Kentucky Fruit FactsJanuary-February Newsletter 2019 http://www.uky.edu/hort/documents-list-fruit-facts

John Strang, Extension Fruit Specialist, Editor Daniel Becker, Extension Associate, EditorDenise Stephens, Newsletter Designer

Inside this Issue: Fruit Crop News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Upcoming Meetings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Cane Blight Reduces Yields in Blackberry Cultivar Trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Navigating the WPS Respirator Requirements . . . . . 3 IPM Scouting Guide for Common Problems of Brambles in KY and the Bramble Scout Website. 6 Plant Diseases of Fruit Prediction Models for Ky Counties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Pollinator Protection: Hazard versus Risk. . . . . . . . . 7 Receiving Fruit Facts on the Internet. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Fruit Crop News John Strang, U.K. Extension Horticulturist It is a new year and pruning on warmer days is proceeding in commercial orchards. Start with older apple and pear trees and save the stone fruit and young trees until later in the spring. On colder days when it is too cold to prune begin planning and make some of your pesticide purchases. Kentucky tree fruit spray schedules vary considerably from year to year depending on the weather and pest populations. If you are attempting to use the same spray schedule and pesticides every year, keep in mind that we need to rotate pesticides to avoid resistance development and use a combination of protectant and systemic fungicides. At our recent Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference Nicole Gauthier and Ric Bessin provided some excellent information on controlling insects and diseases. Don’t forget to monitor orchard vole populations which can build rapidly and to refill bait stations. Vole feeding on tree roots can weaken and kill trees and voles become particularly devastating when there is a snow cover, masthead photo. The 2019 Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide which should be available in County Extension Offices shortly can

be found at https://ag.purdue.edu/hla/Hort/Pages/sfg_sprayguide.aspx discusses commercial fruit vole control options on page 122. The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center predicted an El Niño pattern forming over the next few months and continuing through the winter. This would result in cooler dryer weather for us in the shorter term and normal to below normal temperatures and dryer conditions three months out.

Upcoming MeetingsAll times EST unless noted

Feb. 11, 18 & 25 Backyard Fruit Web Series, Held at District 1 local Extension Offices (Bath, Boyd, Bracken, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Lawrence, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike, Robertson, and Rowan). Feb. 11 will cover Fruit Selection, Feb. 18 Small Fruit Diseases and Feb. 25 Small Fruit Insects. 6 -7 p.m. Contact your local County Extension Office to participate. Feb. 12-14 Indiana Hort Congress, Indianapolis Marriott East, Indianapolis, IN. For program and registration materials see: https://www.inhortcongress.org or contact 765-494-1296; e-mail: ljollybr@purdue.edu Feb. 13-16 National Farm Machinery Show, Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209. 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Admission is free and parking is $10 for cars. See website for directions and specifics: http://www.farmmachineryshow.org

Feb. 13-16 15th Annual West Virginia Small Farm Conference, Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, Charleston, WV. For program and registration information see https://extension.wvu.edu/conferences/small-farm-conference Feb. 14 Less Common Fruits for Kentucky Gardens, Lyon County Extension Office, 231 Main St., Eddyville, KY 42038. 6:00 p.m. CT Contact 270-388-2341. Feb. 22-23 2019 Missouri Blueberry School, Darr Agriculture Center, 2401 S. Kansas Expressway, Springfield MO 65807. $90 per person includes lunch on both days and blueberry farm tour transportation. Contact Kelly McGowan at mcgowank@missouri.edu 417-874-2965 Advance registration and payment is required. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-missouri-blueberry-school-tickets-54987348640 Feb. 25 Home Fruit Disease Management, Hopkins County Extension Office, 75 Cornwall Dr., Madisonville, KY 42431. 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. CT Contact 270-821-3650. Mar. 1-2 Organic Association of Kentucky 8th Annual Food and Farming Conference, Clarion Hotel Conference Center North, 1950 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY. Contact Brook Gentile email: brooke@oak-ky.org Phone: 502-219-7378. For a program overview and registration information see https://www.oak-ky.org/2019-conference-overview Mar. 2 Home Fruit Grower Tree Fruit Field Day, Fleming County Extension Office, 1384 Elizaville Rd., Flemingsburg, KY. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The morning program will cover grafting, disease and insect control at the Extension Office and the afternoon program will cover pruning and wildlife control at Morehead State University Browning Orchard. Contact 606-845-4641. Mar. 6 Pruning and Grafting Class, Grayson County Extension Office, 123 Commerce Dr., Leitchfield, KY 42754. 5:00-8:00 p.m. CT. Contact 270-259-3492. Mar. 7 Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop, Woodford County Extension Office, 184 Beasley Rd., Versailles, KY. 6:00 p.m. Contact 859-873-4601. Mar. 12 Fruit Grower Orchard Meeting, Eckert’s Boyd Orchard, Lyle Allen, Megan Fields, Chris Eckert and Tom Dutkanych, 1396 Pinckard Pike, Versailles, KY 40383 Phone: 859-873-3097 10:00 a.m. Mar. 14 Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop 10:00 a.m. and Pruning Demonstration 1:30 p.m., Laurel County Extension Office, 200 County

Extension Rd., London, KY 40741. Contact 606-864-4167. Mar. 15 Apple Grafting Workshop, Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability, (Community Center, 40 Back St.) 130 Robinson Rd., Jackson, KY 41339. 6:00 p.m. Contact 606-666-8812. Mar. 18 Fruit Tree Pruning Demonstration 1:00 p.m. and Grafting Workshop, 3:30 p.m., Russell County Extension Office, 2688 S. Hwy 127, Russell Springs, KY 42642 Contact 270-866-4477. Mar. 19 Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop, Harrison County Extension Office, 668 New Lair Rd., Cynthiana, KY 41031. 6:30 p.m. Contact 859-234-5510; E-mail: DL_CES_HARRISON@EMAIL.UKY.EDU Mar. 28 Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop, Adair County Extension Office, 409 Fairground St., Columbia, KY 42728, 1:00 p.m. CT Contact: 270-384-2317. Apr. 4 Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop, Jessamine County Extension Office, 95 Park Dr., Nicholasville, KY 40356. 6:00 p.m. Contact 859-234-5510. Apr. 16 Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop, Simpson County Extension Office, 300 North Main St., Franklin, KY 42134. 5:00 PM CT Contact 270-586-4484. Apr. 27 Kentucky Nut Growers Association Spring Meeting, Hardin County Extension Office, 201 Peterson Dr., Elizabethtown, KY 42701, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Contact Danny Ganno Phone 270-860-8362; email: danganno@yahoo.com May 2 Fruit Grower Orchard Meeting, Hinton’s Orchard and Farm Market, Jeremy and Joann Hinton, 8631 Campbellsville Rd., Hodgenville, KY 42748 10:00 a.m. Phone 270-325-3855 Jan. 6-7, 2020 Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Embassy Suites Hotel, 1801 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY 40511. Contact John Strang Office phone: 859-257-5685; Email: jstrang@uky.edu

Cane Blight Reduces Yields in Blackberry Cultivar TrialBy Dwight Wolfe, Research Specialist, UK Research and Education Center, Princeton, KY Three thornless erect blackberry named cultivars (Natchez, Osage, and Ouachita) and two

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selections (A-2434T and A-2491T) all from John Clark’s breeding program at the University of Arkansas are being evaluated at the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center, Princeton, KY. Plants were established in the spring of 2013 in 2.5 x 12.5 ft. plots within rows spaced 18 ft. apart. Canes received only a delayed-dormant application of Sulforix® each year, and insecticides as needed to control Drosophila sp. Fruited canes (Floricanes) were removed (pruned out) within four to five weeks after harvest each year when they were dry so as not to spread cane blight. Yields (2014 thru 2018) based on the current recommended row spacing of 14 ft. between rows are summarized in Figure 1.

Cane blight (Figure 2. Also see Figure 6 in https://plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/files/ppfs-fr-s-17.pdf ) and a decline in yield were observed in this trial in 2017. Cane blight may also have been the cause of the low yields of some of less productive cultivars in 2016. This disease grew worse in 2018 along with the further decline in yield of all cultivars as in 2017. Osage was statistically more productive than all other cultivar from 2016 thru 2018, despite the decline due to cane blight.

Berry size increased from 2014 to 2015 but was smaller for all cultivars from 2016 thru 2018 (Figure 3). Natchez and the selection A-2434-T had the largest berries each year while the selection A-2491-T had the smallest berries each year except for 2017.

All berries in this trial ripened over about a four-week period from about mid-June through about mid-July. Data on taste was not collected in 2016 or 2018, but was in 2017. All cultivars were rated good to excellent with no significant difference between cultivars being detected in 2017. Casual comments regarding taste in 2018 were that berries from all cultivars tended to have a bitter taste and/or were not very sweet. This may be related to dilution of sugars from above normal rainfall and heavy cloud cover that reduced sugar production this season.

Navigating the WPS Respirator RequirementsAdapted by Dr. Ric Bessin, UK Extension Entomologist from: Hygnstrom, C. Ogg, and C. Alberts. Respirators for Handling Pesticides. EC3021. University of Nebraska Extension, Lincoln, NE.

With the 2015 revisions to the Worker Protection Standards (WPS), agricultural employers, employees, and their family members who use a pesticide that falls under WPS and requires a respirator, must follow OSHA respirator requirements. Respirators are required when a pesticide is determined to be hazardous when inhaled.

Figure 1. Yields (lbs.) per acre from 2014 thru 2018 from the erect thornless blackberry cultivar trial established in 2013 at UKREC, Princeton, KY.

Figure 2. Cane blight in erect thornless black-berry cultivar trial at UKREC, Princeton, KY.

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Unfortunately, the requirements listed on many of these pesticide labels are both highly technical and confusing. But following pesticide label requirements is the law. This article summarizes these requirements and clarifies some of the language on pesticide labels.Worker Protection Standards (WPS) Requirements The revised WPS includes specific requirements for using respirators when using pesticide products under the Agricultural Use Requirements that requires the use of a respirator. This revision requires all those who are required to use a respirator to have a medical evaluation and annual fit tests for each type of respirator as required by pesticide products they use, as well as annual training regarding the proper use of each respirator to be used by the handler. Pesticide labels requiring the use of respirators specify the minimum type of protection needed. This is based on the inhalation toxicity of the product, the site where it is used, and activity involved. Respirators have a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certification code identifying which specific standards they meet. Under WPS, respirators must be approved by NIOSH. Simple dust masks, such as the one-strap dust mask, are not approved by NIOSH and not suitable nor approved for use with pesticides, even granular or dust formulations. Table 1 lists the categories and their corresponding codes for air-purifying and air-supplying respirators. These codes are used in the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) section of the label to describe respirator requirements.

Table 1. NIOSH Respirator Codes and Descriptions

Air-filtering RespiratorsTC-14G Gas masks with canisterTC-21C Powered air-supply particulate

respirators with N,R, or P classified filters

TC-23C Air-purifying respirator (APR) with chemical cartridge or powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) with chemical cartridge and particulate filter

TC-84A Non-powered particulate respirators with N,R, or P classified filters

Non-powered combination chemical cartridge/particulate respirators with N, R, or P filters

Air Supplying RespiratorsTC-13F Self-contained breathing apparatus

(SCBA) for entry or escape, demand or pressure-demand, respirator face piece is connected to portable breathable air in cylinders carried on the back of the wearer

TC-19C Supplied air respirators (SAR), the respirator face piece is connected to a “fixed” air source (not designed to be carried by the wearer)

Types of Respirators Air-purifying are among the most commonly used respirators with pesticide handling and have canisters, cartridges or filters to remove contaminants from the air. They use negative pressure, which is produced when the user inhales, to pull air through the filter. Powered air-purifying respirators have a battery-operated blower to move the air through the purifying elements and create positive pressure under the mask.

Particulate Filter Respirators Particulate filter respirators are appropriate when loading and applying granular or dust-formulated pesticides. Do not use a particulate filter respirator when applying liquid pesticides as these do not provide protection from vapors. If the wearer can begin to smell or taste the chemical, the mask no longer fits properly; if breathing becomes difficult, the filter is no longer effective and needs to be replaced. Masks must be replaced when they reach the service life listed by the manufacturer. There are several categories for particulate filters based on their resistance to oil. Some pesticides contain oil byproducts so this is an important requirement. The classification ‘N’ means the particulate filter is not resistant to oil; ‘R’ is resistant to oil for up to 8 hours; and ‘P’ is oil-proof. Particulate respirators are also rated for their efficiency to remove particles 0.3 microns in size. These efficiencies are 95 percent, 99 percent, and 99.97 (100) percent. The 95 percent filters should be appropriate for most

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pesticides as most spray particles are larger than 2 microns. As an example, the particulate filter ‘R95’ would be 95 percent efficient in removing particles at least 0.3 microns in size and is resistant to oil, but not oil-proof. There are several types of particulate filters, including face-piece respirators, half-mask, and full-face respirators. The face-piece respirators, usually made of cloth-like material, have two straps to adjust fit. The half-mask and full-face respirators are meant to be reused many times and have filters that can be snapped into place and replaced as needed. They can be used with particulate filters, chemical cartridges, or combination of particulate filters and chemical cartridges.

Chemical Cartridge Respirators These respirators have different types of cartridges to remove different materials from the air. Cartridges are color-coded corresponding to the types of materials they protect against (Table 2). Some pesticides require respirators that protect against organic vapors as many pesticides are organic compounds (they consist of carbon molecules). This should not be confused with ‘organic agriculture.’ Chemical cartridges are meant to protect against light concentrations typical of outdoor applications or when applying pesticides diluted with water. Some pesticide labels may require both particulate and organic vapor filtering; in that instance, a pink pre-filter for dust in combination with one of the organic vapor cartridges would be needed. Do not wear a chemical cartridge respirator in an area considered immediately dangerous to life or health. This is an area where dangerous gases can build up, creating a deadly atmosphere that can kill in seconds. Examples are a manure pit or silo with gases; a chemical cartridge respirator will not provide adequate protection in these situations.

Table 2. Some of the Color Codes for Chemical Filtering CartridgesColor Provides Protection AgainstWhite Acid gasesBlack Organic vaporsYellow Acid gasses and organic vaporsGreen Ammonia gasPink Dusts and welding fumes

Brown Acid gases, organic vapors and ammonia gases

Powered-air Purifying Respirator (PADR) This uses a battery-powered fan to push air through the purifying element and may be suitable for particulate dusts, chemical mists and vapors, depending on the particulate filters and chemical cartridges used. Since this is a positive pressure respirator, the advantage is that if there is a small leak, purified air is pushed out of the respirator rather than contaminated air pulled in. This may be better for people not healthy enough to wear a restrictive air mask.

Fit Testing for Respirators Tight-fitting respirators that must have a good seal between the face mask and user include particulate filter masks, half-masks, and full-face masks. If the seal around the mask leaks, contaminated air is pulled in and inhaled. Facial hair interferes with the seal and is not permitted with these masks. With WPS, a fit test must be performed for any tight-fitting respirator at least every 12 months. But before fit testing, you must have a medical clearance. People with some medical conditions may be at a serious health risk if they work while wearing a respirator. The employer or the owner/operator needs to keep a copy of the medical determination (not a copy of the confidential medical evaluation) for two years, stating whether the user is medically able to use the respirator. The fit test ensures that the respirator is properly sized and shaped for the wearer to prevent pesticide exposure. The test is to be conducted at least annually by someone properly trained. The employer or the owner/operator needs to keep records that fit testing and training were conducted annually, as well as fit test results, for two years. Read all documentation provided with the respirator. It explains how to properly assemble, fit, clean, maintain, and store the respirator.This article was adapted from:Hygnstrom, C. Ogg, and C. Alberts. Respirators for Handling Pesticides. EC3021. University of Nebraska Extension, Lincoln, NE

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IPM Scouting Guide for Common Problems of Brambles in Kentucky and the Bramble Scout WebsiteBy Dr. Nicole Gauthier and Kim Leonberger, Extension Plant Pathologist and Plant Pathology Extension Associate

The UK IPM Fruit Working Group has a new scouting guide: http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ID/ID251/ID251.pdf. The guide is online now, and paper copies are available through county offices. The Bramble Scout website is now available for grower, agent, and homeowner use. The website can be easily accessed from any phone, tablet, iPad, or computer. This website provides users with the information available in the scouting guide publication. The home page (Figure 4) allows visitors to select a topic. Next, users can select from a menu of various diseases or pests to obtain more information and view images (Figure 5).

Plant Diseases of Fruit Prediction Models for Kentucky Counties (PPFS-FR-T-07)By Dr. Nicole Gauthier, Extension Plant Pathologist

Numerous plant diseases impact fruit crops throughout Kentucky. Factors such as plant growth stage, as well as rainfall, temperature, and other weather conditions, can be used to determine risk for plant disease. Disease prediction models can aid growers in assessing disease risk and timing pesticide applications. Using prediction models can provide growers with cost savings, as unnecessary chemical applications are eliminated when risk of infection is low.

This publication provides practical information on using the University of Kentucky Agricultural Disease Prediction Models by providing screen shots that display each step. Plant Diseases of Fruit, Prediction Models for Kentucky Counties (PPFS-FR-T-07) is available online.

FRUIT HUMOR

What Did The

Apple Tree Say

To The Farmer?

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Figure 4: Bramble Scout website home page. (Kim Leonberger, UK)

Figure 5: Users can select a specific disease or pest to obtain more information. (Kim Leonberger, UK)

I’m tired of everyone picking on me!

Pollinator Protection: Hazard versus RiskBy Dr. Ric Bessin, Extension Entomologist

Pollinator protection has received a lot of national attention due to decline of honey bees and other wild pollinators. The causes of this are still being studied, but parasites, pathogens, nutrition, genetics, and pesticides all play a role in these declines. While pesticides may not be the main cause of pollinator decline, it is one factor under our control. In particular, some insecticides are extremely toxic to bees and must be stewarded properly to avoid risk.

Figure 7. Many Kentucky crops benefit from or depend upon insect pollination (Photo: Ric Bessin, UK).

Importance of Bees Bees are just as much a part of agriculture as beef cattle and tobacco in Kentucky. Some of the crops grown here are completely dependent on these insects for pollination; others greatly benefit from insect pollination. Melons, watermelons, pumpkins, squash, and most cucumbers are totally dependent on bee pollination. Without insect pollinators there would be no fruit. Honey bees, as well as wild bees, provide this service. However, these crops as also attacked by serious insect pests that can destroy yields. To prevent yield loss, insecticides are used to manage these pests, but it must be done in a manner to avoid/minimize impact on pollinators. It is important to understand hazard versus risk when discussing pesticides and pollinators. Most of the commonly used insecticides use are hazardous to bees and other pollinators. They are hazardous because they are extremely toxic; some even bear honey bee icons on the label to alert growers to restrictions to protect honey bees. When pollinators are exposed to these hazardous materials, risk is increased risk

(hazard+exposure=risk). Without exposure to these materials, there is no risk. Pesticide risk to pollinators is based on the potential exposure to pesticides that are hazardous to them. So it is important to make the distinction between hazard and risk because this can guide applicators on how to safely use these materials.

Figure 8. Wild or unmanaged bees play an important role pollinating crops (Photo: Ric Bessin, UK)

Figure 9. Pesticide drift onto weeds in bloom is also a potential risk to pollinators (Photo: Ric Bessin, UK).

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Cooperative Extension ServiceUniversity of KentuckyHorticulture DepartmentN-318 Ag. Science Ctr. No.Lexington KY 40546-0091