1st Monilinia Blight Update for 2019

Surprisingly, it has been a warmer April than last year.  From a heat unit accumulation standpoint, we are 5-6 days ahead of last year.  This should mean we are ahead with fruit bud and plant development.  However, frost in the ground and cooler soil temperatures has led to slower plant development.  Also we are seeing a lot of winter injury which is slowing the plant as well.

The picture below was taken in a random sample of stems.  All the buds on this stem are dried and dead.

I looked at several fields in the Debert, Great Village, Scrabble Hill area.

The Scrabble Hill field had the highest percentage of fruit buds in the F2 stage. 

That field was at 3% F2.

However, It is difficult to determine how many of the fruit buds are still viable with the winter injury we are seeing.  As buds begin to swell over the next week, it will be easier to see if there is any damage.

Growers should be looking at their fields soon to see how fruit buds are developing.

I will be giving the next update late in the day on Tuesday April 30th.