Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Our extension objective was to increase the adoption of the Mummy Berry Forecast Method (MBFM). We set up leaf wetness and air temperature monitors and plots of mummy berries in blueberry growing areas each year. These data, along with plant development, were used to provide disease risk forecasts that were made available via telephone, internet blog and email list. We gave presentations on how to use the MBFM at grower meetings in March, scouting schools in April and May, and presentations to growers. Growers were surveyed in 2009 and 2011 to determine their use of fungicides and adoption of the MBFM. Presentation materials, a guide to the development of the fungus and plants, and new factsheets were developed and made available via internet and print. In two crop fields in 2009 and a third in 2010, experiments were set up to compare the effectiveness of the MBFM over calendar-based timing of fungicide applications. The effects of the treatments on the incidence and severity of mummy berry blight were measured in early June and on the production of pseudosclerotia of the fungus in August. Yield was estimated by machine-harvesting. Our first research objective was to examine the interactions among management techniques for weed control, fertility and disease control and their effects upon disease incidence. In 2009, two fields in prune year with past histories of mummy berry disease and records of leaf N sufficiency and leaf P deficiency used for this study. We applied 80 lbs P/acre to correct P deficiency using diammonium phosphate or monoammonium phosphate. To separate the effect of weeds from fertilization, half of the plots also received pre-emergence weed control. The fungicide propiconazole was applied to half the plots as the main effect in a split-plot design. Soil cores and leaf samples from the first year were measured for soil and leaf nutrients. Stem samples were collected in fall 2009 for measurement of stem density, height, branching and flower bud formation. Yield and mummy berry disease were measured as above. Weed cover was assessed in both years. Two crop fields in 2009 and 2010 and one in 2011 were used in field trials of the effectiveness of lower risk fungicides and organically acceptable materials to control mummy berry disease. Treatments included propiconazole and each treatment was tested in a RCB design with 8 blocks. Most organically acceptable materials act as protectants so applications were made every 7 days. The effects of the treatments mummy berry disease and yield were measured as above. Presentations: to blueberry industry at the Blueberry Field Day, Blueberry Hill Farm, July 2009, 2010 and 2011; grower meetings, 3 locations, March 2009, 2010, and 2011; scouting meetings in April and May, 2009, 2010 and 2011 in 3 locations; organic grower meetings in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Blog posts (http://mainewildblueberries.blogspot.com/) April to May in 2009, 2010 and 2011. K. McGovern, S. Annis and D. Yarborough. 2010. Efficacy of organically acceptable materials for control of mummy berry disease on lowbush blueberry in Maine. Wildbrew meeting, Quebec City, QC. PARTICIPANTS: Annis (Associate Professor of Mycology: UMaine) and Yarborough (Blueberry Specialist and Professor of Horticulture: UMaine) conducted training workshops for growers and designed web-based materials. Annis and the research assistant, Kristen McGovern, monitored mummy berry plots and weather tracking sites in Maine in 2009 and 2010. Annis provided forecasting updates to a phone line, blog and email list of growers. Annis supervised the setting up and applications of treatments for the low-risk fungicide trial and timing trials conducted by McGovern. Yarborough, Smagula and Annis supervised the setting up and conducting of the interaction study by McGovern. Yarborough supervised weed evaluations in the interaction experiment (Objective R1). Smagula (Professor of Horticulture: UMaine) was be responsible for supervising all fertility and plant productivity applications and measures in objective R1. The research assistant with help from undergraduate students measured disease incidence and severity and yield for all experimental plots. The research assistant helped analyze data. Drummond (Professor of Insect Ecology and Cooperative Extension Professor: UMaine) and Annis conducted research into the effects of pollinators on moving Monilinia inoculum. Partners to this project include the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine and the wild blueberry commercial growers of Oxford Foods, Cherryfield, ME, Wyman's Deblois, ME, Allen's Blueberries, Ellsworth, ME, and Cary Nash Blueberries, Union, ME. Collaborators at University of Maine include D. Yarborough, F.A. Drummond, J. Smagula, and personnel at the Blueberry Hill Farm, Jonesboro, ME. Out of state collaborators include S. Schloemann Mass. Cooperative Extension, B. Grube NH Cooperative Extension, P. Hildebrand, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kentville, NS, Canada. Kristen McGovern is a research associate paid from this grant who has had training in disease identification, and statistical analysis due to this project. Russell Clark, Lauren McPherson, Rafael Garcia, and Gregory Melcher are undergraduate students who were trained and then worked from on culturing and maintaining fungal isolates, analyzing plant samples, setting up and evaluating field experiments and inputting data. Blueberry growers have been trained in the Monilinia disease cycle and how to effectively control mummy berry blight using the mummy berry forecast system during this grant. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for information produced by this project was the commercial lowbush blueberry growers and field managers of Maine, NH and MA and the general public living near blueberry fields, growing patches of blueberries, or interested in blueberries. Information to growers on the disease cycle of mummy berry disease and methods to decrease fungicide use for control were presented at growers meetings at 3 locations around the state on March 2009, 2010 and 2011, and at twilight meetings at 3 locations around the state in April and May in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Information on using the MBFM and results from field experiments was also presented to growers at the Wild Blueberry field day, July 2009, 2010, and 2011 and provided on the www.wildblueberries.maine.edu website and on the blog associated with this website. A presentation on the mummy berry forecasting method was given in Oct, 2009 at the Wildbrew meeting in Bangor, ME, and results on organically acceptable fungicides was presented the North American Blueberry research and extension workers meeting July, 2010 and at the Wild blueberry research and extension workers meeting in Quebec City, Canada, October, 2010 and Bangor, ME in October, 2011. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
In 2009 and 2010 field trials, two applications of fungicide following the MBFM achieved the same level of control of mummy berry blight as with three applications of fungicide necessary to cover the same period using the calendar method. Yields in fungicide-treated plots were significantly higher than in untreated controls and not significantly different between fungicides. Reporting these experiments to growers has resulted in an improved opinion of the MBFM. In 2010, many growers relied on forecasting reports to determine when to apply fungicides and many growers believed they had improved control of mummy berry blight. Surveys of growers in March 2011 found 65% of 139 survey respondents had heard of the forecast method and 72% used fungicides to control mummy berry. Of the 73 growers who answered the question, 86 % follow the recommendations of the forecast method at least sometimes and 60% said it affected how they applied fungicide. Ninety five percent of respondents wanted the MBFM to continue. In fall 2011, four companies, that manage large acreage of fields, and 6 small growers established mummy berry monitoring plots in their fields. This support for the MBFM led the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine to apply for Block Grant funding through the State of Maine for funds to purchase, set up and monitor more reliable weather stations and further studies on mummy berry control methods. This grant was funded at $79,354 in October, 2011. Analysis of the interaction of fertility and weed suppression on mummy berry disease found fungicide treatment decreased incidence of mummy berry blight as predicted, but effects of herbicide and fertility were affected by field characteristics and interactive effects. Lack of weed control in one field did not affect mummy berry blight in the following year but did increase the number of mummified fruit produced. In 2009 and 2011, only propiconazole-containing fungicide treatments significantly decreased blight levels compared to untreated controls. There was yearly variation in how well organically acceptable materials controlled mummy berry disease. In 2011, one application of fungicide during the field experiment was missed due to adverse weather conditions which likely had a greater effect on efficacy of protectants such as the organically acceptable materials. In 2011, Procidic, Serenade Max and Regalia were recommended as organically acceptable materials for the control of mummy berry disease and provided an alternative for organic growers to control this disease.
Publications
- Annis, S. 2009. Forecasting Mummyberry Fungus Infection, fact sheet. http://wildblueberries.maine.edu/PDF/Disease/mummyberry-forecasting-h andout.pdf
- Annis, S. 2009. Mummy berry disease forecasting method, presentation. http://wildblueberries.maine.edu/Mummyberry/mummyberryforecastingmeth od.pdf
- Annis, S. 2011. How to put out Mummy berry plots, fact sheet.
- McGovern, K., S. Annis and D. Yarborough, 2011. Efficacy of organically acceptable materials for control of mummy berry disease on wild blueberries in Maine. International Journal of Fruit Science, accepted.
- Drummond, F.A., J. Smagula, D. Yarborough, and S. Annis, 2011, Organic wild blueberry research and extension in Maine, International Journal of Fruit Science, accepted.
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Extension and Research objectives were started in April 2009, and this report covers results from most of the experiments conducted in the summers of 2009 and 2010. Extension Objective 1 was to increase the adoption of the mummy berry forecast system (MBFS) to control mummy berry blight in lowbush blueberries. In 2009 and 2010, information on the disease cycle and methods for effective timing of applications was presented at 3 growers meetings in March (30 to 60 growers at each) and at 6 twilight meetings (10 to 30 growers at each) in April and May around Maine. A handout and presentation with a script explaining the MBFS were developed and posted to www.wildblueberries.maine.edu .We placed leaf wetness monitors and mummy berry plots at 8 to 9 locations in blueberry fields around the state in each year. Data was collected bi-weekly and used to determine if an infection period for the fungus had occurred. A forecast bulletin was posted bi-weekly on a telephone hotline, on a blueberry blog and sent to an email list of growers. Surveys will be conducted in 2011 to evaluate grower use of the forecast and effects on fungicide applications. Field experiments were conducted to compare timing of fungicide applications to control mummy berry blight using the calendar method and the MBFS. Two fields, Belfast and Deblois, ME, were used in 2009 and one in Palermo, ME in 2010. The two commonly used fungicides, propiconazole and fenbuconazole, were applied following recommended rates following the two timing schedules during mummy berry infection in the spring. Severity and incidence of mummy berry blight was evaluated in the beginning of June and harvest was measured in early August. Research Objective 1 was to examine the interaction of fertility and weed suppression on incidence and severity of mummy berry disease. This study was set up in two field locations in 2009 during the prune year. The study consisted of all possible combinations of 3 levels of fertilizer (no fertilizer, 80lb/acre P in MAP or DAP), with or without herbicide treatment and with or without fungicide control of mummy berry disease. Weed levels were measured in 2009 and 2010. Measures of fertility were made in 2009 and 2010. Mummy berry disease was evaluated in June as blight and in August as mummified fruit and harvest was measured in 2010. Analysis of these data is continuing. Research Objective 2 was to test the efficacy of lower risk fungicides to control mummy berry blight. Trials, each half acre in size with eight replicated blocks, were set up in 2 fields in Maine each year to examine the effects of biological and lower risk fungicides compared to chemical fungicide (propiconazole) and untreated controls. Treatments tested in 2009 included Actinovate, Procidic, Fungi-phite, and Elevate. In 2010, treatments included Procidic, SerenadeMax and Regalia. Incidence of primary infection was measured as the proportion of stems with mummy berry blight symptoms. Results of this study were presented to growers and other researchers at Blueberry Hill Farm Field day in July (about 200 people attended), and the NABREW and WildBREW for blueberry researchers. PARTICIPANTS: Annis (Associate Professor of Mycology: UMaine) and Yarborough (Blueberry Specialist and Professor of Horticulture: UMaine) conducted training workshops for growers and designed web-based materials. Annis and the research assistant, Kristen McGovern, monitored mummy berry plots and weather tracking sites in Maine in 2009 and 2010. Annis provided forecasting updates to a phone line, blog and email list of growers. Annis supervised the setting up and applications of treatments for the low-risk fungicide trial and timing trials. Yarborough, Smagula and Annis supervised the setting up and conduction of the interaction study. Yarborough conducted all herbicide and weed evaluations in the interaction experiment (Objective R1). Smagula (Professor of Horticulture: UMaine) was be responsible for supervising all fertility and plant productivity applications and measures in objective R1. The research assistant with help from undergraduate students measured disease incidence and severity and yield for all experimental plots. The research assistant is also be helping analyze data. Drummond (Professor of Insect Ecology and Cooperative Extension Professor: UMaine) and Annis conducted research into the effects of pollinators on moving Monilinia inoculum. Partners to this project include the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine and the wild blueberry commercial growers of Oxford Foods, Cherryfield, ME, Wyman's Deblois, ME, Allen's Blueberries, Ellsworth, ME, and Cary Nash Blueberries, Union, ME. Collaborators at University of Maine include D. Yarborough, F.A. Drummond, J. Smagula, and personnel at the Blueberry Hill Farm, Jonesboro, ME. Out of state collaborators include S. Schloemann Mass. Cooperative Extension, B. Grube NH Cooperative Extension, P. Hildebrand, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kentville, NS, Canada. Kristen McGovern is a research associate paid from this grant who has had training in disease identification, and statistical analysis due to this project. Russell Clark is an undergraduate student who has been trained and then worked from Sept. 2009 to Aug. 2010 on culturing and maintaining Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi isolates, analyzing plant samples, setting up and evaluating field experiments and inputting data. Rafael Garcia is an undergraduate student who has been trained and has worked from February 2001 to Dec. 2010 on field and lab experiments for this project. Blueberry growers have been trained in the Monilinia disease cycle and how to effectively control mummy berry blight using the mummy berry forecast system during this grant. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for information produced by this project is the commercial lowbush blueberry growers and field managers of Maine, NH and Mass. and the general public living near blueberry fields, growing patches of blueberries, or interested in blueberries. Information to growers on the disease cycle of mummy berry disease and methods to decrease fungicide use for control were presented at Growers meetings around the state on March 18, 19 and 21, 2009; March 17, 18 and 20th 2010 and at twilight meetings on April 28, 29, and 30th and May 26, 27 and 28th, 2009 and April 27, 28, 29, May 25, 26 and 27th, 2010. Information on using the Mummy berry forcasting method and results from field experiments was also presented to growers at the Wild Blueberry field day, July 15th, 2009 and July 21st 2010, and provided on the www.wildblueberries.maine.edu website and on the blog associated with this website. A presentation on the mummy berry forecasting method was given on Oct. 29th, 2009 at the Wildbrew meeting in Bangor, ME, and at results on organically acceptable fungicides was presented the North American Blueberry research and extension workers meeting July 26 to 28, 2010 and at the Wild blueberry research and extension workers meeting in Quebec City, Canada, Oct. 21, 2010. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Extension objective 1: Using the mummy berry forecast system (MBFS), we applied two applications of fungicide in our field trials during the infection seasons in 2009 and 2010 and got the same level of control of mummy berry blight as we did from the three applications of fungicide necessary to cover the same time period using the calendar method. Yield in fungicide treated plots was significantly higher than in untreated controls and not significantly different between fungicides. Reporting on these experiments to growers has resulted in a improved opinion of the MBFS with many growers. More growers expressed interest in the MBFS and used the forecast method to time their fungicide applications in 2010 than in 2009. Many growers relied on forecasting reports to determine when the fungal inoculum would be active in their area and therefore when to consider applying fungicides, and many growers believed they had improved control of mummy berry blight in 2010 compared to previous years. The long term goal is to get growers invested in the MBFS and establish and monitor mummy berry plots in their own fields. There has been a slow increase in the number of growers willing to commit to this additional IPM procedure. Research Objective 1. Preliminary analysis of the interaction of fertility and weed suppression on incidence and severity of mummy berry disease found fungicide treatment decreased incidence of mummy berry blight as predicted, but effects of herbicide and fertility were affected by field characteristics and interactive effects. Analysis of this experiment is ongoing. Experiments examining the effect of honeybees and bumblebees on mummy berry blight incidence found similar proportions of mummy berries produced in cages with inoculum only as well as in cages with inoculum and honey bees or bumblebees. This experiment and other earlier experiments suggest honeybees and bumblebees may not be transmitting conidia to flowers to cause the second stage of disease. Research Objective 2: Studies of lower risk fungicides for control of mummy berry blight. In 2009, only propiconazole significantly decreased blight levels compared to untreated controls. Procidic treatments appeared promising so this material was retested in 2010. In 2010, Procidic significantly controlled mummy berry disease compared to the control in both fields and was not significantly different than the level of control due to propiconazole in one field. Serenade Max and Regalia significantly decreased disease compared to the controls in one field each. These data and earlier studies of organically acceptable methods have been submitted as a publication to Acta Horticulturae. Data from these studies have lead to a proposal to the Biopesticides IR4 program to further test the efficacy of these three biological controls alone and in rotation with propiconazole. If a second year of tests is successful, recommendations will be made for use of these materials by organic growers who currently have no methods of control of mummy berry besides burn pruning to decrease inoculum.
Publications
- McGovern, K., S. Annis and D. Yarborough, 2011 pending. Efficacy of organically acceptable materials for control of mummy berry disease on wild blueberries in Maine. Journal article. Acta Horticulturae
- McGovern, K., S. Annis and D. Yarborough, 2010. Efficacy of organically acceptable materials for control of mummy berry disease on wild blueberries in Maine. Abstract. North American Blueberry Researchers and Extension Workshop, Kalamazoo, MI, July 25-28, 2010.
- Drummond, F.A., J. Smagula, D. Yarborough, and S. Annis, 2010, Organic wild blueberry research and extension in Maine. Abstract. North American Blueberry Researchers and Extension Workshop, Kalamazoo, MI, July 25-28, 2010.
- S.L. Annis, K. McGovern, and D. Yarborough. 2009. Fungicide trials for control of Mummy berry and Septoria leaf spot in Maine. Abstract.Wildbrew meeting, Bangor, ME Oct. 29th, 2009.
- S. L. Annis, D. Yarborough, K. McGovern , J. D'Appollonio. 2009. Maine Wild Blueberry fungicide evaluation trials 2009-2010. Technical Report. USDA/CREES and Wild Blueberry Commission.
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