IPM Message 2009

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IPM Message August 21, 2009

Things seems pretty quiet for this time of year. No unusual levels of fruit rot to report. If you have concerns about fruit rot management, please call Frank at ext.18. We have had a report of cupping of the top growth of Howes vines, possibly from QuinStar. If you have noticed any injury with QuinStar applications, please call Hilary at ext 21. We are now nearing the end of the time to be putting out bud set fertilizer applications if that is part of your program.

We could get hit with some decent rainfall this weekend from Hurricane Bill. If you have new plantings, you may want to raise the water level in your ditches to help minimize run-off. For most situation, the past week has been very stressful in terms of water use for the vines, so some rainfall could really be helpful.

I will update the message as needed until May 2010, when we will resume weekly updates. Thank you for using the IPM Message on the UMass Cranberry Station Web site.

IPM Message August 4, 2009

Infestations of flea beetle have been reported. Sevin and Diazinon are good choices for flea beetle. It is generally thought that populations in the range of 20-30 indicate a spray is needed, but growers should also consider their own experience. If you are not sweeping, you should go out and look for evidence of damage, especially if you have had problems in the past. If you have grubs and are considering using Admire, your window of opportunity is quickly closing and you should apply soon.

News on the disease front has been quiet. It is getting to be the time to put out bud set fertilizer applications if that is part of your nutrition program. The CCCGA Annual meeting is scheduled for Tuesday August 18 at Oiva Hannula & Sons. Contact the CCCGA for more information.

If you plan to do tissue tests, collect your samples from mid-August through mid-September. You can get your samples analyzed locally or send them off to UMass for analysis. Samples should contain no more than the top 2 inches of growth (no roots, soil, runners, or fruit). Collect tissue from vegetative and flowering uprights. You typically need about 1 cup of vine tissue. Do not collect samples when the vines are wet and do not send the samples in plastic ziploc bags. Always request nitrogen determinations when you submit your samples.

The last IPM message for the 2009 summer season will be uploaded by Friday August 21.

IPM Message July 27

Spraganothis fruitworm larvae have been found in fruit, so you should be aware of this. If you have not taken care of your weevil infestations, it is getting to be too late for Actara. Prophlatic sprays for cranberry fruitworm should no longer be going out. You shoul only be making insecticide applications when the number of unhatched, viable eggs exceeds the action threshold. Admire can still go out for soil insects.

I have had no reports of QuinStar working on dodder. The Section 18 expires on July 31, this Friday. You must still fill out a form for MDAR if you used QuinStar, even if it did not work. Poast and Callisto can be combined but this combination cannot be chemigated. You must apply it by ground equipment since Poast cannot be chemigated. Some folks have reported that combining Poast and Callisto has been hurting dodder, but I have not seen this myself. If you have noticed any injury with this combination, please let me know at ext. 21.Callisto has a 45-day PHI.

IPM Message July 15, 2009

We cannot stress enough the importance of correct timing of CFW sprays. Please see pages 14-15 in the 2009 Chart Book for exact details. Although there have been reports of weevils and BHF problems, it seems like a relatively quiet year on the whole.

Applications of Admire can be used for control of soil insects once the bees are gone. Admire is not compatible with bees. Poast can still be applied for control of grasses but it has a 60-day PHI and cannot be chemigated. You can apply it aerially or as a spot-treatment. Since crop oil concentrate is added with Poast, be very careful if blooms are still around (some Howes still have flowers) and if the weather is hot. I have gotten reports from growers who combined Poast and Callisto with very good results and no indication of vine injury. We still have time (Callisto does have a 45-day PHI). Please remember; it is ILLEGAL to chemigate Poast, so a combined spray must be put on by ground.

Stevens seem particularly susceptible to Yellow Vine Syndrome, and then next is Ben Lear. YVS is associated with fluctuating water table issues; either it is too wet or too dry. Casoron use seems to exacerbate the syndrome, but is not the cause of it. Consider installing a water level float to help you manage your water levels.

If anyone is trying QuinStar, the Section 18 expires July 31, 2009. If anyone has tried the 12 oz rate, I would be interested to hear if it worked for you. We sprayed dodder last week, but have not seen any symptoms yet.

IPM Message July 9, 2009

Things seem quiet on the bug front. If you have not yet applied your first fruitworm spray, you should do so. Depending on your management scheme, you will be either applying a second spray or will start inspecting for CFW eggs.

The other news concerns the lack of efficacy seen with QuinStar. Please see the handout for more details. If you try the 12 oz rate, please let me know how it works for you (Hilary at ext. 21).

IPM Message July 2 , 2009

The rainy weather is continuing to cause problems for fungicide sprays. Most folks are on their second fungicide application by now.

Some varieties are already 50% or more out of bloom. The Stevens on State bog were at 55% out of bloom on Wednesday July 1. The timing of cranberry fruitworm sprays is critical, especially the first one. The biggest issue thus far is the 5-day REI with the new Diazinon label. Please read the label of the product you are using. You must abide by the label. If you still have product with a 24-hr REI, that is what you can use. Otherwise, most product out there is 5 days. Workers can enter the area within the 5 days if they have the proper PPE (personal protection equipment).

The water demand of the plant during this time of year is the highest compared to other times during the growing season. The "1 inch per week" rule will not suffice here; vines probably need closer to 2" per week during fruit set.

Poast can still be applied for control of grasses but it has a 60-day PHI and cannot be chemigated. You can apply it aerially or as a spot-treatment. Since crop oil concentrate is added with Poast, be very careful if blooms are still around and if the weather is hot. You will cause injury to the flowers.

If you have sprayed QuinStar for dodder control, you should see symptoms in 2-3 weeks after application. The dodder should just brown out and die. We do not know if QuinStar will work through chemigation. The WI trials were put out with 30 gallons water per acre with good results. If you try chemigation, please let me know how things are working (or not) for you.

IPM Message June 25, 2009

The string of rainy days has been wreaking havoc for people’s spray schedules. Some folks were
fortunate enough to get their fungicide sprays out last week, but others will be hopefully applying today (the lone likely window of opportunity).

A clarification concerning Callisto. There is language on the label that restricts application of Callisto within 45 days of a flooding event. I believe this was originally intended for harvest floods but the language impacts floods used for insect, dodder, weed, or bloom control. For those who have used Callisto on new plantings, you are not allowed to flood within 45 days of application to knock off bloom. There are two alternatives. Ammonium thiosulfate (usually used as a fertilizer) is a liquid product that can knock flowers off. Researchers from NJ have tried it for this specific purpose and were successful using 2 applications of 6 gallons product in 120 gallons water per acre. They did one application early bloom and another towards the end of bloom. A bit of vine injury was noted, but the vines recovered. Another product called ProGibb has cranberry on the label and can be used to thin flowers. It is likely too late to use it for this year as applications must be made during early bloom. Applications during mid or late bloom might actually increase fruit retention.

The bees are trying to work and whenever the rain stops, activity should pick up. We sprayed some test plots with QuinStar and Callisto (not together) with and without COC and NIS to evaluate effect on bloom. The applications were made on June 17. One week later, all the blooms looked fine and the bees were active in the plots.

The Ent lab has already found cranberry fruitworm eggs in large-fruit varieties. Pinheads are out there on the early varieties. Check page 15 of the 2009 Chart Book to refresh your memory on how to calculate percent out of bloom. It is imperative that you get at least one count in BEFORE you reach 50% oob; two are much better. Collect your 10 uprights randomly and count the number of pods, flowers, pinheads and fruit. Go out every few days so you increase your chances of accurately catching 50% oob. Timing of the first CFW is critical for management of this pest.

If you are using QuinStar for dodder control, please keep good records as far as crop stage at applications, dodder pressure when the application was made, weather, rate, and extent of control. Your feedback will be critical for applying for a Section 18 request in 2010.

IPM Message June 16, 2009

I just wanted to address a few common questions that have been coming in. Can I spray Callisto during bloom? In general, we do not suspect that Callisto will cause injury to bloom. There are no indications that Callisto is problematic for bees but it is prudent not to apply pesticides when bees are out. If you can avoid spraying during bloom, that is the best course. If you must spray, pick a cool cloudy day; injury with adjuvants is more common on hot sunny days. We are spraying some bloom out on State Bog with combinations of herbicides and adjuvants to get a read on this, but this information will come too late for this season.

Can I spray QuinStar during bloom? Similar answer to Callisto, but with more reservations. This is a new product with which we do not have a lot of experience. Be conservative. Do spot treatments, if possible. Do not apply this product when bees are working. Brad Majek (NJ) has done some work with quinclorac products (but not QuinStar specifically) and has not seen injury when applications were made during bloom.

What is the per gallon recipe for QuinStar? Use the 8 oz recipe as with Callisto. 1.6 tsp QuinStar plus 1.9 tsp NIS per gallon of water. The amount of COC is slightly less for QuinStar; used 2 TBsp per gallon.

Can I tank-mix Bravo and Callisto? Syngenta recommends AGAINST doing this. The sticker in the fungicide is likely to prevent movement of the herbicide into the plant and decrease its efficacy. Apply one first, let it dry, and then apply the other chemical.

Please consider attending the special workshop on Wednesday June 17 at the Cranberry Station at approximately 4:30 PM. Jed Colquhoun, the weed specialist from U-Wisconsin will be sharing his thoughts about Callisto and Quinclorac. Please call the CCCGA if you are planning to come so we can get an accurate head count for the light dinner that will be provided. One contact hour will be offered.

IPM Message June 11, 2009

It is getting late for Avaunt applications. Bees are out at many locations, so normal precautions regarding pesticide applications with bees and during bloom should be taken. Be sure to monitor your pheromone traps at least weekly and change them before they get overly grungy. The EPA granted approval of our Section 18 Emergency Exemption request for the use of QuinStar 4L for postemergence control of dodder on June 10, 2009. QuinStar may be purchased from local ag suppliers. You must have a copy of the label in your possession and these may be obtained at local ag suppliers or by calling the Cranberry Station. A PDF of the label is available on the Station’s web site. The label expires July 31, 2009.

QuinStar may be used as a postemergence broadcast application either by chemigation or boomspray
type applicator (10-40 gallons water per acre).

Applications may be made at the rate of 8 oz product per acre per application, not to exceed 16 oz. product per acre. A maximum of 2 applications are allowed, with a minimum of a 30-day interval between applications. Include either a non-ionic surfactant (NIS) at the rate of 0.25% v:v or a crop oil concentrate at the rate of 2 pints per acre. If you are doing spot applications with QuinStar, use the same recipe as for Callisto at the 8 oz rate.

The REI is 12 hours and the PHI is 60 days.

Timing of applications. We have little experience using quinclorac for dodder control in general and even less experience using the product around bloom. Dr. Jed Colquhoun’s preliminary trials in WI in 2008 included a late June application on a trial site that had severe frost damage earlier in the season and had no flowers. Dr. Brad Majek has worked with quinclorac products in NJ over the past few years. His general feeling is to avoid application during bloom at this point until we have information to the contrary. Applications made before or after bloom should not be problematic.

I know people are very anxious to control dodder, but I would still urge using good judgment and keeping good records so we can collect additional information this year. Please let me know how these applications work for you (ext. 21).

There will be a special workshop on Wednesday June 17 at the Cranberry Station starting at approximately 4:30 PM. Jed Colquhoun, the weed specialist from U-Wisconsin will be sharing his thoughts about Callisto and Quinclorac. Please call the CCCGA if you are planning to come so we can get an accurate head count for the light dinner that will be provided. One contact hour will be offered.

IPM Message June 4, 2009

Spag larvae are out.  We have picked up larvae in the tips of yellow loosestrife plants.  BHF is starting to pupate.  If you plan to treat for BHF, your traps should be out.  Weevil populations are out and Marty mentioned that the window for treating them is closing, so if you are planning to treat, you should do it soon.

Reports are coming in for good symptoms from Callisto applications on dewberries, maples, sawbriers, poison ivy and cutgrass.  Growers have been trying various amounts (less than the 0.25% v:v recommendation) of surfactant and have been happy with the results so far.  The one gallon NIS per acre recommendation is based upon the vines receiving 400 gal water per acre (the rate is 1 qt for every 100 gallon per acre).  Consider the size of your bog, your injection time and how much water your pump (head output) puts out per minute.  For example, if you have 15 heads per acre and they put out 5 gal per minute, you are delivering 75 gal water per acre per minute.  If you inject for 6 minutes, that’s 450 GPA.  Add water first to the tank, then the surfactant and herbicide.  Adding the surfactant first will gum up the works of the spray tank.

Continue to monitor herbicide symptoms for several weeks.  Many of the hard-to-control weeds (as mentioned above) should be treated with a second application of Callisto.  Be sure to wait at least 2 weeks in between applications.  We have gone 3-4 weeks between applications and it has worked well.

The Keeping Quality Forecast for June 2009 is for POOR keeping quality on bogs where no steps are taken to control fungal diseases.  Only 4 of a possible 16 points were achieved this season -- 2 for March sunshine (above threshold), 1 for March precipitation (below threshold), and 1 for April precipitation (below threshold).  It is critical that you properly manage fungal diseases.  You should use full recommended rates and numbers of applications for fruit rot fungicides.  However, if you held late water, fungicide inputs may be reduced as outlined in the Chart Book. 

There will be a special workshop on Tuesday June 9 from 9:30-11 AM at Eagle Holt featuring Peter Oudemans and James Polashock from Rutgers.  The topic will be fairy ring.  One contact hour will be offered.

We are still waiting for final approval from EPA on our Section 18 permit request.  I will make an announcement and send out a newsflash as soon as we hear anything.  WI had good results for dodder control with late June applications so we are still in a good window of opportunity.

IPM Message May 28, 2009

Pheromone traps for Spag, BHF and cranberry girdler should be up by now. They should be on the upwind side of the bog so that the scent travels across your bog. Monitor weekly and change the traps as needed. Replace the lure every 3-4 weeks.  Use 1 trap for every 10 acres.  Check descriptions of adult moths because non-target species are sometimes caught.  For BHF, when treating summer generations with conventional insecticides, apply 10 days after peak flight (usually during bloom).  Timing with Intrepid or Confirm is 2 weeks after the onset of moth flight and again 10 days later.

For Spag, if using conventional insecticides, spray 10-14 days after peak moth flight, usually mid-late July.  If using Intrepid or Confirm, spray 3 weeks after moth flight begins and again 10-14 days later.  For cranberry girdler, treatments are usually in July.  More on that later.

Questions have come up about using Poast mixed with Callisto. These two herbicides should be very compatible and hit a complementary array of weeds.  I believe several growers tried this last year.  Just remember, you cannot chemigate Poast, so if you apply these products together, you must use a ground applicator.

There will be a workshop on fairy ring on Tuesday June 9 from 9:30-11 at Eagle Holt Field Bog, Blackmore Pond Road, West Wareham.  One contact hour will be offered.  No fee and no preregistration required.

IPM Message May 20, 2009

Everyone should be out sweeping for spring insect pests at this time.  If you do your own sweeping, sweep at least once per week; twice is even better.  If you have someone scouting for you once per week, try to get in another sweep session a few days after them.  Things can happen very quickly this time of year.  As mentioned last week, weevil, BHF, and winter moth are out.  You should be thinking about getting your pheromone trap stuff together; the traps should be out by June 1.  Traps are available for Spag, BHF, and cranberry girdler.

Some folks have been asking about the quantity of adjuvant to use with Callisto.  The label states using 0.25% v:v mixes.  So, on a chemigation level, that would be 1 quart per 100 gallons of water.  I have had a report that using this much material can be logistically difficult especially on large pieces.  All I can say at this point is that the company line is to use the recommended rate.  If you use less, you may have reduced efficacy of the herbicide.  If you use less adjuvant on purpose or by mistake, please let me know what you think about the weed control. Syngenta does not have a lot of data for chemigation use, so we are learning as we go here.

People have also been asking about tank mixing Callisto with insecticides, such as Intrepid or Delegate.  We do not have any field experience with doing this.  Syngenta feels that if they had to make a choice between these two compounds, they feel Delegate would be a better choice for mixing.  Before applying any new combination of materials, you should always do a jar test to see if the compounds will even mix with each other.  If you try any combinations, please call me at ext 21 and let me know how it worked for you.

As far as mixing Callisto with Poast (several growers have expressed an interest in this), I do not have any specific data, but Syngenta thinks it should be a good combination (as far as phytotoxicity and weed control).  Callisto is not particularly strong against grasses and Poast is selective for grasses.  Just remember you cannot chemigate Poast!  If you want to tank mix them, you must use a mist blower, back pack or other ground applicators.  Or you can chemigate the Callisto first and then follow by spot applying the Poast where you need it.

The results of the Callisto survey from November 2008 are being mailed out to our mailing list.  It is also available as a PDF on the home page of the web site.

It was brought to my attention that I made another error when I tried to correct an error regarding Devrinol.  I said PHI instead of REI.  Devrinol’s REI is 24 hrs.  I apologize for any confusion.

IPM Message May 13, 2009

Winter moth larvae are out.  They are very small and can be confused with black-headed fireworm larvae, so be careful.  The threshold for BHF is 1-2 larvae per sweep and (although we don’t really have an action threshold for winter moth), spanworm threshold is 18.  Some growers are using 10 winter moth larvae as a threshold, but this is just a seat of the pants guesstimate.  BHF’s body is more yellow and has a very black head; winter moth’s body is more green and the head is brownish-black.  BHF larvae are out as well and you should be scouting for them now.

Treatable levels of cranberry weevil have been picked up, but numbers are not very high. Gypsy moth, false armyworm and other cutworm have also been picked up in sweeps.  If you haven’t started sweeping your bogs, you should go out as your earliest possible convenience.  Don’t rely on what your neighbor is finding; check out your own bogs!

Most vines are in bud elongation; perhaps a few cabbage heads remain, but most vines are advancing along.

Dodder is emerging in bare areas, loading spots and trash piles.  Casoron applications can be made soon for dodder control.  Casoron volatilizes quickly so try to apply when air temperatures are below 60 F and water in immediately.  If you want to do a short-term flood, mid-May (next week) is thought to be a good time to flood for 24-48 hours.

IPM Message May 5, 2009

Per Carolyn’s last frost evaluation (for the Carver area) on May 4, bud break for all varieties has occurred.  Check your vines to see if they are at the same stage.  All areas are likely NOT progressing at the same rate.

Dodder seedlings were noted as emerging from our buckets next to the greenhouse also on Monday, May 4.  The 5-gal buckets are filled with sand and peat and are about 50 feet from the bog edge.  They tend to be warmer than the bog (especially in the spring); from past experience, we know seedlings tend to emerge in the buckets 7-10 days prior to seedlings emerging on the bog.  Thus, they do give an indication that you can start scouting for emerging seedlings whenever the rain breaks.

Again, we do not know if Callisto will work preemergence on dodder, but the herbicide can be applied for other weed control once buds have broken.

Please note: the PHI for Devrinol was erroneously listed as 12 hr in the 2009 Chart Book; it should be 24 hr.

IPM Message May 2, 2009

Winter moth larvae are out on the bog.  You can sweep for them at any time.  Winter moth larvae are green spanworm.  We heard a report of 40 larvae per set.  There is no official threshold for winter moth, but a general gauge could be 18 since it is a spanworm.  There are many control options for spanworms including Avaunt (not on flow-throughs), Bt, Delegate, Intrepid, Confirm, Imidan, Lorsban, Orthene and Pyronyl.  If you have a history of bad winter moth, you should consider a prophylactic spray early in the season (now).  Damage may be done to the developing tips before populations can be detected.

Devrinol 50DF has a 24 hr PHI; it is erroneously listed as 12 hr in the Chart Book.  It is getting late to apply high doses of Casoron for broadleaf weed control.  It is late to be applying Devrinol on established bogs for broadleaf and grass control.  You may get damage with high rates of Casoron at this point but may not get damage with Devrinol; you just won’t get the control you expect since many weeds have started to emerge already.  Low rates of Casoron for dodder control are typically applied anytime now through mid-May.  Try not to apply before a big rainfall event or frost event(s).  Callisto cannot be applied until the cranberries have broken bud (around May 10-15).