Monilinia Blight Forecast Post #2 April 26st.

Observations taken from Waterville to Aylesford:

Apothecia that emerged at the beginning of the week are looking aged due to the dry conditions but are still active. 

New apothecia have also emerged and are active.

 

The weather has been cool this week so bud development has been variable between sites and very dependent on microclimates.   Be sure to compare development on your own farm. 

Early varieties (Duke) - 20-40% F2 stage

Mid-season Varieties (Draper, Bluegold)- 20% F2 stage 

Late Varieties (Burlington, Liberty) - 0-14% F2 stage

Spray timings should target 40% of buds at F2 stage with active apothecia to give fungicide coverage through periods of free moisture.   

The weather forecast continues to predict dry weather until the middle of next week, so the risk of infection remains low. 

Growers are urged to pay attention to the weather forecast and if rain is forecast the risk of infection can quickly change to high, in which case, fungicides should be applied before the rain event.

Monilinia Blight Forecast Post #1 April 22nd.

Monilinia blight infection timing is upon us.   As you are weighing the decision to make a fungicide application keep in mind we need these three conditions for disease to occur:

1.  Inoculum presence - mature sporulating apothecia cups

2.  Susceptible host at the correct bud development stage – bud scales separating in flower buds (F2 stage)

3.  Suitable weather conditions – long wet periods at relatively warm temperatures.

 

If you need a little primer on Monilinia Blight and Mummy Berry, please take a few minutes to review this short video:  Mummy Berry Video.

In preparation for an infection period, make sure you have product on-hand.

Products with the active ingredient propiconozole (Pivot, Bumper, Tilt, Princeton, Fitness etc) can be applied after an infection event, providing up to 72 hour ‘back action’, in addition to being excellent protectants against future infections for 7-10 days after application. Quilt is listed as a preventative fungicide, but also displays systemic and curative properties. New to the list this year is Miravis Neo which contains groups 3+7+11.  

A complete list of registered products can be found by consulting the table below or by clicking here

In this table the rating of 3 provides excellent control.  

Observations taken from Waterville to Aylesford:

Newly emerged apothecia have been observed sporulating.  

Early varieties (Duke) - 8-12% F2 stage

Mid-season Varieties (Draper, Bluegold)- 10% F2 stage 

Late Varieties (Burlington, Liberty) - tight 

  

Taken from Maine Co-operative Extension

 

Spray timings should target 40% of buds at F2 stage with active apothecia to give fungicide coverage through periods of free moisture.   

On more advanced sites, it was possible that there may have been an infection period with Saturday night's precipitation.  If growers believe this was the case, they can rely on a group 3's back action if they spray right away.

With only a small amount of moisture in the forecast and the earliness of the development stage, I believe there is little risk of infection.   Keep in mind both the development and the forecast can change very quickly and growers should remain prepared to react as the forecast is u