Nova Scotia
Weather and Wild Blueberry Crop Development Updates
Here are some newest updates on weather and wild
blueberry crop development in Nova Scotia.
2023 Degree Day Accumulations- based on
Kentville Weather Stations
Cumulative degree days continue to be slightly behind
the 5- and 10-year averages for plant and insect development (Figure 1).
Figure
1: Heating degree day accumulations for plant (above 5°C) and insect (above
10°C) development from March 1 to May 29 for the past 17 seasons. Provided by
Jeff Franklin (AAFC).
Cumulative Precipitation-
June 6- based on Kentville Weather Stations
Figure
2. Kentville Weather Station Precipitation Update- June 6. Provided by Jeff
Franklin (AAFC).
I am sure many of us were
happy to see the rain we got in the first few days of June. The amount of rain
we got since June is certainly helpful, especially for pollination. After the
rain, I also noticed more damage symptoms from herbicides starting to show. However,
this rain and the heat might bring more diseases, such as Botrytis.
Soil temps- June 6- based
on Kentville Weather Stations
Figure
3. Soil temps- June 6. Provided by Jeff Franklin (AAFC).
It is not surprising to
see that the plant development slowed down after mid-May and we didn’t
experience super early blooms for most of the central fields. It was dry and the
soil temps stayed around a 10-year provincial average. Since the beginning of
June, soil temps started to decrease and fall below the average. In the last
few days, plant development was a bit slower but expect things will start to
pick up after the rain we got and more summer hot days we are going to get.
Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry
Crop Development Updates
Here are the latest wild
blueberry weather stations’ GDDs.
Figure
4. Wild Blueberry Weather Stations GDDs- June 8
Crop fields:
-
Early fields (Southshore counties, early
fields in Cumberland) are in full bloom and are towards the end of this year’s
pollination. A good percentage of petal fall (pin head) was observed in those
fields. Those fields should only need another could of good weather days to
make things look great in July! I don’t have further recommendations for those
fields until blueberry maggot and SWD season. Growers should start to look for
monitoring materials though.
-
-
Central fields: fields in the central
areas start to catch up with those early fields. Bees should be placed in those
fields now. The next two weeks’ weather would be critical for those fields. If
you have had a Botrytis issue in the past or a wet/foggy area, you are still under
the susceptible period. Please consider approved fungicides to be applied in
this crop stage.
-
Fields in Pictou, Antigonish and Cape
Breton: mostly in pre-bloom (Cape Breton) and early to mid-blooms (Pictou and Antigonish).
Growers can start with their bumble bees but start to talk to your bee
suppliers. Beehives should be in those fields fairly soon.
Sprout fields:
We are looking at in-between
50% to 70% plant emergence across the province.
During this time of the year, activities can be and
should be done in sprout fields including weed management and applying fertilizers.
Growers can pull or cut weeds above the blueberry canopy before they go to seed
or cut weeds to the base. If it is necessary, some selective post-emergent
herbicides, such as Callisto 480 SC (mesotrione) can be used to control a wide
range of broadleaf weeds.
Here is a little bit of information about using
Callisto to achieve effective weed management.
Blueberry growers have observed more crop injury when
applications are made under hot and/or humid conditions or when the crop is
stressed from flooding. The injury is most visible where excessive rates have
been applied, such as sprayer overlaps. If heavy rain is expected within 48
hours, an application should be delayed. For improved crop safety, make
applications under cooler conditions (early morning or evening) or when daytime
temperatures are below 21 °C.
Please check your beehives and bumblebee boxes! Bears
smell blueberry blooms!
Over the last few days, I
heard a few stories about bears tearing bumblebee boxes and I also saw a few
damaged bumblebee boxes when I was travelling over the last few days
It is the time of the
year. They can smell blueberry flowers and they know where to find good stuff! Please
check and secure your hives and boxes.
