The Cougar Blight model at NEWA is predicting “Caution” for all Apple and Pear blocks with open blossoms starting May 7. The model is basing the prediction on the current weather forecast for both southern and northern regions. Keep a close eye on the weather. If conditions for infection occur (60°F or above with rain or severe weather including high winds) apply antibiotics such as Streptomycin, Mycoshield, or Fireline. Streptomycin is the most effective of the antibiotics. The Terramycin products (Mycoshield and Fireline) should be rotated with strep for resistance management. See the New Jersey Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for rates. Keep in mind that these antibiotics are best applied under slow drying conditions (dilute applications), and have limited residual activity.
Oriental Fruit Moth Update
In southern counties we have accumulated approximately 102 DD base 45 since the biofix set on 4/16. Based on the current forecast, insecticides for OFM control should be applied in 7-10 days. In northern counties, only 14 DD have accumulated since the biofix set on 4/22 so no applications for OFM will be needed for about 2 weeks.
Disease Alert for Tree Fruit: Fire Blight; Apple Scab
In southern counties there is a significant risk for fire blight from Thursday through the weekend for any Pear or Apple orchards with blossoms open. If your orchards are at risk apply antibiotics at the first opportunity. The forecast rain will also be the first significant scab infection for apples. Growers can personalize their risk by visiting the NEWA website. Enter your zip code and follow the links for fire blight and apple scab. You will be prompted to enter phenology information for your location. Using April 6th for 50% McIntosh green tip, the model indicates approximately 40% ascospore maturity on April 20th for South Harrison Township Gloucester County.
Tree Fruit IPM Report: week ending 4/6/2013
- Peach
- Pear
- Apple
- Scouting Calendar
Gloucester County Fruit Twilight Meeting
Tree fruit and wine grape commercial growers are invited to discuss insect, disease, and weed control with RCE NJAES Specialists and the Fruit IPM team.
Date: 7 pm, Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Location: Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County
County Government Services Building
1200 N. Delsea Dr.
Clayton, NJ 08312-1095
Phone: 856-307-6450
The Cicadas are Coming!
Brood II of the 17 year cicada (Magicicada sp.) is expected to emerge in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic this spring. The last emergence in 1996 did not cause many problems in southern NJ counties as I recall. Brood II is one of the broods reported on the east coast. This map indicates the possibility of a broad emergence throughout the region.
Cicada’s can damage trees and shrubs by laying eggs in the twigs. Damage can be severe if the adult emergence is large (populations can be in the tens of thousands per acre!). Damage can also come from sap feeding by females. New and young plantings up to 4 years of age are generally most susceptible to damage. Emergence occurs once the soil temperature reaches 64 degrees (sometime in May in southern NJ). Growers should start scouting in late April by listening for cicada songs and looking for damage.
Information on Cicada life history for tree fruit and for wine grape can be found at:
