Fruit Crops Edition

Seasonal updates on diseases, insects, weeds impacting tree fruit and small fruit (blueberry, cranberry, and wine grape). Fruit Pest Alerts are also available via this category feed.
 
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September 4, 2018

Stinger 24(c) Special Local Need Label for Perennial Weed Control in Blueberries

The 24(c) Special Local Need Label for Stinger® that had expired on December 31, 2017 has finally been renewed up to December 31, 2020.

Stinger® is especially useful in blueberry for controlling composite and legume weeds. Common composite weeds found in our orchards include Canada thistle and other thistles, goldenrod species, aster species, common dandelion, mugwort (wild chrysanthemum), horseweed (marestail), and ragweed species. Legume weeds include vetch species and clover species.

Golden Rod

Deep rooted perennials like goldenrod require multiple Stinger applications

 

The 24(c) Special Local Need Label for Stinger® is associated with some restrictions:

  •             Preharvest Interval (PHI): 30 days
  •             Maximum Stinger® amount per acre per year: 10.6 fl oz
  •             Maximum Stinger® amount per application: 4 to 5.3 fl oz/a depending upon weed species
  •             Rainfastness: 5 hours
  •             Maximum Stinger® amount per acre per year: 10.6 fl oz
  •             Stinger® can not be air-applied or chemigated

 

 

The application of Stinger® should be timed to match the emergence of the perennial weeds in the spring when the carbohydrate food reserves in the plant are at the lowest point. Treatment at this time reduces the weed’s chance of recovery and survival. Optimum results controlling deep rooted and hard to control perennial weeds, including Canada thistle, perennial asters, goldenrod species, and mugwort (wild chrysanthemum) will be obtained if the Stinger®® application is split.

  • First application: apply Stinger® at the rate of 1/3 pint/acre after blueberry bloom, in late April when the weed is emerging. Some weeds can “survive” for months on established existing foliage even though Stinger® suppresses all new growth. Tank-mix with Gramoxone to increase the spectrum of weeds controlled and kill existing foliage of perennial asters, goldenrod species and mugwort.
  • Second application: Apply another one third pint of Stinger® immediately after harvest in mid-summer. Spray the second application even though no growth of the target weed is evident. The second application is essential for the elimination of the hard to kill established perennial weeds. If the second application is skipped, expect to see the weed re-emerge in late August or September.

Stinger® is both preemergence residual herbicide and a postemergence foliar absorbed herbicide. The initial twisting and curling observed after application to susceptible species is due to the foliar absorption. Control of established perennials is due to residual activity of Stinger® in the soil which prevents regrowth from the roots.  In certain species, such as mugwort, Stinger® prevents regrowth but does not kill the mature leaves. The plant will survive unless another herbicide, such as Gramoxone® SL 2.0 or Rely® 280, is used to defoliate the plant.

Do NOT apply Stinger® in a hand held sprayer used to “spray until wet”.  Stinger® is a residual herbicide that must be applied on a rate per acre basis.  When treating “patches” of perennial weeds, apply the recommended rate per acre with a calibrated sprayer.  Treat ten to fifteen feet beyond the weed “patch” on all sides.  Spray the sod or row middles adjacent to the weed “patch” in the row.

The label is available online on the CDMS website at the following address: http://www.cdms.net/ldat/ld02P048.pdf

The use of any pesticide inconsistent with the label directions is a violation of Federal law.®

 

 

 

Filed Under: Blueberry
August 30, 2018

Fall control of perennial weeds with herbicides

Late summer and fall are perfect times to work on tough-to-control perennial weeds such as Virginia creeper vine, bindweed, green-brier, Canada thistle, goldenrod, and poison ivy. These perennials are among the most difficult weeds to eradicate, especially because of their ability to generate new shoots from their root systems. Successful management strategies will mostly rely on herbicide that can move from the leaf to the below-ground plant parts. Timely initial application and consistency at controlling any regrowth with follow-up spot treatments are crucial for long-term control of these weeds.

3 different species of weeds that affect blueberries

Field bindweed (upper left), goldenrod (lower left) and green-brier (right) are some tough weed species of NJ blueberry and will warrant extra time for achieving successful control

Glyphosate (Roundup or other generic products) is the only postemergence herbicide labeled on blueberry that can provide good control of perennial weeds. Late summer and fall are good times for applying glyphosate as plant sap movement is mostly directed toward the roots where nutrients will be stored in anticipation of next season. Therefore, large volume of glyphosate can easily be translocated from the leaves to the roots, improving the efficiency of the herbicide at killing below-ground storage organs. It is VERY IMPORTANT for glyphosate to be applied when weed leaves are still green before fall colors appear.

Use extreme care not to contact crop green tissues (stems and leaves) with glyphosate. Glyphosate absorbed by crop green leaves and bark moves within the plant and can severely damage or kill above-ground and below-ground parts of annual crop and perennial treess. Weeds such as bindweed, Virginia creeper, and greenbrier may need to be pulled out of the trees so they can be treated safely. This may seem too slow to be practical, but consider what these weeds cost in lost income. For example, blueberry bushes covered by Virginia creeper vine may yield just 20% of their potential. This easily equates to a $5 to $10 loss per bush. The loss is incurred each year and increases as the vines spread to neighboring bushes. Investing 15 minutes to carefully pull vines out of that bush and safely treat them on the ground is money well spent.

Glyphosate should be applied through low pressure spot treatment to limit drift movements. Glyphosate absorption will be improved if ammonium sulfate (17 lbs / 100 gal water) is added to your spray mixture. For effective control, at least 50% of the foliage should be wet with glyphosate applied as a 2% solution (see your product’s label for rate necessary to reach this concentration).

Consider also “cut stump” applications for Virginia creeper or poison ivy that have large diameter stems. Apply a 2% glyphosate solution to the cambium (inner bark area) IMMEDIATELY after cutting the stem. Don’t let time for cutting to dry as this would prevent glyphosate absorption and translocation to below-ground plant parts.

Always apply glyphosate on weeds that are actively growing and not under drought stress.

Always refer to the commercial product label for rates and additional information.

Filed Under: Blueberry, Cranberry, Fruit, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape
August 18, 2018

Monitoring for SLF Egg Masses

Spotted lanternfly egg mass

Spotted lanternfly egg mass – photo by A.L. Nielsen

Spotted lanternfly is a new invasive species in NJ. Egg masses are brownish grey and generally laid on bark in early fall and appear like a smudge of mud. Adults are expected to start egg laying in August and continue through November or the first hard frost.

SLF eggs overwinter and can be laid on multiple hard surfaces, including fence posts, trees, patio furniture, fruit bins, landscaping stones, railway cars, etc. Due to this they can be easily transported and represent a significant risk to SLF populations spreading. Vehicles, stones, agricultural equipment, and fruit bins coming from PA or VA should be inspected for egg masses beginning in August. Within state movement is also of concern to prevent new populations. If found, egg masses can be scraped into a plastic bag and frozen to limit spread and future impact of this pest.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , ,
August 11, 2018

Fruit IPM for 8/12/18

It’s Here!

Spotted lanternfly was found on Friday August 10 on a commercial Hunterdon County fruit and vegetable farm. The insect was found in a Tree of Heaven being used as a trap tree with a plastic catch basin placed around the base of the tree, and the first 5-6 feet of the trunk sprayed with dinotefuran to kill any insects that land on the tree. The dead insects were supposed to fall into the catch basin. They did not. The find was made by looking up into the foliage and seeing the adult stage. To our knowledge this is the first sighting of this insect on a commercial farm in NJ. Growers should be particularly aware of any possible activity in trees of heaven that border cultivated plantings. These trees are common in poor and disturbed soil. This capture was made from trees on a hillside that line the border of a powerline which runs through the farm. With the amount of spraying that normally goes on in tree fruit, it is not likely that this insect will cause a major problem at this time of the season. However, if these insects are found on trees in close proximity to grapes it can be more problematic. See the July 18 Plant and Pest for an article by Anne Nielsen here https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/?s=spotted+lanternfly

The photos taken by Karlton Neidigh and Atanas Atanassov are below:

Spotted lanternfly adult

Figure 1. Spotted lanternfly adult from Hunterdon County farm. Photo – Karlton Neidigh & Atanas Atanassov.

 

Peach:

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM): Third flight adults are present and trap counts are low on most farms, except in isolated areas in northern counties. The timing for 3rd generation treatments is done in southern counties, but ongoing in northern counties. Please see table below for timing:

OFM 3rd Generation Timing
    Insecticide Type
County/Region Degree Days by 8/12 base 45

 

 Conventional

Target – 2100-2200, 2450-2500

 Intrepid / IGRs

Target -2050-2100, 2400-2450

 Diamides (Altacor, Exirel

Target – 2025-2150, 2375-2450
Gloucester –

Southern

Biofix-4/27

 2976 1st – past

2nd – past

 1st – past

2nd – past

 1st – past

2nd – past
Hunterdon – Northern

Biofix May1

 2619 1st – past

2nd – 8/7-8/8

 1st – past

2nd – 8/5-8/6

 1st – past

2nd – 8/4-8/6

 

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB): BMSB pressure as seen in pheromone traps has increased over the past week, but is still very spotty. The highest counts are in Hunterdon County with 1 farm having over 13 BMSB per trap. There is no trap or treatment threshold in peaches. Growers with positive counts should be on a BMSB protective schedule or using border sprays every 7 days. Growers are encouraged to use highly effective materials, and follow with Venom or Scorpion up to 3 days preharvest.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Trap Counts – Southern Counties
Week Ending Average of Adults Average of Nymphs Max of Adults Max of Nymphs
7/7 1.5 0.5 5 1
7/14 1.25 0.0 4 0
7/21 0.67 0.0 2 0
7/28 0.0 0.0 0 0
8/4 1.44 0.00 5 0

 

San Jose Scale: Second generation scale crawlers appeared last week in southern counties. Crawler emergence will continue throughout August. In blocks where scale activity is observed on green fruit or at harvest should receive applications of either Esteem or Centaur either within the preharvest interval listed for the product, or in blocks that are harvested in early August, right after harvest. Belay and Actara also have good scale efficacy against crawlers. Refer to the product label for preharvest intervals and seasonal application limits.

Brown Rot: Brown Rot pressure has increased after the past few weeks of wet weather. Nothing can be done other than to stay diligent with preharvest fungicide applications starting about 3 weeks prior to harvest. Some of the rot problems may be a result of environmental problems such as streaking and “cooked flesh” that resulted from the very hot and dry weather in June.

 

Apple (and Pear):

Codling Moth (CM) and Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM): These two “worms” together can cause problems for apple growers late in the season. The timing for Oriental Fruit Moth in peaches is earlier than in apples. Any treatments applied for codling moth now, will also control oriental fruit moth. Codling Moth trap captures have increased on a number of farms. Trap counts range from 12-43 moths per trap in many North Jersey orchards. The treatment threshold is 5 moths per trap. As you can see from the trap count table, the averages in both North and South Jersey orchards is well above 5 moths per trap. In southern orchards, 3rd generation treatments are due now. If using Madex, then continue treatments every 5-6 days.

    Codling Moth Degree Day Timing – Model Predictions 3rd Generation Treatments
      Application and Insecticide Type
County Area Biofix DD by

8/12

 Rimon:

1150-1200 DD + 14-17 days later, or 1450-1500 DD

3rd Gen. Target at 2200

 Intrepid and

Diamides – Altacor, Exirel, Voliam mixes: 1200-1250 DD + 1550-1600 (14-21 days later)

3rd Gen. Start Target at 2200

 Cyd-X, Madex, Carpovirusine

1250 DD + every 5-6 days during brood hatch (later if first spray is an IGR)

3rd Gen. Start Target at 2200

 Standard Insecticides –  Delegate, Avaunt, OP’s, carbamates, pyrethroids

1250-1300 DD + 1600-1650 DD

3rd Gen. Start Target at 2300
DD     2200 2300 2200 2300 2200   2300
Southern May 5 2336 8/8-10 8/12-13 8/8-10 8/12-13 8/8-10   8/12-13
Northern May 9 1975 Continue Treatments for CM if trap counts above 5, Otherwise target 8/21-22 for 3rd generation treatments Continue Treatments for CM if trap counts above 5, Otherwise target 8/21-22 for 3rd generation treatments Continue Treatments for CM if trap counts above 5, Otherwise target 8/21-22 for 3rd generation treatments Continue Treatments for CM if trap counts above 5, Otherwise target 8/25-26th for 3rd generation treatments

 

Grape:

Grape Berry Moth (GBM): Timing for the 4th generation will be due roughly around August 20-21in southern counties. Growers are advised to consider treatments only if pest pressure is high, especially around the edges of vineyards. GBM pressure along with various drosophila activity can combine to aggravate late season rot pressure.

Grape Root Borer (GRB): So far in our counts this year in 8 vineyards, we have not found any with populations that are high enough to merit treatment. Most of the adult activity seen in the pheromone traps is from mostly wild sources.

Grape Insect Trap Counts: 8 Grape blocks in southern counties.
Average # Males for Week Ending GBM – Grape Berry Moth GRB – Grape Root Borer
6/2 8 —
6/9 3 —
6/16 3 —
6/23 3 3
6/30 11 0
7/7 11 0
7/14 11 2
7/21 3 1
7/28 5 2
8/4 1 5

 

Scouting Calendar Tree Fruit Southern Counties

The following table is intended as an aid for orchard scouting. It should not be used to time pesticide applications. Median dates for pest events and crop phenology are displayed. These dates are compiled from observations made since 1995 in Gloucester County. Events in northern New Jersey should occur 7-10 days later.

 

Pest Event or Growth Stage

 Approximate Date 2018 Observed Date
Bud Swell (Redhaven) March 23 +/- 15 Days March 26

1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious

 March 31 +/- 13 Days April 2

Pink Peach (Redhaven)

 April 4 +/- 15 Days April 10

Tight Cluster Red Delicious

 April 9 +/- 13 Days April 16

Oriental Fruit Moth Biofix

 April 9 +/- 13 Days April 27

Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven)

 April 9 +/- 14 Days April 20

Pink Apple (Red Delicious)

 April 14 +/- 12 Days April 30

Codling Moth Biofix

 April 27 +/- 13 Days May 5

Green Peach Aphid Observed

 April 16 +/- 16 Days May 21

Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious)

 April 22 +/- 11 Days May 3

Petal Fall (Redhaven)

 April 22 +/- 10 Days May 1

Petal Fall (Red Delicious)

 April 27 +/- 14 Days May 7

Shuck Split (Redhaven)

 April 30+/- 11 Days May 7

First PC Oviposition Scars Observed

 May 3 +/- 18 Days May 14

Tufted Apple Bud Moth Biofix

 May 4 +/- 10 Days May 12

San Jose Scale Crawlers

 June 2 +/- 8 Days June 1

Pit Hardening Peach

 June 16 +/- 8 Days June 12

 

Tree  Fruit Trap Counts – Southern Counties

 

Weekending STLM TABM-A CM OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB BMSB  
5/12 2 2 10 117   32          
5/19 8 5 10 53   3   7    
5/26 0 8 28 53   3 6 45    
6/2 2 11 1 19   0 10 27    
6/9 4 10 9 39 42 4 19 55    
6/16 11 11 8 14 181 5 10 4 0  
6/23 17 4 5 9 98 2 8 27 11  
6/30 10 3 3 12 173 1 1 8 20  
7/7 19 1 4 68 94 0 2 19 2 3
7/14 3 1 3 38 109 1 0 3 4 1
7/21 8 1 6 32   3 0 3 4 1
7/28 5 1 6 12 116 2 0 1 13 0
8/4 10 2 7   19 15 3 1 0 2

 

 

Tree  Fruit Trap Counts – Northern Counties

 

Weekending STLM TABM-A CM OFM-A DWB OBLR OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB BMSB
4/7 0                    
4/14 4                    
4/21 11     0     0        
4/28 15   0 0     0        
5/5 17 0 0 0     1        
5/12 30 0 0.2 7     16.9 0 0    
5/19 26 0.3 1.8 3.7 0 0 4.5 0.4 1.1 0  
5/26 43 2.2 2.5 4.6 0 0 6.1 1.4 11.8 2  
6/2 4 7.2 2.4 4 0.7 0 5.1 11.3 14.9 0  
6/9 10 20.8 5 3.3 1.2 12 6.6 22.2 18.5 0.8  
6/16 13 42.3 4.6 7.4 0.3 31 2.9 96 12.7 0.3  
6/23 54 42.8 5.8 3 0.6 17 4.7 60.5 9.3 0.4  
6/30 45 29.3 2.5 2.2 1.3 12 3.2 29.8 7.8 4.5  
7/7 61 13.7 1.5 2.3 1 7 2.9 10.3 8.5 2.7  
7/14 20 5.9 0.9 2.8 2.4 8 2.7 4.7 5.8 4.5  
7/21 40 1.2 2.7 2.9 1.9 0 5.9 0.8 6.3 4.2  
7/28 51 0.9 5.6 1.3 2.2 0 3.2 1.6 3.3 1 3.1
8/4 108 1.7 6.9 1.8 0.8 1 1.7 3.5 2.2 5.8 3
8/11 144 1.7 7.5 1 0.5 2 4.6 2 3.1 6.5 7.3

 

Blueberry

Putnam Scale: Second generation crawlers are active. Anybody who had any fruit infested with scale should treat those fields now. The keys to scale control are 1) High Volume sprays, 2) Timing, and 3) the correct material. Use plenty of spray volume for this spray. The two best choices for materials are Esteem and Diazinon. Diazinon can only be once post bloom, and it is still too early for the second generation Sharpnosed Leafhopper treatment. Therefore, if you plan to use Diazinon later for SNLH, then you have to use Esteem now. It’s the better material for this anyway.

Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD):  Trap counts continue to increase. The highest counts this past week were 50 in Atlantic County and 68 in Burlington County. Treatments are over for most growers, but if you still have any Elliott still on the bushes, then treatments are still required. At the end of July we did get a positive fruit reading in a salt test. Spraying and picking had just stopped in this field.

SWD larvae on filter screening

Figure 2. SWD larvae on filter screening – Photo Brendan Branca

 

Sharpnosed Leafhopper (SNLH): Trap captures have increased, but this is still too early to define this as the second generation flight. Treatments are still Not suggested at this time.

Summary of insect counts seen during the week of July 23rd – July 27th    

  Leafroller % Inj. Shoots Aphids % Inf. Shoots CBFW % Inf. Fruit Leafrollers

% Fruit injury

 PC % Fruit Injury Scale % Fruit Injury
Average 0.96 5.98 0 0.010 0 0.02
High 26 32 0 0.2 0 0.7

 

 Blueberry Trap Captures – Atlantic County

Week Ending PC CBFW OB SWD BBM SNLH Putnam Scale
5/26 0.43 0.0          
6/2 0.43 0.0          
6/9 0.09 0.43 5.4        
6/16 0 0.015 31.75 0.02 0 0.072  
6/23 0.285 0.015 1436 0.176 0.024 0.104  
6/30 0.28 0 2583 2.78 0.012 0.1333  
7/7 0.428 0.016 3469 3.16 0.09 0.09 24.5
7/14 0.142 0.02 2827 8.235 0.011 0.253 1
7/21 0.142 0 827 10.42 0.101 0 0.714
7/28 0 0 96.43 15.21 0.125 0.02 0.29
8/4 0 0.05 68.48 8.7 0.15 0.02 7.71

Blueberry Trap Captures – Burlington County

Week Ending PC CBFW OB SWD BBM SNLH Putnam Scale
5/26 1.67 0.18          
6/2 0.67 0.16          
6/9 0.0 0.1 0.6        
6/16 0 0.5 38.52 0.15 0 0  
6/23 0 0 1016 0.5 0 0  
6/30 0 0.25 2463 4.63 0 0.5517  
7/7 0 0.105 3741 4.8 0.25 0.143 0
7/14 0 0 1980 26.45 0 0.071 0.5
7/21 0 0 1002 15.5 0 0 0.333
7/28 0 0 485.5 8.35 0.49 0.07 0.67
8/4 0 0.1 206.47 11.1 0.38 0.11 0.67

 

 

Filed Under: Blueberry, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Tree Fruit, Wine Grape
August 2, 2018

Summer Farm Market Tour Aug 29

In association with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, the NJFDMA (that’s the New Jersey Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association) would like to invite farm marketers to join them for their late summer farm market tour on August 29, 2018.

Tentative schedule:

1:00pm: Pick up at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Atlantic County building in Mays Landing
2:15pm: Pick up at the Burlington Special Services School by the Burlington Cooperative Extension office in Westhampton
3:45- 4:45pm: Tour & wine tasting at Beneduce Vineyards, Pittstown
5:30- 6:30pm: Tour of Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse, Milford
7:30- 8:45pm: Tour and dinner at Melick’s Town Farm, Oldwick
10:15pm: Drop-off at the Burlington Special Services School by Burlington Cooperative Extension office in Westhampton
11:30pm: Drop-off at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Atlantic County building in Mays Landing

This event is free for NJFDMA members.

Non-members, please send a check for $50, which includes 2018 NJFDMA membership, payable to ‘NJFDMA’ to the this address:

RCE of Middlesex County Extension
C/O NJFDMA
42 Riva Rd., Davidson Mill Pond Park
North Brunswick, NJ 08902

Please register online by August 7th, 2018 by clicking here to reserve your place.

Questions? Email njfarmersdirectmarketingassoc@gmail.com

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Fruit, Vegetable Crops
August 1, 2018

Fruit IPM For 08/02/18

Peach:

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM): Third flight adults are present and trap counts are low on most farms, except in isolated areas in northern counties. The timing for 3rd generation treatments is done in southern counties, but ongoing in northern counties. Please see table below for timing: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blueberry, Fruit, Tree Fruit, Wine Grape