I visited fields in
Pictou this week and there are some updates to share with growers in the area.
I also want to share some
thoughts to help you to plan your weekend (May 13-14) and early next week.
Have a great weekend all!
Growing Degree
Days (GDD) Summary and Plant Development Updates
Figure
1. GDD Summary, May 11, 2023
Crop fields- monilinia blight:
Most areas in mainland Nova Scotia are now well above
the 40% F2 stage of plant development which makes them susceptible to
infection. A couple of sites we monitor in the Cumberland area are around 80-90%
F2 in a tight cluster stage (Figure 2). Watch and monitor your weather
forecasts closely. It is looking like we will get some showers this weekend. This
weekend and next week, the infection risk for monilinia will be high if we get
wet periods since the crop is in the susceptible stages and temperatures are
high. Higher temperatures require less duration of wetness to bring a high risk
of infection.
We will be in a better position to know if we are in a
high infection year after next week.
Cape Breton and other traditional late fields: I think
after next week, growers should start watching for their local weather.
Please note, an application should give protection to
plants for about 7-10 days. If you already apply 1st spray, please check
your record and note your own protection windows. A lot of people applied last
weekend and those fields technically should consider 2nd spray.
We also recommend growers apply fungicides before a forecasted
rain or soon after the rain stops and your fields are dry. Ideally, within 48
hours.
Figure
2. Wild blueberry tight cluster stage
Sprout fields- pre-emergence herbicide application:
Some late fields in Antigonish and fields in Cape
Breton still have a few days of window to put their pre-emergence herbicides in
sprout fields, but I would try to get it done before your crop fields reach the
infection stage of monilinia.
Other fields: it is very dangerous for growers to put
Chikara and Ignite in sprout fields now. For other herbicides, I still think it
is too late but please check your own fields before application.
Wild Blueberry Floral
Bud F2 Stage
Table 1. Percentage of Wild Blueberry Floral Bud F2
stage
light
green (0-20% F2), dark green (20-30% F2), yellow (30-40% F2) and red
(40-100% F2)
|
Wild blueberry production regions, NS |
The average percentage of floral buds at
F2 |
|
|
|
|
Cape
Breton |
20%
F2- May 12 |
|
|
|
|
Antigonish
County |
30%
F2- May 12 |
|
|
|
|
Pictou
County |
>40% F2, watch the weather
forecast and prepare for spraying |
|
|
|
|
Guysborough
County |
>40% F2, watch the weather
forecast and prepare for spraying |
|
|
|
|
HRM
(Dean, Musquodoboit…) |
>40% F2, watch the weather
forecast and prepare for spraying |
|
|
|
|
Colchester County |
>40% F2, watch the weather
forecast and prepare for spraying |
|
|
|
|
Cumberland County |
>40% F2, watch the weather
forecast and prepare for spraying |
|
|
|
|
Hants County |
>40% F2, watch the weather
forecast and prepare for spraying |
|
|
|
|
South West Nova Scotia |
>40% F2, watch the weather
forecast and prepare for spraying |