Facts for Fancy Fruit 2002-03 April 12, 2002

Crop Conditions: Cool conditions continued across the state over the
past two weeks.  This has delayed the development of fruit crops.  Warm
temperatures have finally arrived recently and the forecast is for
continued mild temperatures. This should get the growing season into
full swing quickly.  In the southern part of the state peaches are in
bloom, grapes are just starting to swell, and apples are at silver tip.
 Despite the warming temperatures, several frosts have occurred over
the past two weeks so it is likely that we have additional damage to
brambles, strawberries and peaches.

State Budget:  As most of you are aware, the state budget situation is
not a happy one.  As the budget currently stands, many state programs
will be affected, including higher education and agriculture programs
at Purdue. Purdue University President Martin Jischke said ÒThe entire
public education system has taken a very serious hit.Ó  State mandated
cuts of 7% will be across the board, but two line items in PurdueÕs
budget are particularly at risk, the Cooperative Extension Service and
Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL).  Dr Victor Lechtenberg,
dean of PurdueÕs School of Agriculture said ÒWe could lose as many as
20 to 25 Extension educators across the state.  The ADDL also expects
to reduce staff significantly.Ó  Dr. Lechtenberg also said ÒAt a time
when Indiana faces greater concerns over biosecurity and a need for
increased economic development and youth services, we need our state
leaders to know these cuts will hurt the citizens of Indiana.  WeÕll
try to meet the Extension reduction through staff attrition and the
elimination of some programs, but we canÕt rule out the possibility of
layoffs or office closings. Such drastic cuts will mean we canÕt meet
our responsibilities.Ó The 7 percent reduction in state-funded line
items ordered by the governor directly affects county offices and field
staff in Extension and the ADDL on campus.  The ADDL is the primary
laboratory safeguard for animal health in Indiana.  County Extension
offices and staff are funded through a combination of state and county
funds, a cooperative effort that ensures university expertise addresses
local priorities.  Purdue Extension director Dr. David Petritz said
county funding pays for about 60% of the field staff budget. ÒCounty
governments made Extension support a priority over the last five years
and the reduction in state funding could undo a lot of their work,Ó
Petritz said. The Governor has called lawmakers back for a special
session to address the state budget, starting May 14.  If you have
views on what action you think should be taken during this special
session, now is the time to contact your elected officials and make
those views known.  From those of us at Purdue, we appreciate your
support.

New Web Resource for Fruit Diseases:  The latest edition of the fruit
newsletter, ÔScaffoldsÕ, announced a new online source of information
for diseases affecting tree fruit and berry crops in New York (diseases
act pretty much the same, be it New York or Indiana).  The address of
the page is: www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pp/extension/tfabp/.  Once at the
website, youÕll find a number of excellent links to disease fact
sheets, extension presentations, and other newsletters.  We highly
recommend you check it out; itÕs an excellent site for disease
information. (Pecknold)

Getting the Most Out of Glyphosate and Other Sprays:  Fruit growers
often apply a post- emergent herbicide beneath the tree or vine row in
spring to control winter annuals and other weeds. Often a pre-emergent
herbicide is included in this application.  Glyphosate (Roundup) is a
post emergent systemic herbicide that is widely used for this first
weed spray.  In order for glyphosate to be effective, it needs to be
absorbed into the plant.  In soft water glyphosate has no problems in
being absorbed.  However in hard water glyphosate will be Ôtied upÕ and
not absorbed as readily. Hard water, common in many parts of Indiana,
contains high concentrations of soluble salts, calcium and magnesium.
When these cations are present they react with the negatively charged
glyphosate to form compounds that are not readily absorbed by plants.
This results in poor uptake and poor weed control. The solution to the
hard water problem is to add ammonium sulfate to the spray water before
mixing with glyphosate.  Ammonium sulfate ions tie up the calcium and
magnesium ions forming conjugate salts.  Additionally, some of the
glyphosate reacts with ammonium to form a compound that some weeds
preferentially absorb.  Follow the Roundup label recommendations on the
amount of ammonium sulfate to add. Another problem associated with
spray water quality is that many fungicides and insecticides break down
quickly in high pH water.  Captan, Cygon, Imidan, Kelthane, malathion,
and Omite are examples of compounds that are especially vulnerable to
alkaline hydrolysis.  Both the Commercial Tree Fruit and Small Fruit
and Grape Spray Guides have a discussion of spray tank pH.  Briefly,
addition of about 2 ounces of food grade citric acid per 100 gallons of
water will lower the pH from about 8.0 to about 5.5. (Bordelon)

Apple Diseases:  Tight cluster to pink is a time for maximum disease
control efforts.  During this period primary scab spores often reach
their peak; powdery mildew infection is occurring on new growth; cedar
apple rust is discharging spores with each rain; and fire blight is
building, ready to be carried to opening apple and pear blossoms. ItÕs
not a pretty picture! 1. Apple scab: The potential for severe scab
infection is ALWAYS high.  The amount of scab is directly dependent on
the frequency AND DURATION of spring rainfall.  If we have a wet April,
scab pressure will be high, if it turns dry, scab pressure will be low,
spray accordingly. 2. Rust:   The pink stage of apple growth generally
coincides with the time rust spores begin to infect apple foliage and
fruit.  If rust is a chronic problem consider the use of a
sterol-inhibiting fungicide such as Nova or Rubigan. 3. Powdery mildew:
 If mildew has been a chronic problem in certain blocks (Jonathan,
Rome, Ida Red) the above mentioned sterol-inhibiting fungicides are
also excellent in helping to control mildew. 4. Fire Blight:  BE
CONCERNEDÉ see warning on fire blight. (Pecknold)

Fire Blight Warning:  The late spring and increased occurrence of fire
blight last year has increased the potential for this to be a bad fire
blight year.  Odds are now even higher that prebloom & bloom will
coincide with warm temperatures, and as you know, warm temperatures
(daily average temperatures above 65¡F) accompanied by rain can result
in severe blossom blight.  The best prevention for fire blight is the
application of streptomycin during bloom.  Apply streptomycin just as
blossoms begin opening and repeat every 3-4 days if weather favorable
for blossom blight infection persists.  The ÒMARYBLYTÓ computer
software program will help you in determining when and if an infection
event occurred as well as predict the risk for future infection
periods. (Pecknold)

Planting to Avoid Fire blight: When establishing new orchard blocks,
consider varietal susceptibility to fire blight.  Blight control is
easier if plantings of susceptible trees can be isolated.  Avoid
interplanting susceptible apple varieties ( Gala, Fuji,  Ida red,
Jonathan, Lodi, Rome, etc.) with pears or in fields adjacent to pear
plantings.  In mixed variety plantings, set varieties susceptible to
blight in solid rows for ease of spraying with blight control
chemicals.  Also, most of the more severe fire blight problems have
occurred in orchards planted on poor sites.  These sites can be
characterized as having heavy, poorly drained, and/or highly acid
soils.  Planting trees on poor soil invites fire blight damage and poor
fruit production. (Pecknold)

Apple Scab: The most important time of year for scab control is from
green tip to petal fall.  If you donÕt control scab during this period
itÕs an uphill struggle the remainder of the season.  Be sure sprayers
are properly calibrated; thoroughly read the label of all pesticides
you will be applying; use sufficient water to provide good coverage;
choose calm, good drying conditions for spraying (Good luck on this
suggestion); prune trees so they have an open canopy allowing for good
spray penetration; and maintain a tight schedule if wet weather
persists during the primary scab period. (Pecknold)

Brown Rot Of Stone Fruits: Management of brown rot began last year
after harvestÉwith the removal of all fruit, mummies and blighted
twigs.  It continues this year at pink with early season fungicide
sprays. We fortunately have an abundance of fungicides for use in
control of brown rot. See  ID-168, Ò2002 Indiana Commercial Tree Fruit
Spray GuideÓ, for a complete listing of suggested fungicides.
(Pecknold)

Cornell Proposal Modified:  In the last issue we reported on CornellÕs
proposed licensing plan for its new grape varieties.  After input from
New York growers, Cornell has decided to modify its original proposal.
They now plan to 1) charge a royalty of 75 cents/vine in New York
state, more outside the state, 2) offer a choice of the above vs.
approximately 35 cents/vine in years 4, 5, and 6 (this offer will
probably only be for New York growers), and 3) Cornell will still
protect the varieties via property rights. Comments welcome:  This
modified plan is subject to further modification.  The breeding program
along with CRF ask for your ideas and input to help develop a workable
plan that will provide benefits both for the industry and the breeding
program.  It would also provide a means by which out-of-state growers
benefiting from NY varieties could support the program.  Comments may
be addressed to the following contacts: Grape Breeding Program, Bruce
Reisch, 204 Hedrick hall, Agr. Exp. Sta Geneva, Geneva, NY 14456-0462,
phone: 315-787-2239 email b.reisch@cornell.edu. Cornell Research
Foundation, Richard S. Cahoon, Vice President, Cornell Research
Foundation, 20 Thornwood Drive Suite 105, Ithaca, NY 14850 phone:
607-257-1081, email: rsc5@cornell.edu

HACCP Workshop:  If you are producing cider, then this is an
opportunity you wonÕt want to miss.  Like it or not, soon all cider
makers in the state will have to develop and implement a HACCP plan for
their operation by 2004.  Even if you are pasteurizing, HACCP will
still be required. An intensive 3 day course on HACCP for juice
products will be held July 17-19.  This course will focus on providing
participants with a better understanding of how to develop and
implement HACCP programs for juice products.  Discussion of
pre-requisite programs, such as sanitation and Good Manufacturing
Practices, will also be highlighted.  After completion of the workshop,
participants will have the ability to develop food safety programs for
their establishments and products.  This program would also benefit
growers who provide fruit to processors. This is probably the only time
this workshop will be offered in Indiana, so write the dates on your
calendar now, July 17-19.  The location has not yet been finalized Ð
watch this space for more details.  For further information, please
contact Dr. Richard Linton, Purdue University, (765) 494-6481 or Dr.
Les Bourquin, Michigan State University, (517) 353-9664.

Bulletin on Concentrate vs Dilute Spraying:  I have received a number
of inquiries about this new publication from Ohio State.  It is
available on the internet at: http://ohioline.osu.edu/b892/index.html
I will also bring copies of it to the various extension meetings around
the state over the next month or two.  If you would like a copy mailed
to you, please send me a check for $3.00 (made out to Purdue
University) and IÕll get one in the mail to you.

Health Fact:  Small increases in vitamin C intake each day Ð equal to
about one serving of fruits and vegetables Ð can reduce your risk of
premature death by about 20%. (from Hope Health Newsletter)

Twilight Meeting Cancelled:. The LaPorte Fruit Growers Meeting
scheduled for Wednesday, April 17 has been cancelled.  Growers are
encouraged to join in the Lake County fruit meeting on Tuesday, April
16 (see ÒUpcoming meetingsÓ below for more details).

Upcoming Meetings:

April 16 - 	Lake County twilight meeting. County Line Orchard, 5:30 pm.
 For directions see http://www.countylineorchard.com

April 24 -	North East Indiana twilight meeting.  Bruick Bros. Orchard,
New Haven, IN. For more information contact Ricky Kemery, Ph
219-481-6826.

April 27 -	Grape Planting Day. Madison Vineyards. Contact Steve Palmer
812-273-6500

May 8 - 	Eastern Indiana Horticultural Society.  Twilight meeting.
Grabow Orchard.  More details to come.

May 14 - 	LaPorte fruitgrowers twilight meeting.  More details to come.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bruce Bordelon, 1165 Dept. of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture,
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN  47907-1165, 317/494-8212,
e-mail: bordelon@hort.purdue.edu

Peter Hirst, 1165 Dept. of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture,
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1165, 317/494-1323, e-mail:
hirst@hort.purdue.edu

Paul Pecknold, 1155 Dept. of Botany & Plant Pathology, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, IN 47907- 1155, 317/494-4628, e-mail:
Pecknold@btny.purdue.edu

Rick Foster, 1158 Dept. of Entomology, Purdue University, West
Lafayette, IN 47907-1158, 317/494- 9572, e-mail:
Rick_Foster@entm.purdue.edu

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