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Funded Project

Funding Program: Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern

Project Title: A Training Program to Predict the Risk of Scab in Apple Orchards

Project Director (PD): William MacHardy [1]

Lead State: NH Lead Organization: University of New Hampshire

Extension Funding: $11,980

Start Date: Sep-01-1998 End Date: Aug-31-2000

Pests Involved: scab

Site/Commodity: apples

Area of Emphasis: forecasting

Summary: Apple scab is the major disease of apples in the Northeastern United States and in most areas worldwide where apples are grown. Historically, fungicides have been applied repeatedly throughout the growing season according to a calendar schedule, fruit bud phenological stages, or the occurrence of scab infection periods. In 1996, two new scheduling strategies were added to the New England Apple Pest Management Guide: (i) a "scab-risk" action threshold that identifies when the first fungicide is needed to control scab and (ii) a "sanitation" action threshold that identifies when sanitation can be employed to reduce inoculum (ascospores) of the pathogen to a level that will allow fewer early-season fungicide applications. For the first time, growers can base their decision-making for scheduling fungicides and employing sanitation practices on a scientifically-based prediction of "scab-pressure." The new strategies are the result of 15 years of research that established a relationship between the number of scabbed leaves counted in autumn and the level of "scab-risk" in spring. If done correctly, the "risk-assessment" procedure will improve fungicide efficiency by (i) eliminating unnecessary early-season fungicide applications in a "low-risk" orchard, (ii) employing sanitation practices to economic advantage in a "moderate-risk" orchard, and (iii) alerting the grower to prepare for a full-season fungicide schedule in a "high-risk" orchard. If the autumn assessment is done incorrectly, however, a decision to eliminate early-season fungicide sprays may result in crop loss and loss of revenue, and growers, crop consultants, and Extension Fruit and IPM Specialists have voiced concern that they do not have the confidence to make the autumn "scab-risk" assessment. In response, autumn workshops were conducted in Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire over the past two years to train growers to assess scab, but the workshops were not well attended because harvest is not a good time for a workshop that will require nearly one full day of a grower's time. Thus another technology-transfer approach is needed. Objectives: The proposal objective is to develop a video to train growers, crop consultants, and Extension Specialists to assess an orchard for foliar scab in autumn, determine the risk of scab in spring, and select the appropriate strategies and practices and a laminated set of colored photographs of symptoms that appear on leaves in autumn to assist the grower while making an assessment. Outcomes and Impacts Summary from 2001 IPM Center report Historically, apple growers have applied pesticides repeatedly each year to combat the threat of apple scab. In 1996, new control strategies emerged that would allow growers to more precisely assess the need for early-season sprays. These strategies, which involve a crucial examination of orchard conditions in autumn, could eliminate at least two early fungicide applications during the following growing season. If employed throughout New England, New York, and Pennsylvania, this practice could save more than $1.2 million in some years. Growers and crop specialists are eager to implement the new strategy, but have voiced concern that they need better "scab-risk" assessment training to use it properly. An assessment conducted incorrectly could result in crop loss and reduced revenue. In response to these concerns, William MacHardy has developed and released a training package that includes a video explaining how to assess an orchard for apple scab in autumn, determine the subsequent risk of scab, and choose the best management practices. Laminated color photographs show scab symptoms and instruct growers on the timing and use of orchard sanitation procedures, which can further reduce the risk of scab infection. Armed with the knowledge that MacHardy's training package provides, orchardists can more effectively target scab while reducing their reliance on pesticides.

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