April 30 Berry Bulletin

April 30, 2020

In this bulletin:

• Crop update
• Publication 360
• Publication 75B
• Funding Opportunities
• Strawberry & Raspberry IPM training

PDF available: Berry Bulletin April 30

Strawberries:

It has been a cold spring these last few weeks for strawberries with slow growth, but we are starting to see buds and bloom. Fruit buds can be seen on June bearing varieties in early areas where row covers were used.

Planting has begun for day neutral strawberries. Overwintered day-neutrals are in bloom in early areas.

Two-spotted spider mite: Overwintering two-spotted spider mites (TSSM) can be found in some 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.

Aphids: Prepare to apply an aphid spray once aphid eggs have hatched. Check for strawberry aphids on the underside of young, folded leaves (Figure 1 & 2).  Cygon, Lagon, Beleaf and group 4s can be applied at this timing to control aphids.

Cyclamen mite: Keep an eye on your plants as they start to grow more quickly. Any cyclamen mite damage will become more apparent with variation in growth, as damaged plants will be stunted with crinkled, toughened leaves (Figure 3). Agri-mek and Vegol Crop Oil can be applied to control these mites. Agri-mek works best on cyclamen mite when plants are succulent and actively growing. Agri-mek needs to be applied with a non-ionic surfactant so be careful about using Captan, Maestro or Bravo in close timing to an Agri-mek spray.  Beneficial mites may also provide some control. Avoid using group 3 products if you have a history of cyclamen mite problems, as group 3s are hard on natural predators.

Disease: Bravo or Echo can be applied at this time for botrytis control to reduce disease inoculum and help with disease management later in the season. Make sure to get these applications on before bloom with the 30-day PHI.

Blueberries:

are looking good coming through the winter, and don’t seem to be delayed from the cooler weather.

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.  See the fungicide options in Publication 360B-Berries on page 34.

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.

Publications:

The 2020 Fruit Crop Protection Guide Publication 360 is now offered as 5 stand alone crop publications: 360A Apples, 360B Berries, 360C Grapes, 360D Tender Fruit, and 360E Tree Nuts. These publications are free online on the OMAFRA website here: Fruit Crop Production Guides 2020  (full URL: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub360/p360toc.htm) These are early release drafts of these publications. The final English versions will be posted when ready. Print copies should be available in May from ServiceOntario Publications. Order online at Ontario.ca/publications or by phone 1-800-668-9938 Toll-free across Canada.

2020 Publication 75B: Guide to Weed Control Hort Crops is available free online on the OMAFRA website: Publication 75B, Guide to Weed Control: Hort Crops. (full URL: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub75/pub75B/pub75Btoc.htm ). Print copies can be ordered from ServiceOntario Publications at a cost of $25 plus shipping and handling.  Order number 300190. Order online at Ontario.ca/publications or by phone 1-800-668-9938 Toll-free across Canada.

Funding Opportunities:

Agri-Food Open for E-Business

was announced on Friday, April 24^th. This funding opportunity is available to help growers, farmers markets, retailers, greenhouses, and associations develop online business, providing consumers with greater access to your products.

This targeted application intake features two funding streams:

1. Bring Your Business Online. Eligible organizations and businesses can apply for a grant of up to $5,000 to establish an online e-business and marketing presence. Funding under this stream will be quick and responsive for those needing immediate solutions.
2. Develop Online Business Opportunities. Eligible organizations, businesses and collaborations can apply for cost-share funding of up to $75,000 to implement high-impact projects.

Eligible activities include activities that will help bring businesses online quickly, such as website design and graphic development, development, enhancement and expansion of an online marketing/sale platform, and piloting sales practices and systems. See the link below for the full list. Eligible expenses include costs incurred on or after April 24^th.

For more information visit here: Agri-Food Open for E-Business (full URL: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cap/ebusiness.htm )

Addressing Labour Supply and Training Challenges.

This funding stream is focused on helping to bring a strong labour force for agri-food and agri-product sectors by implementing new, enhanced or expanded activities for attracting, training and retaining labour.

Eligible projects include implementing new, enhanced or expanded attraction, training and retention approaches to support sectors to address labour supply and training challenges.

For more information visit here: Addressing Labour Supply and Training Challenges (full URL: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cap/labour_supply_training.htm)

Upcoming events:

Strawberry and Raspberry IPM workshop. Will be hosted online this year on Tuesday, May 12^th, 1:00-3:00 pm. This webinar will include key insects and diseases for berry scouts to look out for. Pre-recorded presentations will be posted on the ONhortcrops YouTube Channel (full URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJr20gvrwcOzO-Xr20OAu3A), that will cover other important information for berry IPM, including berry production systems and more pest information. These videos will be available beforehand. Videos from other OMAFRA specialists will also be available on this channel.

Pre-registration is required for the Webinar: Register in advance for this meeting: Strawberry and Raspberry IPM Workshop (full URL: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUoc-Cpqj0pGNA8UU4nOg4L8tZ2DB4bDecP)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Check the ONfruit blog (full URL: onfruit.ca) or the ONvegetables blog (full URL: onvegetables.com) for other workshops.

Twitter: Follow me on twitter @PateErica and our ONfruit blog for regular updates and berry information.