April 14, 2026 , and

Fire blight infection predicted week of April 13

NEWA is predicting a high risk for fire blight infection this week as a result of favorable conditions for apple orchards in bloom. Favorable conditions include 1) a certain number of heat units accumulated during bloom for a threshold level of inoculum to be reached; 2) a wetting event to wash the bacteria into infection sites; and 3) the average temperature is above 60°F. If at least two conditions are met during bloom, then the risk for infection is ‘High’ and antibiotics should be applied. A wetting event is not necessary to elevate the risk. Additionally, forecasted wetting events should be carefully considered and a bactericide applied just before or after a rain event.

When using the fire blight model on NEWA, it is important to enter your own “First Blossom Open Date” for your orchard as this can drastically change predictions. You can also enter your orchard’s history with fireblight in the first drop down menu. Lastly, you can enter the date you last applied an antibiotic this season and the model will reset to provide the most accurate predictions. When using the model, it is important to look at the column farthest to the right in the chart titled “Infection Potential EIP Value” since this is the most accurate prediction for our region. Any time the model shows an orange (High) or red (Extreme) output and the value for that date is above 100, an antibiotic application is warranted.

To manage fire blight in both apples and pears, consider using Kasumin at bloom. Kasumin is an antibiotic like Streptomycin and Oxytetratracycline. It contains Kasugamycin which is a different chemistry. Kasumin is only labeled for bloom and petal fall applications while strep and oxytet are labeled for post bloom use (note that Fireline 45 only allows for 1 postbloom application on apple). Using 3 different chemistries in rotation allows for resistance management while extending the protection into the post bloom period when late blossoms typically appear which ever material you use, the addition of Actigard or other plant defense elicitors may improve control. Applications of Apogee or Kudos during bloom can work to prevent shoot blight after petal fall. The use of Actigard and Apogee are especially recommended in new plantings where instances of shoot blight can kill young trees. For further recommendations on these products, Michigan State University published a guide including information on application timing and product rates.

Additionally, for peaches at petal fall, copper formulations should be used to suppress bacterial spot. Generally we recommend starting at 0.5 oz of metallic copper and gradually lowering the rate as the season progresses. The rate applied will depend on the formulation. Dr. Norm Lalancette published a chart listing common copper formulations and rates for peach and nectarine applications. Avoid combining copper with captan especially if it has been overcast for several days. Also avoid acidic spray solutions when applying copper. Dr. Lalancette has published a handy guide for copper applications in early covers. Antibiotics such as Mycoshield or Fireline may also be used and may offer slightly more residual activity during long wetting periods.

Filed Under: Fruit, Tree Fruit, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,
April 6, 2026

Caneberry Production Webinar April 8th – Registration Open

Registration is required. Click here to register: Webinar Registration – Zoom

New Jersey recertification credits will be awarded to registered individuals who confirm ID and license information.

1A – 3 Units, 10 – 3 Units, PP2 – 3 Units

Filed Under: Fruit, pesticide credits, training, Uncategorized
April 6, 2026 , and

Frost Protection for Orchards and Perennial Fruit Crops

The forecast for New Jersey statewide is expected to drop below freezing Tuesday and Wednesday overnight into early morning this week. Fruit crops are most vulnerable in the full bloom to petal fall stages.

Peach bud development stages and corresponding critical temperatures. Adapted from MSU Fruit Extension. Photos by H. Gohil.

Figure 1. Peach bud development stages and corresponding critical temperatures. Adapted from MSU Fruit Extension. Photos by H. Gohil.

Temperatures beginning at 28°F can kill 10% of the flowers when in full bloom and 90% of the flowers when temperatures drop to 24°F or below for more than 30 minutes (Figure 1). Please refer to your local forecast at nearby weather stations to receive the most accurate temperatures during this time period at www.njweather.org/ or https://newa.cornell.edu/.

Management Options for Frost Protection

  • Cloth coverings – This can be an effective tool to protect a small number of trees. Sheets, burlap, or frost blankets can provide some protection. Avoid plastic tarps which do not provide efficient insulation and can increase freeze damage on plant tissue. Ensure the covering reaches the ground.
  • Irrigation – Irrigate the soil under the trees the day before so any heat will be absorbed. Overhead irrigation is an option if available. The irrigation must stay on until ice starts to melt.
  • Heaters – Heat can be sourced through burning propane, natural gas, or oil burning Smudge pots. This could be a valuable investment for a commercial orchard that experiences frost events at critical bloom times; however, it is expensive and highly inefficient as heat produced dissipates quickly.
  • Wind machines & helicopters – These devices can be used in conjunction with heat or alone to mix warm air from higher elevation with cold air in the orchard.
  • Frost Rescue Sprays – Plant growth regulators such as Promalin can be applied to apples and pears following a frost event to help increase fruit set. The application must be made within 24 hours of the frost event and the trees must be thawed. Follow the label for use restrictions.

References

Gohil, H., Muehlabuer, M., Polanin, N, and Crassweller, R. (2020). Active Frost Protection Methods for Your Orchard. Rutgers Cooperative Extension Bulletin E363. https://njaes.rutgers.edu/e363/

Gohil, H., Muehlbauer, M., Besancon, T., and Ward, D. (2025). Preparing Orchards Against the Frost – Low Tech Strategies. Plant & Pest Advisory Rutgers Cooperative Extension Preparing Orchards Against the Frost – Low Tech Strategies — Plant & Pest Advisory

Demchak, K. (2020). Frost and Freeze Damage on Berry Crops. PennState Extension https://extension.psu.edu/frost-and-freeze-damage-on-berry-crops

 

 

Filed Under: Blueberry, Fruit, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Uncategorized
March 27, 2026 , and

Fruit IPM Updates Week of 3/23/26

Tree Fruit Phenology Update

Tree fruit phenology is progressing across New Jersey, with development in southern counties remaining slightly advanced and northern regions beginning to catch up. Overall, the 2026 season is showing a more compressed phenology window than typical. Cooler weather this weekend should help slow development.

In apples, green tip for Pink Lady was observed around March 22 across both southern and some northern regions, with Honeycrisp following around March 26. In pears, swollen buds were observed around March 11, with green clusters reaching by March 26 in southern New Jersey. Peach varieties in southern New Jersey were observed at the swollen bud stage this week.

Apples
Green Tip Dates by County
County Green Tip Date (earliest varieties) 
Cumberland 3/22
Gloucester 3/22
Burlington 3/22
Mercer 3/22
Middlesex 3/22
Monmouth 3/22
Hunterdon 3/22
Morris TBD
Warren TBD
Sussex TBD
Bergen TBD
Apple Scab
Models

Apple scab models are available through NEWA and RIMpro. Apply fungicides before infection events when discharge exceeds thresholds (10–20%).

Current Update
  • ~2% ascospore maturity (March 25)
  • ~7% by March 31
  • ~10% by April 1
  • Low cumulative discharge (~1–4%)
Management Considerations

Copper can be applied now but avoid after ½” green.

  • Manzate + single-site fungicide
  • DMI (FRAC 3) for high pressure
  • Vangard (FRAC 9)
  • FRAC 7 (save Aprovia)
  • Axios (save for later)
  • Syllit (avoid if resistance)
  • FRAC 11 (save for summer)
  • Topsin (limited uses)

As we move toward tight cluster:

  • Rapid ascospore increase
  • Higher infection risk with rain

Monitor:

  • NEWA models
  • Weather/wetting events
  • Phenology

Early control is critical to avoid season-long pressure.

Scouting Calendar

Use as a scouting guide only (not for spray timing).

  • Green tip: March 22–26
  • Ascospore maturity: 2–7% increasing
Key Points
  • Minimal difference between North and South Jersey
  • Green tip ~March 22
  • Prepare for scab infection events
  • Build fungicide rotation now

Pears
Pear Phenology Update

Pear phenology is progressing, with swollen buds observed around March 11 and green clusters observed on March 26 in southern New Jersey.

Pear Psylla

Pear psylla activity has begun in southern New Jersey, with variability across counties:

  • Salem County: adults and eggs observed
  • Gloucester County: eggs observed
  • Burlington County: no activity observed to date

These observations indicate that egg laying is underway in the southernmost regions and will likely progress north with warming temperatures. Reports from surrounding regions also suggest psylla activity is increasing.

At this stage:

  • Continue monitoring for eggs and early nymphs
  • Use beating trays to assess adult activity
  • Examine buds and developing shoots for egg presence

Dormant oil applications should be applied where possible to deter psylla egg laying and suppress early populations. Timely applications are especially important in areas where activity has already been observed.

At green cluster:

  • Oil is often combined with an insecticide to target migrating adults
  • In lieu of oil, particle films such as Surround may be used starting at swollen bud and continuing through bloom

Materials such as Esteem, Centaur, and Sivanto Prime may also be incorporated, depending on timing and pressure.

Adult pear psylla laying eggs.

Figure 1. Adult pear psylla laying eggs at swollen bud. Photo by Janine Spies.

Pear Diseases
Fire Blight and Early Season Management

Dormant copper applications should be applied for fire blight and pear scab suppression, but no later than green tip if fruit russet is a concern. Where copper has already been applied, early-season risk is likely reduced.

As bloom approaches:

  • Begin planning for antibiotic applications
  • Kasumin may be used at bloom and petal fall
  • Other options include streptomycin and oxytetracycline for post-bloom use

Rotating chemistries is important for resistance management.

Pear Scab

RIMpro modeling for pear scab in Upper Deerfield indicates low infection risk at this time, with infection values remaining below threshold levels. Despite recent wetting events, limited ascospore maturity is restricting infection potential.

Growers who have applied dormant copper are likely adequately protected under current conditions. Protective fungicide programs should begin at the cluster bud stage, particularly as we approach tighter cluster and bloom, when risk will increase.

Materials such as Ziram or EBDC formulations provide effective protection. At white bud, include materials effective against pear scab, rust diseases, and Fabraea leaf spot. Particular attention should be paid to rust on Asian pear varieties.

Dormant urea applications may also be used, where appropriate, to help reduce overwintering inoculum.

Summary
  • Pear psylla activity has begun in southern New Jersey, with adults and eggs observed in Salem County and eggs in Gloucester County
  • Dormant oil applications should be applied to suppress egg laying and early populations
  • Copper applications should be completed by green tip where russet is a concern
  • Pear scab risk is currently low based on RIMpro modeling
  • Fungicide programs for pear scab should begin at cluster bud as risk increases
  • Dormant urea may be used to reduce overwintering inoculum

Continued scouting will be important over the next 1–2 weeks as both insect and disease pressure increase with advancing phenology.

Peaches

Peach Phenology

Peach varieties in southern New Jersey were observed at the swollen bud stage this week. Development is progressing steadily and will advance with warming temperatures.

Peach Swollen Bud

Figure 2. Peach Swollen Bud. Photo by Janine Spies.

Brown Rot

Blossom infections from the brown rot fungus can occur whenever pistils are exposed and favorable environmental conditions are present.

Infections can occur during any wetting period when temperatures are between 41 and 86°F. Optimum conditions occur with wetting and temperatures in the mid-70s. During extended wetting periods (several days or more), blossoms can be infected regardless of temperature. Infections under suboptimal conditions are generally less severe.

Blossoms and fruitlets remain susceptible until the pistil desiccates, which occurs sometime between petal fall and shuck split.

Initiate coverage for blossom blight starting at pink for short-petaled varieties and at 5–10% bloom for showy flowers. Refer to the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for recommended materials and rates.

Scale Insects

Oil applications may be safely applied up to pink on peach.

Oil can be applied alone or in combination with insecticides including Centaur, Sivanto Prime, and Esteem.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Disease Forecasting, Fruit, Tree Fruit, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
March 15, 2026

SOUTH JERSEY CALIBRATION GROWERS MEETING

March 25, 2026
2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Rutgers Agricultural Research & Extension Center
121 Northville Road
Bridgeton, NJ

Program

Program Chair
Janine Spies, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Statewide Program Leader in Fruit IPM

2:30 – Registration

3:00 – Welcome and Introductions

3:15 – Airblast Sprayer Calibration Techniques
Chris Lovenduski, Central Jersey Equipment

4:15 – Early season management in peaches
Anne Nielsen PhD, Professor & Extension Specialist in Entomology

4:45 – Light fare & refreshments (Pre-registration required)

5:00 – Coverage Counts: How to make the most of a pesticide application
Karly Regan PhD, Certis Biologicals

5:30 – Pesticide Safety and Regulations for Specialty Crops
Janine Spies PhD, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

6:00 – Pesticide Recertification Credits and Adjourn. Attendees must be present for the entire program in order to apply for NJDEP credits.

THE FOLLOWING NJDEP PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDITS WILL BE AWARDED

4 CAT-10     4 CAT-1A     3 CAT-3A     4 CORE     4 PP2

Click here to register: South Jersey Calibration Event Registration – Fill out form

PRE-REGISTRATION BY March 18, 2026

Registration cost per person is $10. Cash or check (made payable to Rutgers The State University) will be collected at the door.

If you have any questions please contact Janine Spies: (352)-231-6330, janine.spies@rutgers.edu

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, pesticide credits, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Uncategorized, vegetable, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape
March 15, 2026

NORTH JERSEY CALIBRATION GROWERS MEETING

March 24, 2026
2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Snyder Research & Extension Farm
140 Locust Grove Road
Pittstown, NJ

Program

Program Chair
Janine Spies, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Statewide Program Leader in Fruit IPM

2:30 – Registration

3:00 – Welcome and Introductions

3:15 – Airblast Sprayer Calibration Techniques
Chris Lovenduski, Central Jersey Equipment

4:15 – Importance of Calibration for Optimal Pest Control and Resistance Management
Kaitlin Quinn, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

4:45 – Light fare & refreshments (Pre-registration required)

5:00 – Coverage Counts: How to make the most of a pesticide application
Karly Regan PhD, Certis Biologicals

5:30 – Pesticide Safety and Regulations for Specialty Crops
Janine Spies PhD, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

6:00 – Pesticide Recertification Credits and Adjourn. Attendees must be present for the entire program in order to apply for NJDEP credits.

THE FOLLOWING NJDEP PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDITS WILL BE AWARDED

4 CAT-10     4 CAT-1A     4 CAT-3A     5 CORE     4 PP2

Click here to register: North Jersey Calibration Event Registration – Fill out form

PRE-REGISTRATION BY March 18, 2026

Registration cost per person is $10. Cash or check (made payable to Rutgers The State University) will be collected at the door.

If you have any questions please contact Kim Crommelin: (908)-788-1338, kfrey@co.hunterdon.nj.us

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, pesticide credits, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape