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Plan for Multiple Fire Blight Conditions, Be Agile

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Written by Tianna Dupont, WSU Extension; Ken Johnson, OSU, Revised April 6, 2020

The last few years have built up fire blight inoculum in our orchards. Consider designing a toolbox of plans you can choose from depending on the risk in each block and how spring progresses.

Think about which are your high-risk blocks: blocks with sensitive varieties, high-value varieties or a history of fire blight. Those are blocks where you may want a more intensive program. Think about what fickle mother nature may do. Have a plan for moderate temperatures and extended bloom as well as flash bloom. Below is an example of a set of plans a grower might design to choose from for different blocks and conditions.

This is a table showing the fire blight control plans for apple. IT outlines procedures for conventional orchards under low to moderate pressure and high risk. It also shows plans for organic orchards for east to thin varieties, Hard to thin varieties or short bloom periods, and hard to thin varieties and long term bloom periods.

This is a table showing fire blight control plans in pear for conventional orchards under low to moderate risk and high risk situations. It also shows plans for organic pear orchards with east to mark varieties (Anjou & Comice) and marking tolerant varieties (Bosc).

For more information see: http://treefruit.wsu.edu/crop-protection/disease-management/fire-blight/

Contact

Tianna DuPontImg1380

WSU Extension Specialist, Tree Fruit

tianna.dupont@wsu.edu

Office: (509) 293-8758

Mobile: (509) 713-5346

 

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