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Disease Management Update --
Apple Scab -- As you wrap up your pest management program
for this season and prepare for harvest, just a note about 'storage scab', sometimes
referred to as 'pinpoint' scab. Although lesions appear during storage, they
are the result of orchard infections during wet weather late in the growing season.
When orchards have low levels of conidial inoculum, it appears that a very
long period of continuous wetness (at least 4-5 days) is needed for 'light' infection of
mature apples. In a wet season like this one where there is more foliar scab
present, the risk of infection is higher. Thus, having an effective
residue on the fruit to protect it from infection until harvest is important.
However, as always, all pre-harvest fungicide intervals must be
followed.
Sooty Bloch and Flyspeck -- Sooty blotch and Flyspeck can also
develop in storage. The length of time from the last fungicide application to harvest can
play an important role in the extent of disease development. Table 15 on page
87 of the 2000-2001 New England Apple Pest Management Guide lists the "maximum
days from last spray to harvest" for the various fungicide options. Again, as
stated above, please be aware of all pre-harvest interval restrictions.
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