Healthy Fruit, Vol. 28, No. 18, August 4, 2020

Prepared by the University of Massachusetts Amherst Extension Fruit Team

Contents

Upcoming pest events

Upcoming meetings

The way I see it

Insects

Diseases

Horticulture

Small Fruit Update

Guest article

Facebook Me

Useful links

Thank you sponsors...

Upcoming pest events

Adapted from Scaffolds Fruit Journal

Note: at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown, MA we are at 2,471 DD’s Base 43 BE from January 1.

Announcements and Upcoming meetings

Statewide Harvest PGR and Storage Webinar on August 4th

The Cornell ENYCHP and LOFP are co-hosting a Harvest Plant Growth Regulator and Storage Webinar on Tuesday August 4th from 4-5:30PM. This meeting is proudly sponsored by AgroFresh and Valent USA, and we thank them for their support!

Speakers will include Dr. Terence Robinson and Dr. Christopher Watkins, and will also include presentations by representatives of AgroFresh and Valent USA. A detailed agenda will follow within the next few days. This program is free to attend, but we ask that you please register ahead at the following link: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-XpFJTgdSim3LS8qTX-mKw

Apple Harvest Management Call. Sponsored by Valent U.S.A. Wednesday, August 5 at 12 PM. Dial 213-336-0340 Conference ID 958 259 588# or shorturl.at/kDPV5

Public Hearing on Produce Safety & Market Access Regulations.

The MA Dept. of Ag (MDAR) will hold a virtual public hearing on Thursday August 6th at 5:30pm on proposed draft regulations at 330 CMR 34.00. 330 CMR 34.00 establishes statewide minimum standards relating to the sanitary and safe growing, harvesting, labeling, packing, and storing of fresh fruits and vegetables in the Commonwealth. The draft regulations are consistent with those established by the Federal Food and Drug Administration pursuant to 21 C.F.R. § 112 and adopted in Massachusetts, in its entirety, through M.G.L. c. 128, § 124.

Testimony may be presented orally at the virtual hearing or in writing. Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 P.M. on Friday, August 21, 2020. Written testimony must be submitted by e-mail to michael.botelho@mass.gov or by mail to Michael Botelho, 30 Riverside Drive, Suite 202, Lakeville, MA 02342.

The proposed regulation is available on the MDAR website at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/mdar-proposed-amendments-to-regulations, or may be obtained by calling Michael Botelho at 617-626-1711. For special accommodations for this event or to obtain this information in an alternative format, you may contact ADA coordinator, Donald Gomes, at 617-626-1608.

For background information on the MA Produce Safety Program and a summary of the draft regulation visit the MA Farm Bureau Federation site here: https://mfbf.net/news/produce-safety-market-access-regulations-summary-and-notice-of-public-hearing/.

One public hearing will be held on the following date: Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 5:30 P.M

Please note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this hearing will be held virtually via Zoom. To join the hearing, please use either the link or the call-in telephone number below:

Topic: Produce Safety Market Access Regulations Public Hearing

Time: Aug 6, 2020 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85929614155?pwd=WHhXSXdIVWRTMmlWNGpVTVpQa3FNZz09

Meeting ID: 859 2961 4155

Password: 0FTrzC

One tap mobile

+16465588656,,85929614155#,,,,0#,,472594# US (New York)

+13017158592,,85929614155#,,,,0#,,472594# US (Germantown)

+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 859 2961 4155

Password: 472594

UMass Extension Fruit Team YouTube Channel. Don’t forget, you can catch up on all the season’s highlights (and maybe a few hijinks) by checking out the UMass Extension Fruit Team’s YouTube channel!

The way I see it…

Jon Clements

Other than anecdotes of peach harvest seeming to be a bit early -- not too surprising given all the hot weather we have, July was way above average in temperature -- I don’t have much to say. EXCEPT, note the three meetings this week above under Announcements and Upcoming Meetings. Yes, I am sick of virtual meetings too, but with apple harvest approaching, these should be of interest.

• First, today, at 4PM (sorry for the late notice, but I assume it will be recorded for later viewing on the CCE Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture YouTube page) Cornell Extension is hosting a Harvest Plant Growth Regulator and Storage Webinar. For more information and to register: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-XpFJTgdSim3LS8qTX-mKw. I will be there.
• Second, tomorrow at noon Valent USA is having an Apple Harvest Management Call. I joined the call last week and it was very good and informative. Not sure exactly what they are talking about in regards to using ReTain for harvest management, but again I will be there. Call-in 213-336-0340 Conference ID 958 259 588# or attend by computer (recommended) shorturl.at/kDPV5 I will be there. Check out this short video I gleaned from last week’s meeting!!! https://youtu.be/eJ0L4k7_LL8. Or click on image/video link below (maybe)…:-)
• Third, and I think this is more of a formality about existing food safety/FSMA regulations, but MDAR is hosting a Public Hearing on Produce Safety & Market Access Regulations. MFBF has a nice little summary of what is going on here https://mfbf.net/news/produce-safety-market-access-regulations-summary-and-notice-of-public-hearing/ My understanding is the Federal FSMA has set the bar on food safety practices, and states (Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources) are responsible for education about food safety, doing food safety inspections, and when necessary suggesting actions to bring a farm into compliance with FSMA (if they are not). This draft (proposed) regulations at 330 CMR 34.00. 330 CMR 34.00 establishes statewide minimum standards relating to the sanitary and safe growing, harvesting, labeling, packing, and storing of fresh fruits and vegetables in the Commonwealth. The draft regulations are consistent with those established by the Federal Food and Drug Administration pursuant to 21 C.F.R. § 112 and adopted in Massachusetts, in its entirety, through M.G.L. c. 128, § 124. MDAR is thus formalizing with state law their mandate to make sure everyone (you know who you are probably)  is following food safety standards as set by Federal FSMA. I encourage you to at least skim the proposed regulations (https://www.mass.gov/service-details/mdar-proposed-amendments-to-regulations) , and let MDAR know through the public hearing process any concerns you might have. I will be there.

Next time I talk to you (August 18) I suspect we will be picking early fall apples. Stay cool for now…

https://youtu.be/eJ0L4k7_LL8

Insects

Jaime Piñero

Weekly report of insect pest captures in monitoring traps at CSO (Belchertown, MA)

Period: 7.28 - 8.3

Apple maggot fly. Captures in unbaited sticky spheres in one unsprayed section of the UMass Cold Spring Orchard have decreased for the last two weeks (average of 1.5/trap on 7.27; average of 1 per trap on 8.3).

Research update. You may know about the study we are conducting in MA (7), NH (3), and ME (1) orchards. The goal of this study is to assess the level of AMF control achieved using an attract-and-kill (A&K) strategy involving use of synthetic lures deployed in perimeter-row trees in combination with insecticide sprays with 3% sugar added to the tank mix. Below I am presenting the results by week. The high number of AMF captured in perimeter-row sticky spheres in A&K blocks is expected due to the presence of lures. As shown below, the average number of AMF in unbaited interior monitoring spheres is very low, an indication that in general terms, the AMF lures and the sugar sprayed with insecticide to the perimeter are keeping flies away from the interior of the blocks

Codling moth. In the four monitored orchards in MA, CM populations are very low, but this may not be indicative of low CM populations elsewhere. According to Peter Jentsch (Cornell Hudson Valley Research Laboratory), in the lower and mid-Hudson Valley the 2nd generation flight began on 13th July with early larval emergence requiring management on 19th July. If you are experiencing high CM counts in traps, please let me know.

Oriental fruit moth. There has been no change in population densities of OFM since the last report, 2 weeks ago, when I reported that “captures in the four monitored orchards have remained low since mid-June, possibly reflecting good control of the first generation moths”.

Obliquebanded leafrollers. Adult OBLR populations subsided in the four monitored orchards in mid-June. Because this generation takes almost two months to complete development, then the adult flight of the second generation is expected to occur in about two weeks. The larvae produced will hatch in August and September. The second-generation larvae, which develop in late summer and fall, feed primarily on leaves although they may occasionally damage fruit.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. At the UMass Cold Spring Orchard, captures of BMSB adults in pheromone-baited clear sticky traps are low but consistent. Traps have captured a total of 10 BMSB for the last 4 weeks, and only in one week there were no BMSB trapped.

Spotted wing Drosophila. The chart below shows seasonal captures using diluted grape juice-baited traps. SWD populations continue to increase, although numbers are not excessively high - at this moment.

Diseases

Liz Garofalo and Dan Cooley

In spite of the fact that we have the remnants of a hurricane bearing down on us, 100% of the entire state of Massachusetts is now experiencing “abnormally dry” conditions, according to the National Drought Monitor. And while it doesn’t seem possible more than 55% of the state is experiencing “moderate” drought conditions.

To give you a sense of what water deficits look like across the state; Greenfield and Northbridge, both listed as “abnormally dry” are down 3.5 inches from the average yearly precipitation accumulation.  

This puts us in a weird place when it comes to crop management. We are still short of water, and irrigation may be necessary in many circumstances. Meanwhile the rains and humidity (I’m going to upgrade us from “swampy” to “soupy”, split pea anyone?) continue to provide us with optimum conditions for disease development.

Peach harvest is in full swing, which means, with this stormy weather, there is plenty of brown rot potential! Infections first show as small, circular brown spots which get bigger quickly under favorable conditions (like nowish). When fruits are ripening, warm, wet and humid (sound like familiar conditions?) weather lasting for two or more days favors sporulation.

Bottom line;

1. Remove infected tissue, disease pressure builds quickly!
2. Increase airflow to promote rapid drying in the canopy.
3. Carefully manage piercing sucking insects as wounded fruit is more easily infected.
4. Fungicide applications beginning ~ 3 weeks prior to harvest can include

1. Indar (FRAC 3, 0 Day PHI)
2. Fontelis (FRAC 7, 0 Day PHI)
3. Elevate (FRAC 17, 0 Day PHI)

For more options see the New England Tree Fruit Management Guide online. As always, remember the label is the law!

Fruit, leaves and shoots infected with Monilinia provide

additional inoculum for new infections on ripening fruit.

Horticulture

Harvest Management Using Plant Growth Regulators

Duane Greene

It is appropriate to review how Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) can be effectively used to aid in the approaching apple harvest season. PGRs are a tool that play an important role in   managing preharvest drop control fruit maturity and time of ripening as well as improving fruit quality. The PGRs most commonly used on apples are naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), ReTain (AVG), Harvista (1-MCP), and ethephon (Ethrel).    

Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)

This is the oldest PGR in general use. Preharvest drop control activity was identified in the 1940s and it has been commercially used for that purpose, along with others, since then. One application of 10 ppm controls preharvest drop for about 7 days and a second application of 10 ppm will extend that drop control for an additional 5 days. It requires 2 to 3 days for the NAA to become active. Since it is active for drop control over a relatively short period of time, it is important to apply it just before drop begins. Generally, this is when the first few sound fruits start to drop. NAA does advance ripening in apples and potentially reduce the time treated fruit can be stored. The extent of advanced fruit ripening will depend on the rate of NAA applied, the length of time between application and harvest and the weather (especially temperature) treated fruit are exposed to between application and harvest time. NAA is a logical drop control compound to use following an ethephon application.  

ReTain

ReTain has been used extensively since its registration and introduction in 1997. It is used primarily for two purposes, one to delay preharvest drop and two to aid in harvest management by modifying the rate of fruit ripening. It may also be used to improve fruit quality. ReTain acts by inhibiting ethylene biosynthesis. There is a lag time of 10 to 14 days between the time of application and when ReTain becomes active for controlling drop. Application per year is limited to a total of two 333g pouches per acre. There is a 7 day preharvest interval.. Rates of application range between 0.5 to 2 pouches per acre. Split applications are common. The initial application is usually made 2 to 4 weeks before anticipated harvest. The ReTain spray should include an organosilicate surfactant such as Silwet L-77 or Sylguard 309 at a rate of 0.05% to0.1% (6 to 12 oz/100 gal). The lower rate is suggested when making an application at higher temperatures. The organosilicate surfactant provides a degree of rainfastness. If the spray is allowed to dry completely, experience has shown that the majority of drop control can be retained if rain occurs after application. The time of the initial ReTain application will influence red color development. The earlier you apply ReTain the greater the reduction in red color will be. Varieties differ in the effect ReTain has on red color development. Red color development on Honeycrisp, Gala and Macoun are varieties that are particularly sensitive to the rate of ReTain used.

• ReTain Use on McIntosh. Generally, the initial application is made 3 to 3.5 weeks before anticipated harvest. Application of 1 pouch per acre can be expected to control drop (under 20% drop) for 34 to 40 days. A supplemental application of 0.5 to 1 pouch will be required to control drop into October. Split applications at lower rates are frequently used to more effectively control drop through the season while having a less deleterious effect on red color.
• ReTain Use on Honeycrisp. Honeycrisp frequently displays a significant drop prior to harvest.  This problem can be exacerbated by a grower decision to delay harvest to allow for more red color to develop. The rate of ReTain used usually does not exceed 0.5 pouches per acre. If higher amounts are used red color may be retarded to unacceptable levels. One approach to limit the influence of ReTain on red color development on Honeycrisp is to delay application to about 2 weeks before anticipated harvest and apply with the ReTain, 10 ppm NAA. NAA has a negligible ripening effect on Honeycrisp and the NAA will provide drop control until the drop control properties of ReTain starts to become effective.  
• Use of High Rates of ReTain on Honeycrisp. Honeycrisp is probably the most popular and sought after variety in New England.Under most circumstances few Honeycrisp would remain on the tree for pick-your-own customers who visit an orchard in October. Recent research has shown that an application of two pouches of ReTain applied at the normal McIntosh timing or a split application of one pouch 4 weeks before normal harvest and one 2 weeks before harvest resulted in little drop as late as Columbus day.  Quality of the harvested fruit is excellent, red color is very good and the fruit is firm.  If fruits are not sold at harvest time they can be placed in storage until Thanksgiving without developing storage disorders, especially soft scald.    
• ReTain Use on Cortland. Cortland is a high quality apple that remains popular in New England. Unlike McIntosh and Honeycrisp it is not prone to preharvest drop, however, if the harvest is delayed it can become quite soft. While doing research with higher rates of ReTain on McIntosh we noted that the Cortland in our McIntosh block that received 2 pouches of ReTain had unusually high quality in October. Red color was good, ripening was delayed and firmness was 2 to 3 lb higher than untreated fruit. The taste was exceptional and if treated with SmartFresh immediately after harvest firmness was retained in storage. For growers who used multiple applications of SmartFresh Cortland fruit treated with both PGRs retain high quality well into the spring. ReTain was applied at the McIntosh timing. Two pouches could be applied at that McIntosh timing or  split applications could be made spaced 2 weeks apart. If you have not tried this approach on Cortland I suggest that you will be very pleased with the result if you do try it this fall.
• ReTain Use on Gala. Gala is a variety that does not experience appreciable preharvest drop, however, it does have stem end splitting as fruit near harvest. Experience has shown that if hot weather occurs during the time Gala is ripening, stem end splitting and the development of an undesirable waxy surface can occur rapidly. Application of low rates (e.g. 0.5 pouch per acre) of ReTain can slow down ripening and allow harvest of quality fruit in a more timely manner. I have also had some success by applying 2 pouches per acre of ReTain 3 weeks before harvest to delay ripening to October. The cooler weather in October allowed red color to develop  

1-MCP (Harvista)

Harvista is a PGR that is used primarily to delay and control preharvest drop. Drop in an apple is triggered by ethylene being produced by the ripening apples. In order for ethylene to initiate drop it must first attach itself to binding sites in the apple. As an apple ripens it produces the binding sites. If an apple is treated with Harvista, the 1-MCP attaches irreversibly to vacant ethylene binding sites thus preventing ethylene from attaching and stopping preharvest drop.  As apples continue to ripen they also continue to produce new ethylene binding sites. These new sites are available for ethylene to attach. Therefore, drop will proceed when enough of these binding sites are made and filled with ethylene. There appears to be variable acceptance by growers. Some are extremely happy and others are less satisfied. We suggest that growers try Harvista and experience how well it works on their own orchard. I think that Harvista works quite well on varieties other than high ethylene producing apples such as McIntosh. An added benefit for using Harvista is that the preharvest interval is 3 days, providing more harvest flexibility. Harvista is applied with a proprietary in-line injection system where the injector system is fitted on a grower’s sprayer. For additional information contact Agrofresh.

Ethephon (Ethrel)

Ethephon has been in general use since the 1970s and it is registered for use on dozens of crops. Ethephon plays a small but important role in helping harvest management of apples. It is frequently used to advance ripening and increase red color on apples early in the season. The use of ethephon allows growers to harvest specific varieties earlier than they would normally be ready to be harvested. Generally applying ethephon earlier than two weeks before anticipated harvest is not a good idea because of the lower quality of the harvested fruit. Frequently, 1 pt/100 gal of ethephon is applied but lower rates can be used for a slower response. The closer you apply ethephon to the normal harvest date the faster the response will be. A drop control compound must be included with ethephon. Frequently, NAA is the product of choice to accompany ethephon. If you apply NAA with ethephon you only have 7 days of reliable drop control. If you wish to delay harvest beyond 7 days, then a second NAA application should be made or delay the initial NAA application for 3 days after ethephon application. Red color development in response to ethephon is most rapid when the weather conditions favor red color development. If the weather conditions do not favor red color development (cloudy and warm weather) be aware that fruit are ripening and softening so monitor fruit maturity on a tree to make sure that they do not become over mature while waiting for red color to develop. In general, ethephon-treated fruit should not be stored. The purpose of using ethephon is to have quality apples early in the season. Treat no more fruit than you anticipate being able to sell early in the season.

Small Fruit Update

Sonia Schloemann

CROP & WEATHER CONDITIONS

As shown in the map on the above in the Disease Section, abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions continue to persist throughout the state.  Irrigation of fruit crops remains a high priority activity for all berry crops. Some areas may have experienced heavy weather on Sunday (heavy rain, wind, possible hail) and more is expected on Tuesday with the remnants of Hurricaine Isaias reaching our area.  This will alleviate some of the drought stress but don’t put your irrigation pipe away.  More will be needed soon.  Also, these rains will likely trigger the need for a reapplication of SWD spray materials if they were applied shortly before these rains.  Please consult the Pesticide Rainfastness information in this article from MSU.

Tissue testing is recommended at this time of the season. However, the UMass Soil and Tissue Testing Lab is not currently accepting tissue for testing.  We are currently recommending that growers send their samples to private testing labs that are listed in the New England Small Fruit Management Guide until University Labs are fully operational again. Call labs prior to sending samples to make sure they are able to accept them.

Strawberries: June-bearing varieties are growing well after renovation.  Be sure to keep fields irrigated during hot and dry periods to keep plants healthy and avoid stress during this regrowth period.  At least an inch of water every 5 days is what is recommended.  Weed management during this time can also be important.  See latest IPM Berry Blast for more on this topic.   Keep an eye out for late season foliar diseases (leaf spot, leaf blight or leaf scorch).  While there is no precise threshold for how much of these diseases can be tolerated in late season, past experience will help determine when action is needed.  A light infection (<20-25% across the field or only found in a few locations), might not trigger a spray application, whereas a higher degree of infection would.  Having a healthy canopy going in to the dormant season is important for winter survival and good plant health next spring.   Here's a slightly dated but still good article on this from MSU.  Also look for poor regrowth or other signs of root failure due to Black Root Rot, Verticillium Wilt, or Red Stele.  There are some Fall spray options for Red Stele, but limited options for the other root diseases.  A field that is weak after renovation may not be worth keeping over to the Spring.   It may be better to plow it down now and move to a rotational crop in that space.  If you haven't sampled yet for tissue analysis, this is still the time to get it done.  As mentioned above and in last week's IPM-BB, the UMass Soil and Tissue Testing Lab is not taking tissue samples at this time.  However, there are other labs where they can be sent for the time being (see link above).

Brambles: Floricane red/purple raspberry harvest is mostly finished now.  Spent floricanes can be removed any time after harvest it complete.  Black raspberry is also winding down and new primocanes can be thinned to 4-6 per crown and tipped to stimulate branching.  Blackberries are being harvested now and new primocanes can be tipped, too.  Primocane varieties are beginning to ripen and some harvest has already started.  SWD is the main issue from here on out.  See SWD Update above for more info on recommended management practices.  Potato leaf hopper and Japanese Beetle are active in Brambles.  Botrytis fruit rot can be an increasing problem as the season goes on due to shortening day length and longer wetting periods (including dew) on fruit. Keep plants well irrigated (via drip rather than overhead), through the late summer fruiting period.

Blueberries: Harvest is still underway with late season varieties.  Keep bushes irrigated through the hot dry periods as blueberries are very susceptible to drought stress, especially during the harvest period.  At least 1" of water is needed every 5 days to keep bushes healthy and fruit sizing properly.  As with Brambles, Spotted Wing Drosophila is the main concern.  See SWD Update above for more info on recommended management practices.  Japanese Beetle are still active and feeding on foliage and fruit.  An occasional pest that can defoliate blueberry bushes is the yellow-necked caterpillar or one of the other Datana moth species (see photo below).  These caterpillars can quickly defoliate a bush or limb of a large bush.  The best remedy is to gather the caterpillars (wear gloves), and destroy them.  This is easier than spraying because they cluster in large masses on the bushes.  Blueberry Stem Gall Wasp is another pest that has gained importance over recent years.  Now is a good time to scout fields for new galls.  If found, remove and destroy them before winter.  Any remaining galls can be pruned out during dormant pruning.

See the New England Small Fruit Management Guide for recommended materials and rates for any insect or disease mentioned above.

A cluster of Drexel’s datana caterpillars (Datana drexelii). This species can be distinguished from others in the genus Datana by the “orange rump patch” circled here on two individuals. Caterpillars seen on 8/21/18 in Chesterfield, MA. (Photo: T. Simisky, UMass Extension)

Hawkeye’s corner (notes from the field)

Liz Garofalo

Guest article

No Guest article this week...read Duane’s thorough Harvest Management Using Plant Growth Regulators. 

Facebook Me

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Useful links

UMass Fruit Advisor: http://umassfruit.com

UMass Extension Fruit Team YouTube Channel

UMass IPM Fruit Loop Podcast

Scaffolds Fruit Journal: http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/scafolds/

Network for Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA): http://newa.cornell.edu

Follow me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/jmcextman) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/jmcextman)

Acimovic Lab at Hudson Valley

Peter Jentsch's Blog

The next Healthy Fruit will be published on or about August 11, 2020. In the meantime, feel free to contact any of the UMass Fruit Team if you have any fruit-related production questions.

Thank you sponsors…

Orchard Equipment and Supply Company, Inc. Conway, Massachusetts

Nourse Farms

New England Vegetable & Berry Growers’ Association

Massachusetts Fruit Growers’ Association