Contents
2.2 Calculating Fungicide and Insecticide Rates
for Small Plantings.
2.3 Site Selection and Preparation
2.8 Principles of Weed Management
2.9 Principles of Insect and Disease Management
2.1
Introduction
Cornell’s 2008 Pest Management Guidelines for Berry Crops is intended to aid the berry grower with general nutrient guidelines and insect, mite, disease, and weed management decisions. Cultural, biological, and chemical management practices are provided whenever available.
Although this guide is intended primarily for commercial growers, smaller producers may use it by converting guidelines to the appropriate unit (Table 2.1.1).
2.2
Calculating Fungicide and Insecticide Rates for Small Plantings
Recommended fungicide and insecticide rates are presented in terms of product weight or volume per planted acre (i.e., including spaces between rows). For individual small plantings, these rates can be converted by multiplying the recommended pesticide rate (number of pounds, ounces, quarts, etc. per acre) x (number of square feet of individual planted area) divided by (43,560). The resulting figure is the amount of pesticide (in pounds, ounces, quarts, etc.) you will need to apply to the particular planted area in question.
Example: Fungicide X applied at labeled rate of 10 lbs/acre. The planting is 5 rows of blueberries; 4 feet wide and 50 feet long,
Calculations:
Planting size in square feet = (4 ft x 50 ft) x 5 rows = 1000 sq ft
Amount of fungicide to be applied = 10 lbs (rate/acre) x 1000 sq ft = 0.23 lbs of Fungicide X
43,560
2.3
Site Selection and Preparation
Preparations for a berry planting must begin one year in advance. Select a site with good air and water drainage and have a soil and a nematode analysis performed on representative soil samples. Obtain soil test instructions and sample bags from your local Cooperative Extension Office or from Cornell University, Nutrient Analysis Lab, 804 Bradfield Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853 or call 607-255-4540, or visit http://www.css.cornell.edu/soiltest/ or email dmj77@cornell.edu. Samples may be submitted for nematode testing to the Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Ithaca, NY. The best time for collecting samples for nematode testing is during the active growing season. A minimum of 6 soil subsamples, approx. 1” in diameter and 4” in depth should be collected randomly from an area approx. ˝ acre in size. Gently mix samples together, transfer about 1 pint of mixed soil to a plastic bag. For best results, ship as soon as possible to the diagnostic lab. Refrigerate sample if it cannot be shipped immediately. For more information and fee schedules visit their website at http://www.plantclinic.cornell.edu.
Follow the recommendations of the soil and nematode tests to ensure a good planting in future years. A nutritionally healthy planting in a well-drained soil with exposure to air movement is least susceptible to damage from pests.
2.4
Fumigation
Fumigation may be required if nematode levels are high or if pathogenic fungi or insect pests are present in the soil. Fumigation may also provide some weed control. The grower can apply some types of fumigants; others must be custom applied. Soil should be friable and moist prior to fumigation, and the soil temperature should be 50° to 90°F. All plant material must be decomposed prior to fumigation. See Table 2.4.1.
|
Fumigant |
Formulation |
Rate/acre |
EPA
Reg. No. |
|
*†1,3 dichloropropene |
*†Telone II |
27-35 gal |
62719-32 |
|
Better, on
cold, dry soils than most other fumigants. Effective on nematodes only. |
|||
|
*†1,3 dichloropropene + chloropicrin |
*†Telone-C17 |
32.4-42 gal |
62719-12 |
|
Used as a preplant fumigant for strawberries. Controls soilborne diseases and nematodes. |
|||
|
sodium methyl
dithiocarbamate |
Vapam HL |
50-75 gal |
5481-468 |
|
Can be
applied through irrigation system. Broad-spectrum control of weeds, soilborne diseases, and nematodes. |
|||
|
* = Restricted-use pesticide; may be
purchased and used only by certified applicators or used by someone under the
direct supervision of a certified applicator. † = Not for use in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Pesticide labels that indicate ‘Not for use on Long Island, NY’ mean that use is prohibited in Nassau and Suffolk Counties only. CAUTION: Vapors from all fumigants
are harmful. Strictly follow cautions given on label. |
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2.5
Cover Crops
Cover crops planted in late summer after soil fumigation will suppress annual weed growth, improve soil texture, provide organic matter, and may increase soil nitrogen. The cover crop can be incorporated in late fall or in the spring before planting. Certain cover crops (marigold, sudangrass) will either suppress or resist nematode populations. These should be considered on lighter soils or where fumigation is not an option. See Table 2.5.1.
2.6
Nutrient Guidelines
Maintaining healthy plants is an essential component of pest management. Furthermore, avoiding excessive chemical inputs into the agroecosystem should be an objective of the conscientious grower. The first step in nutrient management is to adjust the soil pH to 6.5 before planting (4.5 for blueberries). Use the soil test results to determine the appropriate amount of lime, sulfur, potash, and phosphorus. Sulfur is useful for lowering the soil pH for blueberry production. The amount of sulfur required depends on soil type, cation exchange capacity, and current pH. In established plantings, sulfur also can be used, but apply no more than 400 lb in any one year, preferably split between fall and spring.
|
Table 2.6.1. Approximate amounts of sulfur (lb/A) required to lower soil pH to 4.5. |
|||
|
|
Soil
type |
||
|
Current pH |
Sand |
Loam |
Clay |
|
5.0 |
175 |
530 |
800 |
|
5.5 |
350 |
1050 |
1600 |
|
6.0 |
660 |
2020 |
3030 |
|
6.5 |
840 |
2550 |
3830 |
The following are typical nitrogen guidelines for berry crops planted in sites where preplant soil nutrient guidelines were followed. Use leaf analysis for determination of nutrient status in established plantings, and adjust nitrogen fertilization accordingly (see end of this section). Apply N in a 3 foot band in the row for all berry crops except strawberries, where fertilizer should be concentrated in a 1 foot band over the row.
|
Crop |
Age
of planting |
Amount/timings (actual
N) |
N
source |
Comments |
|
Strawberries |
||||
|
|
0 |
30 lb/A, early June
30 lb/A, early Sept |
calcium nitrate
ammonium nitrate or calcium
nitrate |
Be sure plants are growing well
prior to application. |
|
|
1+ |
70 lb/A, at renovation 30 lb/A, early Sept |
ammonium nitrate, urea, calcium nitrate |
Adjust fall amount based on leaf
analysis. |
|
Raspberries and Blackberries
(summer-bearing) |
||||
|
|
0 |
25-35 lb/A, 4 weeks after
planting |
calcium nitrate |
Avoid touching plants with
fertilizers after planting. |
|
|
1 |
35-55 lb/A in May or split
between May and June |
urea or ammonium nitrate |
Use higher amount on sandier
soils or if irrigation is used. |
|
|
2+ |
40-80 lb/A, in May or split
between May and June |
urea or ammonium nitrate |
Use higher amount on sandier
soils or if irrigation is used. |
|
Raspberries (fall-bearing) |
||||
|
|
0 |
25 lb/A, 4 weeks after planting |
calcium nitrate |
Avoid touching plants with
fertilizers after planting. |
|
|
1 |
50-80 lb/A, split between May and
June |
urea or ammonium nitrate |
Use higher amount on sandier
soils or if irrigation is used. |
|
|
2+ |
70-100 lb/A, split between May
and June |
urea or ammonium nitrate |
Use higher amount on sandier
soils or if irrigation is used. Adjust with leaf analysis. |
|
Blueberries |
||||
|
|
0 |
Do not fertilize newly planted
blueberries |
|
Soil should be adjusted to pH=4.5
prior to planting. |
|
|
|
Split
between May and June |
||
|
|
1 |
15 lb/A |
ammonium sulfate or urea |
Use ammonium sulfate where soil
pH is >5.0 |
|
|
2 |
20 lb/A |
|
|
|
|
3 | |||