Crop Protection

Assessing fruit bud survival and crop potential

A series of advective freeze events have damaged fruit buds, and following an additional freeze this weekend, growers will want to assess crop potential. It can be discouraging to count the buds that didn't survive... more »

Pesticides under more scrutiny

When “Silent Spring” was published in 1962, it triggered “fundamental changes” in the way pests were managed, said Jerry Baron, executive director of the IR-4 Project. Rachel Carson’s book was critical of the way pesticides... more »

Compass Minerals launches Protassium+ Organic

Compass Minerals has announced the release of Protassium+ Organic, a potassium fertilizer. Protassium+ Organic is a dual-nutrient, concentrated sulfate of potash (SOP) offering high potassium (50 percent potassium) and plant-available sulfate sulfur, the company said.... more »

Do you need to worry about early spring freezes?

In early spring as fruit trees begin to grow, many people are worried that freezing temperatures will kill the buds of their fruit trees. These buds can handle very low temperatures in the winter. Just... more »

New berry crop miticides, insecticides introduced

Kathy Demchak, senior Extension associate at Penn State University, discusses changes with insecticides and miticides for us on berry crops in the last few years: A tarnished plant bug on a... more »

2016 fruit insecticide registration update

The following is a review of insecticide and miticide label changes and restrictions to the Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E0154, “2016 Michigan Fruit Management Guide.” Agri-chemical labels and regulations can change quickly, so use this... more »

Prepare for cold temperatures tonight

Potential freezing weather is approaching Michigan's Fruit Ridge the night of April 4-5. Amy Irish-Brown, a Michigan State University Extension educator, gave growers some context for how to prepare. On the Ridge, most apples are... more »

Pome fruit fungicide update

Aprovia is a new fungicide (SDHI, FRAC group 7) available for pome fruit disease management. Due to crop safety concerns, BASF will be canceling the pome fruit registration for Vivando. Aprovia... more »