In this issue:

FEATURED ARTICLE
- Why Do You Thin Fruit? - Dr. Rob Crassweller

ENTOMOLOGY
- Pheromone Trap Counts
- Degree-Day Table
- Oriental Fruit Moth Update
- European Red Mites Control Options
- Plum Curculio Update
- Obliquebanded Leafroller Larval Activity
- European Apple Sawfly
- Control of Spotted Tentiform Leafminer
- Codling Moth
- Pear Psylla Update
- Pesticide Updates

HORTICULTURE
- New Geneva Apple Rootstocks

PLANT PATHOLOGY
- AppleScab update
- Powdery Mildew and Cedar Rust Update
- Fire Blight update
- Brown Rot in Stone Fruit update
- Cherry Leaf Spot update
- Organic Apple Production - Field Day

SMALL FRUIT
- That's a Berry Good Question!!

ANNOUNCEMENTS
- 2006 Orchard Twilight Meetings
- Four-week Fruit Winemaking Course

OTHER
- A Brief Update on Pennsylvania Ag Innovations
- Note from the FTN Coordinator

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FEATURED ARTICLE

Why Do You Thin Fruit?
Dr. Robert Crassweller

Thinning and Temperature: Why do you thin fruit, have you ever really thought about this question? The majority of people would respond that they thin fruit to increase the size of the remaining fruit and to insure good return bloom for next year. Thinning also helps reduce limb breakage, increases fruit quality and color.

One of the old time politicians in Chicago once said "vote early and vote often." A similar phrase might be used for chemical thinning "thin early and thin often". Early thinning gives the best response for increased fruit size and return bloom. While we do have one bloom thinner most growers are uneasy with the use of blossom thinners. The difficulty in using blossom thinner is the inability to know what amount of bloom has already been pollinated and what has not been pollinated. Difficulty in timing presents problems when bloom is spread out over several days. Aside from these difficulties blossom thinning can be the first step in a good thinning program.

Multiple applications allow greater flexibility and more options, especially with hard to thin cultivars or those with strong biennial tendencies. Combinations such as carbaryl plus ethephon or 6-benzyladenine plus carbaryl can be very strong thinners. Their use is most aptly to be later in the fruit set period and can be used as 'rescue' treatments when previously applied thinners did not remove enough fruit.

Weather is one of the most unpredictable factors affecting a tree's response to chemical thinners. Warm cloudy conditions favor increased thinning response over cool weather patterns. Certain chemicals also work better under certain temperatures. Benzyladenine (MaxCel or Exellis Plus) are more effective if applied under sunny warm conditions. Ethrel on the other hand may over thin if applied under hot conditions where temperatures are in the mid to upper 80's. (Although last year some growers did apply Ethrel followed by mid 80 temperatures and did not have excessive thinning response.) In general the best thinning response is observed when materials are applied at the beginning of a warming trend as illustrated below. The minimum threshold temperature is approximately 65 oF below this temperature thinners are usually ineffective.

(Image from Apple Thinning Guide by P. Schwallier)

Temperatures after thinner application are also important in the tree's response. Warm temperatures, especially night time temperatures, can induce greater respiration, which means the carbohydrates are utilized to a greater extent. This may mean a temporary carbohydrate shortage may occur. Research in Massachusetts has shown that temperatures of 86 F and above increased respiration in trees treated with 6-benzyladenine but did not increase respiration when trees were held at 68 F.

One theory on how trees respond to thinners based on carbohydrate supply is indicated in the figure below. This figure summarizes some of the work that Dr. Alan Lakso from Cornell has conducted. The theory proposes that trees will respond differentially based upon their carbohydrate supply and the interaction of the demand for carbohydrates. Under a light crop carbohydrate supply is never limiting and hence it is more difficult to thin the trees. Under the medium crop there is a brief period where carbohydrate demand is greater than the supply and chemical thinner will be effective. On the heavy crop there is a large area where the carbohydrate demand exceeds the supply and hence thinners will be more effective.

Temperature can also impact uptake of materials. Working with pears, researchers in Michigan showed that as temperature rose, uptake into the leaf of NAD increased with a significant spike in uptake once temperatures exceeded 77 F. Ideal temperature conditions are when the averages are between 70 and 80 F.

One question many growers have is the impact of the temperature at the time of application. Several studies have looked at applying thinners at various times during the day. The general conclusion is that there is a compensation that occurs. When temperatures are warmer there is less drying time but the temperatures are more conducive to absorption. It appears that prolonged drying times can compensate for reduced uptake rates due to low temperatures. The maximum or average temperature during and after application seem to be more important than the temperature during the time of application.

Thinning can be effective if it is started early and is aggressive enough. Over thinning results in fewer but larger fruit. Under thinning however results in a lot of small fruit and will reduce your bloom for next year. Paying attention to prevailing temperature trends can help reduce the erratic response trees may have to chemical thinners.

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ENTOMOLOGY

PHEROMONE TRAP COUNTS:
2006 season - weekly capture of adult moths in pheromone traps located at PSU FREC Biglerville, PA (Adams County):

Species	3/30	4/06	4/13	4/20
RBLR	53	136	63	65
STLM	-	90	1024	2400
OFM	-	1	33	301
CM	-	-	-	0
TABM	-	-	-	-

Key to acronyms: RBLR - redbanded leafroller; STLM - spotted tentiform leafminer; OFM - Oriental fruit moth; CM - codling moth; TABM - tufted apple bud moth.

DEGREE-DAY TABLE:
Accumulated degree-days base 43 F from Jan 01 for each reported year (courtesy of SkyBit, Inc.). The accumulated degree-days for the last date of the current year (April 28) mentioned in the table are based on the weather forecast.

Site/Date	03/31	04/07	4/14	4/21	4/28
Biglerville, 2006	194	258	338	447	514
Biglerville, 2005	99	164	241	343	400
Biglerville, 2004	151	165	200	321	418
Biglerville, 2003	121	176	201	278	352
Biglerville, 2002	233	268	344	513	574

 

Site/Date	03/31	04/07	4/14	4/21	4/28
Rock Springs, 2006	129	176	247	342	388
Rock Springs, 2005	52	92	172	264	298
Rock Springs, 2004	99	106	128	242	311
Rock Springs, 2003	96	134	175	246	302
Rock Springs, 2002	160	179	250	409	446

ORIENTAL FRUIT MOTH UPDATE:
This season's biofix for the first generation of the Oriental fruit moth was established on April 10 at the PSU Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville. The petal fall insecticide application(s) are crucial for controlling this generation and good control of this generation affects the moth population through the remainder of the season. In orchards where OFM is a problem, the first generation should be controlled by applying a broad-spectrum insecticide (i.e., organo-phosphate; or pyrethroid; or neonicotinoid [Assail or Calypso]; or Avaunt insecticide). Growers should not wait beyond petal fall if OFM is a concern. On peaches, for best OFM control, registered insecticides should also be applied at petal fall on peaches, and again if populations are high, repeat the application in 8-10 days. If hand applied mating disruption materials (Isomate M-100, Isomate Rosso, Hercon Disrupt OFM) are planned for the control of OFM, the dispensers should be placed in the orchard before the beginning of the flight of the first generation (Isomate Rosso) or at the appropriate timing so the selected MD technology will provide OFM disruption until the predicted harvest of the fruit. Isomate Rosso will last for approximately 140 days, while Isomate M-100 and Hercon Disrupt OFM will last for approximately 90-100 days.

EUROPEAN RED MITES CONTROL OPTIONS:
The hatch of overwintering eggs of European red mite (ERM) should be complete by the end of apple bloom. Even though both Apollo and Savey are registered for use later in the season, the optimum timing for these two products is still early in the season (petal fall to 1st cover), before mites surpass the threshold level. Agri-Mek, with a penetrant (i.e., oil), offers excellent control of ERM and STLM, and fair to good control of WALH. Agri-Mek should be applied before the leaves harden off, generally within about 10 days of petal fall. Other acaricides such as Acramite, Envidor, FujiMite, Kanemite, Nexter and Zeal, although registered mainly for the summer mite control can also be considered for mite control at this time of the season.

PLUM CURCULIO UPDATE:
The best recommendations for PC control are still an organo-phosphate insecticide applied as early after petal fall as possible, treating on a variety by variety basis if necessary. A residue of insecticide(s) should be maintained for at least 308 degree-days base 50 after petal fall (estimated 40 percent of oviposition). The most effective materials for control of plum curculio are still Guthion and Imidan. According to research trials conducted in other states, the neonicotinoid insecticides: Actara, Assail and Calypso as well as Avaunt can also be used for plum curculio control.

OBLIQUEBANDED LEAFROLLER LARVAL ACTIVITY:
Usually from the pink stage of apple until after petal fall is the period when growers may observe increased numbers of over-wintering OBLR larvae feeding on flowers and growing terminals. In orchards where over-wintering OBLR larval populations are high, it may be justified to use Intrepid, SpinTor or BT insecticides to control this pest. BT insecticides can be very effective against the larvae and safe to bees when applied during the bloom period. All mentioned insecticides should provide excellent control, but since other pests may be present and control may be necessary, especially at petal fall, the addition of a broad-spectrum insecticide may be necessary.

EUROPEAN APPLE SAWFLY
The late pink stage, bloom and early petal fall are the only timings to control this single generation of European apple sawfly. Results of an infestation include aborted young fruit or spiral, russeted surface tunnels on older fruit. Applications of Calypso at these early timings (late pink, bloom) or an application of either azinphos-methyl (Guthion), Imidan or Assail immediately after bloom are necessary to effectively control this pest.

SPOTTED TENTIFORM LEAFMINER CONTROL
The STLM pheromone traps located in the FREC orchards as usual are capturing thousands of tiny STLM moths per week per trap. Although the pheromone traps are not a good indicator of population density, they do provide us with an idea of when the moths are present. Petal fall is an ideal time to assess the effectiveness (or lack of it) of your pre-bloom treatments. At this time most of the larvae should be in the sap feeding stage - meaning that they feed on leaf cells just below the surface (spongy mesophyll). During feeding the larvae separate the outer layer of the leaf undersurface from the tissue above leaving a light green area only visible from the underside of the leaf. Provado, Actara, Assail, Calypso, Clutch, Agri-Mek and SpinTor are very effective against STLM when applied at petal fall. The addition of a penetrating surfactant to Agri-Mek and SpinTor will further increase their activity towards leafminers. The best penetrating surfactant for Agri-Mek is a summer oil.

CODLING MOTH:
It is expected that the first CM adults will be collected in pheromone traps during full bloom on apple. To establish biofix, it is necessary to have at least two consecutive days of trap capture. CM adults are active if the air temperature at dusk and early evening remains above 62 degrees. When active, females CM will deposit eggs on leaves near fruit or on the fruit and hatch in about 8 to 14 days. The CM larvae, slightly bigger than OFM larvae, feed inside the fruit for 3 to 4 weeks. In contrast to OFM larvae, which very rarely feed on the apple seeds, codling moth larvae will often feed on seeds inside the apple core. The first conventional insecticide application (organophosphate) or neonicotinoid (Assail or Calypso) should be timed about 250 degree-days (base 50) after the beginning of the flight (biofix)to control the first hatching larvae. Compounds such as Intrepid, Assail, Calypso or Rimon, due to their potential ovicidal activities, should be applied earlier than organophosphates (i.e., at 150-175 DD after the biofix; Rimon should be applied at 50-100 DD). The second application, if necessary, can be applied about 14-16 days later. In past situations where insecticidal control of CM did not provide good control of this pest, the addition of mating disruption may represent a valuable supplement to conventional insecticides. The ISOMATE CTT (controls CM only) or ISOMATE CM/OFM CTT COMBO (controls CM and OFM at the same time) products are commercially available for the mating disruption. These two products should be applied before first CM adult emergence (full bloom).

PEAR PSYLLA UPDATE:
Usually, at the petal fall timing, all stages of pear psylla (i.e. eggs, nymphs, and adults) are present on infested trees. For proper monitoring at least 10 leaves per tree (5 spur and five recently expanded shoot leaves) on a minimum of five trees per block should be examined. The action threshold is 0.5 nymph per leaf. Optimum timing for use of Agri-Mek is from petal fall to PF + 10 days. A penetrating surface (i.e. a summer oil - 1% concentration) is a necessary addition to Agri-Mek in order to provide the best residual control. Applications after this period may not provide as effective control. Actara, Assail, Calypso, Provado, and Nexter also can be used at this time if control is needed.

PESTICIDE UPDATES:
LORSBAN 75WG registered for use up to petal fall on apples. The EPA just issued a supplemental label (EPA Reg. No. 62719-301-10163) for Lorsban 75 WG allowing the use of the product up to petal fall as a foliar application and for post-bloom trunk application for borer control. Foliar, post-bloom applications of LORSBAN 50WG to apples are prohibited. Only two applications are permitted per season including the tree trunk application(s). No more than 2.67 lb per acre of formulated product can be used as a dormant/delayed dormant application. For the trunk only applications Lorsban 75 WG can be used up to 28 days before the harvest. The restricted entry-interval (REI) for Lorsban 75 WG is 4 days.
According to information obtained from the Gowan Company this new formulation of Lorsban consists of small particles of molten chlorpyrifos provided with a polyurea shell, a PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) coating, which are then dried and agglomerated into larger, water dispersible granules. Lorsban 75 WG is characterized by low odor, extended rainfastness and improved bee safety.
Based on our experience, the best efficacy in controlling insect pests will be achieved if used at no less than 1.5-2.0 lb of formulated product per acre/per foliar application. If applied to the foliage right at petal fall, Lorsban can assist in the control of the Oriental fruit moth, obliquebanded leafroller, redbanded leafroller, plum curculio, green fruit worm and any remaining populations of the rosy apple aphid.

Diazinon update: The Makhteshim Agan of North America, Inc., informed us that EPA has not yet reviewed and approved the submitted label with the changes required by the EPA IRED document, therefore the company will still be able to market the Diazinon 50W with the old, pre-IRED label, which does not include changes suggested by the EPA IRED document.
(Submitted by Drs. Larry Hull and Greg Krawczyk, PSU-FREC)

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HORTICULTURE

New Geneva® Apple Rootstocks
Below is the official announcement of the release of three new rootstocks from Cornell University. The three new clonal apple rootstocks in the U.S.are, Geneva® 41 and Geneva® 935 and Geneva® 202. Because these rootstocks have been released recently they may not be available in high numbers for a few more years. Also included are the descriptions of less recently released rootstocks (in apple rootstock years) below.

Geneva® 41 (G.41)
G.41 is a dwarfing apple rootstock which originated from a cross made in 1975 of 'Malling 27' X 'Robusta 5'. It was tested as CG.3041. It was released for commercial propagation by licensed nurseries in the USA in 2005. This rootstock produces a tree that is similar in size to M.9T337 (about 30% the size of trees on seedling rootstock. It is highly resistant to fire blight and Phytophthora. It is very winter hardy but its tolerance to woolly apple aphids is unknown. In the stoolbed G.41 is a relatively shy rooter and will require the use of tissue culture mother plants to improve its rooting. It also produces some side shoots in the stoolbed. In the orchard its precocity and productivity have been exceptional, surpassing M.9. It also has excellent fruit size and induces wide branch angles. It has very good winter hardiness. It produces very few burrknots or root suckers. Although it is similar in tree size and yield efficiency to G.16 it does not have the virus sensitivity of G.16. It has similar graft union strength as M.9 and will require a trellis or individual tree stakes. G.41 has been evaluated extensively in the national NC-140 rootstock trial since 1998. It has also been tested in France where it was shown to be smaller in tree size the M.9Pajam2 but more productive while producing similar fruit size as M.9. G.41 appears to be best suited for high density plantings in fire blight prone areas and may be the best alternative to M.9 in high fire blight areas. Orchards planted with this rootstock should be planted at densities of 800-1,600 trees/A.

Geneva 935 (G.935)
G.935 is a semi dwarfing apple rootstock which originated from a cross made in 1976 of Ottawa 3 X 'Robusta 5'. It was tested as CG.5935. It was released for commercial propagation by licensed nurseries in the USA in 2004. This rootstock produces a tree slightly larger in size than M.26 or about 50% the size of trees on seedling rootstock. It is resistant to fire blight, and Phytophthora root rot, but is not resistant to woolly apple aphid. It has good propagability in the stoolbed and produces a large tree in the nursery. G.5935 is the most precocious and productive semi dwarf CG rootstock available. It has similar or better efficiency as M.9 along with excellent fruit size and wide crotch angles. It produces very few burrknots or root suckers. It is very winter hardy. It produces a free standing tree but often the high croploads require a support system to hold up the crop. It is best suited for moderate tree densities with a minimal support system or with high planting densities of spur type scion varieties. Orchards planted with this rootstock should be planted at densities of 600-1,000 trees/A.

Geneva 202 (G.202)
G.202 is a semi dwarfing apple rootstock which originated from a cross made in 1975 of 'Malling 27' X 'Robusta 5'. It was tested as CG.4202. It was released for commercial propagation by licensed nurseries in New Zealand in May 2002 and in the USA in 2004. This rootstock produces a tree that is slightly larger in size than M.26 or about 50% the size of trees on seedling rootstock. It is resistant to fire blight, Phytophthora root rot, and woolly apple aphid. G.202 performs moderately well in the stoolbed and produces good quality nursery trees. In the orchard its precocity and productivity have been similar to M.26. It produces very few burrknots or root suckers. G.202 has been tested extensively in New York state and in the national NC-140 trials. In addition it has been tested in New Zealand and France. In New Zealand, it has been found to be much more productive than M.26. It appears that G.202 is best suited for climates that have problems with woolly apple aphid. Orchards planted with this rootstock should be planted at densities of 600-1,000 trees/A.. Presently it is only available in New Zealand but rootstock nurseries in the US are beginning production of this stock.

Geneva 30 (G.30)
G.30 is a semi dwarfing apple rootstock which originated from a cross made in 1974 of 'Robusta 5' and 'Malling 9'. It was tested as CG.6030. It was released for commercial propagation by licensed nurseries in the USA in 1994. This rootstock produces a tree that is between the size of M.26 and M.7, about 50-60% the size of trees on seedling rootstocks. When allowed to carry heavy crop loads from an early age, trees on G.30, are often closer in size to M.26. G.30 shows strong resistance to fire blight, Phytophthora root rot and good tolerance to apple replant disease. It is very winter hardy and performs well on a variety of soil types and in both warm and cold climates. G.30 is not resistant to woolly apple aphids. It produces a few root suckers and burrknots. G.30 has extremely high yield efficiency (similar to M.9) and produces large fruit size. Cumulative yield efficiency has been 3-5 times better than M.7. Its primary weaknesses are: it produces numerous spines along each shoot in the nursery layerbed which require significant hand labor to remove. Secondly, G.30 appears to have brittle wood and the graft union especially with Gala has been found to be significantly weaker than other rootstock genotypes. It is recommended that a sturdy, multi-wire trellis support systems be used with this rootstock. G.30 has been evaluated extensively in the national NC-140 rootstock trials, and in France. In addition, G.30 has been widely planted commercially in the US on a limited scale. G.30 has performed very well in many locations and appears to be best adapted to replant soils, weak vigor scion cultivars and areas with short growing seasons. Orchards planted with this rootstock should be planted at moderate densities of 400-600 trees/A., but it will require tree support in all situations.

Geneva 16 (G.16)
G.16 is a dwarfing apple rootstock which originated from a cross made in 1981 of 'Ottawa 3' and Malus floribunda. It was tested as CG.3016. It was released for commercial propagation by licensed nurseries in the USA in 1998. This rootstock produces a tree that is the size of vigorous clones of M.9 such as Pajam2 or Nic29, about 35-40% the size of trees on seedling rootstocks. G.16 shows strong resistance to fire blight, Phytophthora root rot and some tolerance to apple replant disease. It has good propagability in layerbeds, and very vigorous growth in layerbeds, nurseries, and during the first 2 years in orchard plantings. It is very good mid-winter hardiness but can be susceptible to early winter freeze events in the nursery or during the first few years in the orchard when it grows vigorously. G.16 is not resistant to woolly apple aphids, and is hypersensitive to the 3 common latent virus (Apple Stem Grooving, Apple Stem Pitting and Chlorotic Leaf Spot viruses). Infected scion wood results in death of the trees in the nursery or the first year in the orchard. Nursery propagation requires virus free scion wood to ensure success. It has very high yield efficiency (similar to M.9) and does not produce burrknots or root suckers. Fruit size is similar or slightly less than with M.9. G.16 has been evaluated extensively in the national NC-140 rootstock trial since 1998. It has been planted commercially in the USA on a limited scale. G.16 appears to be best suited for high density plantings in fire blight prone areas. Orchards with this rootstock should be planted at high densities of 800-1,600 trees/A.

Geneva 11 (G.11)
G.11 is a dwarfing apple rootstock which originated from a cross made in 1978 of 'Malling 26' X 'Robusta 5'. It was tested as CG.3011. It was released for commercial propagation by licensed nurseries in the USA in 1999. This rootstock produces a tree that is similar in size to M.9 (about 30-40% the size of trees on seedling rootstock). It has moderate fire blight tolerance (similar to M.7) and good resistance to Phytophthora root rot but it is not resistant to woolly apple aphids. It has good propagation characteristics in the stoolbed and in the nursery. G.11 has very high yield efficiency (similar to M.9) and large fruit size (similar to M.9). It produces very few burrknots or root suckers. G.11 has been tested in 2 national NC-140 trials and in several NY state trials. Its tree size has been either slightly smaller or slightly larger than M.9 with yield efficiency as good or in some cases significantly better than M.9. It has also been tested in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland where trees on G.11 were 15% smaller than M.9Pajam2 but with 14% greater productivity and similar fruit size as M.9Pajam2. G.11 appears to be best suited for high density plantings. Orchards planted with this rootstock should be planted at densities of 800-1,600 trees/A.
(Submitted by Dr. Rob Crasseller, PSU, Dept. of Horticulture)

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PLANT PATHOLOGY

APPLE SCAB:
Several factors have combined to result in higher than normal levels of apple scab spores available for discharge early in the season. Late leaf drop and warm winter temperatures are probably the primary contributors to early apple scab spore maturity. Significant numbers of mature spores where available for infection by 1/2" green with potential infections occurring from rains the first weekend of April (2nd & 3rd). If there is a concern that apple scab infections may have occurred in early April, new lesions will be visible from now through the end of April. Examine the underside of cluster leaves for new apple scab lesions. Several moderate risk infection periods occurred from early to mid-April but the first severe apple scab infection period occurred over the weekend of April 21-23. Traditionally, the highest number of scab spores available for release and infection occur during the petal fall period. This season is no exception. Maintain complete coverage and keep spray intervals short during this period of peek risk for apple scab infection. If protectant fungicides are a key component of your apple scab management program remember to account for wash-off of protectant fungicides from significant rainfall (over 1 inch from the last spray). The carry-over of apple scab remains higher than normal in many PA orchards following the 2003 & 2004 seasons.

POWDERY MILDEW AND CEDAR APPLE RUST:
Drier than normal weather conditions last April and May and this April will increase the risk for powdery mildew infection. Maintain effective mildew materials through the middle of June. Cedar apple rust infections occur from pink through petal fall. If there is a history of cedar apple rust in an orchard include effective fungicides through petal fall.

FIRE BLIGHT:
The conditions for fire blight development during bloom are open flowers, temperatures above 60 degrees F and wet weather. Several rain events have occurred during bloom this spring but the temperatures have been too low for infection. However, be cautious as bloom proceeds. The bacteria that cause fire blight only require a few hours of above 60 degree temperatures for infection to occur. This can occur at the beginning of a rain period before temperatures drop during the rain. Use extra caution and apply streptomycin if there are highly susceptible cultivars to fire blight or if there is a history (within the last 3 years) of fire blight in the orchard. Flowers are no longer susceptible once they reach petal fall.

BROWN ROT OF STONE FRUITS:
Brown rot blossom infection will occur when flowers are open, temperatures are above 50 degrees and wet conditions exist. These conditions occurred during stone fruit bloom in most areas of the state. Low temperatures in early April may also have increased the susceptibility of flowers to brown rot infection. Brown rot flower infections are important because it results in increased levels of brown rot inoculum in the orchard to carry-over to harvest. If blossom blight is expected, survey stone fruit orchards for brown, wilted flowers that possibly result in small twig cankers before the end of April. When blossom blighted flowers are observed, plan to take extra precautions in protecting fruit from brown rot infection as they ripen later in the season.

CHERRY LEAF SPOT:
Extended periods of heavy rainfall occurred over the April 21-23 weekend and probably initiated the first cherry leaf spot infections where protective fungicides had not been applied. Maintain cherry leaf spot protection with labeled materials to harvest to maintain crop quality and reduced stress on the tree. After harvest cherry leaf spot fungicides are often required depending on the effectiveness of early and mid-season management.

ORGANIC APPLE PRODUCTION:
Penn State research and extension has been working with SHAP research and extension committees, PA apple growers, processors and several private companies under the task force name PROFIT, to develop organic tree fruit production and pest management practices for PA. Research trials have been conducted in laboratories, greenhouse experiments and under orchard conditions over the last several years. A demonstration apple orchard will be certified organic and produce its first organic fruit at the Penn State Fruit Center in Biglerville, Adams County in 2006. Organic methods and practices are now ready for field implementation by apple growers. Several growers have committed to transition apple orchards to organic production beginning this year. Other growers are planning on the transition to begin next year.

Informal meetings to discuss seasonal organic production and pest management topics where held at the Penn State Fruit Center in March and April of this year. Additional informal discussions are scheduled for growers and orchard consultants who are actively transitioning orchards or giving it serious consideration in the next few years for May 22 and June 12 from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM at the Penn State Fruit Center in Biglerville, PA. Contact Jim Travis, 717-677-6116, ext 4 , (jwt2@psu.edu) or Noemi Halbrendt 717-677-6116, ext 222, (noh1@psu.edu) if you have questions. There is also an organic field day planned for July 12 for anyone interested in the latest information on organic apple production and in viewing on-going orchard research trials in organic production. Field day information is listed below.

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SMALL FRUIT

THAT'S A BERRY GOOD QUESTION!!!

Q. When I'm using overhead irrigation for frost protection, how much of the protection is from the warmth of the water that I'm applying? It seems like that might be as important as the water freezing, doesn't it? (Anon.)

A. Several folks have asked about this wondering whether you get additional protection when the pond water is warmer. Since we humans can feel a big difference between 70 degree water and 32 degree water, but don't feel much difference between 32 degree water and 32 degree ice, it seems like the water cooling down must have a big effect.

The definition of a BTU (British thermal unit) is the amount of energy required to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit, or in reverse, 1 BTU is released when one pound of water cools one degree. So, if your pond water is at 55 degrees, when one pound of water drops from 55 to 32 degrees, it releases 23 BTU's. The same pound of water then changing to ice releases an additional 144 BTU's. So, yes, the warmth of pond water does add some heat to the system (mostly to the air on the way down), but its effect is small compared to that of the water freezing. So, don't worry if your pond water is really cold.

Got a question? Chances are that someone else has the same question, but isn't asking! Send your question to Kathy Demchak, at 102 Tyson Bldg., University Park, PA 16802, or via email to kdemchak@psu.edu. You will be credited with the question, or can remain anonymous, as you wish.
KEYWORDS: BLUEBERRIES, FLOWER BUDS, PRUNING
(Submitted by Kathy Demchak, PSU, Dept. of Horticulture)

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

May 2 - Masonic Homes Orchard, Elizabethtown, PA. Host: Tad Kuntz
(Located on the Masonic Homes Campus)

May 3 - Catoctin Mountain Orchard, Thurmont, MD. Host: Bob Black
(Rt. 15 S to Thurmont. Orchard and market will be on the right.)

May 4 - Knouse Fruitlands Orchard, Quincy, PA. Host: Milton Knouse
(Meet at Mont Alto Firehall, 517 S. Main St.-Rt.30 to Rt. 997 S.; ~ 8 miles, on the left.)

Jun 7 - Penn State Fruit Research and Education Center
(Rt. 34 to Biglerville. Turn at the PNC Bank onto Rt. 234 W. Turn right onto University Dr.)

Jun 8 - PA, MD and WV Meeting at Allenberg Orchards, 22319 Barth Spring Ln.,
Smithsburg, MD. Host: Henry Allenberg
(Rt. 997 S, which becomes MD 64; left on Rt. 491 just past a railroad overpass; 1/4 mile on right, turn into Barth Spring Ln.)

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Four-week Fruit Winemaking Course: $100.00
When:

Where:

Time:

Contact:

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OTHER

We're making Progress…
A Brief Update on Pennsylvania Ag Innovations

A little over a year ago, a group of concerned community and agricultural leaders of Adams County met to discuss the current state of local agriculture and address its future in our community and economy. The participants of this summit identified three priority issues: Land Use Planning & Education, Marketing Partnerships and Ag Production Innovations. The Pennsylvania Ag Innovations Initiative has really taken off and I'm pleased to say that the grassroots effort is well past the planning phase and is focusing on actions that address the priority objectives. A lot of progress has been made, and we credit these accomplishments to the diligent committee chairpersons and members.

We also extend appreciation to the dedicated members of the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania, Adams County Fruit Growers Association, Adams County Farm Bureau and the community at large for their continued advice, professional expertise and support of Ag Innovations. Your contributions are valuable! Hopefully, we can further our collaborations in various partnerships to continue the profitability and sustainability of our Pennsylvania orchards!

Accomplished Goals & Objectives

Land Use Planning & Education

Marketing Partnerships

Ag Production Innovations

Pennsylvania has a rich heritage of agricultural productivity and stewardship. Many long-standing farm families have built successful, flourishing farm businesses that have played a large part in making rural Pennsylvania the strong community that it is today. Beyond providing a beautiful landscape, agriculture makes a positive social, economic and cultural contribution to the fabric of the Commonwealth.

Pennsylvania Ag Innovations is committed to representing local farmers, promoting and supporting local agriculture and implementing innovative agricultural practices that will meet today's farming challenges. Through community collaboration and partnerships, Ag Innovations' programs and projects will help to secure viable and productive farms, preserve our rural character and share our agricultural heritage with future generations.

If you would like to become involved in any of the committees, or simply would like email updates, please fill in the area below and mail to Penn State Cooperative Extension, or send an email to Katy (kml19@psu.edu). Any ideas and input are welcome! Thank you.
(Submitted by Katheryn M. Lesser, Ag Innovations Coordinator)

NOTE FROM THE FTN COORDINATOR.
Based on the request from the county-based extension educators, during the 2006 season the Fruit Times Newsletter will be available only once per month. Ms. Karen Weaver will be compiling the FTN and distributing it to our electronic subscribers. Karen can be contacted by phone (717) 677-6116 ext. 0 or by e-mail: ksw5@psu.edu.

Listed below are the dates remaining for the year 2006 FTN schedule:

May 23, 2006 (May 29, Memorial Day)
Jun. 27, 2006
Jul. 25, 2006
Aug. 29, 2006
Sep. 26, 2006
Oct. 31, 2006
Nov. 28, 2006

Please send all materials to be included in the newsletter to Karen no later than the day of publication at 10:00 AM. Your assistance in meeting this deadline is highly appreciated.
If you have any questions or suggestions for the newsletter please feel free to contact me.
Thank you.