Late blight in Cassia County
Late blight was confirmed today in three separate fields in Cassia County. In all fields the blight was not severe and was limited in distribution. It is critical to scout fields that are still green and growing. Fungicide sprays are recommended if late blight is found in or near a field with healthy plants. These finds indicate that the disease is more widespread that previously thought.
Fruit Field Day
The University of Idaho Annual Fruit Field Day will be held on Friday, September 12, 2008 from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. The registration will start at 8:30 am and program will start at 9:00 am. Several cultivars of new table grapes, peaches, nectarines, apples, quinces, Asian pears, and other alternative fruits will be presented during the tour. Participants can taste many of these fruits. Highlights of this event will be:
1) Presentation and tasting of several types and cultivars of fruits at the main office complex and discussion on application of growth bio-regulators in fruit crops
2) Tour of the U of I comprehensive research projects on ‘Fuji’ apple irrigation and nutrition, chemical thinning, and pesticides uses
3) Tour of the alternative fruit crops, including quinces, Asian pears, persimmons, Jujube, Haskaps, and mulberries
4) Tour of the table grape vineyards, new grape canopy experiment, peaches and nectarines, and discussion/ questions/answers on various cultural practices of fruit crops, including planting, growth regulators, pruning, thinning, girdling, pest control, irrigation
Where: University of Idaho, Parma Research & Extension Center in Parma, on the lawn in front of the main office complex. Going west on Highway 20/26 in Parma, turn right at M&W grocery store, go for about 1/3 miles and turn left on U of I Lane and go north for about 1 mile.
When: Friday, September 12, 2008, Starts at 8:30 am (sharp) till 1:00 pm
Cost: Free of Charge
Potato Pink Rot Survey
Miller Research is conducting a survey to determine the extent of mefenoxam (e.g. Ridomil) sensitivity to the pink rot pathogen in potato. If you find pink rot in a potato field and are willing to participate in the survey, please contact Jeff or Terry Miller at (208) 531-5124. We will provide instructions on sampling. Results from specific fields will remain confidential, but an overall summary will be reported for each county.
UI Annual Fruit Field Day
Below is a flyer for the UI Annual Fruit Field Day to be held on Sept. 12 at the Parma R&E Center. Click on the image to view it. Please plan on joining us if you can.
strip till demonstration
STRIP-TILL SEMINAR AND DEMONSTATION
SPONSORED BY AMALGAMATED SUGAR COMPANY
WHEN: SEPTEMBER 4, 2008; 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
WHERE: CONNORS CAFÉ, BURLEY ID NORTH OFF I-84 EXIT 208
WHAT: PRESENTATIONS 10:00 AM – NOON (CONNERS CAFÉ); NOON LUNCH IS FREE
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM FIELD DEMONSTRATION (850 W 150 S. PAUL, IDAHO)
IMPLEMENTS SCHLAGEL, STRIP CAT, ORTHMAN, CASE/DMI
CUSTOM OPERATER – DEWAYNE HONDO
STRIP-TILL GROWER – ACEY SHAW
OPEN TO ALL GROWERS, NOT JUST SUGARBEET GROWERS. CALL ROBERT DOWNARD AT 208.731.3970 IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.
Late blight in Minidoka County
Late blight has been confirmed in two more fields in Minidoka County. One was a few miles north of Paul and the other near Norland. The location of these fields indicates that the pathogen has been spread over a larger area than first estimated.
It is critical to continue fungicide applications as long as vines are green. Gavel, Omega, Revus Top, and Tanos are good stand alone products for foliar late blight control. Revus Top and Tanos are also effective against early blight. Gavel has some EBDC premixed with the product. Curzate, Forum, and Previcur and can be mixed with a standard protectant such as chlorothalonil or an EBDC to provide greater protection than using chlorothalonil or an EBDC alone. Strobilurin products such as Headline, Quadris, and Reason are similar to standard protectants when used at the early blight rate and the higher end of the rate range should be used for late blight protection.
Late blight in Minidoka County
Late blight was found in two more potato fields in Minidoka County today, bringing the total number of confirmed fields to three. These two fields are located a couple of miles north of Paul and both are north of the first confirmed field. The disease pattern in these fields is consistent with spread from another source. It is likely that thundershowers last week spread the pathogen and it is possible that other fields in the area have been affected. It is essential that fields be scouted and any suspicious lesions be analyzed by trained personnel.
These additional findings underscore the importance of reporting late blight. An accurate knowledge of disease incidence is essential so all growers can know how often to apply fungicides. Please report any potential late blight findings so that accurate alerts can be posted.
These finds also show that late blight can get started inside the potato canopy even when overall weather conditions have not been favorable for disease development. Fields with actively growing plants in the Rupert and Paul area should be treated weekly with protectant fungicides such chlorothalonil or EBDC. Other fungicides with greater efficacy can be either tank-mixed with protectants or used in place of protectants.
If you have questions or concerns please contact Jeff Miller at 208-431-4420.