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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August 2, 2023 and

Rutgers Tree Fruit IPM Report for August 02, 2023

Peach:

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/10 in both northern and southern counties.  All timings for first generation OFM have past. Third generation timings are updated below:

OFM 2nd Generation Timing
Insecticide Type
County/Region Degree Days by  7/25 base 45 Conventional

2100-2200

2350-2450

 Diamide

2025-2150

2375-2450
Gloucester – Southern 2226 1st – past

2nd – past

 1st – past

2nd – past
Middlesex – Northern 1719 1st – past

2nd – past

 1st – past

2nd – past

Brown Rot: Brown rot is now appearing in ripening fruit in all regions. Most rotting fruit is the result of fruit that is damaged due to cracking from excessive rain or split pits. Highly effective rot materials such as DMI’s (FRAC group 3) and Strobilurins (FRAC group 11) should be applied beginning 3 – 4 weeks prior to harvest. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information.

Scale Insects: Second generation crawler emergence has started for both San Jose and White Peach scale and will last well into August. White Peach scale has a third generation in September and San Jose scale may have a third generation in October. Esteem and Centaur are both good scale materials. Esteem and Centaur should be applied at the start of crawler emergence. These materials should only need one application. Other options include: Assail, Belay, Actara (Group 4A): Closer (Group 4C); Sivanto (Group 4D) and the bioinsecticide Venerate. These products may need more than one application, typically 2 applications bracketing peak crawler emergence which should occur between the first and third week of August. Only Venerate has a 0 day PHI, making it useful for blocks near or at harvest. Diazinon is also still labelled for peach and apple: for San Jose Scale, it is labeled at a rate of 1#/100 with a 21 day PHI for both peach and apple; for White Peach Scale it is labeled at a rate of 1.5-2#/100 for post-harvest application only. The label requires 14 days between applications. These products may need more than one application, typically 2 applications bracketing peak crawler emergence which should occur between the first and third week of August.

 

Apples and Pears:

Diseases: Now that primary scab has ended, the focus turns toward summer diseases such as fruit rots (esp. Bitter rot), and sooty blotch and fly speck. Bitter rot control has been difficult at best in recent years even where management programs have been rigorous. Research has suggested products such as Merivon, Luna Sensation and Inspire Super may be effective, and longtime reliable broad spectrum fungicides such as captan and ziram should provide control. Experience has suggested that the addition of phosphorous acid products such as Prophyt or Rampart to captan sprays may improve control. Observations are that these products improve control of other summer diseases such as sooty blotch and flyspeck, and may help suppress scab infections where present. Bitter Rot symptoms are now appearing in southern counties.

Codling Moth (CM): The first generation codling moth timings have ended. Additional applications should be made if trap captures exceed 5 moths/trap. Trap captures continue and increased slightly in most southern county orchards this week. A biofix was set for CM on April 17th in both northern and southern counties. Codling moth trap captures have increased this past week, however most are below threshold.

Scale Insects: See peach section above.

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Southern Counties

STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/15/2023 433 20 1
4/23/2023 423 1 13 8 4
4/30/2023 417 7 15 4 1 0
5/06/2023 9 2 3 1 0 0
5/13/2023 18 2 7 2 3 0 6 6
5/20/2023 5 18 6 0 51 0 13 67
5/27/2023 1 11 4 0 17 0 11 49
6/03/23 3 8 2 1 24 0 13 65
6/10/2023 21 14 5 0 55 0 6 54 0
6/17/2023 10 11 5 0 57 0 8 46 4
6/24/2023 15 5 2 0 57 0 6 47 2
7/1/2023 342 3 0 0 69 0 3 37 6
7/8/2023 463 0 0 0 26 0 0 35 6
7/15/2023 456 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 37 5
7/22/2023 25 0 1 0 0 57 0 0 38 3
7/29/2023 136 0 1 0 0 48 0 0 22 3

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Northern Counties

STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/8/2023 10
4/15/2023 20 3
4/30/2023 28 11 6
5/06/2023 22 2 19 9
5/13/2023 34 1 3 2 5 0
5/20/2023 31 6 7 1 6 0
5/27/23 16 18 4 1 17 3 11
6/03/23 12 26 2 0 17 2 12
6/10/2023 21 14 5 0 55 0 54
6/17/2023 63 53 2 1 15 1 6
6/24/2023 134 52 3 1 0 11 3 8
7/1/2023 87 33 1 1 0 12 4 1 3
7/8/2023 296 37 1 1 0 30 0 0 1
7/15/2023 189 9 1 1 0 28 4 4 8

Phenology Table: Based on annual observations made in Gloucester County.

Pest Event or Growth Stage Approximate Date 2023 Observed Date
 Bud Swell (Redhaven)  March 23 +/- 15 Days March 7
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious March 31 +/- 13 Days March 27
Pink Peach (Redhaven) April 4 +/- 15 Days March 24
Tight Cluster Red Delicious April 9 +/- 13 Days April 7
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven) April 9 +/- 14 Days April 4
Pink Apple (Red Delicious) April 14 +/- 12 Days April 11
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious) April 22 +/- 11 Days April 16
Petal Fall (Redhaven) April 22 +/- 10 Days April 15
Petal Fall (Red Delicious) April 27 +/- 13 Days  May 3
Shuck Split (Redhaven) April 30 +/- 11 Days April 21
Pit Hardening June 15 +/- 9 Days  June 11

 

 

 

Filed Under: Tree Fruit
August 2, 2023

Diazinon Shortage and Future Production

This article has been adapted from an article written by Dr. Christelle Guédot, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and published in the Cranberry Crop Management Journal – Volume 36 (August 02).

Every 15 years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) performs registration reviews to reevaluate pesticides to assess environmental and occupational risk. In March 2023, the EPA announced that it would accelerate the review process of Diazinon and other pesticides that were due to conclude in 2026. As part of the review process of Diazinon, EPA reached an agreement with the pesticide registrants to develop voluntary mitigation measures by the registrants several years ahead of the normal registration review process to reduce occupational risk. This has led registrants to start implementing these measures this summer and resulted in the shortages observed this summer. For more information about this agreement between EPA and the registrants reached in April, please see https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/epa-reaches-agreement-early-mitigation-measures-initiative-organophosphate-pesticide.

While there was some uncertainty surrounding the supply and forecast of production of the different formulations of Diazinon from Adama and Loveland Products this summer, an official statement was received from Adama stating that they will continue to produce AG500 into 2024 and that they will cease production of Diazinon 50W. For AG500, new labels that will contain occupational risk mitigation measures and endangered species language are expected to be approved by the end of 2023 and should be in place through 2026 when the EPA will complete the registration review process. As for AG600, Loveland Products have informally indicated to the Cranberry Institute that they do not intend to produce Diazinon AG600 any longer. Once stocks of Diazinon 50W and AG600 run out, Diazinon will only be produced and available from Adama in the AG500 formulation. For more information about use pattern of Diazinon AG500, a link to the label can be found at https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/agrian-cg-fs1-production/pdfs/Diazinon_AG5001t_Label.pdf. It is expected that EPA will announce the notice of the agreed upon mitigation measures later this year and that an interim or final decision will be reached in 2026 under the regular review process timeline.

Filed Under: Cranberry, Fruit
July 25, 2023 and

Rutgers Tree Fruit IPM Report for July 25, 2023

Peach:

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/10 in both northern and southern counties.  Third generation timings are updated below:

OFM 2nd Generation Timing
Insecticide Type
County/Region Degree Days by  7/25 base 45 Conventional

2100-2200

2350-2450

 Diamide

2025-2150

2375-2450
Gloucester – Southern 2226 1st – 7/22-24

2nd – 7/28-7/31

 1st – past

2nd – 7/28-7/31
Middlesex – Northern 1719 1st – 7/22-24

2nd – 7/28-7/31

 1st – past

2nd – 7/28-31

Japanese Beetle: Japanese beetles have been observed feeding on fruit in southern counties. Adults are attracted to ripening fruit. June bugs also do similar damage. Insecticides that are effective against Japanese beetles and june bugs are products that contain imidacloprid (admire pro and leverage 360); danitol; and sevin.

Brown Rot: Brown rot is now appearing in ripening fruit in all regions. Most rotting fruit is the result of fruit that is damaged due to cracking from excessive rain or split pits. Highly effective rot materials such as DMI’s (FRAC group 3) and Strobilurins (FRAC group 11) should be applied beginning 3 – 4 weeks prior to harvest. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information.

Apples and Pears:

Diseases: Now that primary scab has ended, the focus turns toward summer diseases such as fruit rots (esp. Bitter rot), and sooty blotch and fly speck. Bitter rot control has been difficult at best in recent years even where management programs have been rigorous. Research has suggested products such as Merivon, Luna Sensation and Inspire Super may be effective, and longtime reliable broad spectrum fungicides such as captan and ziram should provide control. Experience has suggested that the addition of phosphorous acid products such as Prophyt or Rampart to captan sprays may improve control. Observations are that these products improve control of other summer diseases such as sooty blotch and flyspeck, and may help suppress scab infections where present. Bitter Rot symptoms are now appearing in southern counties.

Codling Moth (CM): The first generation codling moth timings have ended. Additional applications should be made if trap captures exceed 5 moths/trap. Trap captures continue and increased slightly in most southern county orchards this week. A biofix was set for CM on April 17th in both northern and southern counties.

Codling Moth Degree Day Timing – Second Generation
Application and Insecticide Type
County Area Biofix Rimon:

75-100DD + 14-17 days later

 

 Intrepid

1150 + 1450 DD

Diamides – Altacor, Voliam mixes: (150-200 DD)

 Madex

1250 DD + every 7-9 days during brood hatch (later if first spray is an IGR)

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

1250 DD + 1550 DD

 
  DD 1150 1450 1250 1250 1550
Southern April 17 past past past past past past past
Northern  April 17 past past past past past past past

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Southern Counties

STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/15/2023 433 20 1
4/23/2023 423 1 13 8 4
4/30/2023 417 7 15 4 1 0
5/06/2023 9 2 3 1 0 0
5/13/2023 18 2 7 2 3 0 6 6
5/20/2023 5 18 6 0 51 0 13 67
5/27/2023 1 11 4 0 17 0 11 49
6/03/23 3 8 2 1 24 0 13 65
6/10/2023 21 14 5 0 55 0 6 54 0
6/17/2023 10 11 5 0 57 0 8 46 4
6/24/2023 15 5 2 0 57 0 6 47 2
7/1/2023 342 3 0 0 69 0 3 37 6
7/8/2023 463 0 0 0 26 0 0 35 6
7/15/2023 456 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 37 5
7/22/2023 25 0 1 0 0 57 0 0 38 3

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Northern Counties

STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/8/2023 10
4/15/2023 20 3
4/30/2023 28 11 6
5/06/2023 22 2 19 9
5/13/2023 34 1 3 2 5 0
5/20/2023 31 6 7 1 6 0
5/27/23 16 18 4 1 17 3 11
6/03/23 12 26 2 0 17 2 12
6/10/2023 21 14 5 0 55 0 54
6/17/2023 63 53 2 1 15 1 6
6/24/2023 134 52 3 1 0 11 3 8
7/1/2023 87 33 1 1 0 12 4 1 3
7/8/2023 296 37 1 1 0 30 0 0 1
7/15/2023 189 9 1 1 0 28 4 4 8

Phenology Table: Based on annual observations made in Gloucester County.

Pest Event or Growth Stage Approximate Date 2023 Observed Date
 Bud Swell (Redhaven)  March 23 +/- 15 Days March 7
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious March 31 +/- 13 Days March 27
Pink Peach (Redhaven) April 4 +/- 15 Days March 24
Tight Cluster Red Delicious April 9 +/- 13 Days April 7
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven) April 9 +/- 14 Days April 4
Pink Apple (Red Delicious) April 14 +/- 12 Days April 11
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious) April 22 +/- 11 Days April 16
Petal Fall (Redhaven) April 22 +/- 10 Days April 15
Petal Fall (Red Delicious) April 27 +/- 13 Days  May 3
Shuck Split (Redhaven) April 30 +/- 11 Days April 21
Pit Hardening June 15 +/- 9 Days  June 11
Filed Under: Tree Fruit
July 24, 2023

Agri-Technology and Vegetable Research Twilight Meeting

Where:  Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC), 121 Northville Rd., Bridgeton, NJ 08302

When:  Wednesday August 16, 2023, 5 PM until dark,  refreshments and ice cream will be served 

This year’s twilight meeting at RAREC will showcase new agricultural technologies for stakeholders in the state. We will showcase the newly installed agrivoltaics system established at RAREC and discuss new technologies for autonomous seeding and weeding as well as drone technologies for improving crop production and decision making. 

Agrivoltaics Research at Rutgers – Dan Ward, Director of Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC) and the New Jersey Wine Center for Wine Research and Education; and Dave Specca, Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program lead.  The demand for clean energy and the development of new technologies for solar electricity generated on producing agricultural land (Agrivoltaics) has driven Rutgers/NJAES to investigate this hybrid technology. We are investigating the effects of putting elevated photovoltaic panels above numerous cropping systems to see what effects the panels have on the crops; and what effects the crops have on the panel’s electrical productivity. Our results will be used in economic models and other recommendations to assist farmers, landowners, and solar developers in deciding whether these combined technologies are a good choice for them.

Presentation and demonstration of Naio OZ autonomous seeding and weeding platforms – Thierry Besançon, Extension Weed Science Specialist for Specialty Crops, Rutgers.  The use of small-size electrical autonomous weeders such as the Naio Oz multitask and multi crop robot may help growers to lessen their reliance on fossil fuels for weeding vegetable productions. Using an autonomous weeder can also help alleviating some of the issues with labor availability, especially for burdensome activities such as manual weeding. The GPS guided Naio Oz platform is 100% electric (8 hours autonomy) and versatile through the use a variety of tools (drill, brushes, harrows, hoes blades…) that allow it to weed within and between the crop rows, make furrows, sow, and carry loads to the field. We will present and demonstrate the use of the Naio Oz for autonomous seeding and weeding, and discuss trials currently conducted at RAREC to evaluate weed control efficacy with this system as compared to conventional herbicides. 

In-crop cereal cover crop and living mulch trials for vegetables at RAREC – Thierry Besançon, Extension Weed Science Specialist for Specialty Crops, Rutgers.  Row-middle weed control in plasticulture vegetable production is becoming increasingly difficult due to a lack of effective herbicides, a need for multiple cultivations, or hand labor. Alternative solutions that integrate multiple weed control tactics are needed to address these issues. One solution is to use cover crops to aid in weed suppression along with an effective herbicide program. A field study is being conducted at RAREC in 2023 to assess the effects of integrating spring-seeded grass cover crops with herbicide treatments for weed control in watermelon. Results from 2023 and from previous studies conducted in 2021 and 2022 show that spring seeded grass cover crops can successfully be integrated with effective herbicide programs for improved weed control between plastic beds. 

The potential applications of using drones in agricultural production in New Jersey – Peter Oudemans, Professor and Director P.E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension, Rutgers.  Drones or UAVs can be used to detect anomalies in agricultural fields to directly determine the impacts of disease, pests, weeds, and soil conditions on crop production. This information can be used to determine economic crop losses, pest management strategies, and provide a wealth of other information that can be used to improve crop production and management decisions by the grower. The potential benefits and drawbacks of using drones in agricultural production will be discussed along with a flight demonstration. 

Assessing the production potential of fiber hemp in New Jersey – Raul Cabrera, Extension Specialist in Nursery Production and Management, Rutgers.  The recent re-introduction of agricultural/industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) to New Jersey (2020 season) was initially focused on production of cannabinoid-rich (CBD, CBG) flowers. Saturation of the floral hemp market has abruptly and significantly dropped its economic viability and interest, and focus has shifted to hemp for grain and fiber production. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture funded a pilot program with Rutgers to evaluate the potential of hemp for fiber production, including the viability of agronomic production and potential industrial end uses (bioplastics, textiles, etc.). To this end, three experimental fiber hemp plots are being planted and evaluated at different locations in the state (north, central and south).

Syngenta Product Update – Erin Hitchner, Senior Research and Development Scientist, Syngenta.  An update will be given on upcoming product registration and overall pipeline development for new Syngenta active ingredients.  An overall description of the pesticide registration process and timelines will also be presented.

Understanding copper resistance development and controlling bacterial leaf spot of bell pepper with resistant varieties – Andy Wyenandt, Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology, Rutgers.  Over the past three years the pepper and tomato fields throughout New Jersey have been surveyed to determine what species of bacterial leaf spot caused by Xanthomonas spp. are present in the state and if copper resistance is present. Copper based fungicides have been used for decades for the control of bacterial diseases across many different vegetable crops, especially in tomato and pepper. Thus, it is not surprising that ~60% of the bacterial isolates collected throughout the state are resistant to copper fungicides. We will discuss how to control bacterial leaf spot and the benefits of adopting the use of X10R bell pepper varieties to help mitigate losses due to the pathogen.

Controlling Phytophthora blight in cucurbit and other vegetable crops – Andy Wyenandt, Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology, Rutgers.  Phytophthora blight, caused by Phytophthora capsici, is the most economically damaging vegetable disease in the state. It can cause significant losses in cucurbit, pepper, and tomato crops in any given year. We will discuss the most up-to-date information on how to control P. capsici in cucurbit and other crops using genetic resistance, cultural practice and fungicide chemistry.

Note:  Following pesticide credits have been requested:  CORE, PP2, 1A and 10

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Vegetable Crops
July 20, 2023 and

New Peach Varieties – ‘Felicia’, ‘Evelynn’ and ‘Anna Rose’

Felicia peach The Rutgers/NJAES stone fruit breeding program, led by Joe Goffreda, continues to create, and release exciting new peach varieties. We, in collaboration with growers, also continue to develop the varieties by evaluating their performance in plantings in commercial orchards and at Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center. During this key time of the season, historically Redhaven season, it is important for our area to capture a substantial market share with premium fresh peaches. We are glad to feature some new and improved peach options for this season.

Felicia is a recent release from Rutgers University. It is a very attractive freestone yellow-fleshed peach variety. It has attractive red to dark red skin, little pubescence, with traces of red in the flesh. It ripens a few days before Redhaven; however, unlike Redhaven, it retains firmness for longer while maintaining the balance of sweetness and acidity (Table 1). Fruit is large and firm-fleshed, which is essential for post-harvest handling. It has low susceptibility to bacterial spot.

Though Redhaven is still the standard, yellow-fleshed, traditional peach in this season, it has a few challenges. For example, fruit can ripen faster than it changes skin color. That means it requires experience to start picking. Felicia is a good choice if one is planning a replacement for Redhaven. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blueberry, Cranberry, Fruit, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , ,
July 18, 2023

Farm Credit East Report on Grants & Incentives Available for Northeast Agriculture Businesses

One of the most frequent calls over the past few years has been, “I want to start a farm/business/value-added product (etc.).”

That is usually followed up with, “What grants/funding sources are available?”

After rattling off a list of a few common sources of funding for new farmers there’s an added caveat that I don’t know the current status of those programs or what restrictions they have regarding new farming ventures. There are more programs out there with available funding, but there’s no comprehensive list of all grant programs supporting agricultural businesses, until now.

Farm Credit East has just released a report “identifying federal, regional and state grants, loan guarantees, and other incentives available to assist Northeast producers of all types and sizes.”

“Grants can be a great resource to provide additional funds needed to take on larger projects,” said Chris Laughton, Farm Credit East Director of Knowledge Exchange. “Unfortunately, they’re often under-utilized because they can be time consuming and involve quite a bit of paperwork.”

The report, from Farm Credit East Knowledge Exchange, includes funding opportunities available in the eight states served by Farm Credit East. Programs are categorized by their main focus:  beginning farmers; conservation, environment and forestry; energy; fisheries and aquaculture; organic; rural business development; and research, education and promotion.

The report titled Grants and Incentives for Northeast Agriculture is available at FarmCreditEast.com or by contacting Chris Laughton at (800) 562-2235 or Chris.Laughton@farmcrediteast.com for more information.

Farm Credit East also has grant writing assistance services. Information is available on their grant writing page.

[Source:  https://www.farmcrediteast.com/en/about/NewsRoom/press-releases/230717FundingforNortheastAgriculturalProducers]

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , , ,