Topsin M Section 18 request for blueberries denied by EPA
Annemiek Schilder
Plant Pathology

May 15, 2008 -- After seven years of granting emergency exemptions for the use of the fungicide Topsin M (thiophanate methyl) as a replacement for Benlate (benomyl) in blueberries in Michigan, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not granted our emergency exemption request for the 2008 season. Read more.

Plum curculio phenology and monitoring
Mark Whalon, Renee Pereault, and David Epstein, Entomology

May 13, 2008 -- Plum curculio over-winter as adults in the soil, litter and ground cover trash in orchards and in surrounding areas. As soon as daytime and evening temperatures exceed 60ºF,  Plum curculio will begin to move especially when a light, misty rain or humid night co-occurs with early spring warming trends. Read more.

Applying Apogee
Phil Schwallier, Clarksville Hort. Res. Station Coordinator

May 13, 2008 -- There are four points that should be considered when applying Apogee to apples: timing, rate per acre, thinning relationships and compatibility. Read more.


CIAB referendum approved
Nikki Rothwell, MSUE District extension coordinator

May 13, 2008 -- We received late last week word from the USDA that the referendum for the Cherry Industry Administration Board (CIAB) was approved overwhelmingly by the growers and handlers voting in the referendum. Read more.

Disease control after spring freeze injury in grapes: Keep on top of Phomopsis
Annemiek Schilder, Plant Pathology

May 13, 2008 -- Since the extent of injury due to the recent spring freeze is quite variable between vineyard sites, it is important to get an estimate of the number of live buds left before making any drastic decisions with respect to disease management. Read more.

Mummy berry shoot strikes sighted in blueberries
Timothy Miles and Annemiek Schilder, Plant Pathology

May 13, 2008 -- Last week mummy berry shoot strikes, a result of ascospore infection of emerging leaves, were seen for the first time this season in four blueberry fields that are scouted as part of an IPM project (though there were some reports of shoot strike sightings at the end of the previous week). Read more.

Civil rights in employment decisions
Vera Bitsch, Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics

May 13, 2008 -- While many federal laws protecting equal employment opportunity exempt small businesses, Michigan laws do not. Michigan laws protect religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status and disability. Read more.