April 12, 2013
The Monilinia Blight line is brought to you by the Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia and Perennia, along with Delbridge Disease Management.
I just want to remind everyone about Monilinia blight and the importance of timing controls with Fruit bud stage and infection periods. Fruit buds aren't able to be infected until they reach the F2 stage and when there is a wet period long enough to allow for an infection period. Refer to this factsheet to as a resource http://nsac.ca/wildblue/facts/disease/monilini.asp
It has been a cold and damp spring so far and plant development is well behind last year. Many fields still have snow patches in them and field access might still be a concern in some higher altitude fields.
That being said we need to start looking at fruit buds, particularly in early fields to see where plant development is at.
I received a report from three sites in Queens and Annapolis counties and they are still reporting 0 - F2s. However, the buds appear to be swelling and the grower is anticipating he will be reporting some F2 starting early next week.
No other areas in the province are reporting yet.
The next blightline update will be Tuesday, April 16th in the late afternoon.
