August 9th Berry Bulletin

August 9, 2019                                                                                        Berry Bulletin August 9

Strawberries:  Strawberries have been mowed and herbicides and insecticides are going on.  Mid-August is quickly approaching, when plants should be in good shape for fruit bud initiation. Apply 25-35 kg N in mid-August. New plantings are beginning to runner. There is some variability in day-neutral fields across the province but volumes are increasing.

New plantings:  monitor for strawberry aphids, potato leafhoppers and cyclamen mites. For mites, plan on rotating between Agri-mek and Vegol Crop Oil when applications are needed this summer and next spring. See previous bulletins for more recommendations.  An aphicide should be applied every 3-4 weeks- it is very important to protect your new fields.

Renovation: For mites: Agri-mek or Vegol Crop Oil. Apply in a high volume and slow down to ensure thorough coverage. If you are not spraying this summer plan to apply a miticide next spring before harvest if necessary. Continue to apply an aphicide every 3-4 weeks if you are not monitoring the population. Powdery mildew can be found in some new growth after renovation. Apply a fungicide if necessary- warm weather and high humidity favours powdery mildew infection.

Day-neutrals: monitor for tarnished plant bugs, potato leafhoppers, Japanese beetles, and two-spotted spider mites. Maintain a regular fungicide program for anthracnose, powdery mildew, botrytis, and SWD. Harvest as often as possible and remove unmarketable fruit. Exirel is now registered for the control of SWD and will also control Japanese beetle.

The Exirel label has been expanded to include control of spotted wing drosophila in strawberries with a 1-day Pre-Harvest Interval. The rate is 1000-1500ml/ha. Maximum 4.5 L of Exirel insecticide per hectare per season.

Blueberries: Growers continue to have a good blueberry season. In later varieties SWD sprays are not needed until the fruit begins to turn colour.  Regular sprays are now needed for SWD control in varieties that are being harvested or turning colour. Exirel and Malathion will control SWD and Japanese beetle.

Raspberries: Summer-fruiting raspberry harvest is finished in southern Ontario and is winding down in Eastern Ontario. There is ripening fruit on primocane-fruiting raspberries and harvest will begin in 1-2 weeks.

Spotted Wing Drosophila:  SWD has been caught in all areas we are monitoring: Chatham- Kent, Essex, Elgin, Norfolk, Hamilton-Wentworth, Niagara, Wellington, Halton, Durham, Northumberland and Ottawa-Carleton county.

If there is ripe fruit present in your area it is at risk for SWD damage.  SWD should be managed by harvesting early, thoroughly and often- every 1 to 2 days. Weekly sprays are also needed to help keep SWD under control. Reapplication is needed after ½ – inch rains.

Use all forms of management. Do not spray in temperatures above 25C. Stay up-to-date on SWD trap catches by following our blog: onfruit.ca. Use a salt water test to assess control on your farm.

The Exirel label has been expanded and now includes control of SWD in strawberries. Exirel is a good choice for strawberries, raspberries and blueberries and will control SWD and Japanese beetles. The PHI for all strawberries and raspberries is 1 day, and is 3 days for blueberries.