May 29 Berry Bulletin

In this bulletin:

• Crop Update
• Ontario Crop Protection Hub

Strawberries:  It has been a challenging spring for growers across the province with multiple frost events over the last few weeks. Growers were busy protecting the crop with irrigation or row covers, and there is now green fruit present in early varieties. There is some frost damage to early varieties where there was no frost protection. Plants may compensate for some damage and buds that were in the crown during the frost events are more tolerant and should have a healthy bloom.  

Planting strawberries continues as we head into a warm, dry weak. Make sure new fields are getting enough water for good establishment. Check out these blog posts from Rebecca Shortt on Drip Irrigation Scheduling and Using ET data to make irrigation decisions (2021).

Day-neutral harvest has begun in overwintered fields. In new day-neutral plantings, remove flower buds and bloom until the plant is well established – generally 4-6 new leaves present.

Insects: Continue to monitor for aphids, cyclamen mites, two-spotted spider mites, clipper weevils, tarnished plant bug, and in new fields flea beetles.

• Aphids: Many June-bearing fields have had an aphid product applied- if you have not been monitoring for aphids a spray is likely needed at this point. Aphids need to be managed approximately every 3-4 weeks. Beleaf or Sivanto Prime can be applied during bloom if needed.
• Tarnished plant bug: TPB activity continues to be fairly low. Nymphs are starting to be found, although often below threshold. The threshold for TPB is approximately 1 nymph in 4 clusters. If an insecticide is needed Beleaf is a good choice during bloom at the early instar stages. Apply Beleaf at the high rate for TPB suppression.

Disease management:

Bloom is an important time for disease management. In June-bearing strawberries include a broad-spectrum fungicide for both botrytis and anthracnose control. Rotate between Switch and a group M for anthracnose control and resistance management during bloom. Spraying after bloom for anthracnose is only needed if there are warm & wet conditions.

Blueberries: Blueberries are in full bloom to petal fall, and fields are full of pollinators.  

Cranberry fruitworm and cherry fruitworm: Petal fall applications of an insecticide can be timed by using pheromone traps or degree day models. In the absence of this information, make two applications of an insecticide beginning at petal fall.

Raspberries: raspberries are quickly approaching bloom. Insect pressure has been low but continue to monitor for raspberry fruitworm and strawberry clipper weevil.

Protect growing primocanes and developing laterals with fungicides before and during bloom.

Ontario Crop Protection Hub: The Ontario Crop Protection Hub is our new source for crop protection information: Ontario.ca/cropprotection.

There have been recent enhancements to improve user experience with the Hub including the Berry Pest Management page and the Skip function to bypass the growth stage option when searching for products. See the attached update.

There are short training videos available on YouTube on how to find rate, PHI, REI, and max app information: Ontario Crop Protection Hub- How to find rate and comment information for specific crops and pests. If you have questions about using the Hub reach out anytime!