Publication 360, Fruit Production Recommendations:
Blueberry Calendar - Petal fall

Excerpt from Publication 360, Fruit Production Recommendations 2010-11,
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Table of Contents

1. Petal fall
   • Cherry fruitworm, Cranberry fruitworm
   • Anthracnose fruit rot
   • Phomopsis stem canker
   • European chafer larvae, Japanese beetle larvae
   • Precautions
2. Other Blueberry Calendar Sections
• Dormant (late winter)
• Early Spring, prior to bud break
• Bud swell to pink bud
• Green tip
• Pink bud
• First bloom
• Green fruit
• Fruit ripening
3. Other Information on Blueberries
   • Blueberry Growth Stages
   • Blueberry Nutrition
   • Notes on Blueberry Insects and Diseases
   • Table 5-9. Products Used on Blueberries
   • Table 5-10. Activity of Fungicides on Blueberry Diseases
4. Blueberry Calendar PDF 190 KB
5. Pub 360 Chapter 5, Berry Crops - (PDF 364 kb)
6. Related Links

Cherry/Cranberry fruitworm (Petal fall)

Moths lay eggs on developing fruit and larvae tunnel into fruit. Use pheromone traps to monitor moth activity and to time the spray more accurately.

• Materials: Apply one of;
  • Malathion 25 W @ 2.25 kg/ha
  • Sevin XLR @ 4.00 L/ha
  • Dipel 2X DF @ 1.68 kg/ha
• Comments: Malathion: Apply 5-7 days after trap catches peak. Repeat twice at 4-5 day intervals. A fourth insecticide is required if trap catches remain elevated after last application. Malathion also controls aphids.
  Sevin: Apply 5-7 days after trap catches peak. A second insecticide is required if trap catches remain elevated seven days after application. Use for cranberry fruitworm only.
  Dipel: Spray at peak trap catch and continue at 3-7 day intervals, to a maximum of four applications. Acidify spray mix to below pH 7.0 and apply on cloudy days or at dusk. See Biopesticides and reduced risk products for insect control, and notes on Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki.
• Learn more:
  • Notes on Blueberry Diseases and Insects
    • Cranberry and cherry fruitworm
    • Control of Cranberry and Cherry Fruitworm in Highbush Blueberries

   

Anthracnose fruit rot (Petal fall)

Most fruit infections occur in the bloom to green fruit stage. Infected fruit soften near harvest time and orange spore masses develop on the fruit. Alternate with fungicides from different families.

• Materials: Apply one of;
  • Cabrio EG @ 1.00 kg/ha
  • Pristine WG @ 1.30 kg/ha
  • Switch 62.5 WG @ 775 g/ha
  • Bravo 500 @ 7.20 L/ha
  • Allegro 500 F @ 2.24L/ha/ha
• Comments: Pristine and Cabrio: Both include active ingredients in the same fungicide family. Make no more than two consecutive applications, then alternate with fungicides from different families.
  Bravo: Also controls alternaria fruit rot. Bravo may cause fruit injury if applied to green fruit.
  Allegro: Provides suppression rather than control of anthracnose.
• Learn more:
  • Notes on Blueberry Diseases and Insects
    • Anthracnose fruit rot

Phomopsis stem canker (Petal fall)

•  Materials: Apply one of;
  • Cabrio EG @ 1.00 kg/ha
  • Pristine WG @ 1.60 kg/ha
  • Bravo 500 @ 7.20 L/ha
  • Allegro 500 F @ 2.24L/ha
• Comments: Pristine and Cabrio: Both include active ingredients in the same fungicide family. Make no more than two consecutive applications, and then alternate with fungicides from different families. Bravo: Also controls alternaria fruit rot. Bravo may cause fruit injury if applied to green fruit. Allegro: Provides suppression rather than control of anthracnose.
• Learn more:
  • Notes on Blueberry Diseases and Insects
    • Phomopsis stem canker
  
  

European Chafer/Japanese beetle larvae (Petal fall)

• Materials: Admire 240 F @ 1.20 L/ha or Alias 240 WG @ 1.20 L/ha
• Comments: Do not apply during bloom. Apply just prior to egg hatch (shortly after adults are active) to damp soil around bushes and to grass covered areas around blueberry field. Apply in 200 L water per ha. Move the product into the root zone with 5–10 mm irrigation within 24 hours of application but avoid over watering. Maximum one application per season, at petal fall, fruit ripening or after harvest.
• Learn more:
  • Notes on Blueberry Diseases and Insects
    • White grub complex

Precautions

Consult the product label for suggested water volumes. For mature highbush blueberries, use 700-1,000 L of water per ha unless otherwise noted on the label.

Products are listed according to insecticide and fungicide family groups. Use products from different groups to prevent the development of pest resistance. For resistance management, refer to Pest Resistance to Insecticides, Fungicides, Miticides.

For preharvest interval, re-entry period, maximum number of applications and chemical group, see Table 5-9. Products Used on Blueberries.

Related Links

• OMAFRA Berry Crops Index Page
• Notes on Blueberry Diseases and Insects
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Pesticide Application and Safety
• Pesticide Companies and Agents
• Search the PMRA website
• Ontario Minor Use Program
• OMAFRA Publication 505: Ontario Weeds
• OMAFRA Publication 75: Guide To Weed Control: Berry Crops
• OMAFRA Publication 360: Fruit Production Recommendations