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| Fruit Crop Advisory Team Alert newsletter | ||||
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| Vol. 22, No. 18, September 18, 2007 |
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In this issue |
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| Final issue for 2007
This is the last issue for the 2007 season of the Fruit CAT Alert newsletter. Included in this issue is an index of articles to help guide readers through the topics covered this year. Educators and specialists have worked hard to inform readers about current issues and crop production throughout the last few months. |
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| Current status of streptomycin resistance in the fire blight pathogen in Michigan Streptomycin resistance in the fire blight bacterium Erwinia amylovora was originally detected in the early 1990s in Michigan, mostly in Van Buren County and in a few isolated orchards in Kent and Newaygo counties. Most of the resistant strains contained an extra sequence of DNA that encoded streptomycin-resistance genes. This distinguished the mechanism of resistance from that found in E. amylovora from the Pacific Northwest, in which the strains became resistant to streptomycin due to a chromosomal mutation. In the mid-to late-1990s, the streptomycin resistant strains from Southwest Michigan slowly spread westward towards the lake, and resistance was noted in an isolated orchard in Kent County. In addition, a small number of resistant strains (less than 10 percent) were found from these locations that harbored the chromosomal mutation . In 2004, we surveyed eight apple blocks in the Fruit Ridge area, most of which were concentrated around 10 Mile Road and Kenowa Avenue. Streptomycin resistance was detected in seven of the eight blocks sampled. Genetic analyses of the strains indicated that most of the strains contained the same streptomycin-resistance genes found in strains from Southwest Michigan and a small number harbored the chromosomal mutation. Our goal during the 2005-2007 growing seasons was to enlarge the regions sampled outside of the known “streptomycin resistance zone.” In the Fruit Ridge area, we have detected streptomycin-resistant E. amylovora strains in 10 of 15 orchards sampled. Resistant strains were found south of 12 Mile road (10 of 11 orchards). We recovered only streptomycin-sensitive strains from four orchards located just north of 12 Mile road. Streptomycin-resistant strains were also detected in orchards in Ionia County near Belding and Ionia. In Southwest Michigan, a large-scale sampling effort outside of the known resistance zone was done in 2007. Streptomycin-resistant strains were found in only 5 of 18 orchards demonstrating the slow movement of resistant strains between orchards. In 2006, we detected streptomycin-resistant Erwinia amylovora for the first time in orchards in Oceana county, Michigan. In 2007, we sampled one repeat and eight new orchards. All isolates were sensitive to streptomycin. Our results indicate that streptomycin resistance is just moving into Oceana county and is not as much of a problem as it is in Southwest Michigan and Fruit Ridge. What control measures should be adopted in orchards that contain streptomycin-resistant fire blight bacteria? Streptomycin alternatives include antibiotics such as Mycoshield and Agry-Gent. Section 18 emergency exemptions were granted for both of these materials in 2007. We expect similar Section 18s to be granted in 2008 for alternative antibiotics. Biological control materials such as Serenade Max and Bloomtime Biological also have some activity in controlling blossom blight. The rule of thumb is that growers who have had success using streptomycin, and whose farms are not in zones where resistant strains are prevalent, should continue to use streptomycin as this is the best material for blossom blight control. If resistance is an issue, then streptomycin should not be used as it will only lead to an increased buildup of resistant strains. |
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| Overview of small fruit diseases during the 2007 growing season The growing season started out about two weeks earlier than normal, but freeze events in April damaged grapes as well as other fruit crops in many areas in Michigan. However, due to compensation by the vines, the current grape crop overall is larger than originally thought. Blueberries sustained some damage from the freeze and strawberry blossoms were frozen in some locations. Much of the 2007 growing season (June and July) was relatively dry and warm. The blueberry crop was harvested earlier than usual and some summer-fruiting raspberries produced a second crop in the fall. Drought conditions were starting to affect fruit quality as some shriveling was observed in grapes in early August. The good news was that the dry weather overall was not very conducive to diseases, therefore fewer fungicide sprays were needed and fruit quality was generally better than in previous years. However, August brought a lot of rain resulting in outbreaks of downy mildew in grapes and an increase in fruit rots, particularly sour rot in grapes. Most fungi and bacteria need free moisture in the form of rain or dew to grow and infect plants, and often also for spore production and dispersal. The lack of precipitation definitely thwarted pathogen activities. The only fungi that were content without rain were the powdery mildews, which were quite common on numerous crops this year. Also, diseases that resulted from infections in previous years, e.g., cane diseases and virus infections, were evident but were obviously not related to the weather this year. Even though dry weather generally suppresses diseases, extreme drought can cause plant stress and can thereby predispose them to certain diseases. It is therefore important to reduce drought stress by irrigating where possible, even after harvest. Drought-stressed plants may also be more susceptible to winter injury. Grapes Due to the warm, dry summer, most diseases were less of a problem in grapes than in previous years. Rainfall in spring and early summer did result in some Phomopsis pressure. Due to the spring freeze damage, some growers decided not to apply dormant or early-season sprays and in some locations, resulting infection turned out rather severe. Phomopis fruit rot in Vignoles came on earlier than normal. Black rot was also detected here and there, but overall incidence and severity were much lower than in previous years. Though June was rather dry, rain events in early and mid-June were quite instrumental in black rot infection and some growers may have missed an important spray around that time. Powdery mildew showed up later than expected, considering that we had moderate to high relative humidity during most of the season. However, rain is needed for the initial release of ascospores to get the epidemic started, and it is possible that the lack of precipitation could have delayed or reduced spore dispersal. Powdery mildew on Concord leaves was late enough to be of little consequence to yield or fruit quality. Infections of leaves and clusters were noted in susceptible wine grapes. Downy mildew was observed in early June in low-lying wild grapes but not in cultivated grapes. Due to heavy rains in August as well multiple dew events, there were outbreaks of downy mildew in many locations, particularly in Niagara grapes. Downy mildew was even observed in Concord grapes. Also, due to the heavy rains in August, there was a sudden increase in fruit rots, particularly sour rot in grapes. Sour rot was also seen in Niagara grapes, and appeared to be due mostly to splitting of berries due to high pressure within the clusters, as many Niagara clusters and berries were very large. Fruit flies and picnic beetles did their part in spreading the disease, while ants and wasps broke through the skin of berries also resulting in an increase in rots. Anthracnose appeared on some varieties that had a lot of disease last year in the form of lesions on leaves, canes, and tendrils. Some spots were seen on berries, but disease levels were generally low. Susceptible varieties are ‘Mars’ and ‘Marquis’ table grapes and ‘Vidal’ wine grapes. Blueberries In general, mummyberry pressure was light to moderate in 2007, depending on location. Over the last few years, inoculum levels have been fairly low; however, disease pressure seems to be building up again. Shoot strike incidence correlated well with the number of mummies on the ground. The apothecia developed early this year, probably in part due to the mild winter. Even before green tip, apothecia could be found. The first shoot strikes occurred in the second week of May, increased in the third week of May, and then decreased as most apothecia started to dry up. The number of mummified berries was moderate, with about 25 mummified fruit per bush. Twig and blossom blight occurred in many locations in late May and early June and was mostly caused by Phomopsis vaccinii and Colletotrichum acutatum, though Monilinia vaccinii corymbosi (the mummy berry pathogen) also caused blossom blight (flower strikes). Botrytis cinerea was only occasionally isolated. Anthracnose and Alternaria fruit rot were found in various fields affecting the fruit at low levels before harvest, and in post-harvest rot tests, the incidence was moderate to high. Virus and virus-like symptoms were obvious in a number of fields this year as well. Strawberries Dry conditions also resulted in low disease pressure in strawberries. Incidence of foliar diseases and fruit rots were generally low but may have increased in August following precipitation. Foliar diseases that were seen were Phomopsis leaf blight, common leaf spot and powdery mildew. Among the post-harvest fruit rots, Botrytis gray mold was predominant, but some leather rot was also found. Leather rot can be prevented by applying straw to minimize contact of the berries with soil or splashing or standing water. In some strawberry fields, plant stunting and death was noticed and was mainly related to black root rot or nematode infestation or old age of the field. In one case, needle nematodes were present at very high levels and were very damaging to the planting; which had only been in the ground for two years but was producing very poorly. Establishment of new plantings was also very poor. Alternate crops in those fields were pumpkins and corn and these may also be hosts to needle nematodes. Brambles Foliar and cane disease pressure were relatively low, although they increased some following rains in August. Leaf spot and spur blight appeared fairly late in the season. Botrytis gray mold were common in summer and fall raspberries as well as in blackberries. In general, Japanese beetles were more problematic than diseases. Fire blight was seen again this year in raspberries in a few locations. This disease is characterized by blackening of young cane tips that then bend over and form a ‘shepherd’s crook’. Single berries or entire fruit clusters can also be killed. The bacterium is a different strain from the one that causes fire blight in pears and apples. |
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| Saskatoon Berry Workshop to be offered
There has been much discussion over the past few years related to a new berry in Michigan called ASaskatoons@. These berries are related to Serviceberries or Juneberries, but are domestic varieties that have been selected for fruit size, taste and yield. Although only a few thousand plants have been planted in the Northern Michigan area over the past two years, interest continues to increase among commercial and “U-pick growers”. |
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| Specialty (minor-use) crop pesticide prioritization in the 2007 IR-4 Food Use Workshop Due to the current review of crop protection chemicals under the Food Quality Protection Act and the high cost to industry of product registration, specialty (minor) crops and sometimes, minor uses on major crops are at risk of having few available products or being lost for pest management. To mitigate this problem, IR-4 (Interregional Research Project No.4) funded by USDA-CSREES facilitates pesticide registration for specialty crops by conducting residue trials, and occasionally, efficacy trials. Specialty crop research needs are prioritized each year during a national workshop since resources are limited. The primary objective of this workshop was to have the participants identify the most important research projects for the 2007 IR-4 research program. Research priorities for the year-2008 field residue program for fruits, vegetables, field crops and herbs grown in the United States and Canada were assigned at the Food Use Workshop held September 11-13 in Tampa, FL. The workshop was attended by Drs. Bernard Zandstra, Mary Hausbeck, Satoru Miyazaki, Annemiek Schilder and John Wise of Michigan State University, along with other specialty crop/use researchers, extension specialists, representatives of commodity and industry groups across the country and personnel from EPA, USDA, IR-4 plus the Canadian counterpart of minor-use program personnel. Representatives from Australia and Japan were also present. Approximately 180 participants were provided with a complete list of all pesticides “nominated” for consideration prior to the meeting. This “nomination” process, introduced last year, greatly streamlined project selections and allowed the participants to spend more time reviewing only the worthy projects. As a group, they ranked products based on need, performance, safety, availability of alternatives and compatibility with the IPM program. Only a limited number of projects could be assigned “A” (12 per discipline) or “B” priority (36 per discipline). An “A” priority allows IR-4 to begin the residue program immediately the following season, with expectations that a complete data package be submitted to the EPA within 30 months. Eleven fruit projects important for Michigan were assigned A priorities. (See the attached table). “B” priority projects are funded as resources permit. Projects with a “C” rating are held in the system for further consideration the following year. The following new candidate priority “A” projects listed are preliminary, until affirmed at the IR-4 national planning meeting on October 31 - November 2. A complete listing can be found on the IR-4 web-site (www.ir4.rutgers.edu). Priority “A’s” for fruits
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| Grant funding program seeks innovative ideas for the farm and ranch The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) Program is seeking innovative farmers or ranchers who want to implement a new, sustainable, idea to improve their operation. NCR-SARE is currently accepting applications for their 2007 Farmer Rancher grant program. NCR-SARE awards grants to farmers and ranchers for on-farm research, demonstrations and education projects. By providing funds ranging from $6,000 per individual grant to up to $18,000 for grants awarded to groups of three or more, NCR-SARE helps facilitate essential agricultural research and development. Beverly Pender is an urban farmer in Kansas City. Utilizing the lots she owns, and the lots donated to her from neighbors, she has been able to carry on Soul and Soil Rainbow Gardens. Thanks to NCR-SARE grant funding, she will be able to add on to her gardens, and local youth, seniors and the homeless will also reap rewards. “Our objective is to promote urban farming and to teach the community about healthy food production,” Pender explained. Pender’s grant is just one example of the wide range of projects that NCR-SARE has funded over the years. Other funded topics include pest and disease management, soil conservation, local marketing, public education, waste management, agri-tourism, crop diversity, aqua-culture and many others. NCR-SARE grants are awarded based on the applicants ability to describe how their project will be sustainable in terms of having long-term profitability, being good for the environment, producing healthy foods, being socially responsible and supporting their community. Last year NCR-SARE funded 52 Farmer Rancher grants totaling $400,037. This year farmers and ranchers throughout the North Central Region will once again have the opportunity to apply for roughly $400,000 in grant assistance. The 12 states that comprise the North Central Region are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The NCR-SARE program receives its funding through the United States Department of Agriculture. Grant proposals are due in the NCR-SARE office by December 3, 2007. Interested applicants may contact Joan Benjamin with NCR-SARE at 402-472-0809 or ncrsare@umn.edu. The current Farmer Rancher Grant Call for Proposals application can be found on the NCR-SARE web site at http://ncr.sare.org/prod.htm. Previous project reports are made available through the national SARE web site at www.sare.org. Contact: North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Farmer Rancher Grant Program 402.472.0809 or 1.800.529.1342 (toll free) 402.472.0280 ncrsare@umn.edu www.sare.org/ncrsare |
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| Position filled at Northwest Station Erin Lizotte has been named the Michigan State University Extension integrated fruit practices and integrated pest management district educator at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station. She will begin her new position on January 1, 2008. Erin will provide leadership and focus for fruit pest and crop management in northern Michigan. She will be responsible for developing and conducting research and integrated crop management training programs to address the priority needs of the Michigan fruit industry. She will also participate in research and joint outreach programming with other MSU fruit experiment stations. Erin obtained her bachelor’s degree in forestry from Michigan Technological University in 2005, and her Master of Science degree in plant pathology from Michigan State University in 2007. Her MSU plant pathology work investigated fungicide resistance in cherry leaf spot and American brown rot, the two major pathogens in cherry. Erin also worked for the NWMHRS as a research technician in 2005. Area growers and the staff at the NWMHRS are excited that she will be back at the station, and the MSU Fruit Team is looking forward to having her on board in January. |
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| Regional reports 1 -- Southwest Mark Longstroth Bill Shane Greg Vlaming 2007 weather in Southwest Michigan 2007 will be remembered for the Easter freeze and the summer drought. Most of the winter was relatively mild. An early period of cold, snowy weather occurred in early December 2006. This was followed by mild weather with temperatures above freezing during the day through January. There were reports of early bud swelling in peaches in Southern Berrien County in late January. A period of very cold weather occurred in February. Temperatures were close to zero and below several times in the first three weeks of February. This caused some damage to peach fruit buds in orchards away from Lake Michigan. Soils had good moisture early. Late March and early April were warm, with highs into the 70s and lows well above freezing. Warm weather caused rapid fruit bud development with bloom beginning in apricots, peaches and sweet cherries in early April with record high temperatures on Tuesday, April 4 followed by frigid weather with snow and highs near freezing for the next four days. Lows near 20ºF occurred on Easter weekend April 6-7. Low temperatures were a few degrees higher close to Lake Michigan and the extreme cold did not last as long. Many fruit crops were damaged by the freeze. Most of this event was cold and windy – a classic advective or wind freeze. A radiation freeze (clear, still, relatively dry) on Tuesday morning April 10, with lows in the low 20s close to Lake Michigan and below 20ºF away from Lake Michigan. The low temperatures away from the lake also lasted much longer than closer to the lake. This frost was very variable and many exposed sites, normally frost-free sites, had more damage than usual. States south of Michigan experienced severe cold damage to fruit crops. Growing degree day accumulations in 2007 were well above average. Early accumulations were only a few GDD behind 2000 and 1996, two fairly recent early warm years. Weather in late April and May were generally warm dry periods, with highs often in the 80s, interspersed with cool, rainy periods, so the soil moisture levels were good. Thunderstorms and rain on the morning of May 9, 2007 caused infection by the common early season fruit diseases. This was the only and last significant wetting event of the spring, with a long warm wetting event with fog overnight and heavy dew. The resulting wet period spanned over 30 hours, with about 24 hours of leaf wetness and an average temperature of 60 ºF. Precipitation was spotty in the spring and early summer of 2007. For May through July, significant rain of about an inch seemed to come every two to three weeks, but temperatures were generally hot, so that rain did not keep up with plant water use. By June, soil conditions were extremely dry and plant growth was suffering. August brought heavy rain events that caused some flooding problems. Harvest seasons in 2007 were generally 10 days to 2 weeks ahead of normal. Tree fruit insects Oriental fruit moth biofix was April 21 at 230 GDD from March 1 at SWMREC. The second generation of oriental fruit moth was biofixed on June 17 at 1312 GDD. Codling moth was biofixed on May 9 at 325 GDD50 at SWMREC. The second generation of codling moth was biofixed on two different dates, June 14 and 21 depending on the strength of flight or trap catch. Area growers generally seemed to do a good job controlling the beginning of the first flight allowing them to forgo a spray until trap numbers climbed above the biofix threshold of five moths per trap. Obliquebanded leafroller biofixed on May 28 at 942 GDD42 at SWMREC. Tree fruit Apricots were blooming during the Easter freeze and suffered a complete loss of crop. Peach fruit bud loss due to winter cold in the negative teens was reported in some varieties and on lower, colder sites, especially in counties away from Lake Michigan before the Easter freeze, but the main production region (Berrien County) did not suffer much damage. Peaches were showing first pink and bloom had begun in Berrien County when the Easter freeze occurred. Open flowers were killed by the freeze, but most closed flowers survived. A good crop of peaches survived in Berrien County, but further from the lake there were few peaches. Thinning was required in many blocks. Drought caused small fruit size for varieties in the Garnet Beauty to Red Haven window, but later varieties generally sized well following the rains of August. Oriental fruit moth, tarnished plant bug and plum curculio caused some damage after fruit set, but no big problems. Peach leaf curl, peach scab and peach mildew were not significant problems. There was a strong demand for Michigan peaches and movement was generally brisk thought the harvest season. Western flower thrips and San Jose scale did cause surface blemishing and brown rot was a problem sometimes as Berrien County received several severe storms and large amounts of rain late in the summer. Tart cherries were at bud burst for the Easter freeze. Growers reported heavy losses in Allegan and Van Buren counties. There was an extended late bloom and most of late flowers looked good. Overall the crop was variable across the region, with some growers reporting a good crop. It appears that the crop has been reduced by 60 percent Growing conditions following bloom were very dry, so that cherry leaf spot was not an issue. Copper was used for leaf spot control and was very effective under the dry conditions. Harvest began early and was over before July 1. Fruit quality at harvest was good although fruit size suffered from the lack of moisture. Most cherry trees in the area retained their leaves until significant rains in August renewed leaf spot infections. Tart cherries have the potential for an excellent crop in 2008. Sweet cherries were at tight or open cluster for the Easter freeze. Orchards near Lake Michigan suffered little damage. Orchards away from Lake Michigan suffered a complete crop loss. It became apparent that the radiation freeze on April 10 was responsible for these poor crops in the lower parts of the tree. Damage was variety specific. Cultivars on dwarfing rootstocks were more advanced and suffered more damage. Orchards in good sites close to the lake had a good crop of sweet cherries. In plums, winter cold caused significant tree damage to a few Stanley plum plantings. One site, defoliated early in 2006, must have been more susceptible to winter cold. Tree trunks showed severe browning above 6.0 inches, and many of the young shoots were already shriveling in March. Another site collapsed during the heat of the summer and showed severe trunk damage and bark splitting. European plums were at tight cluster during the freeze and suffered no damage close to the Lake and light damage away from the Lake. Oriental plum flowers were blooming at the time of the freeze and damage was more variety specific with severe damage in early blooming varieties and at sites away from the lake. Some growers reported a light crop, but generally there were no Oriental plums in SW Michigan in 2007. The crop was spotty, and demand was poor for processing plums during the harvest season. Fresh market sales were good. Apples were at half inch green to tight cluster or even first pink for the Easter freeze. Damage was widespread and again was due to the stage of development and distance from the lake. Early blooming varieties were severely affected in Van Buren County with less injury reported in Berrien and Allegan counties. Varieties such as Gala, McIntosh and Jonathan had light crops due to the freeze. Later developing varieties suffered much less damage. Cluster leaves which emerged before the flowers showed significant injury such as crinkling and other distortion. Growth in the early spring was excellent and fruit size was good. The summer drought caused few problems. Apple bloom began the week of April 23 and continued through mid-May. There were fireblight infection periods at the beginning and end of bloom. Warm weather as bloom began allowed initial fire blight infections in early blooming cultivars. Another wave of symptoms appeared after the first but before the predicted date for a late infection on May 9. This infection was believed to be from trauma during to an extremely warm and windy period due to sand wounding tender green tissue. Several counties in Michigan had a section 18 for the use of Agry-Gent, a gentimicin antibiotic to control fire blight where streptomycin resistance in the fireblight bacteria was documented. According to EPA regulations, Agry-Gent could not be the first antibiotic applied. Agry-Gent appeared to provide good control. Some growers did have fire blight and in some cases it was severe, usually in orchards with a history of fire blight. Because of the dry season apple scab was not generally a problem. Oriental fruit moth and codling moth were not severe. More and more growers are using alternatives to organophosphate insecticides and reporting good success. It was feared that we would have a third generation of codling moth, but there was not a strong flight at the end of August or in September. European red mite was a problem for many requiring treatment in late July. Fruit size was good for some varieties despite the mid-season drought. Harvest began about two weeks early. Pear buds were at tight cluster during the Easter freeze, so damage was not severe. Pear suffered no major problems with insects or diseases. Small fruit Blueberries were also affected by the freeze. A heavy crop was expected since 2006 was a year with good moisture allowing many fields to set a heavy crop of fruit buds. Fruit buds were swollen and are starting to burst in early varieties. Following the freeze, early developing varieties showed browning of the fruit buds. Leaf buds at the shoot tips had begun to grow and exposed green leaf tissue were killed, and this resulted in the death or stunting of leaves and shoots just below the flower buds. Bluecrop showed this trait more than other varieties and many Bluecrop fields had a heavy bud set. This resulted in small fruit and reduced yields because of the low leaf to fruit ratio. Blueberries within 10 miles of the Lake generally suffered little damage from the freeze. Mummyberry was a problem in some fields. The dry conditions kept fruit rots to a minimum. Insect problems were not generally significant. Cranberry fruit worm and cherry fruit worm emerged during bloom. Cranberry fruit worm seemed to emerge later than normal and was a problem in some fields where late controls were not applied. Yields were generally heavy where there was little or no freeze damage. Drought reduced fruit size in many unirrigated fields. Prices were strong due to high demand. Growers irrigated heavily during the summer and generally bushes were in good health as the 2007 season ended. During the Easter freeze, Concord buds were at early swell and vinifera grapes at scale crack. Grapes were bleeding from fresh pruning cuts indicating that the sap was up and the buds were active. Losses due to the freeze were wide spread but very variable due to site exposure, bud development and distance from the lake. Initial damage estimates of 50 percent loss to the primary buds. As a reaction to several years of heavy losses to early spring frosts many growers had left many buds during pruning, so there was still a good crop potential. Many sites that normally do not freeze were more advanced and suffered more damage due to the cold wet windy conditions during the Easter freeze. Lower, less advanced sites suffered little damage and had heavy crops. There were relatively few disease infection events early in the spring and the dry summer made for an almost disease free year. Grape berry moth was not a big problem. The drought did have the effect of shriveled and dropped berries in July, but the return of rain in Berrien County in late July caused a rebound and the crop suffered little damage. Heavy rain in August caused botrytis bunch rot in early varieties. Yields were excellent in most sites. Wine grape quality was excellent and 2007 should be a vintage year. Strawberries were putting out new leaves and the trusses were visible in the crowns for the Easter freeze. Covered strawberries were not severely damaged by the freeze. Harvest season was quick due to the heat. Many plantings looked rough after the harvest season. Regrowth in many fields suffered from drought and potato leafhopper damage. Raspberry floricanes were damaged by the freeze. The green tissue of actively growing buds was killed. The shoots of fall bearing raspberries that had emerged before the freeze were singed and damaged. Some varieties were severely affected by winter cold snap (i.e. Prelude). Blackberries were severely damaged by winter cold (early February) and the Easter freeze. Generally, there was good regrowth and fruit yields were good. |
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| 2 -- Southeast Bob Tritten Weather In looking over the 2007 growing season, it certainly has been one of extremes. Recall that we had a very mild winter, with the exception of a quick cold snap that might have done some injury to fruit buds in mid-January. The remainder of the winter was fairly mild. We had a very early start to the growing season, with adequate moisture supplies throughout the spring. One notable event in springtime was the Easter freeze. This was a prolonged cold period with rapidly following temperatures and times of snow and strong winds. Most of the flower buds for fruit crops were in tight cluster to 0.5 inch green stage. After that this long, cold event (up to 118 hours), it appeared that our fruit crops came through unscathed. However, many experienced fruit growers noted that flowers did not have good vigor and appeared to be weak bloom. As the start of the strawberry harvest began, our season was running about ten days ahead of normal. This resulted in one of the earliest starts to the strawberry season over the last 30 years. Sweet and tart cherry harvest also began in late June, which is very unusual. As we progressed through the summer and into the fall our season remained early, with most of our fruit crops beginning harvest about two weeks ahead of normal. While it is uncertain at this time whether or not we will have a record degree day totals for the year, it certainly is one that will be remembered by fruit growers as the long hot summer of 2007. The other major weather event of year was the prolonged drought, with the exception of Monroe and Lenawee counties. It started for most growers in late May or early June, and for many continued all the way into early August. Growers with irrigation systems irrigated more than many could remember. The weather over the last two weeks has been on the warm side, with a few days of fall weather. These cool nights have dramatically improved apple color. Most growers have received another 0.5 to 1.0 inch of rain in storms that have moved over the region. Our soil moisture suppliers are adequate at most farms, with a few being above adequate. The season is still running about two weeks ahead of normal in terms of harvest of fruit crops, and a bit over a week ahead of normal in terms of degree day totals.
Tree fruits Apple harvest is moving along very quickly this year. Gala, McIntosh, Honeycrisp and other early season varieties have been harvested, and growers are now working on Jonathan and Empire. Red Delicious harvest will begin fairly quickly. Most growers reporting that they are picking out light this year, most between a third to two-thirds of a crop. Fruit size has been small in most varieties this year, due to the prolonged summer drought. Major pest problems of the season have included fairly good population of codling moth and oriental fruit moth. The long growing season has had a possibility of a third generation codling moth, but it appears that it is not going to materialize this year. Also, due to the prolonged drought, we seem to have a higher than normal late season apple maggot emergence this year. The net result was that growers were applying insecticides to control these late season pests into early September. Other notable pests that growers are going to need to keep an eye on for next year include very high populations of wooly apple aphid and San Jose scale. At a few farms, spotted tentiform leafminer populations were high. European red mite numbers were high in many blocks this year. Most growers applied a miticide or two to bring populations down. Two-spotted spider mite populations were also high. Japanese beetle populations were very high this year at most fruit farms and was a “new pest” for many orchards this year. Sooty blotch and flyspeck are showing up in light amounts at many farms across the district. There has also been a fair amount of sunburned fruit showing up as it is nearing harvest. There was less apple scab at most orchards this season. While fireblight was a major problem in other parts of the state, it was a bit heavier than normal in southeast Michigan, but not quite the disaster as other places. One different aspect of fireblight control this year was that the disease seemed to linger much longer than normal, affecting fruit trees well into July and early August. Pears have been harvested across the region, including winter storage pears. With the exception of some pretty good populations of pear psylla early in the year, there have been no other major pest problems in pears this year. Peach harvest is now complete across the region. In 2007, it was the case of the have’s and the have nots for peach growers. For the peaches grown in the Romeo area, they had an excellent crop of peaches this year. For others across the southeast region, the crop was light to nonexistent this year. Some growers also saw a great deal of twig and branch death due to the sudden cold snap last winter. Pest populations that were troublesome this year in peaches included oriental fruit moth (an annual pest), two spotted spider mites, and Japanese beetles. Sweet and tart cherry leaf drop was extensive throughout the summer this year, primarily due to combinations of drought and bacterial spot infection. I hope that we don’t have a severe winter this year that may cause some limb death. Plum harvest is complete across the region. Most growers had a fair to moderate crop of plums this year, with an extensive amount of fruit drop close to harvest. Japanese beetle was a major pest this season for many plum growers. Small fruits Strawberries had a tough growing season due to the prolonged drought. Once we started to get precipitation in early- to mid- August, strawberries began to look much better. Overall, the only major pest problem in strawberries this year was high populations of two-spotted spider mites. Raspberry harvest is continuing for fall red raspberries. As with other crops mentioned thus far, both summer and fall raspberries began harvest about two weeks ahead of normal. Much of the summer crop of raspberries was lost due to winter damaged canes and extensive heat and drought at harvest. Major pest problems of the year included Japanese beetle and two-spotted spider mites at most farms across the region. As we mentioned earlier, Japanese beetle was new to many raspberry growers this season. The other unusual aspect of Japanese beetle this year was the population seemed to linger well into fall raspberries, much later than what they normally would have. Blueberry harvest has been complete for nearly three weeks at farms across the region. For the most part, we had a fairly good crop of blueberries, with some farms having an exceptional crop. I would say, however, that the drought had a tremendous impact on blueberries this year, as many farms had difficulty with fruit size throughout the summer. I think that if fruit size had been more toward the normal size, growers would be looking at a much different economic picture in blueberries this season. Grape harvest is nearly complete across the region, with the exception of some wine grapes. Japanese beetle presence was very high at most farms. |
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| 3 -- Grand Rapids Area Phil Schwallier Amy Irish-Brown Carol Garcia-Salazar 2007 weather summary This 2007 growing season has been another of the “summer weather that never quit.” It all started about two weeks ahead of normal in late March with some very unusual hot weather that started to push green tissue. Then the bottom fell out of the forecast and temperatures were colder than normal. All this led to an early start to the season which pushed fruit tree development, only to set it up for some very cold temperatures when trees were nearing bloom. There was a freeze even over the Easter weekend (April 8) that, by all rights, should have devastated many of the tree fruit crops, but only the earliest developing fruits seemed to be affected negatively. Sweet cherries were lighter than average, but still had about 50 percent of an overall crop. Peaches were variable in their crop depending on site and temperature, but overall, the crop was about 50 to 60 percent of average for the Grand Rapids area. The apple crop has come through the best, with about 90 to 95 percent of an average crop. There are some frost marks on apples, but the fruit is developing well. Extreme high temperatures in the 90’s in May and June really pushed degree accumulations ahead of normal for the entire growing season. Hot and dry are the two words that best describe the summer of 2007. Rainfall totals have been about six to eight inches below an average seasonal total in much of the tree fruit growing regions around the Grand Rapids area. Rainfall through the season has been quite variable; there are some areas that are much above average rainfall totals while just 30 miles away, there is a drought. The topic of drought was on everyone’s minds for much of the summer. The only difference between 2007 and the drought year of 1988 was that we had very adequate fall and winter precipitation recharge coming into 2007, whereas in 1988, there was not. Temperatures were much higher than normal for 2007. The Grand Rapids local weather persons are reporting 20 days with high temperatures at or over 90ºF. This is second only to 1988 which had 37 days above 90 degrees. Nighttime temperatures were very high as well, which has driven degree day accumulations far ahead of average. Some of those 90ºF degrees plus days came in May and June, which led to increased cell division in apples which should lead to the potential for large fruit. The dryness will most likely lead to an increase in physiological disorders in apples. We’ve seen fairly large flushes of premature leaf drop in apples and other tree fruits. Bitter pit is starting to be found as well. Sunshine had also been at a maximum on many days – we’ve had more that normal possible sunshine as well, which has led to some very high brix reading in fruits. Pests If there is one good thing about the dry weather pattern this season, it’s the fact that disease pressure has been relatively light. Apple scab spores discharged normally in 2007, but the rain events were never more than growers could keep up with. There were very few rain events that lasted for more than a day at a time and there were no difficulties in getting through orchards with equipment. Apple scab is present in some blocks of highly susceptible varieties, but amounts are light compared to most seasons. Fire blight was relatively light this season as well, despite the fact that there was some very warm weather during bloom that set us up for several blossom blight infections over a two-week period. With streptomycin-resistant fire blight strains throughout the Ridge, this weather pattern during bloom was a huge concern, but growers were on top of it and fire blight strikes are very low. There was some hail that was very devastating for the growers affected by it, but it was not widespread across the Ridge and did not cause severe outbreaks of fire blight. Summer diseases have been light this year with the dryer weather pattern. Diseases of stone fruits were light as well. Powdery mildew faired pretty well in the hot, dry weather. Codling moths have continued to be the pest to watch in apples the last couple of years. Many more growers moved to incorporating some mating disruption, new pesticides or virus into their codling moth control program. There were a number of blocks with codling moth numbers so low due to the continued use of mating disruption, that additional cover sprays were not necessary. There are still a few blocks out there with high numbers, but nowhere near the high pressure we saw just 3 or 4 years ago. Other pests have included European red mites, which seemed to bask in all the dry sunshine and cause considerable bronzing in some blocks. Aphids seemed to be non-stop for the first half of the growing season, but declined with the hotter than normal weather in July and August. Summary Many acres of tree fruits had a very nice crop - fruit size is excellent in spite of the dry weather. Apple color is a bit off due to the warmer than usual nighttime temperatures in August, but is improving with some cooler weather of late. High brix levels and excellent fruit firmness will help make the 2007 apple crop a great one. Overall yields will be near or slightly below average for many apple orchards and at about 50 percent of average for other tree fruits. So far the early harvested apple varieties have had great to excellent flavor. The warmer than usual weather has driven harvest ahead of normal for several tree fruits. Looking ahead for apple harvest, many growers are predicting they will be finished with harvest by October 20. |
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| 4 -- West Central Mira Danilovich Looking back on the season, it is obvious that most of the challenges we faced were weather related. We started the season off with some winter injury such as branch desiccation, dieback and some trees collapsing in the very young blocks with bales of mulch piled up around the base that never completely hardened off before the winter onset. The next key event was a hard Easter frost resulting in various degrees of crop reduction. Cherries have suffered the most, delivering only about 60 percent of the potential crop. Other crops came out of it quite good. After this major frost event, a few more times temperatures dipped down very close to the dangerous zone, but never crossed that line. All through the bloom time, the weather was very cooperative resulting in a very nice crop set. Then came the drought accentuating some underlying problems and creating the others. There was a lot of fruit and leaf drop. Fruit size was compromised particularly in peaches and some early apple varieties. Later apple varieties are looking good. With recent rains, size is hasn’t been a problem. It looks like a full crop. Severe drought conditions were responsible for mite flare-ups in all crops. The most dramatic symptoms were in tart cherries showing “firing” with individual branches and sometimes whole trees appearing burned-like and totally brown. Many of these trees with severe symptoms of mite damage may not survive the winter. Other pests were showing about the same pressure as in the past with the exception of codling moth that had been a bit more active. Diseases were relatively easier to deal with, fewer rainy days, fewer serious problems. Overall, apple scab has been controlled very well; cherry leaf spot was under control in majority of the block. The only disease that was on the rise this season was powdery mildew, though we did not have rain, we had quite a few days with high humidity favoring mildew development. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5 -- Northwest Nikki Rothwell Duke Elsner GDD Accumulations at the NWMHRS GDD42 3692 GDD50 2470 Weather Temperatures have cooled off drastically in the past two weeks after a very hot and dry summer in the north. This year, precipitation from April 1 to September 1 was 8.6 inches, which is considerably less than the 25 year average of 14 inches. Last year was also dry, but we received about three more inches of rain this season than 2006. The heaviest rainfall throughout the season was 1.31 inches at the NWMHRS on August 12. Growing degree days were also high this year, where we accumulated at total of 2470 GDD from January 1 to September 17. These GDD’s were similar to last year, which was the fourth highest GDD accumulation since 1990. Crop report The cherry crop in northwest Michigan had terrific quality. Cherries were firm, and grades were high for most blocks in the region. We had no cracking rains that affected sweet cherries, and crop yields were up slightly from 2006. Tart cherry crops picked out less than anticipated based on the USDA estimate; production was only 81.8 percent of the estimated crop. The USDA estimated the overall tart cherry crop in the United States would be about 293 million pounds, and the actual crop came in around 248 million pounds. Northwest Michigan was estimated to have about 160 million pounds, and our total crop ended up at 134 million pounds. Although the apple harvest is just beginning full swing here in the north, the crop looks good, and growers are pleased with the quality. Some blocks have small apples due to lack of rain, especially where successful thinning was an issue. However, most apples have larger size than expected with such low rainfall. With these cool September nights, apples are coloring up nicely in the region. Peaches also looked good in the region, but many growers reported small size, again due to lack of rain. Brix levels in peaches were particularly high as a result of their size and minimal rainfall. Strawberry harvest was short this year because of the hot and dry weather in June. Pest report Overall, disease pressure was low in the region due to lack of rain. In cherry, we had little cherry leaf spot or brown rot pressure. Most trees are heading into fall with minimal defoliation, which is good news considering the stress trees are under due to drought. Powdery mildew was observed in some tart cherry blocks, but surprisingly less than anticipated. Insect pressure in cherry was also low this season. Both plum curculio and cherry fruit fly numbers were manageable this year; the numbers were even low in organic blocks in the region. We saw Japanese beetle feeding in sweet cherry for the first time in the north. Two spotted spider mites were abundant in most cherry blocks due to the hot, dry season, and more miticides were applied in cherry this season than many extension agents can ever remember. ‘Firing’ was observed in many blocks throughout the region. Obliquebanded leafrollers seem to be cropping up more regularly in cherry in the past few years. We observed much ethephon damage this season due to drought conditions in many sweet and some tart cherry blocks. This damage occurred when ethephon was applied during hot and dry weather conditions during 2006 and in many blocks in 2005. This year served up similar conditions, and many growers witnessed ethephon damage again this season. Trees under stress, particularly drought stress, become more susceptible to ethephon damage. Damaged trees exhibited excessive gumming, and branches lost their leaves. Apple disease pressure was also low this season. We had very few reports of apple scab and powdery mildew was not an issue in apples. Codling moth pressure was low, which was a welcome break from the codling moth battles of 2006. Obliquebanded leafrollers were present in many blocks in the region, but few growers had control concerns. Mites were high in apples as anticipated with the hot, dry conditions. Grape report Winter low temperatures were moderate, causing very little bud mortality. Many vineyards received dormant sprays for powdery mildew. Adequate soil moisture levels and a warm spring resulted in rapid shoot growth and canopy development. Early season pests, such as climbing cutworms and flea beetles, were not a significant problem. Bloom and fruit set were excellent in most areas, although there were some Riesling blocks with a lot of “pygmy” berries that did not drop from the clusters. Mid-season weather was very dry. Potato leafhopper was the primary problem in most vineyards; rose chafer populations were relatively low this year. Japanese beetle adults were found in significant numbers in a few vineyards. Powdery mildew and downy mildew appeared by mid-season in a small number of vineyards, despite the dry conditions. Late summer rains allowed for high levels of foliar powdery mildew to develop, but fruit infections were not severe in most vineyards. Grape berry moth larvae were found infesting fruit at serious levels in numerous vineyards, even though pheromone trap counts for this pest were very low at these sites. As of September 18, many cultivars were approaching 20 brix, and except where grape berry moth was a problem, fruit condition remained quite good. |
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| Weather news Jeff Andresen An upper air troughing feature across the western United States will lead to southwesterly flow across the Great Lakes region during the next several days, leading to above normal temperatures and to the passage of at least two frontal boundaries through Michigan. A cool front and a band of showers and thunderstorms will move from northwest to southeast across the state Wednesday, September 20, before stalling out across the Ohio Valley region late Wednesday. That front will quickly return northward through Michigan as a warm front on Thursday only to be followed by another cool frontal passage and the chance for more showers and thunderstorms Friday during the day and into the evening. Because moisture is generally lacking with these frontal boundaries, only scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected, with best chances for rainfall across extreme northern sections of the state. Most areas of the state will remain dry. Precipitation that does fall will generally remain in the 0.10-0.25 inch category where rain occurs. High temperatures will range from the low 70's north to the mid-80's south Wednesday, drop back to the 70's statewide on Thursday, and then increase to the upper 70's north to upper 80's south on Friday along with strong, gusty southwest winds (ahead of the cool front). Low temperatures will generally range from the upper 40's north to upper 50's south on Thursday, warming slightly to the 50's to low 60's Friday and Saturday. Fair and warmer than normal weather is likely for the upcoming weekend and into early next week. Further ahead, latest medium range forecast guidance suggests a general continuation of upper air troughing across the western United States with southwesterly flow across the Midwest. As a result, both 6-10 day and 8-14 day outlooks, covering September 23-27 and September 25 through October 3, call for above normal temperatures state- and region-wide, and for precipitation totals to range from near normal levels over southeastern sections of the state to above normal levels elsewhere. Forecaster confidence in these outlooks is considered higher than normal for the season (especially the warmer than normal temperatures). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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