Pest management advice for commercial fruit production

Specialty (minor-use) crop pesticide prioritization in the 2008 IR-4 Food Use Workshop
Satoru Miyazaki and John Wise, Entomology
Bernard Zandstra, Horticulture

September 25, 2008 -- Due to the current review of crop protection chemicals under the Food Quality Protection Act and the high cost to industry of product registration, specialty (minor) crops and sometimes, minor uses on major crops are at risk of having few available products or being lost for pest management. Read more.

Insect and mite pest management: End of season wrap-up
By David Epstein, MSU IPM Program,
Larry Gut, Entomology,
John Wise, Entomology,
Nikki Rothwell, NWMHRS


September 16, 2008 -- Another cool spring season in 2008 provided us with a good lesson in how variable codling moth catches can be from one farm to another, and from one block to another on the same farm. This is not surprising considering that the extent of early season codling moth activity in an orchard is typically associated with how well the pest was controlled in the previous season. Read more.

Overview of tree fruit diseases during the 2008 growing season
George Sundin
Plant Pathology

September 16, 2008 -- The disease triangle concept in plant pathology reminds us that plant disease only occurs if there is a combination of a susceptible plant host, virulent pathogen, and conducive weather conditions. Alteration of any component of the triangle can lead to a reduction or lack of disease. Read more.

Watch for MSU Tree Fruit IPM School - 2009
Erin Lizotte, IPM/IFP District Educator

September 16, 2008 -- As in past years, the 2009 Tree Fruit IPM School will be a two and a half day event to be held February 16, 17, and 18 at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners, Michigan. Read more.

2008 small fruit insect summary
Rufus Isaacs, Keith Mason and Steve Van Timmeren
Entomology

September 16, 2008 -- Insects have continued to give grape, blueberry, strawberry, and raspberry growers some challenges in 2008. Spring rains and windy conditions made control of some early season insects difficult, especially if timing of application was critical. Read more.

EPA registration of Maneb fungicide cancelled
Annemiek Schilder
Plant Pathology

September 16, 2008 -- United Phosphorus, Inc. (UPI) has submitted a request to the EPA to voluntarily cancel all Maneb (75 percent manganese ethylenebisdithiocarbamate registrations). Maneb belongs to the EBDC fungicide group. Read more.

Overview of small fruit diseases during the 2008 growing season
Annemiek Schilder
Plant Pathology

September 16, 2008 -- The 2008 season was challenging for small fruit growers, as frequent precipitation and fluctuating temperatures promoted many fungal diseases, especially those that rely on rain for spore dispersal and infection. Read more.