Monilinia
Blight Infection Risk for most of Cumberland and Colchester fields
This GDD summary is from May 6, 2024 (Figure 1). At
this point, most crop fields in Cumberland and Colchester are at risk for
Monilinia Blight infection, except for higher ground and cooler areas. Crop fields
in Dean and Musquodoboit areas are also susceptible to blight and a fungicide application
should be considered according to the latest weather conditions. If your area
and fields are above 40-50% F2, fungicide application should be conducted
before a wet period (Table 1). According to the weather forecast, from
Wednesday evening to Friday morning, it will be wet across the province (Figure
2) and will bring several infection periods.
It is still a little early for fields in Guysborough,
Antigonish, Pictou, and Cape Breton to spray the Monilinia Blight fungicide at
this time.
Here is a summary of the most up-to-date GDD from 17 weather
stations in wild blueberry fields.
Figure 1. GDD Summary, May 6, 2024
Figure 2. NS Weather Forecast (CBC). A wet period starting
Wednesday evening until Friday morning.
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 |
|
|
|
|
South West Nova Scotia |
|
|
Queens County |
>40%- April 24 |
|
|
|
|
Hants County |
>40%- April 29 |
|
|
|
|
Cumberland County |
|
|
West Advocate |
>40%- April 29 |
|
Kikhill |
>40%- April 29 |
|
Halfway River |
>40%- April 29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colchester County |
|
|
Belmont |
>40%- May 8 |
|
Murray Siding |
45% F2- May 2 |
|
Camden |
31% F2- May 8 |
|
|
|
|
Halifax Regional Municipality |
>40%- May 8 |
|
|
|
|
Guysborough County |
20% F2- May 8 |
|
|
|
|
Pictou and Antigonish County |
20-25% F2-
May 8 |
|
|
|
|
Cape Breton |
10% F2- May 8 |
Sprout fields pre-emergence herbicide applications
Growers should finish sprout fields’ herbicide application as soon as possible. Plant emergences were observed in sprout fields (Figure 3).
Figure
3. Wild Blueberry Plant Emergence in Sprout Fields (Colchester)