Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/675334
www.goodfruit.com Good Fruit Grower MAY 15, 2016 45 rotations controlled fruit disease incidence and severity — and leaf severity — in 2014, but not in 2015. A similar trend was observed in two similar spray trials conducted in Quincy, Washington. "Growers really like Quintec, because it's a novel mode of action fungicide, and it's the only one within this FRAC group," Probst said. "We wanted to see the best time to apply it, but it turns out, there wasn't a best time." Quintec appears to lose a little bit of its efficiency over the years, she said, which could suggest there's fungal resistance building up. The researchers will examine that further in year three of the study. "I don't think it was just the season or the heat last year," Probst said of the possibility of resistance devel- oping. "It's more of a gut feeling, which is backed up by the results from similar trials and observations made by collaborators in Washington and Oregon, but we should know more after this year." The fungicide applications did not affect fruit quality or pitting susceptibility. • powdery mildew These charts show the results of a fungicide research trial for powdery mildew in cherries in 2014 and 2015. Incidence refers to the disease being present on a leaf or fruit. Severity details how much of the leaf or fruit is covered. Fungicides (Quintec, Fontelis, Pristine and a combination of Quintec and Fontelis) were applied to runoff (400 gallons per acre, or 1.5 gallons per tree). In 2014, fungicides were applied on April 30, May 14, May 28 and June 10. In 2015, they were applied April 23, May 7, May 21 and June 4. 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% (Q-Q-F-F) (F-Q-Q-F) (F-F-Q-Q) (F-F-F-Q) Quintec only Fontelis only Pristine only Untreated (control) Quintec and Fontelis combinations 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% (Q-Q-F-F) (F-Q-Q-F) (F-F-Q-Q) (F-F-F-Q) Quintec only Fontelis only Pristine only Untreated (control) Quintec and Fontelis combinations (Q-Q-F-F) (F-Q-Q-F) (F-F-Q-Q) (F-F-F-Q) Quintec only Fontelis only Pristine only Untreated (control) Quintec and Fontelis combinations (Q-Q-F-F) (F-Q-Q-F) (F-F-Q-Q) (F-F-F-Q) Quintec only Fontelis only Pristine only Untreated (control) Quintec and Fontelis combinations Comparing fungicides Measuring powdery mildew incidence 2014 results 2015 results Leaf Fruit (Results marked with * indicate spray is effective when compared to control) * * * * * * Measuring powdery mildew severity Leaf Fruit (Results marked with * indicate spray is effective when compared to control) 2014 results 2015 results * * * * * * * * * * * * sourCe: Claudia Probst Jared Johnson/Good Fruit GroWer Frost control has become very important to us. In the last 9 years, we have had 5 frost events that have significantly damaged our production. We decided to do something to help mitigate this so our production would be consistent. That's where Orchard-Rite ® wind machines have come into play for us. In mid April of 2014, we reached 24 degrees outside the vineyard, yet we were able to save 100% of the fruit under the machines. Outside of the coverage area, we lost almost all of the fruit. At harvest, we picked over 6 tons per acre in the protected area and less than 1 ton per acre in any unprotected vines. The wind machines also reduced my vine damage. I put the wind machines on 10 year old vines and experienced minimal damage, but any unprotected 1 year old vines were completely decimated by the cold temperatures. In the future, when I set out a new planting, I will install Orchard-Rite ® wind machines to provide protection for the following Spring. Damaging young plants is a huge expense not only in lost production but in extra management costs to replant and retrain damaged vines. I believe that the wind machines will help our Texas wine industry grow consistent crops that our wine makers can depend on to produce superior wines and to reliably supply our markets. "The grape vines under my wind machines yielded 6 tons per acre while my unprotected areas had less than 1 ton per acre." -- Andy Timmons Lost Draw Vineyard Lubbock, TX, USA