In this bulletin:
- Crop & pest update
- Spotted wing drosophila
- Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program
Blueberry, fall-bearing raspberry, and day-neutral strawberry harvest continues.
Strawberries:
Strawberries are runnering after renovation and in new fields, and growers are continuing to train runners. Strawberry fields should be in good shape at this point as they begin to set fruit buds for next year. Make sure to irrigate if it is getting dry to encourage runners. It is time to apply 25-35 kg N per hectare on new and renovated fields.
Day-neutral harvest continues, although yields have been slow to increase.
Insects: All growers with day-neutrals strawberries, raspberries and blueberries should be managing for SWD. See more details on SWD management below.
Viruses are still present in Ontario- don’t forget to control for aphids in your new and renovated fields. If you haven’t sprayed for 3-4 weeks it is time to spray again. Aphids will like the succulent new growth following renovation and fertilizer. Watch for potato leafhoppers and flea beetles in new fields as well as aphids.
Walk renovated fields looking at the new growth for cyclamen mite damage. If there is a history of damage applying Agri-mek or vegol crop oil now could be necessary.
Disease: Watch for powdery mildew in day-neutral fields. Although it has been dry include a product that will control for anthracnose fruit rot and botrytis regularly. Angular leaf spot has also been found- the leaves will have small, angular spots on the lower leaf surface- these spots are translucent when held up to the light.
Miravis Prime, group 7 + 12, (PCP # 33207) has recently been registered for Botrytis grey mould on strawberries. There is a maximum of 2 applications per season, and a pre-harvest interval of 1 day. Miravis Prime label: Miravis_Prime_33207_en_pamphlet
Raspberries:
Some growers have begun to remove floricanes in their summer raspberries. Fall-bearing raspberries are beginning to be harvested in protected culture and field berries. Two-spotted spider mites continue to be a challenge. Spotted wing drosophila control should be the focus- see more details on SWD control below and in previous bulletins.
Blueberries:
Blueberry harvest continues and is going very well. The crop has been ripening quickly with the heat.
BioLink (PCP# 33590) is a new herbicide registered on blueberries. It is a post-emergent, non-selective herbicide. This product is potentially organic- check with your certifying bodies. Label: BioLink label
Axxe is another broad spectrum, non-selective herbicide for blueberry growers. This product is also potentially organic-check with your certifying bodies. Label: Axxe label
Spotted wing drosophila:
Stay diligent with SWD control as the season continues- SWD pressure is very high now. Make sure you are harvesting regularly and maintaining a regular spray program (every 5-7 days). Check out our blog for information on applying insecticides after a rain : Rainfastness of Insecticides (https://onfruit.ca/2020/07/14/rainfastness-of-insecticides-on-fruit-crops-2020-a-reprise/ ) Growers need to continue managing for SWD where ripe fruit is present, including in day-neutral strawberries, raspberries & blueberries.
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. Pyrethroid insecticides (Mako, Up-Cyde) will not work well in hot weather and will cause an increase in mites. Save this product for later in the season when mite pressure is low.
Use all forms of management. Do not spray in temperatures above 25oC. Cool fruit as soon as possible after harvest. Use a salt water test to assess control on your farm.
Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program
Submit your eligible expenses today at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/agrifoodprogram.pdf
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