1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73

The only fungicides applied for summer diseases to the entire block through the remainder of the

season were protectant type fungicides (Captan 50WP, Ziram 76DF, Topsin®M WSB, and Benlate®
50WP) in combinations. Insecticide sprays were maintained with the Rutgers IPM pest control

schedule as determined by weekly scouting, on-site weather and Skybit®predictions.

Extremely mild temperatures during February and into the month of March caused the trees to break
bud about two weeks early. The first application for all treatments commenced on 8 April, which
correlated to the 1/2" green stage of growth, and continued on a 10 day schedule through the primary

scab season. All treatments contained the spreader/sticker APSA®80 (Amway) at the labeled rate of 3
oz/100.

Below average temperatures were experienced during most of the months of April and May, which
slowed bud advancement and allowed bloom to settle into the traditional window for our region.
Bloom was moderate to light on Empire in 1999, due partially to a heavy crop in 1998. A sufficient
bloom period (+7 days) produced only 1 day of adequate sunlight (75% full) containing warm
temperatures (+65ºF). Pollination of the block was a concern, and chemical thinning at Petal Fall (12

May) was done with 30gm(ai)/A Accel®(Abbott Labs) until fruit set was determined. Once further

thinning was indicated, a follow up application of 20gm(ai)/A Accel®plus 1 qt/A Sevin®XLR Plus
(Rhone-Poulenc) was made 9 days later (21 May) during the 6mm - 10 mm fruit stage.

The roller coaster spring, was followed by a season long drought, which became the second driest
summer in recorded history. Due to this drought, season long irrigation was utilized on a weekly
schedule throughout the growing season, beginning on 18 May.

Treatments concluded on 1 June, which coincided traditionally with the 2ndcover spray in our region
and the end of primary scab season. Each treatment tree received a total of five applications of the
respective treatment chemical throughout the primary scab season.

Table 2: Application Timings for the Snyder Farm Study.

Number of infection periods

between sprays

5

5

7

5

6

Application Date

Stage of Growth

1/2" Green

Tight Cluster

Days since last spray

-

11

14

12

15

8-April

19-April

5-May

17-May

1-June

Bloom

Late Petal Fall

1st Cover

Infection period data was based on Skybit®Inc. IPM apple disease calculations. These calculations
combine; accumulated degree hours from green tip, accumulated leaf wetness during infection period
and average temperature during infection period.

Experiment 2:

This trial was conducted on two separate blocks of a commercial orchard on two different
cultivars. Located at Best's Fruit Farm in Independence Township, Warren County, New Jersey, one

demonstration block consisted of 20 year old Hilltop MacSpur®on MM 106. The other block was 20

year old Starkrimson®Red Delicious on seedling rootstock. The Starkrimson's®were planted at 20' x

30' and the trees are approximately 23' tall. The spacing on the MacSpur®block is 15' x 20' with the
trees roughly 17' in height. Treatment areas were 1 acre in size for both blocks, and applications were
made to treatments in single replication, demonstration style solid rows, with an untreated buffer row
between each treatment.


1999 North Jersey Tree Fruit Annual Report

27