Crop conditions.  Apples range from early bloom in the north to petal
fall in the southern parts of the state.  A recent frost event has
caused some damage on apples, peaches and strawberries around the
state.  See article on frost damage.

Frost damage  Low temperatures on the evening of Tuesday April 22 have
caused damage to fruit crops around the state.  Many parts of the state
experienced minimum temperatures of 28-30 which is unlikely to have
caused significant damage for the fairly short duration that the cold
seems to have lasted.  Some areas around Indianapolis reached around 25
F which is likely to cause damage to both apples and peaches, but would
be unlikely to result in economic losses.  What I mean by this is that
it will have done some thinning for you but probably not reduced your
crop too much.  The amount of damage depends on the temperature, the
duration it was cold, and the stage of flower/fruit development.  If
pollination has already occurred then the cold damaging the surface of
the stigmas wonÕt matter but obviously if pollination hasnÕt happened
yet this will cause a lot of damage. Wait a few days for damaged tissue
to turn brown before cutting flowers/fruit to assess damage.  I have
two other things for you to consider.   First, the temperature at your
site may have been different to those reported at weather stations
around the state, and second, itÕs only April still and weÕre not out
of the danger period yet.

OK so what can you do? Not too much but if you think the bloom has been
damaged then a foliar nitrogen application may be useful in helping
perk up the leaves and helping remaining bloom to set.  An application
of about 3 lbs urea/100 gal at about petal fall should help in this
regard  (Hirst).

2003 Agricultural Assistance Act Since passage of the bill, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set payment limitations at $80,000
per producer.  The sign-up period begins June 6, 2003.  For more
detailed information, refer to USDAÕs Disaster Assistance Web site
http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov/.  We also strongly encourage you to
contact your local Farm Service Agency agent.  Some key points are:

_ Growers to choose disaster coverage for the 2001 OR 2002 crop.

_ All growers and all crops, meeting certain requirements, are eligible
for disaster payments.  The amount of federal money available for
payments is not limited to the original $3.1 billion estimate.

_ Loss Coverage:  Quantity and quality losses are covered. -  Quantity:
A grower must lose 35 percent of his/her crop to be eligible. -
Quality:  A minimum of 20 percent quality loss must occur to be
eligible.

_ Payment Rate:  Up to 65 percent of average production times: -  50
percent of applicable crop price for producers who bought crop
insurance or for which crop insurance was not available. -  45 percent
of the applicable crop price for producers who did not buy available
crop insurance.

_ Growers who receive disaster payments on a specific crop and did not
have crop insurance (including CAT), if available, must purchase crop
insurance (above CAT), if available, for that crop for the 2004 and
2005 crop years.  Violators must reimburse the U.S. Department of
Agriculture for the full amount of the disaster assistance provided.

_ Payment limitations: Together, the value of any crop that was not
lost, crop insurance payments and disaster payments may not exceed 95%
of what the value of the crop would have been without disaster.  AMLAP
payments are NOT counted toward the 95% payment limitation, since they
are for previous crop years. Payments are limited to $80,000 per
producer.  Persons with gross revenue exceeding $2.5 million are
ineligible for program benefits.

_ The bill will be paid for through spending reductions in conservation
provisions of the farm bill.

Sign-up begins June 6, 2003 for the Crop Disaster Program.  See your
local FSA office to participate, or for additional details.  (Hirst, -
from US Apple Association)

Washington Apple Commission Folds. The Washington Apple Commission has
decided to fold, following its legal defeat over the constitutionality
of its marketing and promotion program. The commission ceased
collecting mandatory assessments on March 31, the day of the judgeÕs
ruling. The release did not report what commission assets would go
toward repayment of assessments to growers since the lawsuit was filed.
The commission will pay for no more marketing activities. (from The
Fruitgrowers News).

Commercial Tree Fruit Spray Guide Correction  An error has been
discovered on page 7 of the 2003 Commercial Tree Fruit Spray Guide.
Data in the table was shifted out of line. You can download a corrected
page in the pdf format for insertion in your spray guide:
http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~ipm/fruit/page7.pdf

Calculating Degree Days - Codling Moths Ð One way to improve your
control of codling moths is by timing your sprays using pheromone trap
catches and degree-days. This is especially important if you are using
some of the insect growth regulators such as Intrepid or Esteem. The
first thing you should determine is your biofix. Biofix is defined as
the first sustained catch of moths, which we have established as when
3-5 moths have been caught in a pheromone trap. Knowing that the moths
are flying allows us to predict when the eggs will hatch with more
certainty than using calendar date or the stage of growth of the apple
trees. The instructions for calculating degree-days follow.

1. Find the high and low temperature (Fahrenheit) for the day. If the
high temperature is less than 50, then you will not accumulate any
degree-days for that day. If the high temperature is above 50 and the
low temperature is less than 50, use 50 as your low temperature.
(Notice that this is a change from way I told you to calculate degree
days last year.) 2. Add the high and low temperatures together and
divide by 2 to get the average temperature for the day. 3. Subtract 50
from the average daily temperature to get the dayÕs degree-days.
Codling moths donÕt develop below 50 F, so we are only interested in
temperatures above their developmental threshold. 4. Add the dayÕs
degree-days to the previous total to get the updated accumulated
degree- days. (On the first day you will be adding to zero.)

	When you have accumulated 150 degree-days, it is time to spray.
(Again, notice that the number of degree-days required for a spray is
lower than what I told you last year.) The eggs will have developed to
the point where they are almost ready to hatch, so if you put on a
spray at this time, you will have the maximum amount of residue present
to control the young larvae before they enter the fruit. (Foster).

Controlling Codling Moths Without Using OPs Ð A number of apple growers
are looking for insecticides other than the organophosphates such as
Imidan and Guthion to control codling moths. This desire to change is
motivated by restrictions on the use of those products, concern about
worker safety or pesticide residues, and probably most commonly,
because it appears that codling moths in some locations are resistant
to Imidan and Guthion.
	There are several possibilities available for codling moth control. I
will attempt to share with you what I know about some of the
alternatives.

¥ Danitol Ð This pyrethroid insecticide is different than other
pyrethroids in that it gives some control of European red mite without
much toxicity to predator mites. However, in my trials it has given
disappointing control of codling moth. Some of my colleagues have
gotten good results with Danitol.

¥ Insect growth regulators Ð The three commonly available insect growth
regulators are Confirm, Intrepid and Esteem. I would recommend
forgetting about Confirm. Intrepid is manufactured by the same company
(Dow AgroSciences) and is a better product. When used twice per
generation with another insecticide used between generations, I have
seen good results with this product. Some growers have had less than
satisfactory results, however. I have the most hope for Esteem among
the insect growth regulators. In my limited experience with it, Esteem
has provided reasonably good control of codling moth, and it also
controls several other pests.

¥ SpinTor Ð Also available as an organic formulation (Entrust), this
product has had mixed results. Sometimes the control is quite good and
sometimes not so good. Several of my colleagues from neighboring states
donÕt think much of SpinTor at all. If you are trying to grow apples
organically, Entrust is the best option you have. If you are a
conventional grower, I would only test SpinTor on limited acreages.

¥ Avaunt Ð This product from DuPont has not been outstanding in any of
my trials or those of my colleagues. It does control codling moths, but
never seems to be better than mediocre.

¥ Assail Ð This insecticide is from the neonicotinoid family, meaning
it is similar to Provado, but with a broader range of control. My
colleague, Bruce Barrett from the University of Missouri, tested Assail
last year and got control as good as Imidan and Guthion. Unfortunately,
I will test this product for the first time this year. At this point,
Assail appears to be the alternative insecticide that has the greatest
potential for providing control that is comparable to the
organophosphates. If you must use an alternative this year, I strongly
recommend that you give Assail a try. If Imidan and Guthion are still
working well for you, I encourage you to conduct you own on-farm trial
with Assail this year to see how it compares for you.

This season, my colleagues from Ohio State University, University of
Kentucky, University of Illinois, University of Missouri, and I are all
conducting identical trials on all of these products, in addition to a
few  others so that we can make better decisions about how these
products work. I will update you as we learn more.  (Foster).

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.  A pre-emergent
herbicide may be 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, Imidan, 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)

Early Grape Sprays:  Grapes are at budbreak to 2 inch shoots in
Lafayette and further ahead in southern areas. Growers should make
their first fungicide application soon.  This early spray (1- to 3 inch
shoot) is primarily for Phomopsis cane and leaf spot, so mancozeb or
captan are effective materials. Because these materials are
protectants, they must be applied prior to infection periods, so
growers should spray before any forecast rains occur. Over the next two
weeks shoots should double in length and addition of one of the sterol
inhibitors (e.g. Nova, Rubigan, etc.) should be considered for control
of black rot and powdery mildew. The most important sprays of the year
for fruit rot control are the sprays surrounding bloom. Plan now to
have one of the strobies on hand for those sprays.  Refer to the
Commercial Small Fruit and Grape Spray Guide
(www.hort.purdue.edu/hort/ext/sfg) and the Midwest Small Fruit Pest
Management Handbook (www.ag.ohio- state.edu/~sfgnet/) for complete
discussions of grape IPM. (Bordelon)

Strawberries and Botrytis Fruit Rot:  The most important sprays for
control of Botrytis fruit rot (gray mold) of strawberry are those
applied at bloom - starting at 10% bloom. There have been some major
changes in fungicide registrations for Botrytis control in
strawberries.  Ronilan and Rovral can no longer be used on
strawberries.  Elevate received registration in 2000, and Switch
received registration in 2002.  Both should provide excellent control
of gray mold.  So, the options for Botrytis control are Elevate,
Switch, Benlate, and Topsin M.  None of them should be used alone for
season-long control of Botrytis because of the potential for
development of resistant pathogen strains.  Benlate cannot be used on
strawberries once the crop has been turned into ÒU-PickÓ or ÒPick-
Your-OwnÓ or similar operation.  However, it can be used preharvest
(bloom) and post- harvest as long as the field is not open to U-Pick.
See ID-169, 2003 Indiana Commercial Small Fruit & Grape Spray Guide,
(www.hort.purdue.edu/hort/ext/sfg) and the Midwest Small Fruit Pest
Management Handbook (www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~sfgnet/) for complete
discussions of strawberry IPM. (Pecknold and Bordelon)

Eastern Flower Thrips:  One of the factors we believe may be associated
with problems with eastern flower thrips on strawberries is having
sustained, strong southerly winds early in the growing season. These
winds may blow eastern flower thrips to Indiana from southern areas. It
would be prudent for strawberries growers to watch for thrips as we
approach bloom. We recommend looking at the early flowers, especially
on early varieties. Although an exact threshold has not been
established for Midwest conditions, data from elsewhere suggest that
control is warranted if counts exceed 2 to 10 thrips per blossom. This
is a wide range, but more precise information is not available. Lorsban
or Thiodan are probably the best choices among conventional
insecticides, and Brigade and Danitol or SpinTor also are likely to
work well.  Growers may also want to consider using an insecticide
containing neem extracts (Align or Neemix) that is less toxic to bees.
(Foster and Bordelon)

Fire 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. Streptomycin is most effective when applied
the day before or the day of an infection event.  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.  We strongly recommend its use for those growers at
high risk.  Speaking of high risk, be especially diligent in your fire
blight program if you have blight susceptible varieties (Ida Red,
Jonathan, Gala, Rome, Lodi, etc.) in combination with M.26, M.9 and/or
Mark rootstocks and/or interstems.  These DYNAMITE combinations have
the potential to explode into rootstock blight, which usually means a
dead tree! (Pecknold).

Apple Scab:  The peak period for scab infection is NOW!  Primary scab
spores are ripe and ready to infect, all they need is a good scab rain.
 Are you prepared?  For growers on a curative schedule, or for those
who get caught with their pants down (unprotected), we suggest Nova,
Flint, or Sovran.  These fungicides will provide up to 96 hours
Òcurative activityÓ.  However, the sooner you apply them the better!
Do not sit around thinking there is no need to rush.  NOTE: see
comments below on the Strobilurins. (Pecknold).

Rust Diseases:  Cedar apple and cedar quince rust are now actively
infecting foliage and fruit. Except for the northern areas of the
state, we are now into the peak period for rust infection.  The
sterol-inhibiting fungicides, Nova and Rubigan, are excellent in
preventing rust problems, as well as providing excellent control of
powdery mildew, which is also infecting new leaf tissue, right now!
(Pecknold).

Nova, Rubigan & Tank Mixes :   All Nova or Rubigan applications should
be tank- mixed with a standard protectant fungicide to avoid problems
with resistance to apple scab. However, it is especially important that
your final spray (petal fall or first cover) of Nova or Rubigan be
combined with a protectant fungicide such as captan, ziram, mancozeb,
or Polyram.  The addition of a protectant fungicide at this time will
help provide protection from summer diseases such as black rot, sooty
blotch and fly speck and also give added protection from fruit scab.
Refer to Rubigan and Nova labels for additional information on tank
mixes. (Pecknold).

THE STROBILURINS:  The new strobilurin fungicides, Sovran and Flint,
are excellent in control of many diseases.  Unfortunately they are also
very prone to the development of resistance.  Therefore growers should
be extremely judicious in their use of these compounds.  We suggest you
consider the use of Flint or Sovran in ONLY the FIRST, THIRD and
SEVENTH cover sprays (three times only) for control of fruit scab and
sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS).  Our previous field trials indicate
that Sovran, applied at the full rate, will provide excellent control
of both fruit scab and SBFS when applied at these three times (first,
third and seventh cover).  While the strobilurins are effective in
precover sprays for the control of other diseases, we believe their
real strength lies in the control of fruit scab and sooty blotch and
flyspeck. So lets use them when they will do the most good and
hopefully avoid future resistance problems. (Pecknold).

Specialty Crops Marketing Position at Purdue.  As many of you know, we
are currently seeking to fill a new faculty position in specialty crops
marketing at Purdue. We have completed the interview process for the
three candidates we brought in and the search committee will meet next
week to discuss the merits of the candidates.  A number of industry
representatives were involved in the interview process and met the
candidates.  For those people, we really want your input, so if you
have not done so already, please communicate your thoughts and
impressions either to Peter Hirst or to Ed Ashworth (phone 765-494-1306
or email:  ashworth@hort.purdue.edu).

Upcoming meetings:

May 22.  LaPorte County twilight meeting.  Garwood Orchard.  Contact
Walt Sell, LaPorte County Extension Educator.  Email
walt.sell@ces.purdue.edu,  Phone 219-326-6808