8th Blight Update for May 7th, 2013

NOTE: THE UPDATE FOR LAST FRIDAY WAS NOT UPLOADED TO THE SITE UNTIL TODAY.  THE FOLLOWING UPDATE IS FOR MAY 7TH AND BEYOND.  MY APOLOGIES FOR ANY CONFUSION.

The Wild Blueberry Blight-line is brought to you by WBPANS, Perennia and Delbridge Disease Management.

The 8^th update for Friday May 7th is as follows:

We are in the heart of the Monilinia Blight season in Central Nova Scotia.  Most sites are reporting floral bud numbers at or beyond the 40% F2 stage.  We have also seen mature cups at many monitoring stations. 

Remember, a floral bud needs to be in the F2 stage or beyond in order to be infected by the monilinia spore.  Floral buds also need to be in the F2 stage or beyond in order to be protected with a fungicide application.  In order for an infection to occur you also need a significant wet period and the presence of apothecial cups. 

Refer to the Monilinia factsheet for more details.

The weather forecast is calling for a wet period, Thursday and Friday of this week.  It is believed that apothecial cups are still viable in most fields.  If your fields are beyond the 40% F2 stage an application should be strongly considered.  You could apply before the infection period if the field was in a high percentage F2 or up to 72 hours after the infection period if you are using (Topas, Jade or Mission)  

The fruit bud numbers for this week are:

Western end of Province is near or at 100% F2 and beyond. (There are some cups drying up, but there is still an infection risk)

Glenmore – 80% F2 (Mature cup)

Dean - 31 and 38 % F2 - 2 fields (2 pins)

Upper Rawdon (United Church) – 58% F2 (1 pin)

Upper Rawdon (Rt. 354) – 66% F2 (1 mature cup)

Swallow Rd. (Wentworth) – 100% F2 (multiple mature cups)

Lower Tatamagouche – 100% F2

South Hampton – 40% F2

Woods Mt. – 42% F2 (1 mature cup)

Windham Hill –63% F2

Fox Point – 36% F2

Diligent River – 36% F2

Glasgow Mt. - 37% F2

Airport (Parrsboro) – 38% F2

Westchester – 80% F2 (2 mature)

Webb Field (Great Village) – 40% F2

Collingwood - 76% F2

Debert – 40% F2 (2 mature cups)

Tower field (Mt. Thom) – 51% F2 (5 mature, 3 nearly mature)

Bridgeville (Pictou County) – 52% F2 (1 pin)

Blue Mt. (Pictou County) – 37% F2 (late field)

Moose River (Pictou County) – 50% F2

Farmington (Austin) – 44% F2

Farmington (Mosher) – 71% F2

Pigeon hill (3 sites) - Lloy (74%), McCormick (20%), Ripley (42%)

Earltown – 26% F2 (1 pin)

Guysborough County (Glencoe) – 5% F2

I am receiving reports of early sprout fields starting to pop through the ground.  We are rapidly accumulating heat units and soil temperatures are rising.  Keep this in mind when planning your herbicide applications. 

The Next update will be Friday May 10^th, in the late afternoon.