Frost is common in the north-eastern US, however, frost events during bloom, specifically in orchard crops can be economically devastating. Often the cause is a few hours of temperatures below the injury threshold temperature for the developing buds as cooler nights result in the rapid loss of thermal energy. Fortunately, there are several passive methods or low-tech strategies, that can help maintain a slightly higher orchard floor temperature, has the potential to prevent substantial crop loss. [Read more…]
Tree Fruit Edition
Seasonal updates on insects, diseases, weeds, maturity dates and cultural practices impacting only tree fruit.
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April 5, 2021 Hemant Gohil
Evaluate Your Wine Grape Planting Material Before Planting
Spring is the best time to plant new grapevines in New Jersey. You may be receiving ordered grapevines in the coming days or weeks. 1You must ensure that your planting material is healthy enough to avoid problems after planting. While it is a good idea to plant grapevines as soon as they arrive, inspecting the physical attributes of your ordered vines before planting may save you some troubles later. Nurseries send planting material on pre-determined dates hence; you should have enough time for a detailed inspection. [Read more…]
April 1, 2021 Hemant Gohil
Recordings of Webinars – Ask the Expert Series Orchard Edition
Please use the below links to view or listen to the recordings from the first two sessions of Ask the Expert – Orchard Edition.
March 19
Tree Fruit Growers Meeting – I: https://go.rutgers.edu/n7v5agck
- Peach Rootstock Performance in Recent Trial
Dr. James Schupp, Professor of Pomology, Penn State Uni.
Tactics for Improved Weed Management in Orchards
Dr. Thierry Besancon, Extension Specialist, Weed Science, Rutgers NJAES
March 24
Tree Fruit Growers Meeting – II: https://go.rutgers.edu/wu2zgt6y
- 2021 Tree Fruit Diseases to Prepare for.
Dr. Norman Lallancette, Extension Specialist, Tree Fruit Pathology, Rutgers NJAES
Dr. Kari Peters, Tree Fruit Pathologist, Penn State Uni.
March 31, 2021 Dave Schmitt
Tree Fruit IPM Report for March 31, 2021
Tree Fruit Phenology:
Tree fruit phenology is about normal based on historical observations. In southern counties some early blooming varieties are at Pink to about 20% bloom. Redhaven was at bud swell on March 29, about 6 days later than the median observation date. Plums are in bloom and Pears are at Green Cluster. Red Delicious is at 1/2 Green Tip, which is about a week early. So it is time to start applying delayed dormant and blossom protection applications. [Read more…]
March 31, 2021 Megan Muehlbauer
Attention Tree Fruit Growers!
Ask the Expert Series Orchard Edition
Please Join us for an Interactive Discussion on Tree Fruit Thinning
April 7: 9AM-10:15 AM
Zoom Link: https://go.rutgers.edu/tdi8pllm
Meeting ID: 974 2422 2622Password: 808726
Join by Phone: 1 646 558 8656
Expert Panelists
Win Cowgill, Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University and owner Win Enterprises International, LLC a Pomology and Horticultural Consulting firm
and
Jon Clements, Commercial Tree Fruit Extension Educator at The University of Massachusetts
Topics will include Apple fruit thinning with plant growth regulators, crop load management, return bloom, fruit growth model and Cornell Carbohydrate Models as tools for thinning and update on PGR’s Available for 2021
This will be part presentation followed by an INTERACTIVE discussion.
Prior to Wednesday April 7, Please E-mail ALL of your Tree Fruit Thinning Questions to:
Megan Muehlbauer muehlbauer@njaes.rutgers.edu
or
Hemant Gohil gohil@njaes.rutgers.edu
Prepare to have a lively interactive discussion between the experts and your fellow New Jersey tree fruit growers!
March 26, 2021 Meredith Melendez
What water test do you need and how often do you need to do it?
FSMA Produce Safety Rule compliance, third party audit standards, and general best practices all include the need for irrigation, harvest, cleaning, sanitation, handwashing, pesticide application, drinking and postharvest water testing. Not all tests are the same, but all cost money, so make sure what your paying for meets your needs.
Here are the questions we commonly get from produce growers and answers that we hope you find helpful:
What water test do I need for a water source that is used only for irrigation of crops and/or pesticide applications?
– This water should be tested for generic E. coli, acceptable results give you a number answer of 126 CFU (colony forming units) or MPN (most probable number) or less. You do not want a presence/absence (P/A) test. A P/A test would not be sufficient for a third-party audit requirement or the FSMA PSR.
-Most water testing labs on the NJ Water Testing Lab Map (link below) offer the EPA 1603 analysis, which satisfies both the FSMA PSR anticipated requirements and third-party audit requirements.
-Other acceptable analysis methods are described on the
Produce Safety Alliance Water Analysis Method Requirement fact sheet.
-Well water sources used for irrigation should be tested once a year.
-Surface water sources should be tested at least three times during their period of use, ideally when starting irrigation, mid-season, and close to harvest. Surface water sources include irrigation ponds (spring fed, well fed, or other ponds), streams, rivers, and other bodies of water that are exposed to the surface.
-Municipal water sources used for irrigation should have a copy of the water testing record on file. These testing records are often found online or are available upon request. Made sure that generic E. coli is listed on the report.
What water test do I need for a water source that is used during the harvest process? Handwashing water? Cleaning and sanitizing use? Postharvest washing and cooling water?
[Read more…]
