By Blake Jackson
With fruit trees in Pennsylvania and neighboring states emerging from dormancy, growers are urged to take proactive measures to manage potential disease outbreaks.
The critical period of green tip on pears and early apples, and bud swell on stone fruits, signals the start of the 2025 growing season.
A recommendation for nectarine and peach growers is to meticulously remove any mummified fruit from trees during pruning. These remnants act as significant sources of brown rot spores, which can infect blossoms and developing fruit.
High spore pressure can overwhelm fungicide applications, making sanitation crucial for preventing fruit rot. Additionally, removing dead wood, another potential reservoir for brown rot spores, is essential.
For apple and pear orchards, applying dormant copper sprays is advised to control fire blight, apple scab, and potentially other fungal diseases like apple blotch and bitter rot.
Growers should aim for a rate of 2 lb/A of metallic copper, carefully checking the product label for the metallic copper equivalent. Late dormancy is also the ideal time for oil applications to manage certain insects.
Combining oil and copper during dormant sprays is generally safe, provided minimal green tissue is present, reducing the risk of phytotoxicity.
Effective disease control requires vigilant monitoring of local weather and tree growth conditions within individual orchards.
Growers can utilize the NEWA website, which provides data from weather stations across Pennsylvania, to aid in management decisions, particularly regarding infection events.
It is imperative that growers consult current usage regulations and carefully examine product labels before applying any chemical treatments.
This ensures compliance and safe application practices, safeguarding both the orchard and the environment. By implementing these preventive measures, growers can minimize disease risks and promote a healthy and productive growing season.
Photo Credit: istock-rixipix
Categories: Pennsylvania, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables