Woolly apple aphids seems to be an increasing problem with a growing number of fruit growers. One of the difficulties with this pest is that it has both an aboveground form that feeds like most other aphids and a subterranean form that feeds on the roots. Both need to be controlled. After consulting with a…Read more about Woolly Apple Aphid[Read More]
One of the first and most important parts of a good insect and mite management program is the application of an early season oil spray to control European red mites, San Jose scale, and several species of aphids. Scales overwinter on the tree as nymphs and European red mites and aphids overwinter as eggs. Because…Read more about Oil Sprays[Read More]
One way insects communicate with individuals of the same species is with pheromones. Pheromones are volatile chemicals released by an insect that usually can be detected only by individuals of the same species. There are a number of different types of pheromones, but the most common type is the sex pheromone. Usually the females will…Read more about Pheromones and Pheromone Traps[Read More]
So far it has been a cool spring, that in the northern half of the state has helped hold back bud development. As we can see from Figure 1, in Lafayette we have only accumulated 25 growing Degree Days (GDD), and most of these were the result of two warm days (54 and 63 F)…Read more about Spring Temperatures[Read More]
Of course, we all hope for a late spring to help avoid the risk of damage from late spring frosts. But when the temperature warms up then turns cold again, it leaves us in a real bind. The warm temperatures push tree development, then we want the warmer conditions for good pollinating weather. When we…Read more about Increasing Apple Fruit Set in Cold Springs[Read More]
A new Monsanto-backed company is on the verge of producing the first fruit made with a blockbuster gene-editing tool that could revolutionize agriculture In a move aimed at securing its future, Monsanto has invested $125 million in a gene-editing startup called Pairwise. The alliance could tee up Monsanto, long known for its controversial dealings with…Read more about The First Fruit Made with a Blockbuster Gene-editing Tool[Read More]
The New York Times reports China has proposed countermeasures to a proposed $60 billion in tariffs from the U.S. on Chinese-made products. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce issued the threat in an online statement. American goods including nuts, wine, and fresh fruit would be subject to 15% tariffs. The Times reports these proposed tariffs in…Read more about China Proposes 15% Tariff on Fresh Fruit, Wine[Read More]
Check list: ~Indiana Disease management program for apples for 2018 is available at: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-201-W.pdf This information is identical to the Midwest fruit pest management guide, but provided in a table format and includes Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) Codes, REI, PHI and efficacy information for each product (Fig. 1). ~Reducing overwintering inoculum for apple scab:…Read more about Forewarned is Forearmed[Read More]
Calculate the 77 days to harvest date for each of your cultivars and make the final application of EBDC fungicide (Dithane M-45, Manzate 200, Penncozeb, Polyram, Roper) on that date to take full advantage of the excellent control these fungicides provide for bitter rot, black rot, and white rot, in addition to sooty blotch and…Read more about EBDC Timing for Bitter and Summer Rot Control[Read More]
If you had problems with fire blight last year, this is for you: The best preventative measures for fire blight are the application of streptomycin at bloom to prevent blossom blight and the application Apogee at petal fall to reduce shoot blight. Yes, Apogee is expensive. It is worth every single penny. Apply streptomycin just…Read more about Fire Blight[Read More]
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