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.
 
Subscriptions are available via EMAIL and RSS.

Sparganothis Fruitworm Degree-Day Update: as of July 02, 2022

Based on our degree-day (DD) model for Sparganothis fruitworm, first eggs hatched at about 895 DD (see chart). As of July 02, Sparganothis has accumulated 1101.5 DD (using April 15 as biofix). This indicates that eggs have started to hatch, and fruit will become susceptible to infestation since larval injury to fruit usually begins after the eggs hatch. According to our model, peak flight should have occurred about a week ago (on the week of June 20). Insecticide applications are usually recommended 10-14 days after peak flight (i.e., week of July 4). Most beds should be close to the end of bloom. If trap counts have been high, growers should consider treatment by next week (depending on the variety and time of winter flood removal) to prevent damage to berries. If spraying when bees are present, your option is to use an insect growth regulator (IGR), such as Intrepid, or the diamide Altacor. Our “standard” recommendation has been, however, to wait until bees are removed to apply an insecticide. Your post-bloom options include the organophosphate Diazinon, the diamides Altacor, Verdepryn, or Exirel, the spinosyn Delegate, or the IGR Intrepid. Timing of insecticide application is critical; so, if needed, do not wait too long to manage this pest.

Degree-day model for Sparganothis fruitworm

Tree Fruit IPM Report for June 30, 2022

Peach:

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/11 in southern counties, and on 4/14 in northern counties. The second generation timings are updated below.

Insecticide Type
County/Region Degree Days by  6/30 base 45 Conventional

1150-1200 1450-1500

Diamide

1075-1150 1375-1450

Gloucester – Southern 1522 1st –past

2nd –past

1st –past

2nd –past

Middlesex – Northern 1447 1st –past

2nd –6/30-7/2

1st –past

2nd –6/29-6/30

 

Japanese Beetles: Japanese beetles have emerged and have been observed in some orchards. Products containing imidacloprid (Admire Pro, etc.) are effective and have a short preharvest interval. See the Tree Fruit Production guide for more information.

Tarnished Plant Bugs; and Other Catfacing Insects: Catfacing insect activity is increasing with the arrival of hot weather and is present at moderate to high levels in some orchards. Brown Marmorated Stink bugs are present at low to moderate levels in orchards statewide.

Lesser Peach Tree Borer and Peach Tree Borer: Lesser Borer adults are flying in all growing regions. Greater Peach tree borers are now flying in southern counties.

Apples and Pears:

Diseases: Summer scab, rots and sooty blotch and fly speck are the main targets at this stage. Where scab is present rely primarily on protectant fungicides. Last year Captan plus a phosphorous acid like Prophyt was observed to slow scab development as well as provide good summer disease control.

Codling Moth (CM): The Second CM flight will be starting soon. If trap captures are above 5 moths/trap continue using effective materials. A biofix was set for CM on April 25th in southern counties, and May 6 in Northern counties (Middlesex County). Estimated timings for the second generation are updated below.

Codling Moth Degree Day Timing
Application and Insecticide Type
County Area Biofix Intrepid; Diamides – Altacor, Voliam mixes:

1150-1200 +

1450-1500 DD

 

Cyd-X, 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 +

1550-1600 DD

 

DD 1150-1200 1450-1500 1250 1250 1550-1600
Southern April 25 7/3-7/5 too far off 7/7 7/7 too far off
Northern May 6 7/6-7/7 too far off 7/9 7/9 too far off

Grapes:

Diseases: Grape diseases active at this growth stage are powdery mildew, downy mildew, and black rot.

Phomopsis on grape leaves and cane. (Photo – D. Schmitt)

Black rot leaf lesion on grape (Photo – D. Schmitt)

Phomopsis and downy mildew symptoms are present in southern counties. Black rot symptoms have not yet been observed but should appear any time now. Disease infection periods can be monitored using the NEWA models. Choose the weather station closest to your vineyard.

Insects: Leafhoppers have been seen in a few spots. This complex is generally not of concern. Potato leafhoppers, which arrive sometime in June, can cause some minor damage. Spotted Lantern Fly nymphs are present in high numbers on many vineyards. These nymphs do little damage and generally don’t need special treatments when present. Even so, vineyards should be monitored for SLF presence and if they are found use an insecticide effective for SLF when treating for Grape Berry Moth. More information for SLF can be found at the Penn State SLF website.

Downy Mildew on grape Leaves. (Photo – D. Schmitt)

Grape Berry Moth (GBM): The biofix in southern counties for GBM was  5/25. Timing for the second generation treatments using Diamides or Intrepid is set at 810 degree days base 470F. Other materials may be applied a few days later. Given the current weather patterns, this should be about the late June/early July in southern counties. Insecticides that will control both GBM and SLF include pyrethroids and premixes such as Leverage and Voliam Flexi. Voliam Flexi is a diamide premix and should be applied at the 810 degree day timing.

 

 

 

Tree  Fruit Trap Counts – Southern Counties

Weekending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/9/2022 2 0 0
4/16/2022 0 2 3
4/23/2022 11 0 0 28 5 0 0
4/30/2022 5 0 1 31 4 0 0
5/7/2022 5 1 3 50 4 0 0
5/14/2022 8 5 3 19 2 0 0
5/21/2022 3 5 5 20 2 7 3
5/28/2022 0 19 3 13 0 11 36
6/4/2022 0 10 3 5 1 13 49 0
6/11/2022 0 9 2 6 36 0 8 47 3
6/18/2022 0 4 1 0 62 0 3 13 1
6/25/2022 16 0 0 6 3 16 0 0 18 4

 

Tree  Fruit Trap Counts – Northern Counties

Weekending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/9/2022
4/16/2022 0 0 1
4/23/2022 0 0 2 0
4/30/2022 0 0 2.5 0
5/7/2022 0 1 4 0
5/14/2022 1 2 0 5 0.5 0 0
5/21/2022 6 8 4 27 2 5 6 5 0
5/28/2022 34 19 3 6 13 1 23 15 0
6/4/2022 17 21 4 4 11 1 27 17 0
6/11/2022 22 25 2 1 4 0 30 9 0
6/18/2022 66 20 2 2 2 5 2 27 7 0
6/25/2022 58 21 1 8 8 2 4 22 4 0

 

Pest Event or Growth Stage Approximate Date 2022 Observed Date
 Bud Swell (Redhaven)  March 23 +/- 15 Days March 20
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious March 31 +/- 13 Days March 21
Pink Peach (Redhaven) April 4 +/- 15 Days March 31
Tight Cluster Red Delicious April 9 +/- 13 Days March 31
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven) April 9 +/- 14 Days April 10
Pink Apple (Red Delicious) April 14 +/- 12 Days April 14
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious) April 22 +/- 11 Days April 21
Petal Fall (Redhaven) April 22 +/- 10 Days April 14
Petal Fall (Red Delicious) April 27 +/- 13 Days May 3
Shuck Split (Redhaven) April 30 +/- 11 Days April 26
Pit Hardening June 15 +/- 9 Days June 10

 

Tree Fruit IPM Report for June 21, 2022

Peach:

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/11 in southern counties, and on 4/14 in northern counties. The second generation timings are updated below.

Insecticide Type
County/Region Degree Days by  6/8 base 45 Conventional

1150-1200 1450-1500

Diamide

1075-1150 1375-1450

Gloucester – Southern 1281 1st –6/14-6/16

2nd –6/27-6/28

1st –6/12-6/15

2nd –6/24-6/27

Middlesex – Northern 1201 1st –6/18-6/21

2nd –6/30-6/31

1st –6/15-6/18

2nd –6/29-6/30

 

Tarnished Plant Bugs; and Other Catfacing Insects: Catfacing insect activity is increasing with the arrival of hot weather and is present at moderate to high levels in some orchards. Brown Marmorated Stink bugs are present at low to moderate levels in orchards statewide.

Lesser Peach Tree Borer and Peach Tree Borer: Lesser Borer adults are flying in all growing regions. Greater Peach tree borers are now flying in southern counties.

Apples and Pears:

Diseases: Fire blight and Scab are present at low levels in a few orchards. Fire Blight is increasing. It should be cut out using the ugly stub method. Potato leafhoppers can spread it so they should not be tolerated. Summer scab, rots and sooty blotch and fly speck are the main targets at this stage. Where scab is present rely primarily on protectant fungicides. Last year Captan plus a phosphorous acid like Prophyt was observed to slow scab development as well as provide good summer disease control.

Codling Moth (CM): The Second CM flight will be starting soon. If trap captures are above 5 moths/trap continue using effective materials. A biofix was set for CM on April 25th in southern counties, and May 6 in Northern counties (Middlesex County). estimated timings for the second generation are updated below.

Codling Moth Degree Day Timing
Application and Insecticide Type
County Area Biofix Intrepid; Diamides – Altacor, Voliam mixes:

1150-1200 +

1450-1500 DD

 

Cyd-X, 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 +

1550-1600 DD

 

DD 1150-1200 1450-1500 1250 1250 1550-1600
Southern April 25 7/3-7/5 too far off 7/7 7/7 too far off
Northern May 6 7/5-7/7 too far off 7/9 7/9 too far off

Grapes:

Diseases: Grape diseases active at this growth stage are phomopsis, powdery mildew, downy mildew, ripe rot, and black rot.

Phomopsis on grape leaves and cane. (Photo – D. Schmitt)

Black rot leaf lesion on grape (Photo – D. Schmitt)

Phomopsis and downy mildew symptoms are present in southern counties. Black rot symptoms have not yet been observed but should appear any time now. Disease infection periods can be monitored using the NEWA models. Choose the weather station closest to your vineyard.

Insects: Leafhoppers have been seen in a few spots. This complex is generally not of concern. Potato leafhoppers, which arrive sometime in June, can cause some minor damage. Spotted Lantern Fly nymphs are present in high numbers on many vineyards. These nymphs do little damage and generally don’t need special treatments when present. Even so, vineyards should be monitored for SLF presence and if they are found use an insecticide effective for SLF when treating for Grape Berry Moth. More information for SLF can be found at the Penn State SLF website.

Downy Mildew on grape Leaves. (Photo – D. Schmitt)

Grape Berry Moth (GBM): The biofix in southern counties for GBM was  5/25. Model timing will predict IGR and diamide materials for the second generation. The first generation is not really important in cultivated grapes. Timing for the second generation treatments using Diamides or Intrepid is set at 810 degree days base 470F. Other materials may be applied a few days later. Given the current weather patterns, this should be about the late June/early July in southern counties. Insecticides that will control both GBM and SLF include pyrethroids and premixes such as Leverage and Voliam Flexi. Voliam Flexi is a diamide premix and should be applied at the 810 degree day timing.

Tree  Fruit Trap Counts – Southern Counties

Weekending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/9/2022 2 0 0
4/16/2022 0 2 3
4/23/2022 11 0 0 28 5 0 0
4/30/2022 5 0 1 31 4 0 0
5/7/2022 5 1 3 50 4 0 0
5/14/2022 8 5 3 19 2 0 0
5/21/2022 3 5 5 20 2 7 3
5/28/2022 0 19 3 13 0 11 36
6/4/2022 0 10 3 5 1 13 49 0
6/11/2022 0 9 2 6 36 0 8 47 3
6/18/2022 0 4 1 0 62 0 3 13 1

 

Tree  Fruit Trap Counts – Northern Counties

Weekending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/9/2022
4/16/2022 0 0 1
4/23/2022 0 0 2 0
4/30/2022 0 0 2.5 0
5/7/2022 0 1 4 0
5/14/2022 1 2 0 5 0.5 0 0
5/21/2022 6 8 4 27 2 5 6 5 0
5/28/2022 34 19 3 6 13 1 23 15 0
6/4/2022 17 21 4 4 11 1 27 17 0
6/11/2022 22 25 2 1 4 0 30 9 0
6/18/2022 66 20 2 2 2 5 2 27 7 0

 

Pest Event or Growth Stage Approximate Date 2022 Observed Date
 Bud Swell (Redhaven)  March 23 +/- 15 Days March 20
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious March 31 +/- 13 Days March 21
Pink Peach (Redhaven) April 4 +/- 15 Days March 31
Tight Cluster Red Delicious April 9 +/- 13 Days March 31
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven) April 9 +/- 14 Days April 10
Pink Apple (Red Delicious) April 14 +/- 12 Days April 14
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious) April 22 +/- 11 Days April 21
Petal Fall (Redhaven) April 22 +/- 10 Days April 14
Petal Fall (Red Delicious) April 27 +/- 13 Days May 3
Shuck Split (Redhaven) April 30 +/- 11 Days April 26
Pit Hardening June 15 +/- 9 Days June 10

 

USDA Announces Assistance for On-Farm Food Safety Expenses for Specialty Crop Growers

Program Details

The Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC) will assist specialty crop operations that incurred eligible on-farm food safety certification and related expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in calendar years 2022 and 2023. For each year, FSCSC covers a percentage of the specialty crop operation’s cost of obtaining or renewing their certification, as well as a portion of their related expenses.

To be eligible for FSCSC, the applicant must be a specialty crop operation; meet the definition of a small business or very small business; and have paid eligible expenses related to the 2022 (issued on or after June 21, 2022) or 2023 certification.

Specialty crop operations may receive assistance for the following costs:

  • Developing a food safety plan for first-time food safety certification.
  • Maintaining or updating an existing food safety plan.
  • Food safety certification.
  • Certification upload fees.
  • Microbiological testing for products, soil amendments and water.
  • Training

FSCSC payments are calculated separately for each category of eligible costs. A higher payment rate has been set for socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning and veteran farmers and ranchers. Details about the payment rates and limitations can be found at farmers.gov/food-safety.

Very small ($250,000) and small farms (less than 500,000) average monetary value of specialty crops sold during the 3-year period preceding the program are eligible.

Payment Amount of Eligible Costs
Category of Eligible Expenses Historically Underserved Farmer or Rancher All Other Applicants
Development of a food safety plan for first-time certification 75 percent (no maximum)

 

50 percent (no maximum)

 

Maintaining or updating a food safety plan

 

75 percent, up to a maximum of $375

 

50 percent, up to a maximum of $250

 

Food safety certification

 

75 percent, up to a maximum of $2,000

 

50 percent, up to a maximum of $2,000

 

Certification upload fees

 

75 percent, up to a maximum of $375

 

50 percent, up to a maximum of $250

 

Microbiological testing – products

 

75 percent, up to 5 tests

 

50 percent, up to 5 tests

 

Microbiological testing – soil amendments

 

75 percent, up to 5 tests

 

50 percent, up to 5 tests

 

Microbiological testing – water

 

75 percent, up to 5 tests

 

50 percent, up to 5 tests

 

Training

 

100 percent, up to a maximum of $300

 

100 percent, up to a maximum of $200

 

 

Applying for Assistance

The FSCSC application period for 2022 is June 27, 2022, through January 31, 2023, and the application period for 2023 will be announced at a later date. FSA will issue payments at the time of application approval for 2022 and after the application period ends for 2023. If calculated payments exceed the amount of available funding, payments will be prorated.

Interested specialty crop producers can apply by completing the FSA-888, Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC) application. The application, along with other required documents, can be submitted to the FSA office at any USDA Service Center nationwide by mail, fax, hand delivery or via electronic means. Producers can visit farmers.gov/service-locator to find their local FSA office. Specialty crop producers can also call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to assist.

Producers can visit farmers.gov/food-safety for additional program details, eligibility information and forms needed to apply.

Tree Fruit IPM Report for June 15, 2022

Peach:

Bacterial Spot: Bacterial spot fruit symptoms are increasing statewide. The first infections occurred during the mothers day storm. So far levels of fruit infection are very low however we still have not yet seen the development of symptoms from recent rain events. Leaf symptoms appear after 1 week and fruit symptoms take 3 weeks to appear. Growers should continue to manage aggressively to suppress infections. Fruit will become less susceptible to infection at pit hardening which is occurring now.

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/11 in southern counties, and on 4/14 in northern counties. The second generation timings are updated below.

Insecticide Type
County/Region Degree Days by  6/8 base 45 Conventional

1150-1200 1450-1500

Diamide

1075-1150 1375-1450

Gloucester – Southern 1142 1st –6/14-6/16

2nd –too far off

1st –6/12-6/15

2nd –too far off

Middlesex – Northern 1064 1st –6/18-6/21

2nd –too far off

1st –6/15-6/18

2nd –too far off

 

Plum Curculio; Tarnished Plant Bugs; and Other Catfacing Insects: Plum Curculio start to move into orchards at about 88-100 degree days base 50 after January 1. Applications for PC should be initiated once all petals are off, with a second application made with ovicidal materials at 379-402 DD. Growers can monitor degree day development at their site by finding the nearest weather station and using the degree day development tool at NEWA. PC activity should be over or decreasing except in high pressure orchards. Catfacing insect activity is increasing with the arrival of hot weather and is present at moderate to high levels in some orchards.

Lesser Peach Tree Borer and Peach Tree Borer: Lesser Borer adults are flying in all growing regions. Greater Peach tree borers are now flying in southern counties.

Apples and Pears:

Diseases: Fire blight and Scab are present at low levels in a few orchards. Fire Blight should be cut out using the ugly stub method. Summer scab, rots and sooty blotch and fly speck are the main targets at this stage. Where scab is present rely primarily on protectant fungicides. Last year Captan plus a phosphorous acid like Prophyt was observed to slow scab development as well as provide good summer disease control.

Codling Moth (CM): The first codling moth flight is over. If trap captures are above 5 moths/trap continue using effective materials. A biofix was set for CM on April 25th in southern counties, and May 6 in Northern counties (Middlesex County).

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

75-100DD + 14-17 days later

 

Intrepid

150 + 450 DD

Diamides – Altacor, Voliam mixes: (150-200 DD) + 14-21 days later

Cyd-X, Madex

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

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

250 DD + 550 DD

 

DD 75 100 150 450 250 250 550
Southern April 25 past past past past past past past
Northern May 6 past past past past past past past

Grapes:

Diseases: Grape diseases active at this growth stage are phomopsis, powdery mildew, downy mildew, ripe rot, and black rot.

Phomopsis on grape leaves and cane. (Photo – D. Schmitt)

Black rot leaf lesion on grape (Photo – D. Schmitt)

Phomopsis and downy mildew symptoms are present in southern counties. Black rot symptoms have not yet been observed but should appear any time now. Disease infection periods can be monitored using the NEWA models. Choose the weather station closest to your vineyard.

Insects: Leafhoppers have been seen in a few spots. This complex is generally not of concern. Potato leafhoppers, which arrive sometime in June, can cause some minor damage. Spotted Lantern Fly nymphs are present in high numbers on many vineyards. These nymphs do little damage and generally don’t need special treatments when present. Even so, vineyards should be monitored for SLF presence and if they are found use an insecticide effective for SLF when treating for Grape Berry Moth.

Downy Mildew on grape Leaves. (Photo – D. Schmitt)

Grape Berry Moth (GBM): The biofix in southern counties for GBM was  5/25. Model timing will predict IGR and diamide materials for the second generation. The first generation is not really important in cultivated grapes. Timing for the second generation treatments using Diamides or Intrepid is set at 810 degree days base 470F. Other materials may be applied a few days later. Given the current weather patterns, this should be about the late June/early July in southern counties.

Tree  Fruit Trap Counts – Southern Counties

Weekending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/9/2022 2 0 0
4/16/2022 0 2 3
4/23/2022 11 0 0 28 5 0 0
4/30/2022 5 0 1 31 4 0 0
5/7/2022 5 1 3 50 4 0 0
5/14/2022 8 5 3 19 2 0 0
5/21/2022 3 5 5 20 2 7 3
5/28/2022 0 19 3 13 0 11 36
6/4/2022 0 10 3 5 1 13 49 0
6/11/2022 0 9 2 6 36 0 8 47 3

 

Tree  Fruit Trap Counts – Northern Counties

Weekending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/9/2022
4/16/2022 0 0 1
4/23/2022 0 0 2 0
4/30/2022 0 0 2.5 0
5/7/2022 0 1 4 0
5/14/2022 1 2 0 5 0.5 0 0
5/21/2022 6 8 4 27 2 5 6 5 0
5/28/2022 34 19 3 6 13 1 23 15 0
6/4/2022 17 21 4 4 11 1 27 17 0
6/11/2022 22 25 2 1 4 0 30 9 0

 

Pest Event or Growth Stage Approximate Date 2022 Observed Date
 Bud Swell (Redhaven)  March 23 +/- 15 Days March 20
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious March 31 +/- 13 Days March 21
Pink Peach (Redhaven) April 4 +/- 15 Days March 31
Tight Cluster Red Delicious April 9 +/- 13 Days March 31
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven) April 9 +/- 14 Days April 10
Pink Apple (Red Delicious) April 14 +/- 12 Days April 14
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious) April 22 +/- 11 Days April 21
Petal Fall (Redhaven) April 22 +/- 10 Days April 14
Petal Fall (Red Delicious) April 27 +/- 13 Days May 3
Shuck Split (Redhaven) April 30 +/- 11 Days April 26
Pit Hardening June 15 +/- 9 Days June 10

 

2022 Cranberry Twilight Meeting

We would like to invite all NJ cranberry growers to the 2022 Cranberry Twilight Meeting to be held at the P.E. Marucci Center (Pole Barn) on Tuesday June 14. Pesticide credits will be available at the end of the meeting.

Agenda

5:30-6:00 PM Dinner

6:00-6:20 PM “Strategies for Early Detection of Crop Loss”
Dr. Peter Oudemans, Professor Blueberry/Cranberry Pathology, Rutgers University

6:20-6:40 PM “Update on Postemergence Weed Control Strategies for Cranberry”
Dr. Thierry Besancon, Assistant Extension Specialist, Weed Science, Rutgers University

6:40-7:00 PM “2022 Insect Pest Management Updates”
Dr. Cesar Rodriguez-Saona, Extension Specialist, Entomology, Rutgers University

7:00-7:20 PM “Systemic Diseases of Cranberry’”
Dr. James Polashock, Research Plant Pathologist, USDA-ARS

7:20-7:40 PM “Updates on the USDA-ARS Cranberry Breeding & Genetics Program”
Dr. Jeffrey Neyhart, Research Geneticist, USDA-ARS

7:40-8:00 PM “Beyond the Application: Precautions for Mixing and Loading the Pesticide Spray Tank”
Kate Brown, Program Associate—Commercial Agriculture, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Burlington County