2011 Southeast Regional Blueberry Integrated Management Guide

Transcription

1 2011 Southeast Regional Blueberry Integrated Management Guide Commodity Editor Hannah Burrack (North Carolina State University) Section Editors Pathology: Phil Brannen (University of Georgia) and Bill Cline (North Carolina State University) Entomology: Frank Hale (University of Tennessee), Dan Horton (University of Georgia), and Hannah Burrack (North Carolina State University) Weed Science: Mark Czarnota (University of Georgia), Katie Jennings (North Carolina State University) Vertebrate Management: David Lockwood (University of Tennessee) Culture: Gerard Krewer (University of Georgia) Pesticide Stewardship and Safety: Bob Bellinger (Clemson University), Paul Guillebeau (University of Georgia) Calibration: Paul Sumner (University of Georgia) Senior Editors Phil Brannen (University of Georgia) Powell Smith (Clemson University) Contributions were also made by Allen Straw (Virginia Tech), Scott Nesmith (University of Georgia), John Meyer (North Carolina State University), Oscar Liburd (University of Florida), Steve Bost (University of Tennessee), Harald Scherm (University of Georgia), Phil Harmon (University of Florida), and Blair Sampson (USDA/ARS Small Fruit Res. Station, Poplarville, MS). Recommendations are based on information from the manufacturer s label and performance data from research and extension field tests. Because environmental conditions and grower application methods vary widely, suggested use does not imply that performance of the pesticide will always conform to the safety and pest control standards indicated by experimental data. This publication is intended for use only as a guide. Specific rates and applications methods are on the pesticide label, and these are subject to change at any time. Always refer to and read the pesticide label before making any application! The pesticide label supersedes any information contained in this guide, and it is the law.

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Pesticide Emergencies (contacts) 2 Pesticide Liability and Stewardship 4 Sprayer Calibration (boom) 5 Sprayer Calibration (air blast) 6 Integrated Management Guide (Insect and Disease Control) 8 Dormant season 8 Prebloom % Bloom until 80-90% Bloom 13 Petal fall 15 Cover sprays 20 Harvest 24 Post harvest 25 Late season 28 Fungicidal Efficacy Chart 31 Insecticide Efficacy Chart 32 Fungicide Resistance Management Information 34 Fungicide At a Glance Spray Schedule Options 35 Weed Management Guide 36 Herbicide Resistance Management Information 46 1

3 PESTICIDE POISONINGS PESTICIDE EMERGENCIES This number automatically connects you with a local Poison Control Center from anywhere in the United States. Tightening of the chest, mental confusion, blurred vision, rapid pulse, intense thirst, vomiting, convulsions, and unconsciousness are serious symptoms! Dial 911! Pesticides with DANGER or DANGER/POISON on the product label can cause severe injuries or death very quickly. Take immediate action! Other symptoms of pesticide poisoning: headache, fatigue, weakness, restlessness, nervousness, profuse sweating, nausea, diarrhea, or irritation of the skin/ eyes/nose/throat. Consult the product Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) for symptoms associated with a particular pesticide Pesticide on Skin Immediately wash pesticide from skin as quickly and as thoroughly as possible with any available water that does not contain pesticides. Remove protective clothing and any contaminated clothing. Rewash contaminated skin with soap and water as soon as possible. If the victim experiences any symptom(s) of poisoning, consult a physician. Take the pesticide label with you, but take care not to cause contamination of vehicles or exposure to others if you must take the container with you. Pesticide in Eyes Rinse eye(s) gently with clean water for at least 15 minutes. If eye remains irritated or vision is blurry after rinsing, seek medical attention right away! Take the pesticide label with you. Pesticide in Mouth or Swallowed Provide / drink large amounts of water or milk to drink - DO NOT GIVE LIQUIDS TO A PERSON WHO IS UNCONSCIOUS OR IS CONVULSING! Consult the label BEFORE vomiting is induced. The label may advise against inducing vomiting. Do not induce vomiting with emulsifiable concentrate (E, EC) formulations. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING IF A PERSON IS UNCONSCIOUS OR IS CONVULSING! Seek medical attention. Take the pesticide label with you. If the pesticide was not swallowed, rinse mouth thoroughly with clean water. If mouth is burned or irritated, consult a physician. Pesticide Inhaled Move victim to fresh air immediately! Warn others in the area of the danger. Loosen tight clothing. Administer artificial respiration if necessary, but try to determine if the person also may have swallowed any pesticide - avoid any pesticide or vomit that may be around the victim's mouth. Seek medical attention. Take the pesticide label with you. Heat Stress Move the victim to a cooler area, remove protective clothing, and pour cool water over the person. Give cool liquids to drink - DO NOT GIVE LIQUIDS TO AN UNCONSCIOUS OR A CONVULSING PERSON! 2

4 Pesticide poisoning may mimic heat illness. Seek medical attention if the person is unconscious or if the person is not fully recovered within 15 minutes of cooling down and drinking liquids. Signal Words The pesticide signal word will appear on the pesticide label. It provides information about the acute risks of the pesticide to people. o DANGER/POISON: less than a teaspoon can kill an adult. o DANGER: pesticide can cause severe eye and/or skin injury. o WARNING: two tablespoons or less can kill an adult. o CAUTION: an ounce or more is required to kill an adult. Understand that the signal word does not provide information about chronic pesticide exposure risks (e.g., cancer) or allergic effects. Minimize your exposure to all pesticides. The signal word does not indicate environmental toxicity or other environmental effects. PESTICIDE SPILLS OR OTHER EMERGENCIES Spills on public roads (In many cases you can call CHEMTREK at or 911.) STATE AGENCY PHONE NUMBER Georgia Georgia State Patrol Cell: call *GSP North Carolina Regional Response Team (RRT) For spills not on public road ways, contact the Pesticide Section of NCDA&CS South Carolina South Carolina Highway Patrol Cell: call *HP (Toll Free) South Carolina DHEC Emergency Response Section Tennessee Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) State Emergency Operations Center Virginia Virginia Emergency Operations Center Environmental emergencies (contamination of waterways, fish kills, bird kills, etc.) STATE AGENCY PHONE NUMBER Georgia Georgia Department of Natural Resources Response Team North Carolina North Carolina Div. of Water Quality South Carolina South Carolina DHEC (Toll Free) Tennessee Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Virginia Virginia Emergency Operations Center or or your RRT (919) or (800) during non-business hours 3

5 PESTICIDE LIABILITY and STEWARDSHIP The applicator, the supervisor, and the business owner may face severe criminal and/or civil penalties if pesticides are misused knowingly or accidentally. The pesticide label. Federal and state laws require pesticide applicators to follow the directions on the pesticide label exactly. Do not exceed maximum label rates, apply a pesticide more frequently than stated on the label, or apply a pesticide to a site that is not indicated on the label. Labels change; review them regularly. Restricted Use Pesticides (RUP). These pesticides are clearly labeled Restricted Use Pesticide in a box at the top of the front label. To purchase, apply, or supervise the application of an RUP, an applicator must be certified or licensed through the pesticide regulatory agency in their state. Some states have mandatory licensing for certain pesticide use categories whether or not RUPs are applied. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Anyone handling or applying pesticides must wear the PPE indicated on the pesticide label. The Worker Protection Standard requires applicators to wear the label PPE and requires agricultural employers to supply the label PPE and ensure that the PPE is worn correctly by applicator employees. Do not wear PPE items longer than it has been designed to protect you. Clean, maintain and properly store PPE. Do not store PPE with your pesticides. EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS). Growers who employ one or more non-family members must comply with the WPS ( This standard requires agricultural employers to protect applicator employees and agricultural worker employees from pesticides exposure in the workplace by providing specified pesticide safety training, providing specific information about pesticide applications made on the agricultural operation, providing and ensuring that applicators wear label PPE, providing decontamination facilities for potential pesticide and pesticide residue exposures, and providing timely access to medical assistance in the event of a suspected pesticide exposure. These protections apply to both Restricted Use and general use pesticides used in agricultural plant production. Pesticide Recordkeeping. You must keep records of all RUP applications for at least two years under the Federal (USDA) Pesticide Recordkeeping Requirement if your state does not have its own pesticide recordkeeping requirements. Some states require records be kept for longer than the federal requirement. Maintaining records of all pesticide applications, not just RUP applications, indefinitely, cannot only help troubleshoot application problems, but also allows you to reference successful applications and can help protect against future liability. Consult your local Extension Service for details. Be prepared for emergencies. Store pesticides securely and clean empty containers. Develop and provide written plans and training to prepare your employees, and family members, for pesticide fires, spills, and other emergencies. Assign responsibilities to be carried out in the event of pesticide emergencies. Keep copies of the pesticide labels and MSDS away from the area where pesticides are stored. Provide copies of product MSDSs to your community first responders. Consult your local Extension office and insurance company for assistance. Properly dispose of clean empty pesticide containers and unwanted pesticides as soon as possible. Containers can often be recycled in a pesticide container recycling program. Unwanted pesticides may pose a risk of human exposure and environmental harm if kept for long periods of time. Consult your local Extension office for assistance. 4

6 SPRAYER CALIBRATION Sprayers should be calibrated often to guard against using excess pesticides due to nozzle wear, speed increases, etc. Failing to calibrate often costs money, may cause crop damage, and is unsafe. CALIBRATION DISTANCES TO BE USED BASED ON Broadcast Herbicide Sprayer Calibration NOZZLE SPACING The following procedure will give the gallons (total volume) of material applied per acre on a broadcast basis. Calibrate with clean water only. The uniformity of nozzles across the boom should be checked. Collect from each nozzle for a known time period. Each nozzle should be within 10% of the average. Replace nozzles with output above 10% with new nozzles and recheck output. Nozzle Spacing (Inches) Calibration Distance (Feet) Determine appropriate calibration distance from table. Measure and adjust nozzles to an even spacing. Find spacing in table and read the corresponding calibration distance Example: For an 18-inch spacing, the distance would be 227 feet Measure and mark calibration distance in a typical portion of the field to be sprayed. 3. Traveling at the desired operating speed, determine the number of seconds it takes to travel the calibration distance. Travel at full operating speed the full length of the calibration distance. Note RPM and gear setting. 4. With sprayer sitting still and operating at same throttle setting or engine RPM as used in step 3, adjust pressure to desired setting. 5. Collect spray from one nozzle for the number of seconds required to travel the calibration distance. 6. Measure the amount of liquid collected in fluid ounces. Number of ounces collected is the gallons per acre. For example, if you collect 18 ounces, the sprayer will apply 18 gallons per acre on a broadcast coverage basis. Adjust applicator speed, pressure, nozzle size, etc. to obtain recommended rate To determine the amount of pesticide to put into a sprayer or applicator tank, divide the To determine distance for spacing, divide the spacing expressed in total number of gallons of mixture to be made (tank capacity for a full tank) by the feet into 340.3, example: for a 13 band, the calibration distance gallons per acre rate from Step 6 and use recommended amount of pesticide for this would be 340.3/(13/12) = 314. number of acres. 8. Sprayers should be checked for proper calibration every 4-8 hours of use. Simply repeat steps 5 and 6. If there is a difference of more than 10% of original calibration, check the system. 5

7 Air Blast Sprayer Calibration Sprayers need to be calibrated to meet the coverage needs of the planting and to facilitate precise dosing of each material. A sprayer should be set up to apply a gallon per acre rate at a desired speed and pressure. In-field calibration frequently indicates a need for adjustments to achieve the target gallons per acre. Speed of travel of a sprayer is a vital factor in obtaining the number of gallons of spray per acre desired. Change in gallons per acre (GPA) applied is inversely proportional to the change in speed. If speed is doubled, the gallons per acre will be halved. Thus, if nozzles have been installed and pressure set to provide a gallon per acre rate at a certain speed, the sprayer should apply the GPA rate at that speed. To determine the travel speed, measure a known distance. A distance over 200 feet and a tank at least half full are recommended. Travel the distance determined at your normal spraying speed and record the elapsed time in seconds. Repeat this step and take the average of the two measurements. Use the following equation to determine the travel speed in miles per hour: Travel Speed ( MPH ) Distance Time ( feet ) ( Seconds) x 0.68 (0.68 is a constant to convert feet/second to miles/hour) Check gallons per minute output: The gallons per minute output required for a sprayer covering a swath of known width, for a desired gallon per acre rate can be calculated with the following equation: Spray Swath is the distance between spray tractor paths (example: 12 feet if every aisle is traveled or 24 feet if alternate row middle spraying is conducted) GPM ( req) GPA MPH Row Spacing 495( sprayingone side) ( ft) GPA = Gallons MPH = Miles per Hour To check actual output: 1. Fill sprayer with water. Note the level of fill. If a material with considerably different flow characteristics than water is to be sprayed fill the sprayer with this material. 2. Operate the sprayer at the pressure that will be used during application for a measured length of time. A time period of several minutes will increase accuracy over a time period of 1 minute. 3. Measure the gallons of liquid required to refill sprayer to the same level it was prior to the timed spray trial with the sprayer in the same position as when it was filled initially. The actual GPM can be calculated as follows: 6

8 4. Calculate the GPA being applied by the sprayer. GPM ( actual) GPA GPM (actual) MPH Gallons to refill sprayer Minutes of spray time 495 (spraying frombothsides) Row Spacing If the actual GPA is slightly different from the required GPA, the actual GPA can be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing spray pressure on sprayer models that have provisions for adjusting pressure. Only small output changes should be made by adjusting pressure. Major changes in output should be done by changing nozzles. (ft) RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT Insects, weeds, and disease causing organisms are all capable of developing resistance to pesticides. To minimize the likelihood of resistance development against your material of choice: 1. Only use pesticides when necessary: When the damage caused by the pest you are controlling is greater than the cost of the pesticide and no other, effective options are available. 2. Use the appropriate material for the pest. 3. Use the recommended rate of the material. Do not use a lower rate than listed on the label. 4. If more than one treatment is needed against the same pest, rotate pesticide mode of action (MOA) between treatments. Three organizations have developed tools to aid in selecting rotational tools. The Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC, Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC, and Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC, have grouped pesticides into MOA categories, which are listed in this guide. 7

9 Blueberry Integrated Management Guide Establishment Root rots in bark beds Root rots of blueberry can be particularly problematic immediately following transplanting and until plants are well established. Even in well-drained soils, root rots have been observed in bark-amended beds, and root rots are particularly damaging in high-density bark beds. Though cost is an issue, replanting into old bark where root rot has been a problem is not a good practice; disease-causing organisms build up in the bark, making reestablishment more difficult. It is recommended that phosphite-containing materials (Aliette, ProPhyt, AgriFos, etc.) be utilized in non-bearing plants after establishment for bedded and high-density bark plantings. Fully-expanded leaf tissue is required for plant uptake of these materials, as they are foliar-applied. In the initial year or planting, a minimum of four applications (spaced approximately one month apart) would be advisable. In general, phosphite materials are acidic, and they should not be applied with acidifiers or acidic water (ph < 6). Excessive application or application intervals which are less than those dictated by label will result in plant injury. These phosphite materials also suppress Septoria leaf spot and anthracnose, major foliar diseases of young plants. Some of the phosphonate materials are labeled for use as drenches or chemigation, but there is currently limited information as to the success of these methods in southern blueberry production. In high-density bark beds, use of Ridomil Gold EC will also provide good control of Pythium and Phytophthora root rots; use of Ridomil Gold EC in field plantings is very expensive and difficult, since the product has to be taken up by the roots for activity. Where possible, rotation of Ridomil Gold EC and phosphites is a good resistance-management practice. Do not exceed label recommendations. Fungicides will not correct problems caused by poor drainage. Dormant (before flower or leaf buds break) Blueberry gall midge adults are tiny flies, and larvae are tiny white, carrot-shaped maggots which feed inside flower buds and leaf buds. Blueberry gall midge can be extremely injurious, especially to rabbiteye cultivars. Midges lay their eggs in flower buds on warm winter days when bud scales initially show separation (stage 2). Gall midge sprays should protect the earliest flower buds which can realistically be expected to survive anticipated spring cold events. Gall midge sprays typically provide helpful suppression of pre-bloom thrips population. Bagworm Remove and dispose of bagworm cases, some of which contain eggs, prior to April. Red imported fire ants Ant baits employed from late winter to early spring as a broadcast treatment should eliminate most, but seldom all, fire ant mounds within treated areas. In fields where fire ants are very abundant, treating a second time, post-harvest in the fall will bolster fire ant control. Most ant baits are slow acting; they require up to eight weeks to control active mounds. Worker ants must carry the baits back to their colonies where they cause gradual colony die-off. Extinguish Professional Fire Ant Bait (0.5% methoprene), Esteem Ant Bait (0.5% pyriproxyfen), and Seduce Ant Bait (0.07% spinosad) are effective. Active ant foraging is essential; apply on warm and sunny days. Do not apply ant baits when conditions are expected to be cold, overcast, rainy or very hot. Individual mound treatments are most effective when used as-needed for the occasional colony that survives broadcast treatments. Mound treatments using insecticide baits should be applied in a circle, 3 to 4 feet from the mound. Do not disturb mounds or place bait directly on top of mounds. Mummy berry Raking mummified berries to the row middles, followed by deep burial of mummies to a depth of at least one inch, will help to reduce the primary inoculum source for this fungal disease. This activity needs to be conducted prior to mid-january in the most southerly blueberry regions. Use caution; excessive amounts of dirt mounded on top of blueberry roots and stems can result in injury or plant death. 8

10 Phytophthora root rot Root rot is generally a problem of low, poorly drained sites. Provisions for adequate drainage must be made prior to planting! Site selection and/or proper bedding operations are essential cultural practices for control of this disease. It also is very problematic in pine bark beds for southern highbush varieties (see comments above). Treatment with fungicides is not effective for reversing root rot damage on plants with severe symptoms. Preventative treatments in pine bark beds may be warranted, since the beds are often saturated with water through either irrigation or rainfall. Pest/Problem Mummy berry Phytophtora root rot Scale Red imported fire ant Management Options Rake mummies to row centers and bury 1 deep mefenoxam FRAC 4 (Ridomil Gold 4EC) Horticultural/ Superior oil (various) Pre-bloom use only. Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments Burying mummies helps to prevent primary infections. It ***** is difficult to insure that all mummies will be buried, so chemical control is also necessary. 3.6 pt hrs 0 days Established plantings: Apply 1/4 pt/1000 linear feet of row (3.6 pt/a broadcast basis) in a 3-ft band over the row before the plants start growth in the spring. New plantings: Apply 3.6 pt/a (broadcast rate) at or after the time of planting. An 18-in band over the row is recommended. Do not apply more than 0.9 gal/a broadcast during the 12 months before bearing harvestable fruit or illegal residues may result. For both new and established plantings, one additional application may be made to coincide with periods most favorable for root rot development. 1 to 3% hrs 0 days Oil may be applied dormant or delayed dormant. Apply as needed for scale infestations. Reduce to 1% rate just before bloom. Do not apply oil when temperatures are expected to be higher than 65 F or lower than 30 F within 24 hours. Do not use within 14 days of limesulfur or Captan. Ant baits can be applied as needed from late winter to spring and in the fall. Apply on sunny days when the soil temperature is at least 60 F, the soil is moist, and ants are actively foraging. Foraging activity can be gauged by placing a food item, such as a potato chip, near the mound for 30 minutes. If ants are feeding on the chip within 30 minutes, conditions are right to apply baits. Allow 4 weeks to work. pyriproxyfen IRAC 7C (Esteem Ant Bait) 1.5 to2.0 lb (2-4 tbsp/mound) hrs 24 hrs 9

11 Dormant (before flower or leaf buds break) Pest/Problem Red imported fire ant, cont. Gall midge Management Options methoprene IRAC 7A (Extinguish Professional Fire Ant Bait 0.5%) spinosad IRAC 5 (Seduce Fire Ant Bait) diazinon IRAC 1B (Diazinon AG500) diazinon IRAC 1B (Diazinon AG500) spinetoram IRAC 5 (Delegate WG) spinosad IRAC 5 (SpinTor, Entrust) malathion IRAC 1B (Malathion 57EC) 1 to1.5 lb (3-5 tbsp/ 1000 sq ft) (3-5 tbsp/mound) Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments hrs 0 days Extinguish Professional Fire Ant Bait (0.5% methoprene) is labled for use on crop land. Extinguish Plus baits containing methoprene plus hydramethylnon are not labeled for use on crop land lb hrs 3 days 1 pt/100 gal hrs 7 days Diazinon can be used for isolated mounds which have survived bait treatment(s). Slowly apply 1 gal of diluted mixture over and 6 inches around each mound. Apply gently to avoid disturbing ants. Do not apply for 7- to 10-days after bait applications. 1 pt hrs 7 days Do not apply diazinon within 5 days of bloom, as its residues may injure pollinators. 3 to 6 oz hrs 3 days 4 hrs 3 days SpinTor/Entrust is toxic to bees until it is thoroughly dry (3 hrs), but thereafter it is relatively non-toxic to 4 to 6 oz bees. Entrust is OMRI listed to 2 oz 2 pt hrs 1 day Pre-bloom through green tip (leaf buds) and pink bud (flower buds) Mummy berry If mummy berry disease is present, fungicides are very important in pre-bloom sprays (for cultivars or seasons in which leaf leaf bud break occurs before flower bud break). Start spraying when green tip occurs on the leaf buds or 1-5% open bloom (stage 6) occurs on the flower buds, whichever comes first. Continue sprays till all blooms have fallen. 10

12 Cherry and cranberry fruitworm Emergence of adult fruitworm moths can be monitored through the use of pheromone traps. Traps should be placed in the field prior to expected emergence of the pest, three to four weeks before anticipated bloom, and checked at least weekly. Flower thrips Flower thrips can be very damaging to flower buds and blooms, especially in rabbiteye cultivars. Thrips numbers often increase dramatically as corollas open and bloom progresses. Begin sampling bloom clusters for thrips at stage 3. Sample two to three times a week from stage 3 up to bloom. Place flower bud clusters in sealed plastic bags and incubate them in a warm room or on a windowsill. Take a minimum of 5 clusters per block each time. Treat if 2 or more thrips per individual bloom are found. Thrips monitoring may also be done using white sticky traps. UFL recommends use of insecticides in rabbiteye cultivars when approximately 60 thrips/trap/week are caught in sticky traps. Blueberries are a pollination-sensitive crop; insecticide-related injury to bees can impair pollination and ruin fruit set. Exercise caution when applying any pesticide during bloom to minimize impact to pollinators. Insecticides should not be applied during bloom. All pesticide (including fungicide) applications should be made when bees are not actively foraging and to allow maximum drying time (evening/dusk). Pest/Problem Mummy berry (shoot blight phase) Mummy berry (shoot blight phase) (continued) Management Options pyraclostrobin + boscalid FRAC (Pristine WG) fenbuconazole FRAC 3 (Indar 75WSP, Indar 2F ) propiconazole FRAC 3 (Orbit 3.6E, Tilt 3.6E, Bumper 41.8 EC, PropiMax EC) Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments 18.5 to 23 oz hrs 0 days No more than 2 sequential applications of Pristine should be made before alternating with fungicides that have a different mode of action. Do not apply more than four applications of Pristine per acre per crop year. 2.0 oz 6.0 fl oz hrs 30 days Indar alone will actually increase rots like anthracnose (ripe rot), and application of captan (Indar + captan tank mix) is required during bloom applications to alleviate this problem. Do not make more than 4 applications or apply more than 8 oz of Indar 75WSP (0.38 lb active) per acre per year. Indar belongs to the sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI) class of fungicides or target site of action fungicides. Alternation with fungicides of different classes is recommended. Aerial application is allowed for this application (see label). 6.0 fl oz hrs 30 days May be applied by either ground or aerial application (see label). Do not apply more than 30 fl oz per acre per season. More effective when allowed to dry ahead of a rain. 11

13 Pre-bloom through green tip (leaf buds) and pink bud (flower buds) Pest/Problem Phomopsis cane and twig blight Blueberry gall midge Thrips Management Options pyraclostrobin + boscalid FRAC (Pristine WG) fenbuconazole FRAC 3 (Indar 75WSP) See DORMANT recommendations spinetoram IRAC 5 (Delegate WG 25%) Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments 18.5 to 23 oz hrs 0 days No more than 2 sequential applications of Pristine should be made before alternating with fungicides that have a different mode of action. Do not apply more than four applications of Pristine per acre per crop year. 2.0 oz hrs 30 days See precautions above under mummy berry 3 to 6 oz hrs 3 days Delegate is an effective choice for gall midge and thrips control. Addition of an emulsifiable crop oil or methylated crop oil plus organosilicone combination, at 0.25 to 0.5% v/v, may improve performance. However, Delegate is a long-residual material which is quite toxic to bees. Do not apply within 5-days of first bloom. Do not alternate Delegate (IRAC #5) and SpinTor/Entrust (IRAC #5), as they are in the same chemical class and mode of action group. spinosad IRAC 5 (SpinTor 2SC, Entrust 80W) diazinon IRAC 1B (Diazinon AG500) 4 to 6 fl oz 1.25 to 2 oz hrs 3 days SpinTor/Entrust is quite toxic to bees until it is thoroughly dry (3 hrs), but thereafter it is relatively non-toxic to bees. Entrust is OMRI certified for organic use. 1 pt hrs 7 days Do not apply diazinon within 5 days of bloom, as its residues may injure pollinators. 12

14 10-20% bloom until 80-90% bloom Pest/Problem Thrips, cont. Botrytis flower blight Management Options acetamiprid IRAC 4A (Assail 30SG) cyprodinil + fludioxonil FRAC (Switch 62.5WG) fenhexamid FRAC 17 (Elevate 50WDG) Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments 4.5 to 5.3 oz hrs 1 day Use for thrips control. Thrips species may differ in susceptibility to this product. If you are unsure of the thrips species present and its susceptibility, use the higher rates. 11 to 14 oz hrs 0 days Make the first application during early bloom. Subsequent applications should be made every 7-10 days during bloom. Do not apply more than 56 oz. of product per acre per year. Make no more than two sequential applications before using another fungicide with a different mode of action. 1.5 lb hrs 0 days Begin application at 10% bloom. Applications should be made every seven days when conditions favor disease. Do not make more than two consecutive applications without switching to a fungicide with a different mode of action. Do not apply more than 6.0 lb product per acre per year. captan + fenhexamid FRAC M4 +17 (CaptEvate 68WDG) pyraclostrobin + boscalid FRAC (Pristine WG) ziram FRAC M3 (Ziram 76DF) captan FRAC M4 (Captan 50WP) 3.5 to 4.7 lb hrs 0 days CaptEvate is a combination product of captan plus Elevate. Do not make more than two consecutive applications before switching to a fungicide with a different mode of action. Do not apply more than 21.0 lb/acre/season to 23 oz hrs 0 days No more than 2 sequential applications of Pristine should be made before alternating with fungicides that have a different mode of action. Do not apply more than four applications of Pristine per acre per crop 3 lb hrs ~30 days year. Do not apply later than 3 weeks after full bloom. 5 lb hrs 0 days Do not apply more than 70 lb per acre per crop year. 13

15 10-20% bloom until 80-90% bloom Pest/Problem Botrytis flower blight, cont. Mummy berry (blossom infection stage) Management Options captan FRAC M4 (Captec 4L) pyraclostrobin + boscalid FRAC (Pristine WG) fenbuconazole FRAC 3 (Indar 75 WSP) (tank mix with captan products during bloom to prevent rots) Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments 2 qt hrs 0 days Do not apply more than 35 quarts per acre per crop year to 23 oz hrs 0 days No more than 2 sequential applications of Pristine should be made before alternating with fungicides that have a different mode of action. Do not apply more than four applications of Pristine per acre per crop year. 2.0 oz hrs 30 days Indar alone will actually increase rots like anthracnose (ripe rot), and application of captan (Indar + captan tank mix) is required during bloom applications to alleviate this problem. Do not make more than 4 applications or apply more than 8 oz of Indar 75WSP (0.38 lb active) per acre per year. Indar 75WSP belongs to the sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicide class. Alternation with fungicides of different classes is recommended. Ripe rot (anthracnose) and/or Alternaria rot propiconazole FRAC 3 (Orbit 3.6 E, Tilt 3.6E, Bumper 41.8 EC, PropiMax EC) azoxystrobin FRAC 11 (Abound) cyprodinil + fludioxonil FRAC (Switch 62.5WG) 6.0 fl oz hrs 30 days These DMI fungicides may be applied by either ground or aerial application (see label). Do not apply more than 30 fl oz per acre per season. More effective when allowed to dry ahead of a rain. 6.0 to 15.5 fl oz hrs 0 days Subsequent applications can be made on 7-14 day intervals. Do not apply more than two sequential applications before switching to a fungicide with another mode of action. Do not apply more than 1.44 quarts per acre per season. 11 to 14 oz hrs 0 days Applications can be made on a 7-10 day interval when conditions warrant. Do not apply more than 56 oz of product per acre per year. Make no more than two sequential applications before using another fungicide with a different mode of action. 14

16 10-20% bloom until 80-90% bloom Pest/Problem Ripe rot (anthracnose) and/or Alternaria rot, cont. Management Options pyraclostrobin FRAC 11 (Cabrio EG) pyraclostrobin + boscalid FRAC (Pristine WG) ziram FRAC M3 (Ziram 76DF) captan FRAC M4 (Captan 50WP, Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments 14 oz hrs 0 days No more than 2 sequential applications of Cabrio should be made before alternating with fungicides that have a different mode of action. Do not apply more than four applications of Cabrio per acre per crop year to 23 oz hrs 0 days No more than 2 sequential applications of Pristine should be made before alternating with fungicides that have a different mode of action. Do not apply more than four applications of Pristine per acre per crop year. 3 lb hrs ~30 days Do not apply later than 3 weeks after full bloom hrs 0 days Captan is a good resistance management tank mix or rotational partner for FRAC #9 and/or #11 fungicides. 5 lb Do not apply more than 70 lb per acre per crop year. Captec 4L) 2 qt Do not apply more than 35 quarts per crop year pt days 30 days Do not use more than 7.5 pints per acre per season. fluazinam FRAC 29 (Omega 500) Petal fall until one month after bloom Cranberry fruitworm, cherry fruitworm, plum curculio Review field histories and scout fields for fruitworms and plum curculio. In some southeastern production areas, plum curculio has not been a pest of blueberries. Fields with a history of plum curculio infestation should be sprayed at least twice on a 7-14 day interval, beginning at petal fall, or when plum curculio or injury first becomes detectable. Check for fruitworms twice a week from full bloom until 4 weeks after petal fall. Fruitworm treatments should be timed to egg hatch. Adult cherry and cranberry fruitworm moths can be monitored with commercially available pheromone traps. Egg laying begins approximately 1 week after pheromone trap captures begin. Examine fruit clusters for eggs on calyxes of berries. Early varieties are normally infested first. Septoria and anthracnose leaf spots Septoria and anthracnose leaf spot pathogens can cause premature defoliation, resulting in poor bud development and subsequent loss of yield. Fungicide timing for leaf spots varies across the Southeastern region. For example, North Carolina blueberries generally require leaf spot control as soon as green leaves have unfolded (10-14 days after bloom), whereas in Georgia, infections do not occur until mid-may or early June, without regard to the stage of leaf development. Materials applied for rot control will also often have leaf spot activity. Consult with your local county agent for recommendations in your area. Blueberry stunt Bushes infected with this disease become visible when leaves mature in May in N.C.. Stunt is a devastating disease of blueberry in North and South Carolina, and has been reported from Arkansas. Symptoms include shortened internodes, small, cupped leaves and loss of productivity. Control relies on removal of infected bushes (including roots) and control of the insect vector (the sharpnosed leafhopper) that carries the disease from bush to bush. Stunt is rarely 15

17 seen on rabbiteye cultivars but is common on highbush and Southern highbush cultivars in southeastern NC. Management Options Pest/Problem Ripe (anthracnose) and/or Alternaria rots Phytophthora root rot Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments See 10-20% BLOOM UNTIL 80-90% BLOOM recommendations Captec 4L) 2 qt Do not apply more than 35 quarts of 4L per crop year. fosetyl-al 5 lb hrs 0 days Apply Aliette as a foliar spray after leaves have FRAC 33 emerged. Subsequent applications can be made on 14- (Aliette WDG) 21 day intervals. Do not exceed 4 applications per acre per year. Do not tank mix with copper and foliar fertilizers, and do not apply in acidic water or add acidifying agents, as foliage/fruit damage could be a result. When tank-mixing this product with others, test the mix on a small area to make sure that potassium phosphite (ProPhyt) phytotoxicity does not occur. 4 pints hrs 0 hrs Apply as a foliar spray for Phytophthora and Pythium after leaves have emerged. Also effective against Septoria and Anthracose leaf spots. Do not tank mix with copper and foliar fertilizers, and do not apply in acidic water or add acidifying agents, as foliage/fruit damage could be a result. When tankmixing this product with others, test the mix on a small area to make sure that phytotoxicity does not occur. Thrips mono- and dipotassium salts of phosphorous acid (Agri-Fos) See PREBLOOM recommendations 2.5 quarts hrs 0 hrs Apply as a foliar spray for Phytophtora and Pythium after leaves have emerged. Also effective against Septoria and Anthracose leaf spots. Do not tank mix with copper and foliar fertilizers, and do not apply in acidic water or add acidifying agents, as foliage/fruit damage could be a result. When tankmixing this product with others, test the mix on a small area to make sure that phytotoxicity does not occur. 16

18 Petal fall until one month after bloom Pest/Problem Cranberry and Cherry fruitworms Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments Management Options The most effective treatment timing for fruitworm materials is egg hatch (petal fall, with a second application perhaps 7 days afterwards). Linking treatment to observed infested fruit may result in treatments being applied too late, particularly for cherry fruitworm. phosmet IRAC 1B (Imidan 70W) spinosad IRAC 5 (SpinTor 2SC, Entrust 80W) spinetoram IRAC 5 (Delegate 25WG) acetamiprid IRAC 4A (Assail 30SG) malathion IRAC 1B (Malathion 57EC) esfenvalerate IRAC 3A (Asana XL 0.66EC, Adjourn 0.66EC) methoxyfenozid e (IRAC 18) Intrepid 2F fenpropathrin IRAC 3 (Danitol 2.4EC) 1.3 lb hrs 3 days Imidan is a broad spectrum insecticide. 4 to 6 fl oz 1.25 to 2 oz ++ 4 hr 3 days Entrust is OMRI listed. 3 to 6 oz hrs 3 days 4.5 to 5.3 oz hrs 1 day 2.8 to 3.2 pt hrs 1 day 9.6 fl oz hrs 14 days 16 fl oz hrs 7 days 13 to 16 fl oz hrs 3 days 17

19 Petal fall until one month after bloom Pest/Problem Cranberry and Cherry fruitworms, cont. Sharpnosed leafhopper Management Options zetacypermethrin IRAC 3A (Mustang 1.5EC, Mustang Max 0.8EC) tebufenozide IRAC 18 (Confirm 2F) carbaryl IRAC 1A (Sevin XLR) indoxacarb IRAC 22 (Avaunt) Novaluron IRAC 15 (Rimon 0.83EC) Pyriproxyfen IRAC 7 (Knack) malathion IRAC 1B (Malathion 57EC) acetamiprid IRAC 4A (Assail 30SG) esfenvalerate IRAC 3A (Asana XL 0.66EC, Adjourn 0.66EC) 4.3 fl oz 4.0 fl oz Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments hrs 24 hrs 16 fl oz hrs 14 days Confirm needs to be ingested to be effective; therefore, timing is critical. Apply Confirm while fruitworms are still small. 1.5 to 2 qt hrs 7 days 3.5 to 6 oz hrs 7 days 20 to 30 fl oz hrs 8 days Rimon is not labeled for cherry fruitworm. 16 fl oz hrs 7 days Knack is an insect growth regulator and application must be timed carefully to egg hatch. 2.8 to 3.2 pt hrs 1 day 4.5 to 5.3 oz hrs 1 day 9.6 fl oz hrs 14 days 18

20 Petal fall until one month after bloom Pest/Problem Sharpnosed leafhopper, cont. Plum curculio Management Options imidacloprid IRAC 4A (Many formulations) 1.6F thiamethoxam IRAC 4A Actara bifenthrin IRAC 3 (Brigade WSB) malathion IRAC 1B (Malathion 57) fenpropathrin IRAC 3 (Danitol 2.4EC) zetacypermethrin + bifenthrin IRAC 3 (Hero) kaolin clay IRAC Unknown (Surround WP) Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments 3 to 4 fl oz hrs 3 days Allow 7 days between imidacloprid treatments. Imidacloprid is also available in 4.6F formulations for soil application. 3 to 4 oz hrs 3 days Allow 7 days between Actara applications. Maximum of 12 oz per acre per season can be used. 16 oz hrs 1 day 2.8 to 3.2 pt hrs 1 day 16 fl oz hrs 3 days fl oz hrs 1 day 25 to 50 lb ++ 4 hrs 0 days Surround acts like a barrier and mask fruit from pest recognition. Because of this barrier, fruit should be washed after harvest, and Surround may be most appropriate for processing fruit. Surround is OMRI listed. 19

21 Cover Sprays (from one month after bloom until Pre-Harvest) Leafhopper feeding results in a coarse stippling or clearing of leaf pigments that resembles a larger version of mite injury. In blueberries, leafhopper feeding is seldom significant. However, leafhoppers are vectors of blueberry stunt and bacterial scorch of blueberry (Xylella fastidiosa). In southern highbush, leaf scorch is very injurious in some locations and cultivars. Insecticidal suppression of leafhoppers has slowed the spread of the Xylella pathogen in grapes. Research is currently underway, but, in southern highbush insecticidal suppression of leafhoppers may be warranted in areas where bacterial leaf scorch (Xylella) is present. Flea beetles are small metallic blue or green foliage feeders that shot-hole blueberry foliage, often clustering on terminals. Bushes in healthy, well-tended mature rabbiteye orchards can normally lose up to 20% of leaf surface before any injury is sustained. Young orchards, particularly southern highbush and less vigorous rabbiteye cultivars, are easily hurt by flea/leaf beetles. Shoot tips can be eaten, causing excessive branching. Multiple insecticides will provide good control, though repeat applications may be needed when beetles are abundant. Blueberry maggot fly (BBM) BBMs are established in some southeastern blueberry orchards. If present, BBMs are serious mid-and late-season fruit pests. BBMs may go undetected at harvest, so one can easily ship infested fruit. Utilize thorough field-by-field monitoring by hanging yellow sticky traps (baited with ammonium bicarbonate or ammonium carbonate), at least one trap per cultivar. Trap catches indicate when adult blueberry maggots flies are present. Traps should be hung in orchards by mid-may. If your orchard has been damaged by a BBM infestation before, spray as soon as adults are trapped. If BBM adults are trapped, treat within 7 days of trap capture and again 7 days after the first treatment. If no additional flies are captured, treatments can stop until flies are again caught. Export fruit protected by systems-approach pest management protocols must comply with appropriate guidelines for scouting, spraying and postharvest inspection of berries for the presence of maggot larvae in berries. Consult your marketer about blueberry maggot management. Effectiveness (+) Management or Options Importance (*) REI PHI Comments Pest/Problem Alternaria and Ripe rots Flea beetle See 10-20% BLOOM UNTIL 80-90% BLOOM recommendations carbaryl IRAC 1A (Sevin 80S) phosmet IRAC 1B (Imidan 70W) acetamiprid IRAC 4A (Assail 30SG) 2.5 lbs hrs 7 days 1.3 lbs hrs 3 days 4.5 to 5.3 oz hrs 24 hrs 20

22 Cover Sprays (from one month after bloom until Pre-Harvest) Pest/Problem Flea beetle, cont. Leafhopper/ sharpshooter suppression Management Options esfenvalerate IRAC 3A (Adjourn 0.66 EC, Asana XL 0.66 EC) fenpropathrin IRAC 3A (Danitol 2.4EC) imidacloprid IRAC 4A (Many trade names 2F, Many trade names 4.6F, Many trade names 1.6F) spinosad IRAC 5 (SpinTor 2SC, Entrust 80%) spinetoram IRAC 5 (Delegate WG 25%) thiamethoxam IRAC 4A (Actara 25WDG) zetacypermethrin IRAC 3A (Mustang) Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments 9.6 fl oz hrs 14 days 16 fl oz hrs 3 days 16 to 32 fl oz hrs 7 days Soil applied imidacloprid products have longer residual and provide more effective flea beetle control. 2F formulations are for soil application only. 7 to 14 fl oz hrs 7 days 4.6F formulations are for soil application only. 4 to 8 fl oz hrs 3 days 1.6F formulations are for foliar application only hrs 3 days 4 to 6 fl oz 1.25 to 2 oz 3 to 6 oz hrs 3 days 4 oz +++ See PETAL FALL recommendations 12 hrs 3 days 4.3 fl oz hrs 24 hrs Entrust is OMRI listed. 21

23 Cover Sprays (from one month after bloom until Pre-Harvest) Pest/Problem Blueberry maggot Management Options phosmet IRAC 1B (Imidan 70W) malathion IRAC 1B (Malathion ULV) diazinon IRAC 1B (Diazinon AG500) spinosad IRAC 5 (GF-120 NF Naturalyte Fruit Fly Bait) spinetoram IRAC 5 (Delegate WG 25%) esfenvalerate IRAC 3A (Adjourn 0.66 EC, Asana XL 0.66 EC) Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments 1.3 lb hrs 3 days Do not apply more than 2 times. 10 fl oz hrs 1 day 1 pt/100 gal hrs 7 days Diazinon may induce fruit finish injury. Use with caution! Allow 14 days between applications. Broadcast: 10 fl oz bait in 15 fl oz water to 20 fl oz bait in 30 fl oz water Spot spray: 1 fl oz bait in 1.5 fl oz water/bush to 3 fl oz bait in 4.5 fl oz water/bush hrs 0 days Begin bait application as soon as blueberry maggot flies are caught in traps, or 2 to 3 weeks before fruit begins to ripen. Repeat every 7 days; apply more often during rainy periods and as fruit ripens. Large spray droplets (4-6 mm) and a solution diluted to 1:1.5 GF-120 NF:water. Broadcast Treatments: Apply GF-120 NF as a directed spray applied to one side of each row, targeting the interior canopy to protect the bait from sunlight and rain. Apply from 10 fl oz GF-120 NF in 15 fl oz water/acre to 20 fl oz GF-120 NF in 30 fl oz water/acre. Aerial application of GF-120 is not recommended. 3 to 6 oz hrs 3 days 9.6 fl oz hrs 14 days 22

24 Cover Sprays (from one month after bloom until Pre-Harvest) Pest/Problem Blueberry maggot, cont. Japanese beetle Management Options fenpropathrin IRAC 3A (Danitol 2.4EC) acetamiprid IRAC 4A (Assail 30SG) imidacloprid IRAC 4A (Many formulations) 1.6F zetacypermethrin IRAC 3A (Mustang 1.5EC, Mustang Max 0.8EC) zetacypermethrin + bifenthrin IRAC 3 (Hero) phosmet IRAC 1B (Imidan 70W) carbaryl IRAC 1A (Sevin 80S, Sevin 80WSP) Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments 16 fl oz hrs 3 days 4.5 to 5.3 oz hrs 24 hrs 3 to 4 fl oz hrs 3 days Allow 7 days between imidacloprid treatments. 4.3 fl oz 4.0 fl oz hrs 24 hrs fl oz hrs 1 day 1.3 lb hrs 3 days Imidan provides excellent control of Japanese beetles and is a very good broad spectrum insecticide. 2.5 lb hrs 7 days Japanese beetles may require multiple applications. Do not apply more than 12.5 lb of Sevin 80 S or Sevin 80 WSP per acre per crop. Repeat applications as necessary up to a total of 5 times but not more often than once every 7 days. 23

25 Cover Sprays (from one month after bloom until Pre-Harvest) Pest/Problem Japanese beetle, cont. Management Options esfenvalerate IRAC 3A (Asana XL 0.66EC, Adjourn 0.66EC) zetacypermethrin IRAC 3A (Mustang 1.5EC, Mustang Max 0.8EC) acetamiprid IRAC 4A (Assail 30SG) Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments 9.6 fl oz hrs 14 days 4.3 fl oz 4.0 fl oz hrs 24 hrs oz hrs 1 day imidacloprid IRAC 4A (Many formulations) 1.6F thiamethoxam IRAC 4A (Actara 25WDG) azadirachtin IRAC UN (Neemix 4.5% EC, Aza-Direct) 3 to 4 fl oz hrs 3 days Allow 7 days between imidacloprid treatments. 4 oz hrs 3 days 4 to 16 fl oz 1 to 2 pt Pre-Harvest through Harvest + 12 hrs 4 hrs 0 day 0 day Fruit finish problems may occur with pre-harvest or harvest application of EC formulations. Some azadiractin materials are OMRI listed. Blueberry maggot fly (BBM) Export fruit protected by systems-approach pest management protocols must comply with appropriate guidelines for scouting, spraying and post-harvest inspection of berries, including a protocol for cooking (boiling) samples of harvested fruit to test for the presence of maggot larvae in berries. Check with your export certifier before beginning a BBM treatment program. 24

26 Fruit rots Fungicides alone do not provide adequate control; proper harvesting and handling is essential. Pre- and post-harvest rots can be greatly reduced by timely, complete harvest of all ripe fruit on the bush, followed by rapid post-harvest cooling. For hand-harvested highbush and southern highbush cultivars, harvest all ripe berries on the bush every 7 days or less. Rabbiteye cultivars should be clean-harvested every days. Post-harvest cooling is critical and is best accomplished through the use of partial-vacuum or forced-air systems that use fans to pull cold air through stacks of palletized fruit. Pest/Problem Alternaria rot and Ripe rots Blueberry maggot Japanese beetle Post-harvest Management Options Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments See 10-20% BLOOM UNTIL 80-90% BLOOM recommendations See COVER SPRAY recommendations See COVER SPRAY recommendations Blueberry bud mite - This tiny eriophyid mite, best visible with a dissecting microscope, mites infest flower buds in late summer and fall, feeding inside the buds over the winter. In spring infestations are diagnosed only after damage has occurred and reddening/rosetting of emerging flower buds become evident. Cultivar susceptibility and field history are the best means of determining whether treatment is warranted. Use high volume (300 gal/a), high pressure (200 psi) applications of a post-harvest insecticide/miticide and horticultural oils. Pruning and removing or destroying old blueberry canes will reduce bud mite populations. Summer topping or hedging immediately after harvest greatly reduces bud mite by removing old, infested fruiting twigs, and has become the method of choice for controlling bud mite in North Carolina. Never propagate from bud mite-infested blocks. Note that endosulfan use will be terminated after July 2015, and labels will change before then. Read and follow labels. Blueberry stem borer -- Oberea myops, is a longhorn beetle borer that also attacks rhododendron and azalea. This pest can be minimized by pruning out and removing the infested portion of canes, often brown and wilted, as soon as larvae are detected in the summer. Cut the stems well below their brown, hollowed section, where the stem is still green and not hollow. Promptly destroy each wilted cane containing a larva. This ensures that the larva does not migrate into the crown of the plant. Pest/Problem Blueberry bud mite Management Options endosulfan IRAC 2A (Endosulfan 3EC, Thionex 3EC) Verdant horticultural oil (JMS Stylet Oil) Effectiveness (+) or Importance (*) REI PHI Comments 2 qt/300 gal hrs 3 to 6 qt/100 gal postharvest only Do not apply more than 4 qt endosulfan 3EC per acre per year (for post-harvest use only). Note that endosulfan use will be terminated after July 2015, and labels will change before then. Read and follow labels hrs 0 days Prior to flower bud formation, bud mites are exposed and susceptible to oil applications. 25