEU credits are available for Certified Crop Advisors.
Twitter: Follow me on twitter @PateErica and our ONfruit blog for regular updates and berry information.
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