FACTS FOR FANCY FRUITS
APRIL 22, 1998


Crop Conditions:  Apples near petal fall in the south, full bloom in central areas and tight 
cluster in the north.  Peaches are at or beyond petal fall in the south and petal fall in central 
areas and pink up north.  Early budding grapes have 3-6 inch shoots in the south, 1 inch 
shoots in central areas, and are at budbreak in the north.  Mid and late budding varieties are 
at early to full swell central areas.  Strawberries at early bloom in south and central areas 
and pre-bloom in the north.  Blueberries are at budbreak in the north.


Periodical Cicadas:  Periodical cicadas are some of the most unique insects found affecting 
fruit trees. The immature stages feed for 13 or 17 years by sucking sap from the roots of 
trees. Depending on the species involved, adults will emerge after the 13 or 17 year nymph 
stage has been completed. Different areas of the state have different broods of cicadas that 
emerge on a regular basis. Because the adults are so noticeable, there are historical records of 
the periodic appearance of these insects in different areas of the state. 
	The adult cicadas will emerge in late May and June. Their presence is very noticeable 
because of the incessant high-pitched, shrill sounds the males make to attract females. The 
females, once mated, damage woody plants by using their knife-like egg laying structure to 
slit or puncture twigs. Young fruit trees are particularly vulnerable to this damage. The female 
will lay her eggs in these slits. The eggs hatch in about six weeks and the nymphs drop to the 
ground, burrow to the roots and begin the long feeding process. 	The value of spraying 
insecticides to control cicadas is debatable. There is data that shows little or no reduction in 
damage when insecticides were applied. The most reliable way to avoid serious losses to 
young trees is to not have young trees present when cicadas are expected to emerge in your 
area. If you plan to summer prune, wait until after the cicadas have completed their damage, 
so that you can prune out damaged branches and keep healthy ones.
	In 1998, there is a brood of 13 year cicadas scheduled to appear in western counties 
ranging from Posey to Jasper counties. If you have young trees in those counties, watch for 
the presence of cicadas in late May and June. Lorsban will likely provide the best control, 
although you should not expect any insecticide to prevent the damage.
	In 2000, a brood of 17 year cicadas will emerge in southern Indiana, particularly 
Clark, Clay, Dearborn, Jennings, Lawrence, Marion, and Washington counties. Growers in 
these areas should refrain from planting trees until after this brood of Periodical Cicadas:  
Periodical cicadas are some of the most unique insects found affecting fruit trees. The 
immature stages feed for 13 or 17 years by sucking sap from the roots of trees. Depending 
on the species involved, adults will emerge after the 13 or 17 year nymph stage has been 
completed. Different areas of the state have different broods of cicadas that emerge on a 
regular basis. Because the adults are so noticeable, there are historical records of the periodic 
appearance of these insects in different areas of the state. 
	The adult cicadas will emerge in late May and June. Their presence is very noticeable 
because of the incessant high-pitched, shrill sounds the males make to attract females. The 
females, once mated, damage woody plants by using their knife-like egg laying structure to 
slit or puncture twigs. Young fruit trees are particularly vulnerable to this damage. The female 
will lay her eggs in these slits. The eggs hatch in about six weeks and the nymphs drop to the 
ground, burrow to the roots and begin the long feeding process. 	The value of spraying 
insecticides to control cicadas is debatable. There is data that shows little or no reduction in 
damage when insecticides were applied. The most reliable way to avoid serious losses to 
young trees is to not have young trees present when cicadas are expected to emerge in your 
area. If you plan to summer prune, wait until after the cicadas have completed their damage, 
so that you can prune out damaged branches and keep healthy ones.
	In 1998, there is a brood of 13 year cicadas scheduled to appear in western counties 
ranging from Posey to Jasper counties. If you have young trees in those counties, watch for 
the presence of cicadas in late May and June. Lorsban will likely provide the best control, 
although you should not expect any insecticide to prevent the damage.
	In 2000, a brood of 17 year cicadas will emerge in southern Indiana, particularly 
Clark, Clay, Dearborn, Jennings, Lawrence, Marion, and Washington counties. Growers in 
these areas should refrain from planting trees until after this brood of cicadas have emerged if 
at all possible. If you choose to plant, keep in mind that your young trees will be at risk of 
serious damage.For more information about when and where future broods of periodical 
cicadas will be emerging, get a copy of Purdue Extension Publication E-47, Periodical Cicada 
in Indiana. -Foster

Mite Management:  By now, all of you should have made your Apollo or Savey applications 
to those blocks of apples where you anticipated a mite problem in 1998. If not, you can still 
apply Agri-Mek after petal fall. For best results, you should apply it within two weeks of petal 
fall. My research results and reports from growers have not found Agri-Mek to provide the 
levels of mite control we would like at the 10 oz. rate. 
	After petal fall, you should begin looking for the buildup of mite populations on a 
regular basis, even in those blocks where you have applied a miticide. If mite populations 
appear to be approaching or exceeding threshold levels, you can use Pyramite or a summer 
oil to get them back to tolerable levels. My experience with summer oils is that if you use the 
1% rate, you will have little or no phytotoxicity. Remember not to use summer oils within two 
weeks of a captan spray. Pyramite provides good to excellent control of European red mites, 
but it also fairly toxic to predators.
	Finally, as I always say, the key to mite management is to conserve the predator mites 
that eat European red mites. If at all possible, avoid using those insecticides that are highly 
toxic to predators such as  Asana, Ambush, Pounce, Vydate, Lannate, or Carzol. Before using 
these products, ask yourself which is worse, the insect problem you are trying to solve, or the 
mite problem you may create? -Foster

Weather Update:  Heavy rains fell across
              southern and central Indiana last week.  Lots of flash flooding has been occurring in 
southern Indiana and into Kentucky from this event.  Rainfall amounts for the last 2 weeks 
have varied from 1 1/2 inches to over 7 inches across the state with the heaviest amounts 
occurring in the southeastern portion. Temperatures have averaged slightly above normal 
over most of the state as well.  The 30 and 90 day outlooks call for normal temperatures and 
normal precipitation.  Soil temperatures in 4" grass around the state have been ranging from 
51 - 60ûF maximums and 45 - 54ûF minimums.  Bare soil temperatures have been ranging 
from 55 to 65ûF maximums and 44 to 50ûF minimums.

Check-off Money to Purdue:  Firstly, we   would like to thank all those that have 
contributed to the Purdue Tree Fruit Research and Extension fund.  This fund was started 2 
years ago by the Indiana Horticultural Society as a voluntary check off in the amount of one 
cent per bushel.  The money raised by these contributions have been used to support tree 
fruit research and extension in terms of pomology, entomology and plant pathology.  The 
type of things this money has been spent on include hiring students to work over the summer 
to help with research and establishing new plantings out at the new Throckmorton Farm.  We 
appreciate the support of the industry and would encourage growers to continue in their 
support of our work.  If you have any questions on this subject, please call Peter Hirst or one 
of the Indiana Horticultural Society Board members. -Hirst


Vice President Responds to Concerns Over the Food Quality Protection Act:  
In the last issue I wrote about the potential implications of the Food Quality Protection Act.  
On April 8 Vice President Al gore issued a press release available at the following web site: 
http:// whitehouse.gov.

Statement of Vice President Gore on Ensuring a Safe, Plentiful Food 
Supply 

	Protecting our childrenÕs health and helping our farmers remain the 
most productive in the world are two of this AdministrationÕs top 
priorities. That is why I am asking the Environmental Protection Agency 
and the Department of Agriculture to work together to meet both of these 
objectives, ensuring our nation a safe, plentiful food supply for the 21st 
century.
	Two years ago, President Clinton signed the Food Quality Protection 
Act of 1996, a landmark effort to safeguard public health and especially 
children. The Act, which passed with broad bipartisan support, set in 
motion a systematic, scientific effort to identify and reduce potential risks 
posed by pesticides. With that effort now well under way, some in the 
agricultural community are concerned about how the actÕs implementation 
may affect them.
	President Clinton and I will not waver in our commitment to 
protecting childrenÕs health. Nor are we willing to sacrifice the strength 
and competitiveness of our agricultural communities. Accordingly, I am 
asking EPA Administrator Browner and Secretary Glickman to work in 
partnership to ensure that these regulatory efforts are guided by sound 
science and broad public participation. I am asking them as well to speed 
the development and approval of any new, safer pest control strategies.
	I am confident that working together, we can assure Americans the 
safest, most productive food supply ever. 


Vice President Gore also sent a four page memo to Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman 
and EPA Administrator Carol Browner outlining a plan for the EPA and USDA to work 
together to implement FQPA with due regard for the needs of our NationÕs agricultural 
producers. In the memo, Gore set out four implementation principles for EPA to use in 
reaching its decisions:  Sound Science in Protecting Public Health; Transparency; 
Reasonable Transition for Agriculture; and Consultation with the Public and Other 
Agencies. Under each of these principles Gore gave specific examples for EPA and USDA 
to follow. Those of particular interest to our industry include: 1) EPA should continue to 
seek peer review and public review of its methods and approaches for analyzing potential 
risk under the new law, particularly with respect to models, exposure scenarios, and use of 
scientific inferences. Use of default assumptions and exposure scenarios should be 
carefully considered and fully explained in the public record.  2) In determining whether or 
not to seek additional data from the regulated community, EPA should fully disclose its 
decisions and reasons to the public.  3) Implementation of the law will require transition to 
new pest management strategies for certain pesticide users. EPA and USDA should work 
together to address transition challenges in future years.  4) I understand that EPA does not 
intend any significant use cancellations in this growing season. If this should change based 
on new information, there should be immediate consultation with USDA and affected 
constituencies.  5) To the extent permitted by law and consistent with public health 
protection, EPA and USDA should implement the FQPA in a way that ensures that affected 
pesticide users and other affected constituencies have the time, technical assistance, and 
support they need for transition to new and effective pest management strategies.  6) EPA 
should facilitate transition to  new and more protective pest management strategies by 
expediting approval of new products that may serve as effective and safe substitutes to 
pesticides that may present unacceptable risks under the FQPA.  USDA should devote 
appropriate resources to research and expand technical assistance in support of integrated 
pest management strategies.
	The EPA has 14 days to respond to the memo from Vice President Gore and establish 
a mechanism for seeking advice and consultation from affected user, producer, consumer, 
public health, environmental, and other interested groups.  A copy of the Vice PresidentÕs 
memo can be obtained from the Vice PresidentÕs Press office at 202-456-2685.
	It appears that the concerns of the farming community were heard in Washington. 
Now letÕs hope EPA and USDA follow the Vice PresidentÕs suggestions and support research 
and development of alternatives.-Bordelon


Future of Pest Control Under the FQPA:  Based on the information in the above article, I 
believe that it is unlikely that we will see any pesticide cancellations this season. For the future, 
however, it seems inevitable that at some point growers are going to have to control their 
insect pests without the organophosphate and possibly the carbamate insecticides. Obviously, 
such materials as Imidan, Guthion, Lorsban, malathion, etc. are currently important 
components of most growersÕ insect management programs. There are new, less toxic, 
insecticides being developed that will replace these existing standard products (See the next 
article). It is my belief that the replacement insecticides in general will have the following 
characteristics: 1) Less toxic to humans; 2) More environmentally benign; 3) More specific 
for a particular pest or pest group; 4) Less toxic to natural enemies; 5) More expensive.   In 
western apple growing areas where growers have adopted mating disruption for codling moth 
control rather than cover sprays of organophosphate insecticides, growers have noticed that a 
number of insects that were not considered serious pests have emerged as problems. This has 
happened because the cover sprays for codling moth had been keeping these pests under 
control without the growerÕs knowledge. Once the cover sprays were eliminated, these minor 
pests became more serious. As we make the transition to more target specific insecticides, we 
may well see some new pests emerge in much the same way. Growers, chemical industry 
people, and researchers will have to work together to develop the most efficient systems for 
controlling all the pests that appear. This is why it is important that EPA allow adequate time 
and speed the registration of alternative insecticides so that new management strategies can be 
developed that will allow growers to control their pests in a cost effective manner. -Foster

New Insecticide for Apples:  Dow
           Agrosciences has announced that spinosad, marketed as SpinTor or Success, has been 
labeled for use on apples, as well as a number of vegetable crops. This product is one of the 
newer ÒsaferÓ insecticides that is hoped will replace the older materials such as carbamates 
and organophosphates. I have tested this product on a number of crops (not apples) and it 
gives good to excellent control in many although not all situations. I am scheduled to 
evaluate spinosad on apples this year. Dow has announced that although the product is 
approved by EPA, there will not be any available for sale until 1999. Hopefully by this time 
next year, we will have a better idea as to how to use this product. -Foster


Chemical Thinning:  The most anxious time on the apple growers calendar is approaching 
yet again.  In many places in the state, flowering is looking excellent so far.  Generally crops 
last year werenÕt too heavy and with the mild winter we have many strong flowers out there.  
This may be the year to get a little more aggressive with your thinning strategy.  The bottom 
line is the earlier you thin, the better the response will be, both in terms of fruit size and return 
bloom.  But bear in mind that earlier thinning also carries more risk, as we could still get a 
late frost.  I think bloom thinning is just too risky for us in Indiana, but this might be a good 
year to consider going in soon after petal fall with a thinner.  Response to the thinner should 
be evident within a  week of the thinner being applied, so you still have plenty of time to go 
back and hit them again if need be.  Remember that thinners work best when temperatures are 
warm  - 68¡F minimum, but 70Õs is better yet.  The temperature is important not only at the 
time of application, but for several days afterwards, so apply thinners at the start of a warming 
trend.
	The best thing you can do to reduce the risk of overthinning, is to keep a record of 
what you did including what material you applied, time of application, rates, temperatures, etc.  
Over a few years this will allow you to develop a good picture of what works on your farm, 
and make future decisions based on this information. -Hirst

Blueberry Growers Get Crisis Exemption Registration for Indar:  Blueberry growers in 
Indiana and Michigan are breathing a sigh of relief after the Michigan Department of 
Agriculture and Office of the Indiana State Chemist filed for a State Emergency Exemption 
for Indar 75WSP fungicide for control of mummyberry disease on blueberries.  The 
previously used fungicide, Funginex, is no longer being produced and stocks are in short 
supply.
	An Emergency Use Permit (Section 18) request was filed in February by Indiana and 
Michigan, but EPA has not acted on that request at this time.  The Emergency Crisis 
Exemption was filed because the warm weather has pushed the season 2-3 weeks ahead of 
normal, and growers are desperately needing to spray plantings where the disease is a 
problem.  Mushrooms from the overwintered mummified berries were being reported from 
Northern Indiana into Michigan signaling the potential for an outbreak of the disease.  
	Mummyberry disease is prevalent throughout the region, but it is not found on every 
farm.  Once a farm has the disease however, it is practically impossible to eradicate.  
	Indiana blueberry growers must have a copy of the Crisis Exemption Label for 
Indiana in order to legally apply Indar 75WSP.  The product should be applied at 2 oz. per 
acre beginning at early green tip and subsequent applications should be made at 10 to 14 day 
intervals.  Not more than 5 applications or 10 ounces per acre are allowed.  The pre-harvest 
interval is 30 days.  Crisis Exemption labels can be obtained from pesticide distributors, 
Rohm and Haas, or you can contact me at Purdue and IÕll send you one.
 	Prices for remaining stocks of Funginex have risen over the past couple of years as to 
about $90 per gallon, or $17 per acre per application.  Prices for Indar will be about $110 per 
pound or about $14 per acre per application according to distributors.
	Ed White, Assistant Pesticide Administrator at the Office of the Indiana State Chemists 
lead the efforts to secure the State Emergency Exemption for Indiana growers, and Dave 
Trinka of MBG Marketing lead the effort in Michigan.  If you have any questions contact 
me. -Bordelon

Fire Blight:  Do not become complacent about fire blight!  Even though fire blight has been 
at a low level the past few years you never want to let your guard down, or  you could get 
hurt!  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. Be especially diligent in your fire blight 
program if you have  M-26, M-9 and/or Mark  rootstocks and/or interstems.  Due to their 
high susceptibility, fire blight prevention is mandatory in orchards containing these 
rootstocks. 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.  
If you are interested in obtaining MARYBLYT  contact GemplerÕs at 1- 800 - 382 - 8473. -
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 
either Rubigan or Nova.  Both fungicides will provide up to 96 hours Òcurative activityÓ.  
However, the sooner you apply these fungicides the better!  Do not sit around thinking there 
is no need to rush - apply Rubigan or Nova as soon as possible after an infection period. -
Pecknold

Nova, Rubigan & Tank Mixes :   If Nova or Rubigan have been used alone in your early 
season spray program for scab we suggest the final spray (petal fall or first cover ) of Nova or 
Rubigan be combined with a protectant fungicide such as captan, ziram, mancozeb, or 
Polyram.  Using a protectant fungicide at this time will provide protection from summer 
diseases such as black rot, sooty blotch and fly speck and help give added protection from 
fruit scab.  Refer to Rubigan and Nova labels for additional information on tank mixes. -
Pecknold

Rust Diseases:  Cedar apple and cedar quince rust are now actively infecting foliage and fruit.  
The cedar apple galls look especially impressive this year!  Except for the northern areas of 
the state we are now into the peak period for rust infection.  We donÕt want to become a 
broken record...but, the sterol-inhibiting fungicides 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
 
Strawberries and Botrytis Fruit Rot:  The most important sprays for control of Botrytis fruit 
rot of strawberry are those applied at bloom - starting at 10% bloom!  NOTE:  while Rovral 
and Ronilan are excellent fungicides for control of Botrytis, resistance to these fungicides is a 
very real problem if they are used too often... follow label directions on frequency of spray 
applications. See ID-169, Ò 1998 Indiana Commercial Small Fruit & Grape Spray Guide Ò, 
for further information. -Pecknold

Strawberry Frost Protection:  Strawberries are in bloom in southern and central areas, and will 
be over the next couple of weeks in the north.  The sprinkler irrigation equipment for frost 
protection should be set up, tested, and ready to go.  Once flowers open they are susceptible 
to temperatures below 30ûF.  Application of water through overhead irrigation can prevent 
temperatures from dropping below 30ûF even though the air temperatures may drop to 25ûF 
or colder.  The principle behind this method is that as water freezes, heat is released.  As long 
as an adequate layer of freezing water covers the bud or berry, the temperature will remain at 
or near the freezing point.  It is important to remember that a layer of freezing water must be 
present at all times.  Ice without the continued application of water will not protect the flowers 
from freezing temperatures.  This means that the rate of application of water must be 
carefully monitored.  The rate at which water freezes is dependent on several environmental 
factors, including air temperature, humidity, and wind speed.  Generally, the lower the air and 
dew point temperatures, and/or higher the wind speed, the greater the rate of freezing.  The 
correct rate of irrigation can be determined from the following table.

Air temperature at canopy level (ûF)		Wind speed				
	0-1 mph	2-4 mph	5-8_____
At 50% relative humidity		
27	0.10 inches per hour	0.20	0.30
24	0.10	0.30	0.35
20	0.15	0.35	0.45	

At 75% relative humidity		
27	0.05	0.10	0.20
24	0.10	0.20	0.30
20	0.10	0.25	0.40

The question of when to start the irrigation is difficult to answer.  The simplest and safest 
method is to start irrigation when the temperature in the lowest part of the patch at canopy 
level reaches 34-32ûF and continue irrigation until ice begins to melt after sunrise.  Irrigation 
can be very effective for frost protection, but it can also create problems.  Misuse of irrigation 
for frost protection can cause more harm than good. -Bordelon


COMING MEETINGS
April 28 Ñ Wabash Valley fruitgrowers meeting. Engelbrecht Orchard. Contact Peter Hirst, 
phone 765-494-1323.

May 6 Ñ Eastern Indiana Fruitgrowers meeting. Contact Harold Brown, 317-747-7732

May 7 Ñ Northeast Indiana Fruitgrowers meeting. Contact Rick Kemery, 219-481-6826

May 18 Ñ LaPorte County fruitgrowers twilight meeting. 6.30 pm. Location to be 
announced. Contact Walt Sell, phone 219-326-6808 ext. 271

June 15 Ñ Southeast Indiana Fruitgrowers twilight meeting. Location and time to be 
announced. Contact Karen Witt at 765-647-3511.