July 16 Berry Bulletin

In this bulletin

• Crop Update
  • Strawberries
• • Blueberries
  • Raspberries

Crop Update

Fruit maturity is advancing in all berry crops, resulting in compressed harvest windows and increased pest pressure. Management priorities this week are SWD control in raspberries and blueberries, anthracnose management in blueberries and day-neutral strawberries, continued monitoring of potato leafhopper, thrips, tarnished plant bug (TPB), Japanese beetle, and spider mites. Ontario crop protection recommendations and registered products can be found through the Ontario Crop Protection Hub.

Strawberries

Harvesting is done for most June-Bearing Strawberries across the province. Harvest of the late cultivars such as Malwina and day neutrals is about to begin. Growers reported good yields this season, particularly where frost protection was used effectively.

Renovation

(This is adapted from the article by Erica Pate published on July 2, 2025)

• Renovate strawberries as soon as possible after harvest. This will help manage SWD.
• Renovation includes applying fertilizers (50 kg N/ha), narrowing rows, mowing, and herbicide applications.
• If there are broadleaf weeds plan to apply 2,4-D amine or clopyralid (Lontrel XC or Pyralid) before mowing.
  • 2,4-D will control dandelion, plantain, burdock, wild carrot, primrose, daisy fleabane and many annual seedlings. Mow the strawberry plants 2-3 days after applying 2,4-D.
  • Clopyralid will control legumes, composites, nightshades, and smartweeds. Mow the strawberry plants 7-10 days after applying clopyralid.
  • Post-emergent grass herbicides should be applied separately.
  • Sinbar can be applied following renovation to control germinating summer annuals and fall germinating weeds. Delay this application until germination of weeds is obvious. If 2,4-D was applied at renovation, delay Sinbar application until plants have recovered from any stress (approximately 2 weeks). Do not apply sinbar within 2 weeks before or after an application of a grass herbicide.
• Renovation is the best time to control cyclamen mite. Options for cyclamen mite control include Agri-mek and Magister.
  • Agri-mek: slow down and use sufficient water volume to get thorough coverage. Do not apply sinbar after applying Agri-mek® SC. Wait 5-7 days after Agri-mek® SC before applying sinbar.
  • Magister: is non-systemic and requires thorough coverage of the plants and crowns. 1000 L water/ha is the optimal volume; lower water volumes may reduce efficacy. Do not use less than 500 L water/ha.

New fields:

• New June-bearing fields are beginning to runner.
• Don’t forget about aphid management and virus control in new fields. Make sure to keep aphid pressure low, and apply an insecticide when aphid numbers increase again after an insecticide. An insecticide is likely needed every 3-4 weeks.
• Hopper-burn from potato leafhoppers is also beginning to show up in new fields (leaves curled downwards with a yellow edge). Look for potato leafhopper nymphs on the lower surface of the leaves. Choose a product that will control aphids and potato leafhoppers if nymphs and injury can be found.

Day-neutrals:

• As new fields begin to bloom monitor for tarnished plant bug and thrips and apply regular fungicides for anthracnose, botrytis, and powdery mildew.
• Bloom is a good time to apply broad spectrum fungicides for disease control, including Captan/Maestro products, as they cannot be used closer to harvest.
• Botrytis fungicide resistance to multiple active ingredients has been identified in Ontario and other regions. Rotate between multiple FRAC groups that are active on Botrytis.

Raspberries

Raspberry harvest is underway and many pick-your-own operations are opening across the province. Fruit is ripening quickly under current temperatures and some growers are reporting harvest beginning earlier than expected.

Insects

Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) pressure continues to increase as raspberry harvest begins and ripe fruit becomes available. Harvest fruit frequently, remove cull and overripe berries from the field, and cool fruit promptly after picking. Maintain a regular insecticide program and rotate between insecticide groups to manage resistance. Registered options include Exirel, Delegate, Entrust, and Malathion. Consult the Ontario Crop Protection Hub for current registrations, pre harvest interval’s, and resistance management recommendations.

Potato Leafhopper adults and nymphs are becoming more common in raspberry plantings, particularly on vigorous primocanes. Watch for leaf curling, yellowing leaf margins, hopper burn, and reduced cane growth. Young plantings are especially vulnerable. Ontario Crop Protection Hub can be used for the best management practices.

Raspberry Horntail and Cane Borer: Wilting primocane tips have been observed in several raspberry plantings. Growers should inspect affected canes closely for the characteristic girdling rings of raspberry cane borer or tunneling associated with raspberry horntail. Prune and destroy affected cane tips to reduce pest survival and spread.

Blueberries

Blueberry harvest has begun in southern Ontario and growers are reporting an excellent crop with high yields, good berry size, and strong fruit quality. Green fruit is still present in some later fields, while early varieties are entering commercial harvest. Fruit ripening has accelerated with recent warm temperatures, and harvest timing may be earlier than normal in some regions. Growers should maintain frequent picking intervals to preserve fruit quality and reduce pest pressure.

Many growers have installed bird netting; however, strong winds have caused damage and displacement of netting in some locations. Inspect netting systems regularly and repair damaged areas promptly to prevent bird feeding losses.

Insects & Diseases

SWD pressure is increasing across the province and protection programs should be maintained wherever harvest has begun.

Recommendations:

• Begin and maintain regular insecticide coverage once fruit begins to ripen.
• Harvest frequently and thoroughly.
• Remove overripe and culled fruit from the planting.
• Avoid allowing ripe fruit to remain on bushes.

Registered options include:

• Exirel (Group 28)
• Delegate (Group 5)
• Entrust (Group 5, organic)
• Malathion (Group 1B)

Rotate insecticide groups to reduce resistance risk and always follow product-specific PHI and maximum application limits through the Crop Protection Hub.

Anthracnose Fruit Rot

Anthracnose has been observed in some blueberry plantings and may increase where rainfall, overhead irrigation, and warm temperatures occur together.

Scout for:

• Soft fruit rot
• Orange-pink spore masses
• Fruit collapse during ripening
• Increased post-harvest breakdown

Maintain preventative fungicide programs where disease is present or where field history indicates elevated risk. Rotate fungicides among FRAC groups to reduce resistance development.

Growers are encouraged to review current anthracnose management programs and resistance management strategies before harvest intensifies.

Japanese Beetle

Japanese beetles are being observed in blueberry fields.

Monitor:

• Field edges
• Young plantings
• Areas adjacent to woodlots and turf

Exirel can provide suppression of both SWD and Japanese beetle where control of both pests is required.

Treat only when feeding injury warrants intervention and preserve beneficial insects whenever possible.

Nutrient Management : Monitor blueberry fields for nutrient deficiencies, particularly manganese deficiency on sites with elevated soil pH. Symptoms may include interveinal chlorosis, reduced vigour, and poor shoot growth. Where deficiencies are suspected, collect leaf tissue samples to confirm nutrient status before making corrective fertilizer applications.

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General Growing Conditions

• Fruit maturity is advancing rapidly across all berry crops.
• SWD pressure is increasing and requires close attention in raspberries, and blueberries.
• Potato leafhopper populations continue to rise in strawberries and raspberries.
• Japanese beetles are becoming more common in raspberries and blueberries.
• Anthracnose is being observed in both blueberries and day-neutral strawberries.
• Thrips remain a significant concern in day-neutral strawberries.
• Irrigation remains important, particularly in newly renovated strawberries and young berry plantings.

Useful Resources

Ontario Crop Protection Hub https://cropprotectionhub.omafra.gov.on.ca/ [cropprotec….gov.on.ca]

Ontario Berry Production Resources https://www.ontario.ca/page/berries [ontario.ca]

Remember: Always consult the product label and the Ontario Crop Protection Hub for current registrations, rates, resistance management guidance, pre-harvest intervals (PHI), re-entry intervals (REI), and maximum seasonal application limits before making any pesticide application. [ontario.ca], [cropprotec….gov.on.ca]

Upcoming events

Mark your calendars for these exciting events coming up for berry growers!

• July 16- Strawberry Grower Day, EZ Grow Farms
• July 21 – AgRobotics Demo Day- Simcoe Research Station, 1283 Blueline Rd, Simcoe, ON (register here)