Local Governments • U.S. Department of Agriculture

It is the policy of the University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, and University of

Maryland Extension that all persons have equal opportunity and access to programs and facilities without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or parental status, or disability.

The University of Maryland Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Profitability Impact Team

proudly presents this bi-weekly publication for the commercial vegetable and fruit industry.

Volume 3 Issue 1 April 12, 2012

Field Observations from

Southern Maryland

By Ben Beale

Extension Educator & CED, Agriculture

St. Mary’s County, UME

bbeale@umd.edu

Current crop status is a story by itself. Most crops are 2-

3 weeks ahead of schedule. Dry conditions across the region are carrying the headlines now.

Peaches, blueberries, and other fruit crops are either past or in full bloom. These crops will remain at higher

risk for frost damage; hopefully, we are mostly out of the woods now. First harvest of Sweet Charlie variety

strawberries occurred last week. Botrytis has shown up

on berries in many strawberry fields.

Asparagus harvest is in full swing. Early sweet corn under plastic has been up for 3-4 weeks and is

approaching 1 foot in height.

The dry weather is slowing the progress of laying plastic

mulch. Most plastic is down and transplants are ready for the field. Those who waited to lay plastic mulch are

struggling with the dry, windy conditions. There are a few risk takers who have stuck out some peppers and

squash.

Greenhouse crops are moving

quickly, both in growth and sales. The warmer weather has

really helped with early sales. Tomatoes in high tunnels are

setting fruit and look good so

far this year.

No major pest problems as of yet; There are reports of damage from seed corn maggots on cool season crops.

Spring Observations from

WyeREC

By Michael Newell

Horticultural Crop Program

Manager, UME

mnewell@umd.edu

Tree Fruits Like many other regions, the warm March

temperatures increased bloom earliness by 2 -3 weeks.

This early bloom increases the risk of cold damage for a longer period. Thinning operations at flowering is more

risky and frost/freeze protection in orchards is difficult. Unfortunately for peaches, flower thinning is the best

time to thin chemically or mechanically. I did not apply my usual attempt at chemical blossom thinning. This

means more hand thinning later on. On a positive note,

Asian pear bloom is completed and we did not have a FireBlight infection event according to MaryBlyt model.

Apples are in bloom now.

Strawberry Plasticulture

We harvested our first field Sweet Charlie fruit on April 4th. Chandler is at bloom to small green fruit stage.

General nutrition requirement for Chandler is 5 pounds of nitrogen per acre per week during bloom and harvest.

The only sure method of knowing the nutritional

requirements is to do tissue and petiole sampling for analysis. Using calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate to

meet the nutrient needs is a good combination. Some reports indicate that a ratio of 2:1, potassium to

nitrogen can improve flavors. We need to keep an eye on the weather forecast for

continued chances of frost/ freeze events. We need to

be ready to deploy floating row covers and/or have our irrigation ready and tested before it is needed. If you are

not familiar with using irrigation for cold protection please call me to discuss the advantages and possible

failures associated with this method.

Plan to attend the 2012 Strawberry Twilight meeting on Wednesday May 9th from 6-8:00PM.

See registration details in on page 8.

2

Strawberries, Row Covers

& Freeze Protection

Gordon Johnson, Extension Vegetable &

Fruit Specialist gcjohn@udel.edu

Row cover management in plasticulture strawberries

has been difficult this year due to the mild winter. In

normal winters, row covers applied in December serve as winter protection to limit stand losses, dessication

damage, and low temperature damage to buds. While

plants are in a dormant state or when buds are not yet active in strawberries, the buds can tolerate

temperatures down to 10°F.

Removing row covers during warmer winter periods can

help to delay bud activity and reduce susceptibility to later freezes. Replace row covers in times when freezes

are expected. Highest yield potentials are usually

obtained by uncovering and covering in the late winter and spring based on expected temperatures when

compared to the practice of keeping row covers on continuously into the flowering stage.

Once buds have begun to emerge, even when tight,

they can only tolerate temperatures down to 22°F. As they begin to open, the critical temperature for damage

increases (popcorn stage 26°F, open blossom 30°F).

For growers that have not been taking row covers on

and off and will be leaving them on until bloom, the potential for losses due to freeze events will be greater

during March due to the increased bud activity. Prior to

forecasted freeze events, check the plant bud stage, and apply additional freeze production to limit losses. This

may include double covering with row covers (2 layers), or the use of low volume sprinklers through the night

and into the morning as a frost protection over the row

covers. Loss of buds or flowers due to freeze events will reduce yields and profits substantially. A single 1.2

ounce floating row cover will give about 4 degrees of protection.

Vegetable Crop

Update

Vegetable Crop Insects –

Joanne Whalen, Extension IPM

Specialist

jwhalen@udel.edu

Asparagus The first asparagus beetles are now active. Since harvest

has started, be sure to check for asparagus beetles

laying eggs on asparagus spears. As a general guideline, a treatment is recommended if 2% of the spears are

infested with eggs. Since adults will also feed on the spears, a treatment is recommended if 5% of the plants

are infested with adults.

Cabbage

Imported cabbage worm (ICW) and diamondback moths (DBM) can be found laying eggs in recently planted

fields. Be sure to begin scouting fields within a week of transplanting for recently hatched larvae. As a general

guideline, a treatment is recommended if you find 5% of

the plants infested with larvae. If DBM is the predominant species, be sure to select an insecticide for

this insect pest since it can be difficult to control. Materials labeled on DBM include Avaunt, Coragen, the

Bt insecticides, Proclaim, Rimon, Radiant, Synapse, Vetica, and Voliam Xpress.

Peas

This week’s weather has been favorable for aphid development so be sure to sample for pea aphids as

soon as small seedlings emerge. On small plants, you should sample for aphids by counting the number of

aphids on 10 plants in 10 locations throughout a field.

On larger plants, take 10 sweeps in 10 locations. As a general guideline, a treatment is recommended if you

find 5-10 aphids per plant or 50 or more aphids per sweep. In general, aphid development is favored by

cool, dry weather which slows beneficial activity but is favorable for the development of aphids. Insecticide

Label Updates for Vegetable Crops

Potatoes Please note that there is no longer a Special Local

Needs 24C Label for the use of Diazinon AG500 for wireworm management in potatoes in Delaware. This

label has been cancelled by the manufacturer so it is no

longer legal to use diazinon on potatoes in Delaware.

Besiege and Voliam Xpress Labels Syngenta Crop Protection recently announced that

succulent beans (peas and beans) and sweet corn have

been removed from the federal Voliam Xpress label and have been added to the federal Besiege label (you will

see this change in the labels currently posted on cdms). We also have the state label for Besiege in Delaware

which includes sweet corn and succulent beans (as a

reminder — you need both a state and federal label to apply any product). It is my understanding that all

states will eventually have a Besiege state label that includes sweet corn and succulent beans; however, you

will need to contact your state Department of Agriculture to determine when this will occur in other states. At this

point, Syngenta has indicated that sweet corn and

succulent beans will eventually be pulled in all states from the Voliam Xpress label. However, they will not be

producing any new Voliam Xpress until September 2012 with the new label. So existing stocks of Voliam Xpress

that have sweet corn and succulent beans on the label

should be OK to use until new product is in the market place – be sure to check with your Department of

Agriculture for confirmation as well as read the label on the container – the label is the law. At this point, all

other vegetable crops (except sweet corn and succulent beans) will remain on the Voliam Xpress label.

3

Besiege Federal Label Currently on cdms at: http://www.cdms.net/LDat/ldA7G007.pdf

Voliam Xpress Label Currently on cdms at: http://www.cdms.net/LDat/ld8N5003.pdf

Vegetables Added to the Belt Insecticide Label

Bayer Crop Science recently announced that a number of vegetables have been added to the Belt insecticide

label. The insecticide product Synapse, which also contains the same active ingredient as Belt,

flubendiamide, will be phased out. Once the Synapse

inventory is depleted, Bayer will carry only Belt as their flubendiamide product. Please see the Belt label for

crops labeled, use rates and restrictions at: http://www.cdms.net/LDat/ld8LJ012.pdf

Vegetable Fungicide Updates

for 2012 By Kate Everts, Vegetable Pathologist,

University of Delaware and University of

Maryland; keverts@umd.edu

The following is a very brief overview of recent registrations and new updates that may be of use to

vegetable growers in 2012. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list. Also, I have not run research trials

for most of these product uses, and therefore cannot

say anything about efficacy in comparison to other products. Remember to follow all label directions

carefully. Before use, check each label for rates, information on resistance management, tank mix

incompatibilities and other information.

Prophyte and some other phosphorous acid

fungicides are available for use on bean cottony

leak (Pythium cottony leak).

Quintec now has a Section 2ee label for the

suppression of bacterial leaf spot on pepper in

some states in the mid-Atlantic (including DE and MD, but not PA).

Both chlorothalonil and Manzate Pro Stick labels

have added anthracnose fruit rot on pepper.

The Ranman label now includes spinach white

rust as well as club root and downy mildew of

cole crops (brassicas).

Quilt Xcel and Stratego YLD are labeled for

sweet corn rust.

A new Omri approved copper, Nordox, has a

broad label that includes many vegetables and

use in the greenhouse on some crops.

Quash fungicide is labeled on potato and sweet potato for many diseases including early blight

and white mold.

A label expansion for Cabrio lists management

of stem rots caused by Rhizoctonia and Sclerotinia and Southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii) on tomato, pepper and eggplant.

Fontelis has received a label for many

vegetables including brassicas (Alternaria, gray

mold, powdery mildew, Sclerotinia); tomato and other fruiting vegetables (early blight, gray

mold, powdery mildew, Septoria leaf spot, etc.); Leafy vegetables (Alternaria, Cercospora,

Septoria, etc.); Legume crops (Alternaria, anthracnose, Ascochyta, Botrytis, etc.); and

some root vegetables (early blight, Cercospora

leaf spot, Sclerotium rolfsii, etc.)

Luna Experience has now received a label for

use on watermelon in both DE and MD. Diseases on the label include gummy stem blight,

anthracnose, and powdery mildew.

Meteor is a new fungicide from United

Phosphorus, Inc, with the active ingredient of

iprodione. It is labeled for beans (white and grey mold), broccoli, carrots, Chinese mustard, bulb

dry onions, garlic and lettuce (drop and bottom rot). See label for more details. There are other

fungicides that are labeled for similar diseases

on vegetables with the same active ingredient, such as Rovral.

Micora is a newly registered fungicide labeled for

greenhouse transplant production including

fruiting and leafy vegetables. It can be used for

late blight on tomato transplants.

Spotted Winged Drosophila (SWD)

Reminder

By Bryan Butler

Senior Agent, Carroll County & Mid-Maryland Tree

Fruit Agent, UME

Just a reminder for those growing

strawberries that have fruit developing. It would be a good idea

to get your traps up and begin to

look for SWD. We really do not know what to expect this year but I feel it

will be important not to let this pest get ahead of you and become

strongly established in your

operation.

At this time we do not have thresholds level but monitoring for presence or absence will provide valuable

inform as you move through the season. Bait traps with

SWD trap

4

apple cider vinegar and a drop of non-scented liquid dish

soap. Place traps in the field not on the outer edges. For control if they are present field tests performed in

the Pacific Northwest in 2010 suggest that the organophosphate (Malathion®) and pyrethroid

(Brigade®) will provide approximately 7-10 days of

control, while Radiant® (spinetoram) will provide 5-7 days of control.

See the attached Penn State Pest Alert for SWD on pages 9-10.

Monitor for Spotted Wing

Drosophila in Strawberry and

Brambles This Year

Jerry Brust, IPM Vegetable Specialist

University of Maryland; jbrust@umd.edu

By now everyone should know that the newest invasive

pest, the spotted wing drosophila (SWD), is here in the mid-Atlantic. It was found heavily infesting blackberries

and raspberries in central Maryland this past summer and fall. Just about everywhere we trapped for it (I am

still trapping adults in February in brambles, SWD overwinter as adults) we have found it on the western

shore. We know it is on the eastern shore through

trapping efforts by the University of Delaware. What we do not know about the eastern shore is how bad SWD

infestations might be this coming season. The first crop that may get hit is strawberries. Information from

Oregon and Michigan shows that their strawberries are

not attacked to any great extent, but we DO NOT know what the fly may do to our strawberry crop. That is why

it would be prudent to put SWD traps out and monitor for the adult flies. Males have a spot at the end of their

wings (Photo 1), females do not (Photo 2), but the

females do have a strong ovipositor they use to saw into non ripe fruit and lay their eggs—which is why they are

such a devastating pest.

Most growers we visited did not think they had SWD on their farm and yet we found it everywhere we

looked. The damage is often mistaken for early rotting berries or fruit (Photo 3). Early control is essential, if this

fly is allowed to build its population through the summer

into the early fall it will be very difficult to control and will be present on your farm basically forever. There are

several web sites you can use to build your own traps (just Google spotted wing drosophila traps), or you

could ask for help from me or your Extension educator about trapping. The key is to use a very common,

inexpensive product as bait in the traps – apple cider

vinegar. Traps should be placed in the field within the plant canopy, out of the sun if possible, and checked

once a week for flies. Some traps should be located near the edge of the strawberry field and others along a

woods edge. There will be many fly species in the trap,

if you are not sure you have SWD take it to your local Extension educator for identification.

Photo 1. SWD adult male

Photo 2. SWD adult female

Photo 3. SWD damage to blackberries

5

Production Websites to Bookmark

By Shannon Dill,

UME Extension Educator, Talbot County

“The web” is where many of us go to get up-to-date

information. At times it can be frustrating trying to find the site or information you need. Below are some great

farm production websites that you may find helpful if

you have not already visited or bookmarked.

Production • www.extension.umd.edu Extension Website,

publications, events

• www.mdvegetables.umd.edu Vegetable production website

• www.mdcrops.umd.edu Field Crop production website, including variety trials, agronomy news

• www.mdgrainmarketing.umd.edu Crop budgets, market information, leases, custom rates

Pesticide Recommendations

• Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Maryland EB 236

– http://www.mdvegetables.umd.edu/files/Maryland%20complete%20book%202012.pdf

• Also available in a new very interactive

format at the Delaware Extension site at: – http://ag.udel.edu/extension/vegprogram/publicati

ons.htm#vegrecs

• Commercial Field Crop Recommendations

EB 237 – http://extension.umd.edu/publications/EB237onlin

e/

• Commercial Tree Fruit – http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/456/456-419/456-419.html

Pesticide Labels

• http://www.cdms.net/ Crop Data Management Systems CDMS

• www.greenbook.net Pesticide Labels and

Information • www.kellysolutions.com/md/ Pesticide

Registration Database

Missed the 2012 Bay Area Fruit School?

View the On-line Sessions at QACTV

By Michael Newell

Horticultural Crop Program Manager,

UME

mnewell@umd.edu

Aronia, Something for Maryland Growers? presented at the Annual WREC Bay Fruit School by Mr.

Andrew Ristvey, Agent & Extension Horticulture Specialist, UME http://origin.peg.tv/pegtv_player?id=affiliate1&video=50955

Research Update on Fire Blight Tolerance; Apple Cultivar/Rootstock Interactions presented at the Annual WREC Bay Fruit School by Mr. David Myers, Sr.

Agent, Extension Educator, UME Anne Arundel County http://origin.peg.tv/pegtv_player?id=affiliate1&video=51167

Food Safety - What Direct marketers Need to Know presented at the Annual WREC Bay Fruit School

by Ms. Donna Pahl, Faculty Research Assistant, University of MD Agriculture & Natural Resources. http://origin.peg.tv/pegtv_player?id=affiliate1&video=51163

Bee Pollinator Concerns - An Update presented at the Annual WREC Bay Fruit School by Mr. Michael

Embrey, Apiary Specialist, UM Wye Research &

Education Center. http://origin.peg.tv/pegtv_player?id=affiliate1&video=51173

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Update & Control Recommendations presented at the Annual WREC Bay Fruit School by Mr. Bryan Butler, Senior Agent,

Agriculture & Natural Resources, UME Carroll County. http://origin.peg.tv/pegtv_player?id=affiliate1&video=51182

Spotted Wing Drosophila; Monitoring, Identification and Recommendations for Control presented at the Annual WREC Bay Fruit School by Mr. Bryan Butler, Senior Agent, Agriculture & Natural

Resources, UME Carroll County. http://origin.peg.tv/pegtv_player?id=affiliate1&video=51183 GEORGE HARVEY Station Manager PUBLIC INFORMATION - QACTV 107 N Liberty St. Centreville, MD 21617 443.262.4610 f:410.758.4499 www.qactv.com<http://www.qactv.com>

6

Welcome to the Maryland Grapes & Fruit

Research and Extension Page

Statewide Extension and

research programs in viticulture (grape growing),

enology (winemaking), and

tree and small fruits are being created and implemented at

the Western Maryland Research & Education Center

(WMREC) by Dr. Joseph A.

Fiola, Viticulture and Small Fruit Specialist.

Dr. Fiola has over 20 years of academic and industry

experience in research and extension in viticulture and

enology.

Fruit Resources at:

http://www.grapesandfruit.umd.edu/index.html

Spray Programs

for

Multi-Tree Fruit

Orchards

By R. David Myers

Extension Educator

myersrd@umd.edu

Many local orchards are composed of multi-tree fruit combinations producing for fresh market apples,

peaches, pears, plums, nectarines, and cherries. Aggressive fruit tree spray programs are required to

achieve high quality fruit. These multi-tree fruit

orchards create many spray management challenges for the achievement of good pest control in accordance to

label guidelines.

Therefore, the following multi-tree fruit orchard spray

program for the control of major tree fruit pests and

diseases may offer some assistance: Labeled as noted in

2012 for All Tree Fruit – Pomes: Apples & Pears Stones: Peaches, Plums, Nectarines, and Cherries. 2012 Tree Fruit Spray Guide Available for download at: http://annearundel.umd.edu/AGNR/files/MultiTreeFruitSpraySheetMyers2012.pdf See Attachment – Page 11

Spray Programs for

Multi-Small Fruit

Plantings

By R. David Myers

Extension Educator

myersrd@umd.edu

Many local farms are composed of multi-small fruit

combinations producing for fresh market blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and grapes.

Aggressive fruit spray programs are required to achieve high quality fruit. These multi-small fruit plantings

create many spray management challenges for the

achievement of good pest control in accordance to label guidelines.

Therefore, the following multi-small fruit spray program for the control of major small fruit pests and

diseases may offer some assistance :Labeled as noted in

2012 for All Small Fruit – Strawberries, Brambles: Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, and Grapes. 2012 Small Fruit Spray Guide Available for download at: http://annearundel.umd.edu/AGNR/files/MultiSmallFruitSpraySheetMyers2012.pdf See Attachment –Page 12

Commercial 2012

Vegetable Production

Recommendations

Maryland EB 236

On-Line at:

http://www.mdvegetables.umd.edu/files/Maryl

and%20complete%20book%202012.pdf

Also available in a new very interactive format at the Delaware Extension site at: http://ag.udel.edu/extension/vegprogram/publications.htm#vegrecs

7

Cover Crop Twilight Meeting

April 25, 2012

University of Maryland

Central MD Research and Education Center,

Clarksville, MD

4240 Folly Quarter Road

Ellicott City, Maryland

5:30 P.-7:30 PM

Dr. Ray Weil and Natalie Lounsbury of the University

of Maryland will give a tour of their experimental plots using forage radish, spring oats and other winterkilled

cover crops for early spring vegetable planting without

herbicides.

The experiment includes tilled and no-till treatments

and a variety of early spring vegetables. There will be

equipment demos of modified push seeders for no-till planting and Dr. Weil will demonstrate how to take soil

samples for nutrient analysis and new field techniques for measuring nitrate, potassium and pH in the field. Use

of the pre-sidedress nitrate test for vegetable production

will be discussed. Refreshments and seed samples will be provided.

Schedule:

5:30-6:30 Field Tour, equipment demos and soil

sampling

6:30-6:40 Move indoors and get refreshments

6:40-7:00 Presentation by Natalie Lounsbury.

Discussion of the effect of cover crop and

tillage on soil moisture, temperature, nitrate,

sulfate and early vegetable crop growth (grower experiences)

7:00-7:30 Presentation by Ray Weil on using the pre-

sidedress nitrate test for vegetable production

and demonstration of field techniques for measuring nutrients

This meeting will count for 2 hours of Nutrient

Management Voucher credit.

To register please call the University of Maryland Extension Carroll County Office at 410-386-2760 or send

an e-mail to chill1@umd.edu with attendee name(s) and telephone number(s).

If you need special assistance to participate in this program, please contact the University of Maryland

Extension Carroll County office at 410-386-2760 before

April 11, 2012.

Producer’s Digital

Toolbox Seminars

Learning Objective:

This seminar will assist you in capitalizing on the hardware and digital tools now

available through the internet. 3 courses

packaged into a 1 day seminar that are offered at 4 locations. It

will cover topics on: Digital Databases - Getting Your Business Listed —

How to enter their business information in the 8-9

digital databases, such as Google Maps and others. Fingertip Marketing for Portable Devices —

Incorporating digital service and application into your marketing plan.

Apps, and Social & Professional Applications — An introduction to the basics of Facebook, Twitter, and

LinkedIn for businesses. This seminar will explore

basic fundamentals of popular social networking sites, examples of use, and the potential benefits social

media could bring to your business and community. Time: 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Cost: $40.00 per person (includes lunch and course

materials) Dates & Locations: April 20, 2012 Chesapeake College, Building: Economic Development Center, Room #: EDC-27 Routes 50 & 213, Wye Mills, MD 21679 Directions: http://www.chesapeake.edu/about/mindir_main.asp Campus Map: http://www.chesapeake.edu/locator/locmap4.asp Contact: Shannon Dill - sdill@umd.edu Registration Deadline: April 11, 2012 May 10, 2012 Hagerstown Community College, Building: Career Programs Building, Room #: CPB142 11400 Robinwood Dr., Hagerstown, MD 21742 Directions: http://www.hagerstowncc.edu/about-hcc/our-locations/hcc-main-campus/map Campus Map: http://www.hagerstowncc.edu/sites/default/files/documents/1201-campus-map.pdf Contact: Shannon Dill - sdill@umd.edu Registration Deadline: May 1, 2012 May 15, 2012 Cecil College - Elkton Station Campus Building: Elkton Station, Room #: 303 107 Railroad Avenue, Elton MD 21921 Campus Map: Contact: Shannon Dill - sdill@umd.edu Registration Deadline: May 6, 2012 Registration: You must pre-register! No walk-ins will be accepted. Register for the dateand location by going to: http://agnradmin.umd.edu/training/description.cfm?ID=179 You will need to mail your check, and make it payable to “EAC” to: University of Maryland Extension - Talbot Office Producer’s Digital Toolbox 28577 Mary’s Court, Suite 1 Easton, Maryland 21601 For more information about this program please contact: Shannon Dill sdill@umd.edu Ginger S. Myers gsmyers@umd.edu Jonathan Kays jkays@umd.edu

8

2012 Strawberry Twilight Meeting

Wednesday May 9th

6:00 – 8:00 PM

Wye Research and Education Center

211 Farm Lane

Queenstown MD

The 2012 Strawberry Twilight Meeting at the Wye Research and Education Center will be held Wednesday,

May 9, 2012 from 6:00-8:00 PM, rain or shine, at the Farm Operations Complex, 211 Farm Lane, Queenstown,

MD. Directional signs will be posted.

You'll hear University of Maryland and USDA small fruit

experts discuss the current season's challenges and the impact that the new fruit pest may have on the industry.

You'll see: USDA Moveable High Tunnel plots with

plasticulture strawberry production; University of MD

Strawberry High Tunnel plots with table top production demonstration and bio-fumigation trial; and Outdoor

Plasticulture Fertility Trial plots with Chandler strawberries.

We hope you can join us for an informative evening. Pre-registration is not necessary. Refreshments will be

served.

For additional program information, contact Mike Newell,

mnewell@umd.edu, 410-827-7388. If you need special assistance to attend this program, please contact Debby

Dant, ddant@umd.edu, 410-827-8056, no later than May 2, 2012.

Vegetable & Fruit Headline News A bi-weekly publication for the commercial vegetable

and fruit industry available electronically in 2012 from April through September on the following dates: April12 &

26; May 10 & 24; June 7 & 21; July 12 & 26; August 16; September 6

Published by the University of Maryland

Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources

Profitability Impact Team

Submit Articles to: Editor,

R. David Myers, Extension Educator Agriculture and Natural Resources

7320 Ritchie Highway, Suite 210

Glen Burnie, MD 21061 410 222-6759 myersrd@umd.edu

Article submission deadlines for 2012: April 11 & 25;

May 9 & 23; June 6 & 20; July 11 & 25; August 15; September 5

See the Attachments!

Note: Registered Trade Mark® Products, Manufacturers, or Companies

mentioned within this newsletter are not to be considered as sole

endorsements. The information has been provided for educational

purposes only.

Spray Program for

Multi-Tree Fruit Orchards

Many local orchards are composed of multi-fruit combinations producing for fresh market apples, peaches, pears, plums, nectarines, and cherries. Aggressive fruit tree spray programs are required to achieve high quality fruit. These multi-fruit orchards create many spray management challenges for the achievement of good pest control in accordance to label guidelines. Therefore, the following multi-fruit orchard spray program for the control of major tree fruit pests and diseases may offer some assistance: Labeled as noted in 2012 for All Tree Fruit – Pomes: Apples & Pears Stones: Peaches, Plums, Nectarines, and Cherries.

FUNGICIDES: [FRAC] *RATE NOTES Captan 80WDG [M4] 3-5.0 lbs General Protectant

(Not Labeled for Pears; Reduce Rates for Cherries) Dormant Oil [NC] 4.0 gal Apply Temp 35-85 F Kocide DF [M1] 6.0 lbs Other Fixed Coppers

(Stones: Dormant Spray Only) Rally 40W [3] 4.0 ozs Powdery Mildew

Sulfur 95W [M2] 3.0 lbs General Protectant Gem 500 SC [11] 3.0 ozs Brown Rot & Peach Scab (Stones Only) or Adamant 50WG [3/11] 6.0 ozs Brown Rot, Peach Scab & (Stones Except Plums) Powdery Mildew Pristine [7/11] or 14.5 ozs Brown Rot, Powdery (Limited to 4 Sprays/Season Mildew, Scab, Rusts & With Only 2 Consecutively) Fruit Spots Indar 2F [3] 6.0 ozs Powdery Mildew & Rusts

Topsin-M 70W [1] 8.0 ozs General Protectant

Ziram 76DF [M3] 5.0 lbs Dormant Peach Leaf Curl (Captan Substitute for Pears) General Protectant Agrimycin 17 W 24.0 ozs Fireblight Control (Apples & Pears Only) INSECTICIDES: [IRAC] *RATE NOTES Imidan 70W [1A] 2.0 lbs Curculio, Scale & Fruit Moths Warrior [3] 4.0 ozs Borers, Curculio &

or Fruit Moths Tombstone [3] 2.0 ozs

Actara [4A] 4.5 ozs Aphids & Curculio Lorsban 4E [1B] 1.5 qts Dormant & Trunk Borer

Acramite 50WS [25] 1.0 lbs Mites Only

Sevin 50W [1A] 4.0 lbs Japanese Beetles, (Apple Thinning Agent) Hornets & Sap Beetles *Rate for 50-100gal Acre Concentrate Spray **Be sure to follow all labels closely for PHI and REI!

Multi-Fruit Spray Calendar* March 15 - Dormant Spray Dormant Oil 4.0 gal (Scales & Mites) Kocide DF 6.0 lbs

Lorsban 4E 1.5 qts (Mites)

April 5 - Peach Bloom Apple Tight Cluster Captan 80WDG 3.0 lbs April 15 - Peach Petal Fall Apple Bloom Captan 50W 3.0 lbs

Indar 2F 6.0 ozs

Agrimycin 17 W 24.0 ozs (Fireblight Control Add for Apples & Pears Only) April 25 - Peach Shuck Split Apple Petal Fall Pristine 14.5 ozs Warrior 4.0 ozs (Curculio)

Agrimycin 17 W 24.0 ozs (Fireblight Control Add for

Apples & Pears Only) May 5 - 1st Cover Spray Captan 80WDG 4.0 lbs (Cedar Apple Rust - Higher Rates for Wetter Conditions) Indar 2F 6.0 ozs (Powdery Mildew & Rusts) Actara 4.5 ozs (Curculio & Aphids; PHI: 35- Days

Pomes, 14-Days Stones) May 15 - 2nd Cover Spray Captan 80WDG 3-4.0 lbs

Rally 40W 4.0 ozs (Peach Rusty Spot Only) Warrior 4.0 ozs (Curculio; PHI 21-Days Pomes,

14-days Stones)

June 1 - 3rd Cover Spray Captan 80WDG 3-4.0 lbs

Topsin-M 70W 8.0 ozs(Apple Scab Resistance Likely)

Imidan 70W 2.0 lbs (Curculio, Scale & Fruit Moths;

PHI: 7-Days Pomes, 14-Days Stones) Acramite 50WS 1.0 lbs (For Mites if Required PHI:

7-Days Pomes, 3-Days Stones) June 15 - 4th Cover Spray

Captan 80WDG 3-4.0 lbs Sulfur 95W 3.0 lbs (0-day PHI; Stones Only) Tombstone 2.0 ozs (Borers, Curculio & Fruit Moths –

7-day PHI) July 1- 5th Cover Spray Early Peach Harvest

Captan 80WDG 3-4.0 lbs (0-day PHI; 1-day REI); or

Pristine 14.5 ozs (Early Stones 0-day PHI; Limited to 4 Sprays/Season With Only 2 Consecutively)

Tombstone 2.0 ozs (Borers, Curculio & Fruit Moths – 7-Day PHI)

July 15 - 6th Cover Spray Peach Harvests

Captan 80WDG 3-4.0 lbs (0-day PHI; 1-day REI); or Pristine 14.5 ozs (Stones 0-day PHI)

Sevin 50W 4.0 lbs (Japanese Beetle & Moths –

3-Day PHI for All Fruit) August 1- 7th Cover Spray Peach Harvests

Captan 80WDG 4.0 lbs (0-day PHI; 1-day REI); or

Pristine 14.5 ozs (Early Pomes 0-day PHI) Sevin 50W 4.0 lbs (Japanese Beetle & Hornets –

3-Day PHI for All Fruit) August 15 - 8th Cover Spray Early Apple Harvests Late Peach Harvest

Captan 80WDG 4.0 lbs (0-day PHI; 1-day REI); or

Pristine 14.5 ozs (Pomes 0-day PHI) September 1 - 9th Cover Spray Apples and Pears Only

Captan 80WDG 4.0 lbs (0-day PHI; 1-day REI); or

Pristine 14.5 ozs (Pomes 0-day PHI)

Sevin 50W 4.0 lbs (Japanese Beetle & Hornets – 3-Day PHI for All Fruit)

September 15 - Trunk Bore Spray Lorsban 4E 1.5 qts (Post Harvest for Borers)

HERBICIDES: [HRAC] *RATE NOTES Gramoxone [22] 1.0 qts Burndown, Directed Spray

Roundup [9] 1.0 qts Burndown, Shielded & Directed Spray

Devrinol 50 DF [15] 4.0 lbs Spring/Summer 35-day PHI Princep 4L [5] 1.0 qts Spring Dormant, Avoid High pH Soils

Solicam [12] 2.5 lbs Spring/Fall Dormant, 1-yr Established

Goal [14] or Galigan [14] 2.0 pts After Harvest to Spring Bud Swell Aim [14] or Shark [14] 2.0 ozs Directed Spray to Weeds, 3-day PHI

Matrix [2] 4.0 ozs Late Spring, 1-yr Established

Prowl [3] or Surflan [3] 2.0 qts Spring/ Summer, Prowl 60-day PHI Poast [1] 1.5 pts Summer Grasses, Variable PHI

Karmex [7] or Diuron [7] 1.6 qts Spring/Fall Dormant, 3-yr Established

*Lowest Use Rate Recommended Initially

Organic Approach Substitutions: Conventional Product

Organic Certified Product

Captan & Topsin-M Surround (?) or Sulfur or Lime Sulfur

Rally Kaligreen (Powdery Mildew Eradicant)

Listed Insecticides Neem or Pyganic or Entrust (Stone Fruits Only)

Agrimycin Agrimycin or Fixed Copper (Apples &

Pears Except During Bloom)

Gramoxone or Roundup Scythe

* Important Note: The calendar spray dates given are an average estimate for Anne Arundel and Prince George’s County Orchards, and may vary by location in Southern Maryland. Be sure to adjust your spray schedule application dates accordingly. The above recommendations very closely reflect the current spray program utilized at the University of Maryland Research and Education Center, Upper Marlboro Facility for its research orchards. Remember to always “Read the Label

R. David Myers

Extension Agent, Agriculture

Reviewed by Alan R. Biggs, Professors, Extension Pathologist, WVU

Spray Program for

Multi-Small Fruit Plantings

Many local farms are composed of multi-small fruit combinations producing for fresh market blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and grapes. Aggressive fruit spray programs are required to achieve high quality fruit. These multi-small fruit plantings create many spray management challenges for the achievement of good pest control in accordance to label guidelines. Therefore, the following multi-small fruit spray program for the control of major small fruit pests and diseases may offer some assistance: Labeled as noted in 2012 for All Small Fruit – Strawberries, Brambles: Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, and Grapes.

FUNGICIDES: [FRAC] *RATE NOTES Lime Sulfur [M2] 10.0 gals Dormant Fall Sanitizer JMS Stylet Oil [NC] 1.0 gal Apply Temp 35-85 F

Kocide DF [M1] 2.0 lbs Other Fixed Coppers

Captan 50W [M4] 2.0 lbs General Protectant Ziram 76DF [M3] 5.0 lbs General Protectant

(Except for Strawberry use Thiram )

Sulfur 95W [M2] 3.0 lbs General Protectant (Grape variety sensitivity) Rally 40W [3] 4.0 ozs Powdery Mildew & Black Rot (Except for blueberry use Tilt )

Pristine [7/11] 14.5 ozs Fruit Rots, Fruit Spots, Powdery

& Downy Mildew & Cane Blight Elevate 50 WG [17] 1.5 lbs Botrytis & Powdery Mildew

Switch 62.5 WG [9/12] 11.0 ozs Anthracnose, Mummy Berry, Phomopsis, Sour Rot & Botrytis Phostrol [33] 4.0 pts Downy Mildew & Red Stele

INSECTICIDES: [IRAC] *RATE NOTES Provado Admire [4A] 4.0 ozs Grubs, Aphids, Hoppers & or Actara [4A] Curculio

Brigade WSB [3] 12.0 ozs Clipper Beetle, Plant Bug, Mites

Root Weevil, Malathion [1B] 2.0pts Scale, Fruit Moths & Whitefly Sevin 50W [1A] 4.0 lbs Japanese Beetles,

Hornets & Sap Beetles *Rate for 50-100gal Acre Concentrate Spray **Be sure to follow all labels closely for PHI and REI!

Multi-Small Fruit Spray Calendar* March 5 - Spring Dormant Spray JMS Stylet Oil 1.0 gal (Scales & Mites)

April 10 - Early Strawberry Bloom Captan 50W 2.0 lbs

Thiram 75WDG 5.0 lbs (Strawberry Only)

April 15 - Strawberry Bloom/ Blueberry Early Bloom Captan 50W 2.0 lbs

Ziram 76DF 5.0 lbs (Except Strawberry) Brigade WSB12.0 ozs (Clipper Beetle, 0-3-day PHI)

April 25 - Strawberry Full bloom/Blueberry Mid-Bloom/ Grape Bud Break Captan 50W 2.0 lbs

Pristine 14.5 ozs Brigade WSB12.0 ozs (Clipper Beetle, 0-3-day PHI)

May 5 - Strawberry 1st Cover & Early Harvest Spray/ Blueberry Full Bloom/Grape & Bramble Shoot Growth Captan 50W 2.0 lbs (0-3 Day PHI & 4-Day REI) Elevate 1.5 lbs (0-day PHI)

Provado 4.5 ozs (Curculio & Aphids; 7-Day PHI)

May 15 - Strawberry 2nd Cover & Harvest Spray/ Blueberry 1st Cover/Grape Bloom Spray/Bramble Cane Development Captan 50W 2.0 lbs (0-3 Day PHI & 4-Day REI)

Switch 11.0 ozs (0-day PHI)

Malathion 2.0 pts (Curculio, Scale & Fruit Moths; 0-3-day PHI) June 1 - Strawberry 3rd Cover & Harvest Spray/Blueberry 2nd cover/Grape 1st Cover/Bramble Bloom

Captan 50W 2.0 lbs (0-3 Day PHI & 4-Day REI) Pristine 14.5 ozs (0-day PHI)

Malathion 2.0 pts(Curculio, Scale & Fruit Moths;

0-3-day PHI)

June 15 - Strawberry 4th Cover & Harvest Spray/Blueberry 3rd Cover & Early Harvest/ Bramble 1st Cover/ Grape 2nd Cover Captan 50W 2.0 lbs (0-3 Day PHI & 4-Day REI)

Elevate 1.5 lbs (0-day PHI) Sevin 50W 4.0 lbs (sap beetle, 3-Day PHI)

July 1- Strawberry Renovation/Blueberry 4th Cover & Harvest/ Bramble 2nd Cover & Early Harvest/ Grape 3rd Cover

Captan 50W 2.0 lbs (0-3 Day PHI & 4-Day REI)

Pristine 14.5 ozs (0-day PHI)

Rally 40 W 4.0 ozs (Except Blueberry, 0-day PHI)) Brigade WSB12.0 ozs (0-3-day PHI)

July 15 - Strawberry Post Harvest/ Blueberry 5th Cover & Harvest/ Bramble 3rd Cover & Harvest/ Grape 3rd Cover & Veraison

Captan 50W 2.0 lbs (0-3 Day PHI & 4-Day REI)

Switch 11.0 ozs (0-day PHI)

Sulfur 95W 3.0 lbs (0-day PHI) or Kocide DF 2.0 lbs (0-day PHI)

Malathion 2.0 pts (0-3-day PHI) August 1- Strawberry Post Harvest/ Blueberry 6th Cover & Harvest/ Bramble 4th Cover & Harvest/ Grape 4th Cover & Early Harvest

Captan 50W 2.0 lbs (0-3 Day PHI & 4-Day REI)

Pristine 14.5 ozs (0-day PHI)

Sevin 50W 4.0 lbs (Japanese Beetle, 3-Day PHI) August 15 - Strawberry, Blueberry & Bramble Post Harvest/ Grape 5th Cover & Harvest Captan 50W 2.0 lbs (0-3 Day PHI & 4-Day REI)

Elevate 1.5 lbs (0-day PHI)

Phostrol 4.0 pts (0-day PHI) Sevin 50W 4.0 lbs (Hornets – 3-Day PHI for All Fruit)

September 1 - Strawberry Post Harvest/ Grape 6th Cover & October 30 Harvest Captan 50W 2.0 lbs (0-3 Day PHI & 4-Day REI)

Phostrol 4.0 pts (0-day PHI) Sevin 50W 4.0 lbs (Hornets – 3-Day PHI for All Fruit)

November 25 Fall Dormant Lime Sulfur 10.0 gals

Kocide DF 2.0 lbs (0-day PHI)

HERBICIDES: [HRAC] *RATE NOTES Gramoxone [22] 1.0 qts Burndown, Directed Spray

Roundup [9] 1.0 qts Burndown, Shielded & Directed Spray Devrinol 50 DF [15] 4.0 lbs Spring/Summer 35-day PHI

Princep 4L [5] 1.0 qts Spring Dormant, Avoid High pH Soils

(Except strawberry) Solicam [12] 2.5 lbs Spring/Fall Dormant, 1-yr Established

(Except strawberry) Aim [14] or Shark [14] 2.0 ozs Directed Spray to Weeds, 3-day PHI

Surflan [3] 2.0 qts Spring/ Summer, Once per Year (Except strawberry) Poast [1] 1.5 pts Summer Grasses, Variable PHI

Sinbar [5] 4.0 ozs Fall Dormant, 1-yr Established *Lowest Use Rate Recommended Initially Organic Approach Substitutions:

Conventional Product

Organic Certified Product

Captan Surround & Sulfur

Rally Kaligreen (Powdery Mildew Eradicant)

Listed Insecticides Neem or Pyganic or Entrust or Dipel

Gramoxone or Roundup Scythe

* Important Note: The calendar spray dates given are an average estimate for Anne Arundel and Prince George’s County small fruit production, and may vary by location in Southern Maryland. Be sure to adjust your spray schedule application dates accordingly. The above recommendations very closely reflect the current spray program utilized at the University of Maryland Research and Education Center, Upper Marlboro Facility for its research fruit plots. Remember to always “Read the Label”.

R. David Myers

Extension Agent, Agriculture