Good Pollination Weather Ahead

The weather looks to be quite good for pollination over the next week or so.  High teens to low twenties in most areas.  This should allow for good pollination success as we are moving into full bloom in most areas! Note: this may mean we move through bloom quickly, as there doesn't appear to be any "cold" days that will slow down development.

From a Botrytis management standpoint, we are expecting rain over night tonight and then again over night on Thursday into Friday. With the relatively warm conditions and wet bloom, it does make sense to make an application in areas prone to the disease. Remember treatments should be applied prior to the infection period (wet period).

For most areas of Nova Scotia, a single application in early bloom should be sufficient to keep Botrytis pressure low through bloom.  In areas with traditionally high pressure for Botrytis, a second application may be warranted 7-10 days after the first application. Note: this 2nd application only needs to be made if wet conditions are persisting through bloom.

This is the last regular blight line update for 2019, but I will continue to update the blog and the phone line periodically as issues arise.

11th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia

We saw our first open cups on May 3rd, from a naturally occurring population of mummy berries in central Cumberland county, not a monitoring site. So Monilinia has been leasing spores, in most areas of mainland Nova Scotia, for close to 4 weeks now.  Peak spore release has long since past in most regions with the exception of very late fields in Cape Breton. 

Controls for Monilinia from this point forward are unlikely to give you an economic return in most areas of Mainland Nova Scotia. Disease risk is decreasing.

Focus should now be turned to bloom time diseases like Botrytis.

As bloom progresses, I will update on Botrytis risk.

The next update will be on Tuesday, June 4th.

10th Monilinia update for Nova Scotia

This year, it is very hard to give general statements about plant development stage and susceptibility to Monilinia infection.  I am seeing delayed and uneven development across the province. Some fields in Cape Breton are just approaching 40% F2 while some fields in Central NS reached that stage 3 weeks ago. 

However, we are approaching the end of Monilinia season for much of the province, as infection risk is decreasing, particularly for typically early fields.  We received much less rain than forecasted today and the amounts forecasted for the rest of the week are quite low.  If the forecast holds and temperatures stay in the mid teens, much of the monilinia risk will be gone by the weekend in mainland Nova Scotia.

That being said, if you have fields, in small micro-climates, that are still in early fruit bud development stages, risk of monilinia infection could still be high for those areas.

I expect by next week we will be in early bloom, in many areas, and farms will need to consider controls for botrytis in areas prone to that disease.

The next update will be on Friday, May 31st.

9th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia

It has been a challenging spring to say the least, wind, rain and cold conditions have made pest control and the timing of pest control a challenge.

I took some bud counts on high inland fields over the last two days and those fields are well over 50% F2.  With the exception of a few late fields in Cape Breton, all fields are beyond the threshold stage. 

Given the cool damp conditions and the slowed development of the fields, we can assume apothecia cups are still producing spores in most fields.  For much of central Cumberland and Colchester we are approaching the end of Monilinia risk for the season, but we are not there yet. We need heat to dry up the cups and to push floral development along. We are still likely 5 days away from significant bloom appearing.

If you have not put on a product to control Monilina yet, now is the time.

Based on growing degree model tracking (using base 0)  Debert is about 5 days behind last year from a heat accumulation standpoint.  We should be just starting to see plants pop through the ground in sprout fields.


Reminder:  Twilight meetings are a go next week

May 27 - Millen Farms, Little Dyke (5:00 pm start)
May 28 - John Cameron's Receiving Shed, East River St. Mary's (5:00 pm start)
May 30 - Art Sargent's Receiving Shed, Parrsboro (5:00 pm start)

The next update will be mid-day on Tuesday, May 28th

8th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia

We are in the middle of an extended infection period or a series of them depending on your location. It has been wet since early on Monday, May 20 and it is expected to stay wet through to mid-day on Wednesday, May 22. With almost all fields in mainland Nova Scotia beyond the 40-50% V2/F2 threshold, controls should be considered.

Again, products applied just prior to an infection period tend to give 7-10 days of protection. Proline and propiconazole based products do give some control "back-action" if applied after the infection. You can't count on back action, longer than a couple of days however.

Cape Breton still has some areas that are not quite at that critical stage.

Two areas reporting from Cape Breton are:

Foote Cape - 24% F2 (May 19th)
Egypt Mt. - 0% F2 (May 19th)

We can consider apothecia cups still active and viable at this point, for much of the province

South West Nova Scotia should be approaching the end of Monilinia blight season and infection risk should be decreasing in that region.

The next update will be late in the day on Friday, May 24th.

7th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia

Almost all areas in mainland Nova Scotia are under risk for infection from monilinia. With the exception of a few very late fields, fields are at or beyond the 40-50% F2 V2 stage.  There is a forecasted rainfall event overnight tonight into mid day on Saturday.  There is also an expected rainfall event overnight Sunday into Monday, possibly continuing on into Tuesday.  This will likely mean several infection periods in most regions, especially as temperatures start to go up..

If an application has been made this week, it will provide 7-10 days of protection for the buds that were open at the time of application.

If an applications are delayed until Wednesday of next week, it is unrealistic to expect back action that extends back to the weekend, to cover off the infection periods.

This is a critical time for Monilinia Risk in Nova Scotia.

Also of note, weeds are finally starting to move, the cold soil temperatures have slowed weed growth and plant development.  As of yet, we have not seen any blueberry plants emerge in sprout fields in central Nova Scotia.

The next update will be late in the day on Tuesday, May 21st.

5th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia

We are fully expecting an infection period Friday evening into Saturday with 10-15 mm expected.  There is also another forecasted weather event coming on Tuesday.

Many traditionally early fields in central NS are approaching or are at the 40-50% F2 stage and control measure should be considered.

This stem taken from a field in Mt. Thom this afternoon, has five fruit buds all at or beyond the F2 stage.  This field had 40% of it's buds at the F2 stage. In a normal year is considered at later field.

We are still seeing field development that does not make sense according to traditional field development progression.  Winter damaged fields are still lagging behind traditionally later fields.

Here are a list of reporting sites from this week.

Musquodoboit - 55% F2

Mt. Thom - 40% F2

Oxford - 33-63% F2

Williamsdale - 25-52% F2

Farmington - 15-22% F2

Pigeon Hill - 14.9-25% F2

Advocate - 3% F2

Parrsboro Airport - 15% F2



The next update will be late in the day on Tuesday, May 14th.

4th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia

If you are above the 40-50% V2 F2 bud stage, tonight will likely be an infection period.

However, most fields are not far enough along to warrant an application.

Many fields could be ready as the next rainfall event approaches on Friday into Saturday.

Proline and Propiconazole based products (Tilt, Topas, Jade, Bumper etc.) are the main products of choice for controlling Monilinia.  Contact your buyer to see which products are allowable for their markets.

Propiconazole based products do have 2-3 days of back action from the start of an infection period. It is unclear how much back action Proline gives, but it is believed there is some.

Below is an update of fields and regions.

Stewiacke - 31% F2
Middle Musquodoboit - 10-22% F2
Benvie Hill - 18% F2

Mt. Thom - 17% F2

Amherst - 26-30% F2
Athol - 24-28% F2
Springhill - 17-20% F2
Mapleton - 11-15% F2
Oxford - 28-52% F2
Farmington - 14-18% F2
Westchester - 28-31% F2

Lakelands - 30% F2

We are rapidly approach the critical development period in most areas including areas east of Mt. Thom and in coastal areas.  All farmers should be looking at their fields to determine bud development.

The next update will be late in the day on Friday, May 10th.

3rd Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia

We are seeing very variable field development across the region.  Generally speaking, fields that have had severe winter injury appear to be developing slower than fields that escaped without a lot of damage. It is important to check your fields now, to not only determine the severity of injury on your fields but to determine how developed your fruit and vegetative buds are.

As of yesterday, our first active apothecia cup was noticed.  So if there is a wet period of significant length spores will be released.  However, it does not make economic sense to treat fields that are less than the 40% F2 V2 stages.

Below is a report of fields and regions across Nova Scotia:

East Kemp - 33% F2
Queen's County - 40% F2

Musquodoboit - 8-20% F2
Benvie Hill - 14-22% F2
Stewart Hill - 16% F2

Camden - 17% F2

Oxford (wood field) - 22.5% F2
Mt. Pleasant (Smith) - 21% F2
Amherst - 11-14% F2
Athol - 11.8 - 20.5% F2
South Hampton - 14-20% F2
Rose Corner - 17.8% F2
Westchester - 10-20.5% F2

Average bud counts are lower than in previous years, with numbers of viable buds ranging from 2-6 in many fields.

We are seeing some winter damage in almost every field, but damage is quite variable from field to field. A note to consider, a field with good plant density and an average bud count of 4 can still get a good yield, if disease protection and pollination are looked after.

There is a forecasted rainfall event for Friday night and through noon on Saturday, however, most fields are not at a stage that would warrant a treatment this weekend.

There could be a rainfall event on Tuesday, given the forecasted temperatures, plant development could push many areas beyond the 40% F2 stage by then.  I expect we will need to begin treating for monilinia next week.

The next update will be late in the afternoon on Tuesday, May 7th. 

2nd Monilinia Update for 2019

We are seeing variable fruit bud development across the region.  It is important that growers check their own fields soon to determine the stage of their crop fields.

When looking at fruit buds do not count obviously dead fruit buds. The picture below shows a stem with 5 fruit buds, but the top three are not viable. Only count the viable buds to determine what percentage is at the F2 stage.

Below is a report of fields and areas reporting fruit bud development

Lower Musquodoboit valley - 2-18% F2
Springhill - 2.5% F2
South Hampton - 4.8 - 8.5% F2
Amherst - 8.5 - 17% F2
Oxford - 10-18% F2
Rodney - 2% F2
Mt. Thom - 8% F2

The forecast for the next few days is sunny but cool, with a chance of showers on Saturday.  After that temperatures look to rise and development should move rapidly.

Risk of infection is still low as of today in most regions.

The next update will be late in the afternoon on Friday May 5th.

1st Monilinia Blight Update for 2019

Surprisingly, it has been a warmer April than last year.  From a heat unit accumulation standpoint, we are 5-6 days ahead of last year.  This should mean we are ahead with fruit bud and plant development.  However, frost in the ground and cooler soil temperatures has led to slower plant development.  Also we are seeing a lot of winter injury which is slowing the plant as well.

The picture below was taken in a random sample of stems.  All the buds on this stem are dried and dead.

I looked at several fields in the Debert, Great Village, Scrabble Hill area.

The Scrabble Hill field had the highest percentage of fruit buds in the F2 stage. 

That field was at 3% F2.

However, It is difficult to determine how many of the fruit buds are still viable with the winter injury we are seeing.  As buds begin to swell over the next week, it will be easier to see if there is any damage.

Growers should be looking at their fields soon to see how fruit buds are developing.

I will be giving the next update late in the day on Tuesday April 30th.

Season is Fast Approaching

There is still some frost in the ground in many places but with the warmish wet weather, we may start to see things start to move.

Blight line - I will begin posts and updates on the phone line (902-662-4242) late next week (April 26th).  Through the blight season (which tends to be most of May) I will update at a minimum Tuesday and Friday of each week.

Now is the time to get your sprayers and equipment ready to go!!

It's also a good time to review your plan for the season and take a closer look at the products you are using.  What are the label rates?  Are there application restrictions?  Have you checked with your buyer to make sure those products are allowable.  Our updated Pest Management Guide for 2019 should be posted next week, but here is the link to last year's version for review. https://www.perennia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Wild-Blueberry-Pest-Guide-2018.pdf

10th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia

With the exception of late ground in Cape Breton, the risk for new primary Monilinia infections has passed. If an infection has occurred over the last three weeks and the timing of the blight spray was off, you should be starting to see symptoms on the plants.

This is a picture from last year where you can see Monilinia infection on the flowers and the leaves.

We are rapidly moving into bloom, with many areas in central Nova Scotia at or above 20% open flower.  This is an ideal time to consider a first Botrytis spray, particularly if wet conditions are in the forecast. Not all fields in Nova Scotia have a history of significant Botrytis blight or other secondary crop year diseases like Septoria. However, you can find low levels of Botrytis in just about every field in Nova Scotia.  If weather conditions are wet and warm, it can lead to significant infections in any area of the province.

This will be the last Monilinia update for 2018, but I will continue to make updates for Botrytis Tuesday and Friday of next week and other updates throughout the summer.

9th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia

Most fields in central Nova Scotia are beyond the risk of primary Monilinia infections at this point.

Any infections that have already occurred will start to show symptoms on the plants over the next week to three weeks depending on when controls were applied and when the infections occurred.

Cape Breton is still in the middle of infection risk as all sites reporting are beyond the 40-50% F2 threshold.

Skye Mt - 47% F2 (May 16th)
Borish - 77% F2 (May 18th)
MacLeod Settlement - 55% F2 (May 19th)
Keppoch - 50% F2 (May 20th)

These fields and other late fields that would have just reached this threshold within the last week and a half, would have experienced an infection period on Sunday.  The long warm wet period, combined with light frosts would have made the tissue susceptible to infection. The forecast is for more wet weather Wednesday, controls should be considered in these areas.

Many fields are starting to flower in central NS (Colchester, Cumberland and Pictou counties).  As fields approach early bloom controls for Botrytis should be considered, particularly in areas that are prone to this disease.

The next update will be late in the day on Friday May 25th.

8th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia

Through the central part of Nova Scotia, we are rapidly approaching the end of the Monilinia season.  Flowers are starting to open and plants are popping through the ground in sprout fields.

 

Weather conditions have been very good this week for drying of apothecia cups. In many areas mature cups are drying up. Many fields in the central region do appear to be ahead of normal development.

However, fields that have just reached the 40-50% stage of development (within the last week) would still be susceptible for infection, particularly with the forecasted weather for the weekend. Mummy berries would still be producing cups and spores in late developing ground.

Growers should be starting to think about Botrytis controls and thinking about bringing in their pollinators in the next week or so.  Remember, always use caution and check with your beekeeper when spraying anything around bees. If you have to spray, spray in the evening to minimize contact with pollinators.

The risk for Botrytis is highest in coastal areas or areas that receive regular fog/wet periods. Weedy and denser canopy fields tend to be more susceptible to greater impacts from Botrytis infection. refer to the wild blueberry pest management guide for registered products http://www.perennia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Wild-Blueberry-Pest-Guide-2018.pdf

Always check with your buyer to see what is allowable for their markets.

The next update will be late in the day on Tuesday, May 22nd.

7th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia

Very few areas in Nova Scotia are not at the 40-50% F2/V2 stage.  High areas in Cape Breton are still not quite at threshold.

There is still infection risk for most sites in Nova Scotia, for Monilinia. We are still seeing mature cups, but given the dry windy weather we have been having, risk is starting to decrease especially in the early developing areas.

That being said, we are expecting an infection period Tuesday evening into Wednesday, depending where in the province you are located. Monitor your weather forecasts closely!

Above is the infection severity chart.  Wetness duration and temperature are the main factors to determine and infection period.  As temperature increases, wetness duration required for infection decreases.

As the season progresses, we start to see spore production reduce from the apothecia cups, however, as plants develop and floral buds and vegetative buds develop, they take longer to dry.

If a control product has not been applied and your buds are beyond the 40-50% F2/V2 stage, a control should be considered prior to the wet period or soon after.

The next update will be late in the day on Friday, May 18th.

6th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia

We definitely had an infection period through much of the province last night, through this morning. Warmish temperatures and a long wet period certainly made for a high infection risk.

Most areas in main land Nova Scotia are now well above the 40-50% F2/V2 stage of development and would be susceptible to infection.  At many sites we are still seeing mature monilinia cups.

The current forecast is calling for a long dry period until the middle of next week. Which should further push plant development but will also help to dry up the cups and start to decrease infection risk.

Typically late developing fields (ie. Advocate area, Cape Breton and very eastern Nova Scotia) should be looking closely at their fields to determine if they have reached the 40-50% threshold.

I fully expect sprout fields in early developing areas (ie. Debert) to start having plants push through the ground by the first of next week.  Keep this in mind when considering herbicide applications.

The next update will be late in the afternoon on Tuesday, May 17th.

5th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia

We had a series of infection periods over the weekend with the last being on Sunday evening into Monday morning.  We are currently in a stretch of warm dry weather which should push many areas beyond the 40-50% F2 V2 stage, if they are not there already. It looks like Thursday into Friday may be another wet period which many growers should be prepared for.

Reports from sites around the province:

South West Nova Scotia:
Queens - 90% F2
New Tusket - 81% F2
Annapolis - 69% F2

Murray Siding - 55% F2
Highland Village - 38% F2
Baseline Rd. - 45% F2
Eastmines - 44% F2
Mt. Thom - (tower field) - 26% F2

Debert - 77.7% F2

Kirkhill (by tower) - 75% F2

Westbrook/New Canaan - 77% F2

I don't have any reports from eastern Nova Scotia today, but fully expect bud development to be moving along rapidly.  All growers should be looking at fields for fruit bud development.

The next update will be Friday, May 13th in the late afternoon.

4th Monilinia Update for Nova Scotia

We certainly had infection periods over the last two days.  Growers only need to be concerned if their fields are at or above the 40-50% F2 V2 stage.   We are seeing rapid but variable bud development across the region.  The forecast for the next week is calling for variable weather but warmish temperatures.  I expect most fields in mainland NS will be approaching that critical stage by the middle of next week.  Only traditionally late areas, eastern NS and fields in higher elevation might still be delayed.

Note: in early developing areas we fully expect blueberry plants to start punching through the ground in sprout fields by the end of next week.

Also we are seeing apothecial cup development in multiple sites. So if buds are at the susceptible stage and weather conditions are right, it is likely that mummy berries are producing spores.

Site updates for May 4th




















Western Musquodoboit valley - > 40% F2

Highland village - 4% F2
Baseline Rd. - 37% F2
Murray siding  - 30% F2
Kemptown - 7 % F2
Mt. Thom - 4 % F2
Camden - 40% F2

Debert - 50% F2

Oxford - 30% F2 (3 pins, 4 nearly mature and 4 mature)

Lynn Mt. - 14% F2

Amherst - 15% F2 (2 pin and 3 nearly mature cups)

Westchester - 19% F2 (4 pin)

The next update will be late in the afternoon on May 10th.

3rd Monilinia update for Nova Scotia

Fruit bud development is still quite variable but they are starting to move rapidly in many areas.  Development does not appear to be following traditional early field / late field time lines, so it is critical everyone is checking their fields.

Taken on Sunday for South West Nova
Caledonia - 35% F2
Victory - 10% F2
New Tusket - 18% F2

Halifax County/southern Colchester county
South Branch - 40%F2
Glenmore - 40%F2
Early Field on Butcher Hill - 48% F2 (taken on the weekend)
Stewart Hill - 24% F2 (taken on the weekend)

Debert - 35% F2
Baseline road - 35.5% F2
Millville - 53.8 % F2

Westchester Mountain (early field) - 20% F2

Oxford - 12.5 % F2
Amherst - 5.2 % F2
Athol 30% F2

There appears to be a chance for rain Thursday night into Friday.  Followed by a long dry period, with warm temperatures throughout.  If fields are not at the 40-50% F2 stage at that point it does not make sense put a control product on.

Those fields that are at that threshold should consider an application before the wet period or immediately after.

The next update will be late in the day on Friday, May 6th.