6th Wild Blueberry Blight line Update (additional sites added Wednesday, May 1st)

The Wild Blueberry Blight-line is brought to you by WBPANS, Perennia and Delbridge Disease Management.

The 6^th update for Tuesday April 30^th is as follows:

We are approaching the heart of the Monilinia Blight season in Central Nova Scotia.  All sites are reporting floral bud numbers that are approaching the 40% F2 stage.  Remember, floral buds need to be in the F2 stage or beyond in order to be infected by the Monilinia spore.  They also need to be in the F2 stage or beyond in order to be protected with a fungicide application.  In order for an infection to occur you also need a significant wet period and the presence of apothecial cups.  We have seen mature cups at various sites throughout central NS.

The weather forecast for the next 7 days is excellent for crop development, with sunny and warm days.  Very little if any rain is forecasted, so infection risk should be very low. 

However, every grower should keep a close eye on the forecast and their fruit bud development and be ready to spray if a significant rain fall event is forecasted.

Refer to the Monilinia factsheet for more details. http://nsac.ca/wildblue/facts/disease/monilini.asp

The fruit bud numbers for this week are:

Annapolis County – 48 % F2

Sable River – 38% F2 (two mature cups)

Caledonia – 53% F2

Dean – 1%

Glenmore – 30% F2

Upper Rawdon (United Church) – 14% F2

Upper Rawdon (Rt. 354) – 23% F2 (1 pin)

Swallow Rd. (Wentworth) – 45% F2 (1 pin, 9 nearly mature cups)

Lower Tatamagouche – 61% F2

South Hampton – 19% F2

Woods Mt. – 11% F2 (1 nearly mature cup)

Windham Hill – 21% F2

Fox Point – 36% F2

Diligent River – 19% F2

Airport (Parrsboro) – 25% F2

Oxford – 80% F2 (Very early field)

Westchester – 18% F2 (1 pin, 1 cup)

The Next update will be Friday May 3^rd, in the late afternoon.