Southeast Michigan fruit regional report – June 20, 2014

Bob Tritten, Michigan State University Extension -

Primary apple scab season is now over for East Michigan, gray mold is being seen at a few strawberry farms, and growers are reminded about hail and fire blight.

Editor's note: This report was updated Monday, June 23, 2014 to contain new information on berries, apples and pears.

With two good rains on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at the apple scab spore trapping station in East Michigan, there were no apple scab spores caught in either event. Thus, we are now at the end of primary apple scab season in East Michigan. For apple growers, this means that if they have apple scab under control at this point of the season, that they can now relax their apple scab control program.

Gary mold has been reported by a few growers as berries are being harvested. While this disease usually infects the fruit at blossom time, it frequently does not become visible until harvest. I encourage growers to do a thorough job of scouting their fields for the gray-brown, fluffy fungal growth on berries. Consider holding a small sample of harvested berries for a few days at room temperatures for signs of the fungal growth. If found, consult the 2014 Michigan Fruit Management Guide (E154) from Michigan State University Extension for specific fungicide recommendations. Some of the newer fungicides targeted for gray mold are a good choice to control this disease.  Be sure to consult the pre-harvest interval chart as well if making a fungicide selection.

Hail has been reported by a number of fruit growers in thunderstorms that have moved through the region this week.  Hail stones hitting fruit and limbs of apple and pear trees causes small openings that are possible entry points for fire blight bacteria. As a reminder to apple growers who have had the misfortune to have a hail event at their farm, streptomycin needs to be applied within 24 hours of the hail event to help prevent fire blight infection.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Did you find this article useful?

You Might Also Be Interested In

Tag List
  • agriculture,
  • apples,
  • berries,
  • fruit & nuts,
  • msu extension
  • follow us on youtube
  • follow us on linkedin
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).