Northern Michigan FruitNet 2009
Weekly Update
NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station
| Nikki Rothwell District Horticulturist |
Erin Lizotte District Fruit IPM/IFP Agent |
Bill Klein Farm Mgr, NWMHRS |
| Duke Elsner Agricultural & Regional Viticulture Agent |
August 4, 2009
GROWING DEGREE DAY ACCUMULATIONS AS OF August 3rd AT THE NWMHRS
Year |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
19yr. Avg. |
GDD42 |
1987 |
2179 |
2533 |
2554 |
2579 |
2027 |
2269.4 |
GDD50 |
1180 | 1379 | 1665 | 1670 | 1731 | 1220 | 1453.9 |
Growth Stages at NWMHRS (8/3- 4:00 p.m.)
Apple: McIntosh – 54 mm fruit
Yellow Delicious – 56 mm fruit
Gala – 46 mm fruit
Red Delicious – 46 mm fruit
Pear: Bartlett: 36 mm fruit
Sweet Cherry: Hedelfingen: Harvested
Napoleon: Harvested
Gold: Harvested
Tart Cherry: Harvested
Balaton: Nearing harvest
Apricot: Harvested
Plum: 29 mm fruit
Grapes: Buck shot berries
Weather Report
A bit of a broken record here in the north: cool and wet. The past week was more of the same type of weather we have seen all season. Thus far, we have accumulated 1958 GDD base 42 and 1168 GDD base 50. We also received significant rainfall around the region on Monday, anywhere from 0.5” to almost an inch. The most northern areas have remained wet for a considerable period; for example, the Northport station recorded small amounts of rain for seven days.
Crop Report
All fruit continue to size, and apples are showing a bit of color. Apricots harvest is just beginning and some growers have picked some very early varieties of peaches. Tart cherry harvest is still in full swing, and variability in ripeness continues to be an issue. Trees with heavy crop loads have lots of immature fruits compared to trees with lighter loads. Additionally, fruit on the inside of trees is still pinkish in color while the outer cherries are plump and fully red. Many growers are waiting for more uniform ripeness before harvesting.
Pest Report
Apple: The big news in apples this week is apple maggot (AM). We caught our first three apple maggots at the Research Station and have received reports from crop consultants of AM activity with some orchards having high pressure. Spotted tentiform leafminer emergence continues in high numbers for the third week in a row. Codling moth numbers are low with an average of one moth/trap this week. Obliquebanded leafroller (OBLR) continue to emerge with an average of 8 per trap in apple sites this week. Susceptible apple varieties are showing apple scab lesions with fruit scab in some area blocks.
If you are seeing scab in your orchards and are concerned about fungicide efficacy, we are testing a limited number of orchards this year. To collect a sample, gather 50 leaves, with actively growing (chocolate brown and fuzzy) lesions, in a paper bag and store in a cool place. You may drop them off in a well marked bag at the Research Station. Please include your name and phone number, apple variety, and closest crossroads to the orchard. Samples will be accepted and evaluated this fall/winter. For more information, contact Erin at 231-946-1510.
Cherry: Obliquebanded leafroller numbers rebounded slightly this week in tart cherry blocks at the Station where we have caught an average of 17 moths per trap. Lesser peachtree borer numbers are down this week with an average of 4 per trap. Greater peachtree borer continue to emerge steadily with an average of 20 moths/trap. American plum borer numbers rebounded this week with an average of 14 moths per trap. In one block, we caught hundreds of cherry fruit fly this week, and we also recorded a significant number of black cherry fruit fly. For more information on cherry fruit fly, see the article below. Much of the region’s weather stations reported a low cherry leaf spot infection potential with the ongoing wetting event in recent days. Cherry leaf spot symptoms are becoming visible.
Winegrapes: Grapes continue to grow, and many regional vineyards are at berry touch. Leafhopper pressure is variable around the region, and we have little evidence of powdery mildew. Based on a biofix of wild grape bloom on June 19th, the model is forecasting the start of second generation egg-laying next week.
Don’t forget the First Friday Winegrape meeting this week at 2 Lads on Old Mission. The focus of the session will be defining sustainability in our region and will be led by Paul Jenkins, MSU Small Fruit Coordinator. Steve Van Timmeren will also be on hand to update us all on grape berry moth activity in the area. Pesticide recertification credits will be available and there is no cost for this program. Following the educational session, Parallel 45 Vines and Wines will provide bread and cheese to accompany the wines that attendees traditionally bring to share. We hope to see you there!
LATE HARVEST AND CHERRY FRUIT FLY
N.L. Rothwell, District Horticulturist
Cool temperatures and slow ripening fruit have caused delays in tart cherry harvest around the region. We want to remind growers that are waiting for cherries to ripen, which in many cases is taking longer than anticipated, to keep covered for cherry fruit fly (CFF). In recent years, we have documented that the majority of CFF egg-laying occurs post-harvest, which is less of an issue in a ‘normal year’ when most fruit is off the tree by the time CFF oviposition peaks. Females will likely deposit their eggs at a similar time this year, but as temperatures have been cool, we will be harvesting later than usual and the crop will still be hanging and are susceptible to CFF. This situation could be risky as much of the fruit will still be on the tree while CFF are at peak egg-laying. In addition, some of the newer materials have a shorter life span in the field. For example, an insecticide tank-mixed with the ethephon application may not provide adequate residue if cherries are not harvested until 10-14 days post-spray. We have also had a tremendous amount of rain, and depending on the time of insecticide application, even less residue may be present on the fruit. Growers should be diligent about CFF control as many factors may present an issue at harvest time.
LAST WINE GRAPE IPM UPDATE
Paul Jenkins, Small Fruit Education Coordinator, MSU
We will be talking about the issue of sustainability for Michigan wine grape growers and wineries at our next Grape IPM meeting:
Date: August 7th
Time: 3:00-5:00PM
Host/Location: 2 Lads Winery (OMP)
In preparation for this meeting, I have compiled a list (see below) of things to think about. I would like to have a round-table discussion about what sustainability means to you and how MSU programs can help the industry achieve these goals.
1. The term ‘sustainability’ means different things to different people. If we are going to attempt to move our industry toward more sustainable production practices (either in the vineyard or winery), then what does sustainability mean to you?
2. What role can MSU play, in terms of research and programs, to help the industry meet their goals toward sustainability?
3. As the industry becomes more sustainable, what potential pitfalls might be encountered? What are some potential solutions to these problems or how could we possibly avoid these pitfalls?
4. The Grape*A*Syst program, which was launched last April, was largely an effort to help meet the needs of the Michigan juice grape industry. It has been suggested that we use this program as a launching pad for a guide to sustainability in wine grape production and wineries. As part of the wine industry, are you interested in pursuing a project like this? What do you feel are the benefits of having a program specific to the wine industry?
5. What are your thoughts on a third party sustainability certification program for Michigan wine grape growers? Please think of this in the context of the Lodi Rules program in California. Do you see a marketing benefit for sustainability, either as a grower selling fruit to a winery or as a winery selling wine to the public?
Hope to see you at the meeting!
Insect and disease predictive information is available at:
http://www.enviroweather.msu.edu/home.asp
http://www.agweather.geo.msu.edu/agwx/forecasts/fcst.asp?fileid=fous46ktvc
http://www.cherries.msu.edu/
Fruit CAT Alert Reports
http://www.ipmnews.msu.edu/fruit/
This issue and past issues of the weekly FruitNet report are posted on our website at: http://www.maes.msu.edu/nwmihort/faxnet.htm
ACTUAL
AND PREDICTED DEGREE-DAY
ACCUMULATIONS
SINCE MARCH 1, 2009
Please send any comments or suggestions regarding this site
to:
Bill Klein, kleinw@msu.edu
Last Revised: 8-4-09
