tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35476243874227102262024-03-12T21:27:23.092-04:00jmcextmanOut and about in the UMass Cold Spring Orchard...Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-6912187589720720832024-02-04T12:26:00.001-05:002024-02-05T09:33:00.125-05:00RIMpro – to spray or not to spray using ‘virtual’ vs. weather station weather data<p> RIMpro from their website (<a href="http://rimpro.cloud">rimpro.cloud</a>) “is a decision support system (DSS) for the sustainable management of pests and diseases in fruit and grape production. Every day, the cloud service together with the weather data system help thousands of growers and consultants worldwide to make the best decisions to protect their crops.” </p><p>In 2023 I subscribed to RIMpro using both a hardware based weather station connected to NEWA (<a href="http://newa.cornell.edu">newa.cornell.edu</a>, as Belchertown-2) and their virtual weather data service Meteoblue (<a href="http://meteoblue.com">meteoblue.com</a>). My intent for using both was to be able to make a comparison of the weather station vs. virtual weather data ‘after the fact’ in terms of making spray decisions to manage apple scab, fire blight, and codling moth. It’s obvious the two sources of weather data are going to differ, but that was not the point in making these comparisons. So I won’t belabor that, but I will discuss how using the two different sources of weather data may have made an impact on the decision-making process to “spray or not to spray” to manage the above-mentioned pests. The answer, of course, and as always, is “it depends.” Realize also this comparison was made at the end of the growing season when all the weather data was “in.” No attempt made to compare the forecasts in the midst of the growing season. (That’s a whole nother story.)</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Apple scab</h4><p>I just looked at primary scab using 1-April as a green tip date. Weather data that factor into the scab model include temperature (I presume but it does not show up in the RIMpro data file?), rainfall (to trigger spore release), and leaf wetness (duration). Looking at timing of spore maturity and last available spores to cause infection, there is not much difference there in the RIMpro chard (Figures 1 and 2) with an end date of approximately 10-June. I don’t care so much about that as long as they are close, but what I do care about is the RIM value(s) which are a measure of infection risk, being low, medium, or high. In Figures 1 and 2 I placed the arrows where I figured, based on what I know about RIMpro and primary scab management with fungicide sprays of some sort -- be it protectant, or protectant plus kickback fungicide – would have been required to manage a primary apple scab infection. Count how many fungicide spray black arrows there are in either plain old UMass Orchard or UMass Orchard-MB (MB = Meteoblue, virtual weather data). I count seven for each weather data source. No difference in number of sprays, right? (I'm sure my assumptions about spray timing will be argued.) But, what bothers me a bit, is it appears the RIM value is much higher for MB in several infection “events.” Looking at the raw weather data RIMpro uses, it’s clear that MB “overestimated” by a factor of approximately two times both rainfall and leaf wetness compared to the weather station. “Overestimated” is assuming the weather station is correct? In particular, it’s likely the leaf wetness hours were the primary contributor to the difference in magnitude (as measured by the RIM value) of the infection events. Begs the question, which is correct, the leaf wetness sensor on the weather station – and we know there are issues there – or the modeled leaf wetness by MB? Good question. (<a href="https://rimpro.cloud/platform/crop-wetness-for-virtual-stations/" target="_blank">Here's more</a> on how RIMpro models leaf wetness duration for virtual weather station.) Just look at the duration of light blue which signifies leaf wetness in the weather data charts (Figures 3 and 4). What’s my inclination here? Well, looks like the MB output is a bit more conservative in the approach to manage apple scab = better safe than sorry? Know what I mean? Although not affecting the timing of fungicide sprays, the rate of fungicide might be adjusted upwards? I can see the plant pathologists out there shuffling in their seats.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OUlegBVLzIpMl2pTimRSIkBHhKT25atDg4e5_D45TqsUXAmrcj8wArbdCohToR2dsqxwA4P3DUOArbMBNnk3S4o-fstjntJ3lBO-94ACzlFJ8i9Tv7X_04J9HgYyGkJMPSBA5YSczMWhp8x-vcnuyqlQPQiQOOL3TR1aUgq9VdBb2oIonCkgns30lYnQ/s1440/RIMpro-VenturiaPrimary-UMass%20Orchard-2023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1440" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OUlegBVLzIpMl2pTimRSIkBHhKT25atDg4e5_D45TqsUXAmrcj8wArbdCohToR2dsqxwA4P3DUOArbMBNnk3S4o-fstjntJ3lBO-94ACzlFJ8i9Tv7X_04J9HgYyGkJMPSBA5YSczMWhp8x-vcnuyqlQPQiQOOL3TR1aUgq9VdBb2oIonCkgns30lYnQ/w400-h223/RIMpro-VenturiaPrimary-UMass%20Orchard-2023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 1 - apple scab model output using weather station data</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lKDeBYDUjl_kqoofI7KBpnturo90aLGuvafvjZ_tN5CxzettmOYO1ZVARKNssTLyyzfOu3nJjhpD-DY4fT6jHaAFzuQXr2U33Vn0dpT7DbugK1np24hEz-ewbCfPsZn3b-FNrjgOTl64VTwwaFSplKblvut3crIf8QT0Dx7oI5gNQG90N4RZu8nIB4eX/s1440/RIMpro-VenturiaPrimary-UMass%20Orchard-MB-2023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1440" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lKDeBYDUjl_kqoofI7KBpnturo90aLGuvafvjZ_tN5CxzettmOYO1ZVARKNssTLyyzfOu3nJjhpD-DY4fT6jHaAFzuQXr2U33Vn0dpT7DbugK1np24hEz-ewbCfPsZn3b-FNrjgOTl64VTwwaFSplKblvut3crIf8QT0Dx7oI5gNQG90N4RZu8nIB4eX/w400-h223/RIMpro-VenturiaPrimary-UMass%20Orchard-MB-2023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 2 - apple scab model output using MB virtual weather data</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVN5qSBIgRFCxJocM_63BpC1OElis1pjZvaljjOOqdQN4T6zQ5WbHOlDBRkEBu2787AI3N2aMKYAP21LzU9jz2TiJW8OI9kl4cUbBRheqCtLOEWxO2QCL65kgqcSVNTnDec42LVMoGXGV_xNsPAK_GelFzIYDFadgan91Wr5-nzQ2JKQfBk7xq732sByUT/s1440/RIMpro-Weather-UMass%20Orchard-2023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1440" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVN5qSBIgRFCxJocM_63BpC1OElis1pjZvaljjOOqdQN4T6zQ5WbHOlDBRkEBu2787AI3N2aMKYAP21LzU9jz2TiJW8OI9kl4cUbBRheqCtLOEWxO2QCL65kgqcSVNTnDec42LVMoGXGV_xNsPAK_GelFzIYDFadgan91Wr5-nzQ2JKQfBk7xq732sByUT/w400-h226/RIMpro-Weather-UMass%20Orchard-2023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 3 - weather data chart using weather station</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GxdSZba3FZl8Ll8WhQ_u4uc2XsyKwW1yjxi89rgLR1H8DHmw5hqwt7MDlgsCBU1ICSq1m9ykSS0Ip_0hug4vAANjqSSFgLoCSyAEzL6QcrdkrG6iuEs8zRsKVcuZVMoOezQ9DaW4FLwPYRyy2ImG5KXqohr7BxNAS9AvNU5HdJtreVW9Xslh3YxbkvRB/s1440/RIMpro-Weather-UMass%20Orchard-MB-2023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1440" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GxdSZba3FZl8Ll8WhQ_u4uc2XsyKwW1yjxi89rgLR1H8DHmw5hqwt7MDlgsCBU1ICSq1m9ykSS0Ip_0hug4vAANjqSSFgLoCSyAEzL6QcrdkrG6iuEs8zRsKVcuZVMoOezQ9DaW4FLwPYRyy2ImG5KXqohr7BxNAS9AvNU5HdJtreVW9Xslh3YxbkvRB/s320/RIMpro-Weather-UMass%20Orchard-MB-2023.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 4 - weather data chart using MB virtual weather data. Note the extended periods of wetness (light blue) compared to Figure 3</td></tr></tbody></table><h4 style="text-align: left;">Fire blight</h4><p>I am no fire blight expert. We did have a significant fire blight outbreak in 2023 at the UMass Orchard. I don’t quite understand why MB showed that two more infection thresholds were reached compared to the weather station? Using the MB approach, three streptomycin sprays should have been applied vs. one for the weather station (Figures 5 and 6). Which do you think would have been the better defense? Well, after the fact, and given our observed fire blight outbreak by early summer, following MB might have been the better strategy? I note that the prediction of visible symptoms was pretty much right on in RIMpro, as fire blight was indeed seen on June 5 (Figure 7).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRrcLq0p9a1FnEfliDSK4u7liBkwvFp4QrSPPipgndu09h-NghZqvScFy3VyF7LCWCWunuuFbg3hgZoXVlCRfDUh-0ZRwknf3JHxvSF2NOj0MPY60y6cEeP46CMXQjW17rEoAMW1sQ-d1As9ZPXjlFWeXwpllwtNQA9WBWC-t_jmoB6ZuuNVNhWWcu0ML/s1395/RIMpro-Erwinia-UMass%20Orchard-2023%20(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1395" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRrcLq0p9a1FnEfliDSK4u7liBkwvFp4QrSPPipgndu09h-NghZqvScFy3VyF7LCWCWunuuFbg3hgZoXVlCRfDUh-0ZRwknf3JHxvSF2NOj0MPY60y6cEeP46CMXQjW17rEoAMW1sQ-d1As9ZPXjlFWeXwpllwtNQA9WBWC-t_jmoB6ZuuNVNhWWcu0ML/w400-h230/RIMpro-Erwinia-UMass%20Orchard-2023%20(1).png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 5 - fire blight model output using weather station weather data. Date of strep spray is estimated</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspt_lzMe-M40a9Cgnod5ZAM-ici030_mM2rSWBSOgMqkCwuMbknu2hApp2Za_JVPa1muBhAtQEDVp4xyXe2oTxviMmT9VD3Y18O_3-TYPss-pE9V_umS71N0GQDe911gX24doeoy6Gx7f2bchWnyNC7RsdUgelHXNAE4tftMmFunAPGRmf10WIHlKTHDQ/s1395/RIMpro-Erwinia-UMass%20Orchard-MB-2023.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1395" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspt_lzMe-M40a9Cgnod5ZAM-ici030_mM2rSWBSOgMqkCwuMbknu2hApp2Za_JVPa1muBhAtQEDVp4xyXe2oTxviMmT9VD3Y18O_3-TYPss-pE9V_umS71N0GQDe911gX24doeoy6Gx7f2bchWnyNC7RsdUgelHXNAE4tftMmFunAPGRmf10WIHlKTHDQ/w400-h230/RIMpro-Erwinia-UMass%20Orchard-MB-2023.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 6 - fire blight model output using MB virtual weather data. Dates of strep spray are estimated</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3H290uOYYJBmyg8-3Lkn8L-jainR7xRVgtelSSfXMddKnLyukhfozD1DJ0UEQTw7RJAV11n3piGuJhLRkyE6O_aJQ_UIlEgniNjwYQrFXx2FHY0TyosemIEJNFfusYY2G8eytlI3QNvYzi1z8n40u7HpcSNixsYetfQhXZUGRa2dpGAHximSLtWm1lVu/s640/june5%20fire%20blight.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3H290uOYYJBmyg8-3Lkn8L-jainR7xRVgtelSSfXMddKnLyukhfozD1DJ0UEQTw7RJAV11n3piGuJhLRkyE6O_aJQ_UIlEgniNjwYQrFXx2FHY0TyosemIEJNFfusYY2G8eytlI3QNvYzi1z8n40u7HpcSNixsYetfQhXZUGRa2dpGAHximSLtWm1lVu/w300-h400/june5%20fire%20blight.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 7 - fire blight symptoms observed 5-June, 2024 at UMass Orchard</td></tr></tbody></table><h4 style="text-align: left;">Codling moth</h4><p>I am no entomologist. But I do know something about codling moth management based on adult flight, mating, and larvae hatch, the latter being the ideal time to control codling moth with a targeted insecticide. So, looking at both outputs I see little difference in suggested insecticide timing between the two sources of weather data (Figures 8 and 9). Likely because the model is largely based on temperature, and we know that virtual weather data is pretty good at predicting/adjusting temperature such that over time the two sources of weather data end up being pretty closely aligned. That is about all I have to say about codling moth, I’d feel comfortable using MB there. And you have to love RIMpro’s approach of tagging ‘virgin’ females and ‘mated’ females. Maybe I am the only one that finds that amusing?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8b1ZDCo2fyeH5VDsTCdlKfOfdU5npQLE30dueWVA_hsUtkQ-KWo25vjavsDZYkxvG4Fh-cEaPiZBD8LgwK6JDMFZKHs246QU_khJorPBpQ19NaJO06pF7-tlx__QnTPcOti_-ER9Z4kuS7vDXpNDY5vaDb1QsivSfqLvPlA2y8gRUrvJTazYBYu03nps/s1440/RIMpro-Cydia-UMass%20Orchard-2023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1440" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8b1ZDCo2fyeH5VDsTCdlKfOfdU5npQLE30dueWVA_hsUtkQ-KWo25vjavsDZYkxvG4Fh-cEaPiZBD8LgwK6JDMFZKHs246QU_khJorPBpQ19NaJO06pF7-tlx__QnTPcOti_-ER9Z4kuS7vDXpNDY5vaDb1QsivSfqLvPlA2y8gRUrvJTazYBYu03nps/w400-h223/RIMpro-Cydia-UMass%20Orchard-2023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 8 - codling moth model output using weather station weather data</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZPmNgkMUazRlxdZHAnb-nbqryzyFygRD6bwGivbzlQ_KPD-PQvSAoY-rPvH6bfR3nNJXbVazr0lu7rzca6qi-TmyOIEH0yWTyOghGD3-HtU7Q0jwFwBrGBHNcSzT4tge1ysu3YuZ0U1cNv7qrofwGkM8ULpeYjUFccith1U4CO37yWFcuQNVA0DIf2-6/s1440/RIMpro-Cydia-UMass%20Orchard-MB-2023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1440" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZPmNgkMUazRlxdZHAnb-nbqryzyFygRD6bwGivbzlQ_KPD-PQvSAoY-rPvH6bfR3nNJXbVazr0lu7rzca6qi-TmyOIEH0yWTyOghGD3-HtU7Q0jwFwBrGBHNcSzT4tge1ysu3YuZ0U1cNv7qrofwGkM8ULpeYjUFccith1U4CO37yWFcuQNVA0DIf2-6/w400-h223/RIMpro-Cydia-UMass%20Orchard-MB-2023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 9 - codling moth model output using MB virtual weather station data</td></tr></tbody></table><p>A final note about Meteoblue, you can subsctibe to a free daily email from them that gives you a succinct graphical image of the weather forecast specific to your location. I get it daily, and have found the forecast to be about as good as anything else, although far from the perfect forecast. I particularly like their graphic which gives you a one-shot-in-one-place-in-your-face picture of the forecast as seen in Figure 10.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79lQhLqvV6uofHBatb8jBcmNpkqslZ_ZhnT70IZQXQmJAPBt0B43TMxOdMlU23lq-E7a1pvuOKw2sMGNfnJynOMMgp-zWU9PSet_yOuNi9RATOSNOp7YBp4Z0ZnPDlxEkxyU_LNZCaKOYuryOLCNK-9DVPvCCrfTF1V1gGfhLRByFWmSObQHR9-niT2_3/s740/meteogram-Belchertown%20(5).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="740" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79lQhLqvV6uofHBatb8jBcmNpkqslZ_ZhnT70IZQXQmJAPBt0B43TMxOdMlU23lq-E7a1pvuOKw2sMGNfnJynOMMgp-zWU9PSet_yOuNi9RATOSNOp7YBp4Z0ZnPDlxEkxyU_LNZCaKOYuryOLCNK-9DVPvCCrfTF1V1gGfhLRByFWmSObQHR9-niT2_3/w400-h265/meteogram-Belchertown%20(5).png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 10 - Meteoblue Meteogram forecast for Belchertown, MA on 19-May, 2023 </td></tr></tbody></table><p>So, although RIMpro is not for everyone as it's a bit dense unless you are really into it, I do highly recommend it as a 'precision' pest management tool. RIMpro has other models too numerous to mention here, but the stone fruit brown rot model might be worth mentioning. And, it can be site-specific (anywhere in the world) using the MB virtual weather data. Colleague Srdjan Acimovic at Virginia Tech University is a big proponent of RIMpro, and he is hosting a <a href="https://treefruitpathology.spes.vt.edu/2024/02/01/20-feb-webinar-on-using-rimpro-apple-scab-fire-blight-and-peach-brown-rot-prediction-models-to-help-your-spray-decisions-in-climate-change-challenging-conditions/" target="_blank">webinar about RIMpro</a> on 20-February, 2024. I will be there. Rimpro also just launched on the <a href="https://apps.apple.com/ro/app/rimpro/id6445950216" target="_blank">App Store for iPhone and iPad...</a></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQSkzsFYOeUepTV1k23apuZ5EjW3fT8MgFdhfQGcYLG5t8BBSrH1EgPfamLfdeJcVUSiYxvqQFrutzWmmpE3vu3OgQ9VI8n9-dYdnvKxzn-jLC98iKm2OWp-sAT47kuD2aTje8Id9jTXGDpYVKNsjN6_sk8tGGTj-IvVxSBBpjqI1ANwJoWhqqpfZt4Xj/s1280/IMG_4794.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="592" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQSkzsFYOeUepTV1k23apuZ5EjW3fT8MgFdhfQGcYLG5t8BBSrH1EgPfamLfdeJcVUSiYxvqQFrutzWmmpE3vu3OgQ9VI8n9-dYdnvKxzn-jLC98iKm2OWp-sAT47kuD2aTje8Id9jTXGDpYVKNsjN6_sk8tGGTj-IvVxSBBpjqI1ANwJoWhqqpfZt4Xj/w185-h400/IMG_4794.jpeg" width="185" /></a></div><br />Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-69423926546825068462024-01-06T15:41:00.002-05:002024-01-06T16:14:22.356-05:002023 - the year (that I would just as soon forget) in review <p> OK, a little something different, not to sound cliche, but "2023 - the year in review." And this kind of sums up how I feel about 2023...<a href="https://youtu.be/3jNlIGDRkvQ?si=yyPWFVwNrhSQYocG" target="_blank">Blow me one last kiss!</a></p><p>Month-by-tedious month, with some picts and comments...</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">January</h3><p>Was the warmest January on record in Massachusetts, average temperature of 35 F. (max 55, min 32) at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown, MA according to <a href="https://newa.cornell.edu/" target="_blank">NEWA</a>. Trees have accumulated enough chilling hours to come out of dormancy and are not particularly at maximum winter hardiness either. So wait for it...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio49ohhqTXxG2AMIkcPZT6utHRmxcFCRhnfihiT1JMv5m14Q3rdQHEZXr6Y31RPJ7_l1Fx5tF0kCnf9x2zaUJJ_ed58Hlt3evT80A-g6jgZdxdPNWe_8q8qQwx_CmKAgD3xd-JwxHZMWxT8isfib3RmV1hWwA68naT6ydR9DTW0yh9K3u6qsZpyXdtr5o7/s1280/january16.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio49ohhqTXxG2AMIkcPZT6utHRmxcFCRhnfihiT1JMv5m14Q3rdQHEZXr6Y31RPJ7_l1Fx5tF0kCnf9x2zaUJJ_ed58Hlt3evT80A-g6jgZdxdPNWe_8q8qQwx_CmKAgD3xd-JwxHZMWxT8isfib3RmV1hWwA68naT6ydR9DTW0yh9K3u6qsZpyXdtr5o7/s320/january16.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These Gala buds looked pretty good on 16-January. No snow to speak of.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtxS8AEI0BgXnJ_RNn5D55HA6shNIvJhh7qMhu_Ns1YGGYmpADQH00TmsaOTCVMtdwSTF9xP8RLVWBS2CiC7PnnUMgCdh4Mqk0VorklpHVhUXKp665S80GC4Ruc_SwWXu6soKvNNVUSJyh4MyPvs4jZR__mimCi4vX7s8cKHb6nyzLoDoFqw8O_MfcUo2/s1280/january31.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtxS8AEI0BgXnJ_RNn5D55HA6shNIvJhh7qMhu_Ns1YGGYmpADQH00TmsaOTCVMtdwSTF9xP8RLVWBS2CiC7PnnUMgCdh4Mqk0VorklpHVhUXKp665S80GC4Ruc_SwWXu6soKvNNVUSJyh4MyPvs4jZR__mimCi4vX7s8cKHb6nyzLoDoFqw8O_MfcUo2/w400-h300/january31.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Duane Greene gave the George A. Goodloing Memorial Lecture at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable Conference in Hershey, PA on 31-January.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">February</h3><p>...an arctic cold front brought record cold on 4-February, -13 F. at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown the day after we returned from Hershey. Following highs approaching 50 F. the last week in January. Bye-bye peach (and cherry) crop for 2023.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetjoNfE60E3d-I8o0kXSwERz7uv_riEQII5Yn8I18HL6_74qvi6plh0TI4TWnyUGtB8wjEiPln0hHVtj5IGRNRTp9iuhshZl3-0ZUHEUv2_hDhwiPvg3h22MmQfT9zq82Qqr1l416yiCwBgh7J2aqBlURCkecAoe5hhIDTvmBbHTcdxD8_HjkFjifrItb/s1280/february6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetjoNfE60E3d-I8o0kXSwERz7uv_riEQII5Yn8I18HL6_74qvi6plh0TI4TWnyUGtB8wjEiPln0hHVtj5IGRNRTp9iuhshZl3-0ZUHEUv2_hDhwiPvg3h22MmQfT9zq82Qqr1l416yiCwBgh7J2aqBlURCkecAoe5hhIDTvmBbHTcdxD8_HjkFjifrItb/w400-h400/february6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peach buds hosed on 6-February at the UMass Orchard and across Massachusetts.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIP72vnTSHqIBVET8R8x5cFbxXCX8Sua9I34Qq8-5e1HVK4vrcFF7DMktzZxXxfT_1DMRdycReRSMfcwaAPtP2K4BxgwUTt2-AVRTU4Fk4tlxMvPMQzoJDI4NV-KblhRZm1W5EoFg9GSedfcbyuLgHYQSza-hMU5u9TibOiz5wGlNbVjdSqUXCgsba-UO/s704/february20-21.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIP72vnTSHqIBVET8R8x5cFbxXCX8Sua9I34Qq8-5e1HVK4vrcFF7DMktzZxXxfT_1DMRdycReRSMfcwaAPtP2K4BxgwUTt2-AVRTU4Fk4tlxMvPMQzoJDI4NV-KblhRZm1W5EoFg9GSedfcbyuLgHYQSza-hMU5u9TibOiz5wGlNbVjdSqUXCgsba-UO/w364-h400/february20-21.jpg" width="364" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a difference a day makes...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BDHot_ZbfsQmxzeUzHqwdSYiH9bwiPysuNma-uyyftv_Kc064AvgGSDfCkNfr2xNNHH_NTkN2xjGfk_uVrbw02gFAk-7T8ta627iL-bVjxNBxc-RYMMkVarYfXBJ9hP_8GNDFQuZI7ebEMbY_DFHUQXuUg22gJ-o4E-4kw1TIdrfpKzAcm51ts_NPZz9/s968/jonclementsIFTA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="968" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BDHot_ZbfsQmxzeUzHqwdSYiH9bwiPysuNma-uyyftv_Kc064AvgGSDfCkNfr2xNNHH_NTkN2xjGfk_uVrbw02gFAk-7T8ta627iL-bVjxNBxc-RYMMkVarYfXBJ9hP_8GNDFQuZI7ebEMbY_DFHUQXuUg22gJ-o4E-4kw1TIdrfpKzAcm51ts_NPZz9/w400-h400/jonclementsIFTA.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honored at International Fruit Tree Association Annual Conference on 16-Februaryin Grand Rapids, MI after nine years on the Board of Directors. Along with Jeff Clerveringa and Dale Goldy, us "old guys."</td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;">March</h3><p>Our winters seem to be "back-end" loaded lately, it snowed and was rather cold. Average March temperature was 38 F. It was 35 F. in January and 32 F. in February. All right, it warmed up a bit. Passed the time co-hosting Northeast Plant Growth Regulator meeting and spoke on <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/15Qh9HGkYT05V_iTw6-0Pban-Cxiv7P44/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Precision Apple Cropload Management</a> and <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lIlcV-RPnbXO9HZq0u69FlDSzQmG9Di_/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Apple Varieties</a> at Maine Pre-season Fruit Meeting in Lewiston, Maine. And oh yea, I got my FAA Part 107 UAV Pilot license!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBY5i2AsA8LGXOvv4EneT-LbyvII7XzBgU3kkN9t4wkg3cLClXCBJfpYhF1aAZKGKzM5WPF8Ogchcys5EDdDFE9fM1wbAM86UxPFm2hlhkX1VDF0sbsGACOFFimvU8wRW7digS0JZ8wSGgx4fwIIOHU7W_ZPeV-qBNx_eZwPKyM6nT9-D1Vbi27mfUn6kD/s640/march15.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="640" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBY5i2AsA8LGXOvv4EneT-LbyvII7XzBgU3kkN9t4wkg3cLClXCBJfpYhF1aAZKGKzM5WPF8Ogchcys5EDdDFE9fM1wbAM86UxPFm2hlhkX1VDF0sbsGACOFFimvU8wRW7digS0JZ8wSGgx4fwIIOHU7W_ZPeV-qBNx_eZwPKyM6nT9-D1Vbi27mfUn6kD/w400-h220/march15.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like the most snow we had all winter on 15-March.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolUAuuQAUj6zulk4OCyzUiPIo6KfXEyUNliVojOdR0rWICsETFLff-2BVySaFee9m41p5tTvsBai74OpQs5rQB3oAI8PgAXhmsRI6kclYEhrh94FQSewH70Fm1HmjdCqaC3ZA1TCJhYVQZ6h-Lqm9v-44JZ2eqM2Qny2jsKtdTHd3yZ35Nc4jskEnuDwO/s1600/PGRmeeting2023withJeff.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="1600" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolUAuuQAUj6zulk4OCyzUiPIo6KfXEyUNliVojOdR0rWICsETFLff-2BVySaFee9m41p5tTvsBai74OpQs5rQB3oAI8PgAXhmsRI6kclYEhrh94FQSewH70Fm1HmjdCqaC3ZA1TCJhYVQZ6h-Lqm9v-44JZ2eqM2Qny2jsKtdTHd3yZ35Nc4jskEnuDwO/w400-h120/PGRmeeting2023withJeff.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northeast PGR meeting 7, 8-March, Wilkes Barre, PA. The group toasts PGR meeting fixtures of past who passed in 2023, Butch Palmer, and Jeff Alicandro. I think Jeff would approve.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9-OhXTwGxKZjOZjSPY7k7p8xxdGrkYpRxwid8qzoRgxwmarmjfvzxgxU0oJLHuMvXO2PjC1YGDmQT_gV2FCWrcmcVU_6ARHROuC3FbCrFR17Dxi5RCI-xy5NtAKsfdD1WV4n__7AEPy8O8wk0UqEdSJuKBS0cV9YeVxmtFGmDOXFmPiDFChfbcRwVHUG/s1280/lewiston.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9-OhXTwGxKZjOZjSPY7k7p8xxdGrkYpRxwid8qzoRgxwmarmjfvzxgxU0oJLHuMvXO2PjC1YGDmQT_gV2FCWrcmcVU_6ARHROuC3FbCrFR17Dxi5RCI-xy5NtAKsfdD1WV4n__7AEPy8O8wk0UqEdSJuKBS0cV9YeVxmtFGmDOXFmPiDFChfbcRwVHUG/w400-h225/lewiston.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Lewiston, Maine. Although I love the place... one smart daughter of mine went to Bates College.</td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;">April</h3><p>Struggled a bit here to come up with memories. Oh yea, pruned my quad-v peaches hard (no crop). Planted NC-140 Porters Perfection cider apple trees with a little experimental overlay using Biosafe pre-plant program. First apple bloom was a little early?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9uCwp_nvcE0ePZwLqJ-waDmipu-iPUHgOJejRZ8mWJhDYV2ZABIlCHwj-jc7roDfJ-2GeBSA3DiH7fXPfu69adhWASPtAqLPO_0pGcTCqbcSlBG8kMCDJxf0IEnCsVLyDBE6Kzpyo2C7E9lmWTeR1kxzg9w_l5oVEkk4kPg8NE2DDvAURQZzXAtVU15q/s1280/IMG_2430.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9uCwp_nvcE0ePZwLqJ-waDmipu-iPUHgOJejRZ8mWJhDYV2ZABIlCHwj-jc7roDfJ-2GeBSA3DiH7fXPfu69adhWASPtAqLPO_0pGcTCqbcSlBG8kMCDJxf0IEnCsVLyDBE6Kzpyo2C7E9lmWTeR1kxzg9w_l5oVEkk4kPg8NE2DDvAURQZzXAtVU15q/w300-h400/IMG_2430.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pruned quad-V peaches hard on 11-April to reduce height, what's to lose with no crop?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHaKo6Y4Oienbu3jTJR8VABJX7Oj8i4cF3r8ARkWYpyT5kqnfKqe5C6woruaeSLHJORnhSPMpkRvanmYRsJiUZALAT4IvRPq2roE0QGl3wQ0g9FILvMbZg5ruGxn94V0l24CunLaqCiOaSv1Ft79Mk5ypAfwY6Hk9HiEBLrt7H2rTeH3TTF01EMC9fzcH/s1280/zestar042423.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHaKo6Y4Oienbu3jTJR8VABJX7Oj8i4cF3r8ARkWYpyT5kqnfKqe5C6woruaeSLHJORnhSPMpkRvanmYRsJiUZALAT4IvRPq2roE0QGl3wQ0g9FILvMbZg5ruGxn94V0l24CunLaqCiOaSv1Ft79Mk5ypAfwY6Hk9HiEBLrt7H2rTeH3TTF01EMC9fzcH/w400-h400/zestar042423.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zestar! first bloom on 24-April, a bit earlier than ideal...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIMxnrkZgASAgpaD1nDIOwSCXyiPaNL3WR8HBR0gG8cNCPFT9fnY-TZSjqpL1pYxLMqSDQq5CNrzZnluhocAfyu0JlShUp8D-BzwZZEJgyiRYk1PYPA3MfNt75BbnaETNl3N6FAZLXmYO9wgt9LiQ6W-aZp8YgOv5XfSYKeTbn6AIaLgnK5XrfHKzLJAc/s2240/NC-140PortersPerfectionplanting.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="2240" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIMxnrkZgASAgpaD1nDIOwSCXyiPaNL3WR8HBR0gG8cNCPFT9fnY-TZSjqpL1pYxLMqSDQq5CNrzZnluhocAfyu0JlShUp8D-BzwZZEJgyiRYk1PYPA3MfNt75BbnaETNl3N6FAZLXmYO9wgt9LiQ6W-aZp8YgOv5XfSYKeTbn6AIaLgnK5XrfHKzLJAc/w400-h129/NC-140PortersPerfectionplanting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NC-140 Porters Perfection apple rootstock planting ready to be planted. Unfortunately, this second batch to trees -- after Fedex lost my first batch -- were less than ideal in uniformity.</td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;">May</h3><p>Ugh, things were looking good until May 18. Apple bloom was the first week. OK. Things were looking pretty good. Did my first drone flyovers using the <a href="https://outfield.xyz/" target="_blank">Outfield-Orchard Management Platform</a> to map apple blossom density. Post-May 18, when the temperature dropped to 28 F. during late petal fall to fruit set, it got pretty depressing. Oh well, there is always 2024. Carnegie Melon University (CMU) crew plugged away with their robot at the UMass Orchard despite the freeze-damaged apples.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBUhF9NnTqEkYW9uotawoT-0UiP3rzJHtTYOHax0ZHhx2rl1Kcy1TSYsUj_Us-sx2xoLEbQxHRTMZXjJX8z-zdPuZePE3SzShm6KkdlyuqDOe2t2WPtX9_cJjpOR6NaniGo-DOigxWtqGQXAqhg8kr0hOafANNNIAHkm78RFE5J2H-6YRgO6FCnQyif6B/s1280/DJI_0109.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1280" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBUhF9NnTqEkYW9uotawoT-0UiP3rzJHtTYOHax0ZHhx2rl1Kcy1TSYsUj_Us-sx2xoLEbQxHRTMZXjJX8z-zdPuZePE3SzShm6KkdlyuqDOe2t2WPtX9_cJjpOR6NaniGo-DOigxWtqGQXAqhg8kr0hOafANNNIAHkm78RFE5J2H-6YRgO6FCnQyif6B/w400-h268/DJI_0109.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from up above of apple block in bloom on 2-May at UMass Orchard. Outfield makes novice pilot like me (upper right) looks pretty competent. No crashes (yet).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4nx1hjfUEColG7QkeOnOgnf1HTwoZRukFJz3MtOcEORJnD7EU8BTQ-ZECuavxLLXjMd8AxVYXjrn3sJTPafHJFmRFTFjhVzntahZjE9oxc-_6qfWg1SRpuz9aKzT38mfso3SlKFrFw-EaoAQRbuAFgc-t9NVTSVpft7d5516ZZAbHZSBUbwV8SmHM9qs/s1280/gala052323.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4nx1hjfUEColG7QkeOnOgnf1HTwoZRukFJz3MtOcEORJnD7EU8BTQ-ZECuavxLLXjMd8AxVYXjrn3sJTPafHJFmRFTFjhVzntahZjE9oxc-_6qfWg1SRpuz9aKzT38mfso3SlKFrFw-EaoAQRbuAFgc-t9NVTSVpft7d5516ZZAbHZSBUbwV8SmHM9qs/s320/gala052323.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gala apple cluster on 23-May is hosed from the May 18 freeze.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTglCbwVM9BrcxcGdm2uQzA_hS3M-5PZ68dTrVY2Vq7lyDXWIyETbh90I4WCB70Kc_bttMZzhSRXWLc0Wv8jbmEK3FhGMPKWQLKSXma_mKwIAX_FYIjiCz-e1lyQUdnsqnxVAlF0z0g2Mjw1Vezi5wRp7NRzZoiMrVf8LD_QIniYGaFb2OkKeJpSWhJMjv/s1280/IMG_2842.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTglCbwVM9BrcxcGdm2uQzA_hS3M-5PZ68dTrVY2Vq7lyDXWIyETbh90I4WCB70Kc_bttMZzhSRXWLc0Wv8jbmEK3FhGMPKWQLKSXma_mKwIAX_FYIjiCz-e1lyQUdnsqnxVAlF0z0g2Mjw1Vezi5wRp7NRzZoiMrVf8LD_QIniYGaFb2OkKeJpSWhJMjv/s320/IMG_2842.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CMU with their robot measuring apple fruitlet size using computer vision to attempt to predict fruit set. Hampered by the freeze though, had to move out of this frozen Honeycrisp block.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIF2_plsnj3NILbawzMD5nC0etxTzlZNMhOBQSyvTlXrIObqFVgH2Qpkmy2bqLMOQgWzhKRDVWsLvK9MowUYCvaAKO7B8RFA49n-tc0r-2Mc1Wj2_eXTV1okxKWXkiIN_Oj9La2GETWMzEv3FLF1mgnBFbQEKCHNJL600dUgZ6B-5ZkP7l581tfb0XBB1_/s2560/zestar-honeycrispfrozen.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="2560" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIF2_plsnj3NILbawzMD5nC0etxTzlZNMhOBQSyvTlXrIObqFVgH2Qpkmy2bqLMOQgWzhKRDVWsLvK9MowUYCvaAKO7B8RFA49n-tc0r-2Mc1Wj2_eXTV1okxKWXkiIN_Oj9La2GETWMzEv3FLF1mgnBFbQEKCHNJL600dUgZ6B-5ZkP7l581tfb0XBB1_/w400-h200/zestar-honeycrispfrozen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zestar! (left) and Honeycrisp fruitlets severely damaged post-18-May freeze event.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"> June</h3><p>Fire blight -- result of May 18 freeeze trauma event -- first visited, then stuck around (uninvited). Quick visit to see orchards and friends in MN/WI. By the end of June, rootstock bark failure in several orchards was coming to light resulting in tree decline. Not good. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdk0NkxjoCqLRc_JuzoC2xCUzPhzvTy7OHnvFaOu59VOm4e6zkYM-GkOSuxuttgP5z0cj-KIcTsy5PjcMf7uEZ-TOfVOfGzLCcZZH6CxPjYpp6IB7sccUY7H4nqkE1hYHlHj_To_nEDmCGj1H78vcVPPpprI9cD5j-aXM0Fdgx163aRxB9mTW1YSixClNG/s1920/june5-21.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdk0NkxjoCqLRc_JuzoC2xCUzPhzvTy7OHnvFaOu59VOm4e6zkYM-GkOSuxuttgP5z0cj-KIcTsy5PjcMf7uEZ-TOfVOfGzLCcZZH6CxPjYpp6IB7sccUY7H4nqkE1hYHlHj_To_nEDmCGj1H78vcVPPpprI9cD5j-aXM0Fdgx163aRxB9mTW1YSixClNG/w400-h266/june5-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire blight symptoms first observed on 5-June, then it got worse on Crimson Crisp by end of month.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmKx-ViqniEppnSymYdPyi0XBucNi96yDujn2gqgrYk5I7N3zntbr7Z1Sw3RqcklezfL6AO696qBJLQhnzftDkeQz9uObSvMm6DZ6gKAbcYfFP4rvCo2YWeinFUO1V0YH7-lhkBu5amFLwOo8V93yuE6WJ223GdhgzrrzxpHitsQ7bNsEG-tGP6H_OHRQ/s1280/june9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmKx-ViqniEppnSymYdPyi0XBucNi96yDujn2gqgrYk5I7N3zntbr7Z1Sw3RqcklezfL6AO696qBJLQhnzftDkeQz9uObSvMm6DZ6gKAbcYfFP4rvCo2YWeinFUO1V0YH7-lhkBu5amFLwOo8V93yuE6WJ223GdhgzrrzxpHitsQ7bNsEG-tGP6H_OHRQ/w400-h300/june9.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe Ferguson, yours truly, and Thomas Bernard at Ferguson's Pepin Heights orchard overlooking Mississippi River/Lake Pepin.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwp2G3o1FotzrtmUunSpg8D1BUfyFaUZ_vb2xZlFLROg0boW6E32WVos4sLaY8JSwqpVoneP-_wbkHQ9bfSbnF_Z6YTNNJ4GcBMhCm85bG7sbs3hzJzM3IpsK7Huwn-2xPGZeDyIi941TYJhZoMon6oM_5bQtJzguv3II_SFZ3hqH80qikTONs9UlndKK/s1280/tff0627.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwp2G3o1FotzrtmUunSpg8D1BUfyFaUZ_vb2xZlFLROg0boW6E32WVos4sLaY8JSwqpVoneP-_wbkHQ9bfSbnF_Z6YTNNJ4GcBMhCm85bG7sbs3hzJzM3IpsK7Huwn-2xPGZeDyIi941TYJhZoMon6oM_5bQtJzguv3II_SFZ3hqH80qikTONs9UlndKK/w300-h400/tff0627.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rootstock shank bark failure was becoming commonplace in several orchards<br /> by end of June, mostly M.9 and several Geneva rootstocks, resulting in apple tree decline by tree girdling.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">July</h3><p>Attended Essex Junction High School 50-year Reunion in Vermont on 15-July. <a href="https://www.weather.gov/btv/The-Great-Vermont-Flood-of-10-11-July-2023-Preliminary-Meteorological-Summary" target="_blank">Lots of woe up there though</a>. <a href="https://jmcextman.blogspot.com/2023/09/ifruittree-2023-ifta-summer-study-tour.html" target="_blank">IFTA summer study tour</a> in Nova Scotia. That's about it.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMZHX3nHDG3DzMz22LHrz3pfHuKM-7jlOdQS6lLRMTQ0ckqpD4OUZR0ATQAlvEQZW7eKqN8Dy8I6DRnNmOj19oAD-LtspyTyQjLA48DoQV_wrBgc5am8iBJo-Ko7X7DwFYIafM1x0UoAaW9VlNiYM6bS7PmWeKNhhLJLK8FLgll84W50rYPR-p3UZHB2R/s1280/vtjulyflooding.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="592" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMZHX3nHDG3DzMz22LHrz3pfHuKM-7jlOdQS6lLRMTQ0ckqpD4OUZR0ATQAlvEQZW7eKqN8Dy8I6DRnNmOj19oAD-LtspyTyQjLA48DoQV_wrBgc5am8iBJo-Ko7X7DwFYIafM1x0UoAaW9VlNiYM6bS7PmWeKNhhLJLK8FLgll84W50rYPR-p3UZHB2R/w185-h400/vtjulyflooding.jpeg" width="185" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It turned out to be a disaster in much of Vermont</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PTqM1IRgI2gQTrMhzvAy4rx6bpSVRU9Szh6g_nGwenV91L6azR1CSaZOzhHW0X_XpO_i6UUV-eE1LUqC6iXWTe-Eb7J7gzVTq0_ZIRorHdzgVViEaOvoQ3EN3KtufuDGUAqktPYaLOXWbXrxipBUTPnZ2UbHI3js6TiResT_ALO6xMfJpmaLULD5Aaf6/s1280/IFTANSDay1-JC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PTqM1IRgI2gQTrMhzvAy4rx6bpSVRU9Szh6g_nGwenV91L6azR1CSaZOzhHW0X_XpO_i6UUV-eE1LUqC6iXWTe-Eb7J7gzVTq0_ZIRorHdzgVViEaOvoQ3EN3KtufuDGUAqktPYaLOXWbXrxipBUTPnZ2UbHI3js6TiResT_ALO6xMfJpmaLULD5Aaf6/w400-h300/IFTANSDay1-JC.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking the Minas Basin from the "Lookoff" <br />in Canning, Nova Scotia, Canada, 24-July</td></tr></tbody></table> <div><h3 style="text-align: left;">August</h3><div><p>Attended Reality Research/MAIA field day out in Wayne County, NY. <a href="https://maiaapples.com/" target="_blank">Midwest Apple Improvement Association</a> arguably the biggest apple breeder/tester in North America now? Dr. Jason Londo from Cornell visits to look at rootstock/tree decline issues in Massachusetts. We are all still scratching our heads but lead theory is winter cold damage. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PmDrmLqq6gi9_R5NggOl27eVAOqZaDS4222qIJ-uGwrezQUuN_OQGAZIooMEh06dR0CwxH-EWKH2Q3oisythtQzOwJ_0QcWGj6k4wJEv3nhpdoIRRhDNvbJHNlWQQLkukSOFThw-sqAjW0qEdOFjzhQr9YrUsZrBHqnpb7Mdr0OCMGy4CysNmaGMUMgK/s1920/maia080923.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PmDrmLqq6gi9_R5NggOl27eVAOqZaDS4222qIJ-uGwrezQUuN_OQGAZIooMEh06dR0CwxH-EWKH2Q3oisythtQzOwJ_0QcWGj6k4wJEv3nhpdoIRRhDNvbJHNlWQQLkukSOFThw-sqAjW0qEdOFjzhQr9YrUsZrBHqnpb7Mdr0OCMGy4CysNmaGMUMgK/w266-h400/maia080923.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill Pitts discusses new MAIA apple 'Sweet MAIA' (among many other things); <br />apple selection test plot planted by Reality Research/MAIA, pretty ambitious IMHO. </td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFpbE7YCvUreFiGJ_jHoymGCWq-b-oQDQgpS7CLINbUp9o-nKM7PBmwB63lQpW_7-3GcNp8BoiH5ABI0K0rCVS8FmeNXlhOtmv_aLbF7SqWvu-v_ZNr4I5KAJJhCZogiyy676FlH06xQ3deWiCdHnkfyGls24lXbGufnm2sI6Qji04mJyDCYIAXuvENSI/s1280/jasonlondo.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFpbE7YCvUreFiGJ_jHoymGCWq-b-oQDQgpS7CLINbUp9o-nKM7PBmwB63lQpW_7-3GcNp8BoiH5ABI0K0rCVS8FmeNXlhOtmv_aLbF7SqWvu-v_ZNr4I5KAJJhCZogiyy676FlH06xQ3deWiCdHnkfyGls24lXbGufnm2sI6Qji04mJyDCYIAXuvENSI/w300-h400/jasonlondo.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Physiologist Jason Londo from Cornell examines rootstock failure at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown, MA on 1-September, Londo had visited orchards on 31-August so this counts as August :-)</td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;">September</h3><div>Not much happened here, althought it was alternately hot (92 F. on 6- and 7-September, as hot as it got all summer) and wet (9-10 inches of rain!). Wrapped up 2014 NC-140 Honeycrisp planting over several picks, it was no fun giving the condition of the apples (freeze damage, rots, inadequate thinning, oh no!)</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebYVOiEHU0pdGHmUspq0vH0MVL2vMqZFaPPZvjhu4BGjhjGETLkJ0fB1dUikLsKEmCb6xpSU3QGFuEGnpO8GdHh6TptG-tF7YLYwQhjUDwzNecIRONsLVefY-rWbQ8avei1USVjxquaG0GjdG_vBGIG5dUfogY7NeKXJjbMN52AAAcF4iK7UsqlIoPlxF/s1280/FSTonseptember7.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebYVOiEHU0pdGHmUspq0vH0MVL2vMqZFaPPZvjhu4BGjhjGETLkJ0fB1dUikLsKEmCb6xpSU3QGFuEGnpO8GdHh6TptG-tF7YLYwQhjUDwzNecIRONsLVefY-rWbQ8avei1USVjxquaG0GjdG_vBGIG5dUfogY7NeKXJjbMN52AAAcF4iK7UsqlIoPlxF/w400-h400/FSTonseptember7.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit Surface Temperature on Honeycrisp apples on 7-September, not quite high enough for sunburn damage on apples.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknUNrn00myqafcVqgOi-KQ3Ahh8JtnSJWQGwMQSLfUzoqijaUlyoV6pMA9EGXCUD00_Rv7odzqKG070-5-_sWd9Bqq_VUzjVdDUbgNhRl9rs-o7BYR-L1RY88wXV6wnJ8GQK63S4aURRgzik_ncCkqQLTttaaZsrJixEoSuULstjrzVSgbQkSfPd6BWMG/s2560/weton0919and092523.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="2560" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknUNrn00myqafcVqgOi-KQ3Ahh8JtnSJWQGwMQSLfUzoqijaUlyoV6pMA9EGXCUD00_Rv7odzqKG070-5-_sWd9Bqq_VUzjVdDUbgNhRl9rs-o7BYR-L1RY88wXV6wnJ8GQK63S4aURRgzik_ncCkqQLTttaaZsrJixEoSuULstjrzVSgbQkSfPd6BWMG/w400-h200/weton0919and092523.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was wet, wet, wet!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohqkpH2eSYNYDBHh7QbKz2sFdjzedfw8aYqzUKg-YFlOH2qfcK75M_ryomEapEpyyN1C3slrDSwN1MLKZ_dHo3T_k88nQF4t_Q6c_PB3eQiVnqpgfA5jFpX5BwEigcTo8hpXcgGAgYM69BFcQb4n-2YYrD2W3HYwGvNGF0H0VGc6PxCV-HfbdjY3g0AcX/s1280/nc140hcr091423.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohqkpH2eSYNYDBHh7QbKz2sFdjzedfw8aYqzUKg-YFlOH2qfcK75M_ryomEapEpyyN1C3slrDSwN1MLKZ_dHo3T_k88nQF4t_Q6c_PB3eQiVnqpgfA5jFpX5BwEigcTo8hpXcgGAgYM69BFcQb4n-2YYrD2W3HYwGvNGF0H0VGc6PxCV-HfbdjY3g0AcX/w400-h300/nc140hcr091423.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a wrap says 'Suaz' with final harvest (after 10 years) of 2014 NC-140 Honeycrisp trial at UMass Orchard, quality was 'meh' so it was a bit of a slog.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">October</h3><p>Depending on site, apple crop was generally better than expected after the May freeze event. But it was far from perfect. First and second of five meetings/trips stretching into December.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMo-SgSP6pEAirdZ81HdsTWKDBJ2gskW1WVZ5X1pcpZtOp13h3nK_LOKIhFKnXgfko0voAtKPLlDFjW0EYwq0aZoig0C8apr4Qicak8fF8kuywX1B2oM5xDrZ_yJpglhN_HT_Vgq0an1PVcTL5Z2GMlXAwyFzquz_2-2MGRlb1I6lkAcbpFGyitccV4QhI/s1280/kalscits-october11.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMo-SgSP6pEAirdZ81HdsTWKDBJ2gskW1WVZ5X1pcpZtOp13h3nK_LOKIhFKnXgfko0voAtKPLlDFjW0EYwq0aZoig0C8apr4Qicak8fF8kuywX1B2oM5xDrZ_yJpglhN_HT_Vgq0an1PVcTL5Z2GMlXAwyFzquz_2-2MGRlb1I6lkAcbpFGyitccV4QhI/w400-h300/kalscits-october11.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lee Kalcsits from Washington State University discusses tree decline issues at Tougas Family Farm in Northboro, MA on 11-October. Lee was a guest speaker at the UMass Cranberry Station in Wareham, his topic bitter pit of apples. How'd that happen? Maybe had something to do with <a href="https://ag.umass.edu/people/giverson-mupambi" target="_blank">Giverson Mupambi</a> being his post-doc at WSU?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICID1mWuE9-VzsKa48IywlBWewWqEs9WjGfVcZJ1AxKTxtvjFZzfvlsDyItGKvwxGZMvuvsRHZFmKhsP-AUEWsIqxVz4_OyqXIWs7ANKl73YJlXbVbOLgWOBjqcjOHe5u3d_sGIwO1TtWGn7cIGKknExbdZPG6RIw8AJcR_esIKIdr_0aRS0RgmYGK1YX/s1920/clemson.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICID1mWuE9-VzsKa48IywlBWewWqEs9WjGfVcZJ1AxKTxtvjFZzfvlsDyItGKvwxGZMvuvsRHZFmKhsP-AUEWsIqxVz4_OyqXIWs7ANKl73YJlXbVbOLgWOBjqcjOHe5u3d_sGIwO1TtWGn7cIGKknExbdZPG6RIw8AJcR_esIKIdr_0aRS0RgmYGK1YX/w266-h400/clemson.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With some persimmon trees outside the Musser Fruit Research Center prior to attending the MyIPM app working group meeing at Clemson University, 3-October. My rental wheels while there had Massachusetts plated, glad I didn't get pulled over by 'Smokie!'</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-I6ZBeGT5poBJV0z0si8I-bQWAq2W5D8tVS7Sz-9Eq6FHQGVfkISNo7D61885ppGjF2K7nxLz9FLdFSlaMGAMZDxQ_cuMeSxqykyBq5GAo9W5aot69Z4kf6hy61oI0B9YWh3DTs8EiPqprFvvD2vQ0-4Q0HUcwP2e1pLh_m9oylYglS4KBs5Ng6jUNjl/s1680/lakegeorgemtgboth.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1680" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-I6ZBeGT5poBJV0z0si8I-bQWAq2W5D8tVS7Sz-9Eq6FHQGVfkISNo7D61885ppGjF2K7nxLz9FLdFSlaMGAMZDxQ_cuMeSxqykyBq5GAo9W5aot69Z4kf6hy61oI0B9YWh3DTs8EiPqprFvvD2vQ0-4Q0HUcwP2e1pLh_m9oylYglS4KBs5Ng6jUNjl/w305-h400/lakegeorgemtgboth.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The UMass 'fruit team' along with colleagues from NY and CT hike 'The Pinnacle' outside of Bolton Landing, Lake George, NY prior to our annual New York/New England/Canada IPM working group meeting at the Fort William Henry Lodge and Resort in Lake George, NY (23- and 24-October).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRGZM036B8CRfynASbpafosOeJ18ljo6eg3wiLatJZo9g2TWWorB5LBue1S4TSuYk2Ais8e2OOyYsszoXqhcKEz06ea0al4PuiLzQmLjT3YbW0jEuKXBHJQdwE5dH4r0mH4W2oeXpTanAPkGf7oLWYOsvVedEuQ3THAm9pf8POoncOuN7Y7LnPU6uUzT2/s1280/suncrispapples.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRGZM036B8CRfynASbpafosOeJ18ljo6eg3wiLatJZo9g2TWWorB5LBue1S4TSuYk2Ais8e2OOyYsszoXqhcKEz06ea0al4PuiLzQmLjT3YbW0jEuKXBHJQdwE5dH4r0mH4W2oeXpTanAPkGf7oLWYOsvVedEuQ3THAm9pf8POoncOuN7Y7LnPU6uUzT2/s320/suncrispapples.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Despite the tough year for growing apples, these Suncrisp look pretty good on 30-October at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown.</td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;">November</h3><p>Meetings 3 and 4, <a href="https://greatlakesfruitworkers.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Great Lakes Fruit Workers</a> (GLFW) centered in Buffalo, NY and <a href="http://nc140.org/" target="_blank">NC-140</a> rootstock research project annual meeting in Holland, MI. Gave two talks at GLFW -- <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wz2StPmjnpvjK8-Knbgo_vq_9R2iahPv/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">one on apple tree decline</a> and one on my work with <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PlFRzey2KWOI8OyTfIk0DBMsZ0sxd00C/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Outfield (drone)</a>. Keynote address by retired (and highly respected) Cornell entomologist Art Agnello at Clarksburg Cider (which was yummy). Agnello's address was both entertaing (humorous) as well as serious considering some of the groundbreaking apple IPM work done by Art and his colleagues at Cornell over the past 40 (+/-) years. At NC-140 presented our <a href="https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/fruit/ma-2023-nc140statereport.pdf" target="_blank">Massachusetts state report</a> and had a nice-day tour of Michigan State University Clarksville and Southwest Michigan (Benton Harbor, my old stomping grounds) fruit research stations. Oh yea, I snuck in a talk at the Connecticut Pomological Society Meeting in Middleton, CT on '<a href="https://bit.ly/3GdqMzv" target="_blank">Honeycrisp disorders</a>' and I started one cut pruning on most of my older apple variety (not going anywhere) plantings at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown. Several reasons for this, I won't go into the details... 👎</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwL-EHNCk3vPsZkvor9-IbITK-T5hy5Fe8M2_0dxtViV9R_Et4xYeoCTZ0enxv5RakbS1D81oyPLifzeBjNCB1hWn6tsltuwxanoZ1L8_yGdBIY31_DC54IKKppVdM366VASmvwvRcNnfphpcBGdP2Nwueg4fZ5rUQcgeYVsPD1p_KI3Hvn3x3IZAab8a/s1280/agnelloGLFWnovember2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwL-EHNCk3vPsZkvor9-IbITK-T5hy5Fe8M2_0dxtViV9R_Et4xYeoCTZ0enxv5RakbS1D81oyPLifzeBjNCB1hWn6tsltuwxanoZ1L8_yGdBIY31_DC54IKKppVdM366VASmvwvRcNnfphpcBGdP2Nwueg4fZ5rUQcgeYVsPD1p_KI3Hvn3x3IZAab8a/w400-h300/agnelloGLFWnovember2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art Agnello keynote at GLFW, Clarksburg Cider, 2-November. Art is a true professional IMHO and I greatly respect him.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqiHnc5yO-HyZtRzVqC74MpfTARdhiuaN1gueVH2ADDy6sPhpW3KGkWPkb6Md-NMcVRH-VnqHi9ckENljNpyC-LOl9iEImlT8xjM93EEUFKLCjMWYPzTDkFogh236qkiO3AYZ0qmtcsGTE1FlRp-9I8JfnMaAlbWaii8wadZsHut3EDgnrscMjfWo_2Zf/s1440/2023nc140112123.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqiHnc5yO-HyZtRzVqC74MpfTARdhiuaN1gueVH2ADDy6sPhpW3KGkWPkb6Md-NMcVRH-VnqHi9ckENljNpyC-LOl9iEImlT8xjM93EEUFKLCjMWYPzTDkFogh236qkiO3AYZ0qmtcsGTE1FlRp-9I8JfnMaAlbWaii8wadZsHut3EDgnrscMjfWo_2Zf/w355-h400/2023nc140112123.jpg" width="355" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NC-140 group at MSU's Clarksville horticultural research station on 7-November where we visited the Great Lakes Cider Apple Collection.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8KRHyVi-h3OUUj3JdKl2gcW06f5aB7TvHGgmFdSuc2VMpOJ8EgmPIrwP6NQ8Z31JWxXKXqbHDgl2_fWChNlSsjHE7KP0Dwg3bNCyjPpcmLfiELvBfJ5rN4NUQ1yQQGp9tlgptT7h4ce_CH0bbm4z8mqzVi-ABcQ4XkYJCSMIWA55oQt_kPA-lM3FvsHS/s1280/112123.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8KRHyVi-h3OUUj3JdKl2gcW06f5aB7TvHGgmFdSuc2VMpOJ8EgmPIrwP6NQ8Z31JWxXKXqbHDgl2_fWChNlSsjHE7KP0Dwg3bNCyjPpcmLfiELvBfJ5rN4NUQ1yQQGp9tlgptT7h4ce_CH0bbm4z8mqzVi-ABcQ4XkYJCSMIWA55oQt_kPA-lM3FvsHS/w400-h225/112123.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One-cut pruning by me commenced on 21-November at the UMass Orchard.</td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;">December</h3><p>May have been the trip of a lifetime, off to Australia to attend the ISHS Symposium <a href="https://ccem.eventsair.com/pmov2023/" target="_blank">Precision Management of Orchards and Vineyards</a> (PMOV). Way too much to detail here, but you may want to look at the <a href="https://az659834.vo.msecnd.net/eventsairseasiaprod/production-ccem-public/c5b6b6d6ae444ab6a13c27b6c11a2708" target="_blank">Book of Abstracts</a>. And I survived driving on the wrong side of the road without an incident! (I learned my lesson pretty quick while driving wrong way once shortly after leaving the Melbourne airport, fortunately a grassy turnaround once I realized my mistake when I saw the white arrow on the pavement pointing in the direction -- wrong way -- I was driving!) The highlight of my trip was the weekend after PMOV spent with <a href="https://inn-varietiesnetwork.com/general-manager/" target="_blank">Garry Langford</a> in Hobart where he treated me to an amazing tour of the surrounding area. Alas, I think we spent way more time sightsseing than looking at orchards in Tasmania, but that was just fine and dandy with me. Hobart is a great little city if you every have the opporutunity, go there! And thanks Garry for the Aussie hospitality!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugRh__un0Zyb9uhAbsbWkTeLruVQPIftwbU3uRCE0Olvh53QyjKtHNKfPsfdk-eWA6RoI4tdA_-4hkTCnR2lv2JiTc88Z384ieFwp4_KZD-Cp0tDPgi48jKayiYhUhvWi8HwtFewxtFGHsbDgLkT5EKGRE4RpDjurhnwhi76LLm4FksRZivc60aWeWoCK/s1280/PMOVbestdecember8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1280" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugRh__un0Zyb9uhAbsbWkTeLruVQPIftwbU3uRCE0Olvh53QyjKtHNKfPsfdk-eWA6RoI4tdA_-4hkTCnR2lv2JiTc88Z384ieFwp4_KZD-Cp0tDPgi48jKayiYhUhvWi8HwtFewxtFGHsbDgLkT5EKGRE4RpDjurhnwhi76LLm4FksRZivc60aWeWoCK/w400-h328/PMOVbestdecember8.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Luca Corelli at PMOV. Luca was on the ISHS Symposium scientific committee and a long-time fruit researcher at the University of Bologna, Italy.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CqD-JKiBBs2VRvp0eECgy_s2TPJOkj8TbxD71DCPMO0opbiHSA199wm_cDOx-6egrdbc7dmQTSYwF1ZBxCsT7s3o_uNVF9_SkDecBAcwCGwqBkaNL41bLMcsE4BFb71LW39Cb_GJgIRTYpJaNHwC6Fpi8VMGiyp47r1wj83o2I4tJZ39_1S8ZdaSzHS4/s1420/tasmancherriesandapples121023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1420" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CqD-JKiBBs2VRvp0eECgy_s2TPJOkj8TbxD71DCPMO0opbiHSA199wm_cDOx-6egrdbc7dmQTSYwF1ZBxCsT7s3o_uNVF9_SkDecBAcwCGwqBkaNL41bLMcsE4BFb71LW39Cb_GJgIRTYpJaNHwC6Fpi8VMGiyp47r1wj83o2I4tJZ39_1S8ZdaSzHS4/w360-h400/tasmancherriesandapples121023.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet cherries with rain covers and apples on 10-December near Grove, Tasmania. Cherries have been very lucrative (Asian export market) in recent years for growers there, allowing investment in modern, multi-leader apple plantings.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1UzxZF-6wCVvHZRkjnZ3mkaM3mYexi-ac2zAxvDwEMmoDR7zxfGqKgY7SesZQGLO-ujVpiXjCjrjeI5xBidupFqpWYAmvRAtdK-HgGENxtPKEfthRDydhSygWKQrdgCymsjYzSMSFc07i13BxWsaYTJiPgLVan8Jfa5fL8iHIQ6OYAt1QotIJC-kT9ym/s1280/garry-jon-mtwellington.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1UzxZF-6wCVvHZRkjnZ3mkaM3mYexi-ac2zAxvDwEMmoDR7zxfGqKgY7SesZQGLO-ujVpiXjCjrjeI5xBidupFqpWYAmvRAtdK-HgGENxtPKEfthRDydhSygWKQrdgCymsjYzSMSFc07i13BxWsaYTJiPgLVan8Jfa5fL8iHIQ6OYAt1QotIJC-kT9ym/s320/garry-jon-mtwellington.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garry and Jon atop Mt. Wellington (1,271 meters above seal level) on 9-December, Hobart city in the background.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I have a <a href="https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB9r39" target="_blank">Flickr photo album</a> with full res pictures of all of the above and a few more bonus pics.</p><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-10354409300084865792023-10-07T11:22:00.004-04:002023-11-02T09:20:42.204-04:00Half-baked research: Honeycrisp bitter pit and rootstocks, 2019 & 2020<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqV-XDaK0w-rOJOdPrTnLOYU8sBZGYEEMdX2-y4m0FxspgZSAF0ehFkFjRkARHuCJVBodgu9bqc3P-8akVI9NgrQKkYwBmFhUU_2qpw57Uz5qdQtmFt2LZ-7lPCiaVp7kDXFX1JTdzu8ApFXX73B6-G-jEQ1Edv3e4kT-FSqeYSgk74XImtpqkC4uyd1O8/s640/bitterpitHCR.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqV-XDaK0w-rOJOdPrTnLOYU8sBZGYEEMdX2-y4m0FxspgZSAF0ehFkFjRkARHuCJVBodgu9bqc3P-8akVI9NgrQKkYwBmFhUU_2qpw57Uz5qdQtmFt2LZ-7lPCiaVp7kDXFX1JTdzu8ApFXX73B6-G-jEQ1Edv3e4kT-FSqeYSgk74XImtpqkC4uyd1O8/w200-h200/bitterpitHCR.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this bitter pit?</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Yea, this is pretty half-baked all right, but meaning to look and summarize it for quite some time now, recently pushed by colleague Win Cowgill to look at B.10 in this data set based on a <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.1034664" target="_blank">recent publication</a> suggesting B.10 was really good at NOT having bitter pit with Honeycrisp as the scion. Humph...</p><p>OK, so this work was part of a much larger <a href="http://nc140.org/" target="_blank">NC-140</a> sub-trial honchoed by Cornell's Terence Robinson and WSU's Lee Kalcsits to assess the incidence of bitter pit on Honeycrisp as affected by (many) rootstocks in two NC-140 Honeycrisp plantings, <a href="http://nc140.org/plantings/2010applerootstock.html" target="_blank">2010</a> and <a href="http://nc140.org/plantings/2014applerootstock.html" target="_blank">2014</a>. In addition to percent bitter pit in the apples as I will line out below, apple peels were also sent off to Lee for nutrient analysis and Lee and his/our team are working on a real scientific publication (not half-baked) which I will try to update here when it comes out.</p><p>For the purposes of my results presented below, basically, 50 Honeycrisp apples (or less if there were not that many on the trees) were evaluated for bitter pit at harvest and after three months regular cold storage. These apples were on trees in the 2010 and 2014 NC-140 plantings at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown. And this was done in 2019 and 2020, although in 2019 the crop was light and there were not enough apples in the 2014 planting to evaluate for bitter pit. You will see what the rootstocks are included in the results. When evaluating the apples for bitter pit incidence, no evaluation was made for severity of bitter pit, apples either had bitter pit (1 or more pits) or not (zero pits). Got it?</p><p>OK, so here are the results, pretty self-explanatory, but then I will bullet-list caveats and my take-homes after. 😉 Note you can click on any of the tables/graphs to get a larger image if these are difficult to read (too small) or blurry...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIx0TDBnRwBXu4FYSVsCxtTMKA-5yfBFxbUfLJwGB_2SKSBSk4aHUB73muC5rQ1Q-Mc68nI9IP4A5XfyRiPnPCwMSZQJOQyntGjK-ZyWG9UiTPnXrO3Naod6vHeNIxoa_eYcaeixzZf9USYhjYW3yfjBW53fMd0QxlGHSWoxeeUuwnbp1KOKIHz0feMM8z/s1338/Screenshot%202023-09-29%20at%202.12.11%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1338" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIx0TDBnRwBXu4FYSVsCxtTMKA-5yfBFxbUfLJwGB_2SKSBSk4aHUB73muC5rQ1Q-Mc68nI9IP4A5XfyRiPnPCwMSZQJOQyntGjK-ZyWG9UiTPnXrO3Naod6vHeNIxoa_eYcaeixzZf9USYhjYW3yfjBW53fMd0QxlGHSWoxeeUuwnbp1KOKIHz0feMM8z/w400-h194/Screenshot%202023-09-29%20at%202.12.11%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">% Bitter Pit (BP) at harvest in 2019 in the 2010 NC-140 Honeycrisp apple rootstock planting. Capital letters (A, B, etc.) mean there is a siginificant difference when %BP is not followed by the same capital letter(s).</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhBBW2LTEuMrfjX_I3fEKkl7CRxNMfNyLND1UYERAuNCQKvD1lgrb3G_nyd0iiM2mM-fdkXqwEXt5IqrfqgGgP9yMLVbHRw9ET9Y-EKuUsXqe3ScJxVfEruHinliJJWQlDoATk9VWwBAQVMbbMbEbki1U6jHVBB4T7kuqlLqOpPjdShoRNI0cfSGFe5Cs/s1338/Screenshot%202023-09-29%20at%202.13.54%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1338" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhBBW2LTEuMrfjX_I3fEKkl7CRxNMfNyLND1UYERAuNCQKvD1lgrb3G_nyd0iiM2mM-fdkXqwEXt5IqrfqgGgP9yMLVbHRw9ET9Y-EKuUsXqe3ScJxVfEruHinliJJWQlDoATk9VWwBAQVMbbMbEbki1U6jHVBB4T7kuqlLqOpPjdShoRNI0cfSGFe5Cs/w400-h194/Screenshot%202023-09-29%20at%202.13.54%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">% Bitter Pit (BP) after 3 months cold storage in 2019 in the 2010 NC-140 Honeycrisp apple rootstock planting. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCo_4WeclPcxCLndmuowjQficzKidG5XZh__SefJYP488j2mwfsx_cuan2W6cdIp5nhoEqYD1-Yob88NhdAzz3_WO7s-hI8hEFP5xmsmrQiNZ_lH920h8grfGIxqJ3rD3Gx5KOGBVjzajJs38jIk2iLrfoimGExpb4tPMuNe8ewIIVQMc8DfsWdjByQ0W/s1338/Screenshot%202023-09-29%20at%202.27.12%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1338" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCo_4WeclPcxCLndmuowjQficzKidG5XZh__SefJYP488j2mwfsx_cuan2W6cdIp5nhoEqYD1-Yob88NhdAzz3_WO7s-hI8hEFP5xmsmrQiNZ_lH920h8grfGIxqJ3rD3Gx5KOGBVjzajJs38jIk2iLrfoimGExpb4tPMuNe8ewIIVQMc8DfsWdjByQ0W/w400-h194/Screenshot%202023-09-29%20at%202.27.12%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">% Bitter Pit (BP) at harvest in 2020 in the 2010 NC-140 Honeycrisp apple rootstock planting. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzogJian7jT8FqBt5FEmL9Ve5N6HSofjgmnzIKw4SKB7c7oBWbWUj22rrBJB_KoOSr1fb7GBvBX8omZ63UPMM-6RTqruAkO0SQK5uWd5PvFLdbVTtO65MYrlORCz2BS7R4VG8UNLo3OJz_apCppFeFIYIVUHM1nDF_fMvaNaI9jp5LW8wVamFjnhYeMrs/s1338/Screenshot%202023-09-29%20at%202.27.51%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1338" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzogJian7jT8FqBt5FEmL9Ve5N6HSofjgmnzIKw4SKB7c7oBWbWUj22rrBJB_KoOSr1fb7GBvBX8omZ63UPMM-6RTqruAkO0SQK5uWd5PvFLdbVTtO65MYrlORCz2BS7R4VG8UNLo3OJz_apCppFeFIYIVUHM1nDF_fMvaNaI9jp5LW8wVamFjnhYeMrs/w400-h194/Screenshot%202023-09-29%20at%202.27.51%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">% Bitter Pit (BP) after 3 months cold storage in 2020 in the 2010 NC-140 Honeycrisp apple rootstock planting. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuafmAMTkONDnRfcv-ofeDjFzJ5xHn7EOdeBXspJEVwnhfmqNCZZ1cqonhyphenhyphenPyQGINnM1cFzpTO-Rs5XZTddAcsc_lGY3dUcgzzV3t5SMY2MmI1Zs39buUYh7caGLhGr1guAGQKteHV0cajqXSmOzNxSkHjyQXCjSoPeK4MUr42ng5OgXLtREgYuyV0VGc/s1342/Screenshot%202023-09-29%20at%202.39.18%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1342" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuafmAMTkONDnRfcv-ofeDjFzJ5xHn7EOdeBXspJEVwnhfmqNCZZ1cqonhyphenhyphenPyQGINnM1cFzpTO-Rs5XZTddAcsc_lGY3dUcgzzV3t5SMY2MmI1Zs39buUYh7caGLhGr1guAGQKteHV0cajqXSmOzNxSkHjyQXCjSoPeK4MUr42ng5OgXLtREgYuyV0VGc/w400-h194/Screenshot%202023-09-29%20at%202.39.18%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">% Bitter Pit (BP) at harvest in 2020 in the 2014 NC-140 Honeycrisp apple rootstock planting. Capital letters (A, B, etc.) mean there is a siginificant difference when %BP is not followed by the same capital letter(s).</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpg3_7ZIBsAKRtW_TZ5VaHhh5HCSwI5qQKsHq0oBdqvKs7qmU2nVv3cLOw7U_9E2aBAqSoaXv5TD_A-eSVuF7cFRCst1TCwW4-XgrfQ0Aql435iBrw9_JOv4V8mukDPjsisLY2XiSJkldb1w5VtjbiRC21aHFyje5e57U-vZmhgngWn9Gs5bdWdl58ADy/s1080/Screenshot%202023-09-30%20at%2012.16.24%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="1080" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpg3_7ZIBsAKRtW_TZ5VaHhh5HCSwI5qQKsHq0oBdqvKs7qmU2nVv3cLOw7U_9E2aBAqSoaXv5TD_A-eSVuF7cFRCst1TCwW4-XgrfQ0Aql435iBrw9_JOv4V8mukDPjsisLY2XiSJkldb1w5VtjbiRC21aHFyje5e57U-vZmhgngWn9Gs5bdWdl58ADy/w400-h203/Screenshot%202023-09-30%20at%2012.16.24%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">% Bitter Pit (BP) after 3 months cold storage in 2020 in the 2014 NC-140 Honeycrisp apple rootstock planting. Capital letters (A, B, etc.) mean there is a siginificant difference when %BP is not followed by the same capital letter(s).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>OK, let's unpack this:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Although some general and obvious conclusions about rootstock effect on bitter pit incidence can be drawn here, there was missing data and different numbers of apples evaluated, i.e. not always 50 apples were available, so don't take these results to the bank. What follows though, I am pretty confident about saying.</li><li>In the 2010 planting, in both 2019 and 2020, the only time there was a significant difference in % BP by rootstock was at harvest in 2019. There G.41 had significantly more BP than B.9, G.214, and the two M.9 clones. G.41, got that?</li><li>I have been trained to not go here, but may we conclude a few things on the non-significant results in the 2010 planting in both years, 2019 and 2020? Yes, I have my reasons. G.41 is generally in or near the top of the list in % BP. B.9 is generally low or near the bottom of the list in % BP. Hmmm... B.10 exhibits more BP than B.9 but generally expressed less BP than most of the Geneva rootstocks. (Sorry Win and Sherif.) G.214 among the Geneva rootstocks seems less bitter pit prone and comparable to B.9 and M.9. I don't know what to say about M.26 but I don't generally recommend that rootstock for Honeycrisp. My theory on all this is the Geneva rootstocks are generally more vigorous than B.9 and M.9, set a lighter crop, and thus are more likely to have BP'd apples? Plus I understand research has shown some issues with various ratios of nutrient (Ca, Mg, and K in particular) uptake among the rootstocks.</li><li>In the 2014 planting, there were significant differences in % BP vs. the rootstocks both at harvest and after 3 months cold storage. After cold storage, G.11 and G.41 were the worse but technically did not significantly differ from many of the other rootstocks. How come I did not have B.9 or B.10 in this planting? Good question. I clearly remember technician Jim (I miss him now) commenting when evaluating the bitter pit how bad the bitter pit was in the apples from the 11's and 41's. Also in terms of severity (how much bitter pit) he said which was not taken into account here. The vigorous V. (Vineland) rootstocks were generally pretty bad, and once again, among the Geneva rootstocks G.214 (4214) did not have that much bitter pit. I really like that rootstock, however, have been recently made aware of some winter hardiness issues with it.</li></ul></div><div>So, my/your take homes?:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Bitter pit research is so very hard to do, there are so many factors that contribute to bitter pit development it is not even funny. See <a href="https://jmcextman.blogspot.com/2023/03/dan-donahues-honeycrisp-playbook-to.html" target="_blank">Dan Donahue's Honeycrisp Playbook (to mitigate bitter pit risk)</a>.</li><li>For the reason mentioned above, Geneva rootstocks -- with maybe the exception of 214 -- are more pre-disposed compared to the less vigorous and heavy cropping (which has it's own downside) B.9. M.9's are in there with B.9 but might be more prone to bitter pit. The slightly more vigorous (than B.9) B.10 might be a better choice than G.11 or 41 with Honeycrisp (or any other bitter pit prone variety, Jonagold?) as the scion.</li><li>I have a saying "friends don't let friends plant Honeycrisp on G.41" largely based on my overall experience, including in a significant commerical planting of Royal Red Honeycrisp on G.41 where the bitter pit therein has just been untenable (to date). And this is a good grower, the planting otherwise looks spectacular, although the crops have been lighter than desired. Oh wait, until 2023. Which has looked a lot better, very little bitter pit in that block. But a heavier crop and a very wet summer? And I understand the grower really threw the calcium at them this year after last years ugly look. I also have noted that my NC-140 Honecyrisp trees seem to have a lot less bitter pit than last year. This year's weather effect and a heavier crop? Or maybe as the trees get older they are settling down more? Although this is the 10th leaf, BP was bad last year in the 9th leaf. So I will temper a bit my saying above going forward. And there are obvious benefits to using Geneva rootstocks.</li></ul></div><div>Seems to me I had some other things on my mind regarding this BP issue, but that is enough and this is about as half-baked as it gets, but it also is what it is, and my field observations kind of align with the numbers which don't lie? You just have to question the procedures 🤣 and do some of your own unpacking... 😎</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-74139355807384265122023-09-06T15:59:00.003-04:002023-09-06T16:03:03.863-04:00#ifruittree 2023 IFTA Summer Study Tour<p><b>T</b>o Nova Scotia, July 23-25. Oh yea, maybe I am getting older or just think I have seen it all, I was not particulary inspired to report on my attendance at this IFTA event, but I suppose I need to earn my keep. It was also kind of hot and sunny, which does not particulalry motivate me either, but once I get going it jogs my memory and kind of enjoy documenting it. Although glad when I finish it!</p><p>The 2023 IFTA Summer Study Tour was based in Wolfville, Nova Scotia at the Old Orchard Inn where we were treated Sunday July 23 with a hearty reception on arrival -- food that is, otherwise a cash bar, but I have always enjoyed an (or 2 or 3) <a href="https://www.keiths.ca/beer/alexander-keiths-india-pale-ale" target="_blank">Alexander Keith's IPA</a>. Monday morning the 24th we (approximately 120 of us) boarded three buses at 7:30 AM (6:30 EDT) for orchard visits in the Annapolis Valley. What fun!</p><p>First orchard stop was Birchleigh Farms in Berwick where our host was owner Waldo Walsh. Waldo grows for <a href="https://scotiangoldapples.com/story/our-growers/birchleighs-farm/" target="_blank">Scotian Gold</a> where he "farms 100 acres of orchard (apples and pears) with apples representing over 95% of the production. The predominant apple varieties grown on the farm are Honeycrisp, Minneiska (SweeTango), Gala and Ambrosia." Focus of this stop however was <a href="https://profils-profiles.science.gc.ca/en/profile/keith-d-fuller-mscsoil-science-pag" target="_blank">Keith Fuller, research scientist</a> for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) out of Kentville. A project here in collaboration with Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture "<a href="https://nsfa-fane.ca/livinglabs/" target="_blank">Living Lab</a>" Agriculture Climate Solutions was using Pic Plus Fumigant as a replacement for Telone C-17 in apple replant situations. Fuller's results to-date suggest Pic Plus is useful to improve tree growth in true replant disease situations, but still not as effective as if Telone C-17 was used.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTB8yX9aPJRP__hLYtkyS7-8UV6fKDdNEpWVZScgDERzTefeIzADEoDHkyXi1hQQgx2GJaVRjBcVwu4oiBTNPb-DvjGnKvQrmelZlzdPKan5Dkz6za1B_kcreVLaRc0TY4hJX7ZtXSZKXoHj_A7DXq4wquz59OpDroZtfcnsCSdq9T4ROaBedPwC4Xp0b2/s640/IFTANSDay1-1a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTB8yX9aPJRP__hLYtkyS7-8UV6fKDdNEpWVZScgDERzTefeIzADEoDHkyXi1hQQgx2GJaVRjBcVwu4oiBTNPb-DvjGnKvQrmelZlzdPKan5Dkz6za1B_kcreVLaRc0TY4hJX7ZtXSZKXoHj_A7DXq4wquz59OpDroZtfcnsCSdq9T4ROaBedPwC4Xp0b2/w400-h300/IFTANSDay1-1a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AAFC's Keith Fuller at Birchleigh Farms talk replant disease treatment</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoVPvDHgQtfCaMult3okfhXfAW0wPipuSFH5BWNSfTDWsfXJAP5q0XgCAHagtJobkGKysX_Nl8h6q6YMIFmBWE-sWpgmBonXlFhn35pvMQcnMPpqMDcB-Ty0KiEob8OW2JQGbPVW27JhXpAdWnooc2fWjZC6GIG6xHSZu3G3FJpYtxkDpJEkH9HT1z7-r/s640/IFTANSDay1-1b.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoVPvDHgQtfCaMult3okfhXfAW0wPipuSFH5BWNSfTDWsfXJAP5q0XgCAHagtJobkGKysX_Nl8h6q6YMIFmBWE-sWpgmBonXlFhn35pvMQcnMPpqMDcB-Ty0KiEob8OW2JQGbPVW27JhXpAdWnooc2fWjZC6GIG6xHSZu3G3FJpYtxkDpJEkH9HT1z7-r/w400-h300/IFTANSDay1-1b.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Replant disease at Birchley Farms? Looks pretty good to me...</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Next up CAP Farms where Andy Parker (the "P" in CAP?), son-in-law Eric Chappel, and Scotian Gold's Danny Davison discussed management of a hi-density Ambrosia planting including their homemade over-the-row sprayer. <a href="https://givethemawink.com/our-growers/c-andrew-parker-farm/" target="_blank">C Andrew Parker Farm</a> grows for <a href="https://givethemawink.com/" target="_blank">Give Them aWink</a>, "Wink" being a brand of Van Meekeren Farms, also home of <a href="https://pazazzapple.com/" target="_blank">Pazazz apples</a> in Canada. Of particular note is the fact their over-the-row sprayer had no fan assist which apparently is not necessarily in their well-sculpted (hedged) rows of apples. No complaints here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5h0emGxnEViwl6Mq2rsabv0O_VEL1svDOGOibPHWh0o8waHC8dbiD61-WxK2ppOCxCqBa-GnPFirSRVP-osN8DGsungKmFRIdJxFoJ4DCom_pr-gWiuk3-OhBbbs4zili_RpT8pqI3tA6Y3QpaYAVjkTKqHdutOdeIcAYr9zh_5aMvqyccsVVmGWaaci/s640/IFTANSDay1-2b.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5h0emGxnEViwl6Mq2rsabv0O_VEL1svDOGOibPHWh0o8waHC8dbiD61-WxK2ppOCxCqBa-GnPFirSRVP-osN8DGsungKmFRIdJxFoJ4DCom_pr-gWiuk3-OhBbbs4zili_RpT8pqI3tA6Y3QpaYAVjkTKqHdutOdeIcAYr9zh_5aMvqyccsVVmGWaaci/w400-h300/IFTANSDay1-2b.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fanless custom-built over-the-row sprayer at CAP Farms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7Z68EY2dbFDoi0l9Ur1-UuZSrH4gj3jbDUug-sOIsEa-LjcpL9HTBFWBnEiBh6LADL_2uBctR3TmSL5VUKt0cO9omkNNzq0Xbe5srousApQPdzL3OMAUnaI4XORR9ZAifiUaAdxsAakHagsnczM0HI0sPRnZ4k6imoEAPK890xnGrVcmy2lSDae2nIUC/s640/IFTANSDay1-2c.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7Z68EY2dbFDoi0l9Ur1-UuZSrH4gj3jbDUug-sOIsEa-LjcpL9HTBFWBnEiBh6LADL_2uBctR3TmSL5VUKt0cO9omkNNzq0Xbe5srousApQPdzL3OMAUnaI4XORR9ZAifiUaAdxsAakHagsnczM0HI0sPRnZ4k6imoEAPK890xnGrVcmy2lSDae2nIUC/w400-h300/IFTANSDay1-2c.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicely sculpted (heged?) apple trees at CAP Farms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GPe2hgZocZHrK8jl2D-uj5ua3nyYfsj6JXFeEjxhGTTdp9WyAqC3wKEY7lspzkbhSPuzutfM6MwDVSCt3uLxrXswGKXmCXpv-Cs9Ozzs6mB4R6kXva4iiz__GfEyG9nLF5IRPz97KZPFVmi51jtkpJK64fk-0waLiDhuDKB9Vuo-sV4Z41lg2Frq30kN/s640/IFTANSDay1-2d.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GPe2hgZocZHrK8jl2D-uj5ua3nyYfsj6JXFeEjxhGTTdp9WyAqC3wKEY7lspzkbhSPuzutfM6MwDVSCt3uLxrXswGKXmCXpv-Cs9Ozzs6mB4R6kXva4iiz__GfEyG9nLF5IRPz97KZPFVmi51jtkpJK64fk-0waLiDhuDKB9Vuo-sV4Z41lg2Frq30kN/w300-h400/IFTANSDay1-2d.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very healthy-looking Ambrosia at CAP Farms</td></tr></tbody></table><p>After a chicken BBQ lunch (yum) at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/116519686391/" target="_blank">Northville Farm Heritage Centre</a> we walked (literally) to a bi-axe (Honeycrisp?) block at Van Meekeren Farms being shepherded (babied?) by Harrison VanMeekeren. Unfortunately cropping has been light to date on these Geneva rootstocks. (Which one?, I really should be taking notes!). I was not surprised. Also a hot and sunny equipment demonstration, most notably an <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FruitGrowersNews/videos/619363416960363" target="_blank">autonomously equipped/operated GOtrack</a> tractor. Among other toys by <a href="https://producetech.com/en/" target="_blank">ProduceTech</a>.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFfAf6le2TkgYOzM5BylgBLrOF4UJ3w4DLzE0odlgELe2J15teXcarESCj5gtrgm-ScpNyWyL6kGGn6Zs-I9I3Pa0ievAZhpay8ZHrWLnGm8m4syDb4nj1pXiUGTznh2Q4NXswKL0Pe7Y5Q7uRru4uBYvwXgHSqkWVEBiR-wgWyuxPChsx2STIdDsLlDJ/s640/IFTANSDay1-3a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFfAf6le2TkgYOzM5BylgBLrOF4UJ3w4DLzE0odlgELe2J15teXcarESCj5gtrgm-ScpNyWyL6kGGn6Zs-I9I3Pa0ievAZhpay8ZHrWLnGm8m4syDb4nj1pXiUGTznh2Q4NXswKL0Pe7Y5Q7uRru4uBYvwXgHSqkWVEBiR-wgWyuxPChsx2STIdDsLlDJ/w400-h300/IFTANSDay1-3a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multi-leader Honeycrisp at VanMeekeren Farms</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Last (not really) afternoon stop was at Vermeulen Farms looking at raised bed strawberries (not really into it) and a lively farm labor discussion. Not even a picture for you here. Really the LAST afternoon stop was the mandatory group picture from "The Lookoff," overlooking the Annapolis Valley and Minas Basin. Shameless self-promotion picture here but the real group picture here. Second mandatory IFTA Nova Scotia stop was a lobster supper (chicken optional, eh?) at the Louis Millet Community Complex in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Minas" target="_blank">New Minas</a>. For some reason can't help but think about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangeline" target="_blank">Evangeline</a> here.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01q7-Bz6qpmYcAt9WLq6SFNVovdatT3StCiW8q9OHSPbW7gpJVZAGzUGmhjQvjvSa8i32UMs56M7f3n3as_2L4BmbDPrcWPTAsOLrjq9ZKFZ5wWV5ySRNGVZuZJeCuJWi7_o8FnKt3fYDEvwIqwZULSVwgV5PgmuZ5uZBzXE6ygAwftukyB0r_Gt_SHni/s640/IFTANSDay1-JC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01q7-Bz6qpmYcAt9WLq6SFNVovdatT3StCiW8q9OHSPbW7gpJVZAGzUGmhjQvjvSa8i32UMs56M7f3n3as_2L4BmbDPrcWPTAsOLrjq9ZKFZ5wWV5ySRNGVZuZJeCuJWi7_o8FnKt3fYDEvwIqwZULSVwgV5PgmuZ5uZBzXE6ygAwftukyB0r_Gt_SHni/w400-h300/IFTANSDay1-JC.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie from "The Lookoff" overlooking Minas Basin </td></tr></tbody></table><p>Tuesday, the 25th of July. <a href="https://scotiangoldapples.com/story/our-growers/larry-lutz/" target="_blank">Lutz Family Farm Ltd.</a> first on the agenda, our hosts being Larry Lutz, son-in-law Cassian Ferlatte, son Sam, and their Jamaican farm crew. Lutz Family Farm owns over 1,000 acres of land with <i>only </i>140 acres of orchard, Larry equally likes his winter work of land clearing/logging. Apple rootstocks and Ambrosia pruning were the focus here, but also a thinning trial with Accede was highlighted by Michelle Cortens of <a href="https://www.perennia.ca/agriculture/" target="_blank">Perennia</a>. Take homes? M.26 still in favor in Nova Scotia, although Geneva rootstocks are being planted with some trepidation. Lutz is using Supporter 4 too, and has an on-farm nursery producing ten to twenty thousand trees annually. Prune Ambrosia hard using longish stubb cuts to prevent growth from becoming upright, long and lanky away from the central leader. Accede has promise as a thinner at larger fruitlet sizes, but like all chemical thinning, it's a bit variable in efficacy. If you have eleven minutes, check out <a href="https://youtu.be/8bBcSUyjF6E" target="_blank">my video interview with Larry here</a>, it's a pretty good story.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3u2CevGmgmLFIvor0yHBfwxhsePeP-Aw0jkzaLKXPO5uTUe_BDly63KhkPpXurV7s0M2YdWcXsVPz9Ys66_eKoRx9y7ujAT6m3jOwMztr676TyF5EteabXX6IxsYuczeockDeedwkvMJt2pYY5GW280IF9wArdzXe9S-oZoQYyxZfVjGmsCBKB8MxEYt/s640/IFTANSDay2-1a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3u2CevGmgmLFIvor0yHBfwxhsePeP-Aw0jkzaLKXPO5uTUe_BDly63KhkPpXurV7s0M2YdWcXsVPz9Ys66_eKoRx9y7ujAT6m3jOwMztr676TyF5EteabXX6IxsYuczeockDeedwkvMJt2pYY5GW280IF9wArdzXe9S-oZoQYyxZfVjGmsCBKB8MxEYt/w400-h300/IFTANSDay2-1a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Lutz Family Farm Ltd, Sam, Larry, and Cassian field attendee questions</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Z9ngB6D06PQxcyQFdaQfU4TWCBr59YsgZStq-x1S6gugaUrP1mXqkrMoKzN69HBc117mFGlwgrOLCea5-AvTZ0KppkUlovYCWxtfoUzQg8dJUJWrisReYmZnO9IuJ6wmRWcu8f_2j2qMPXpB3Utf1xBo81PZkM8573-ogfq1XVRkHwAafe9oL65i2SwX/s640/lutzapplenursery.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Z9ngB6D06PQxcyQFdaQfU4TWCBr59YsgZStq-x1S6gugaUrP1mXqkrMoKzN69HBc117mFGlwgrOLCea5-AvTZ0KppkUlovYCWxtfoUzQg8dJUJWrisReYmZnO9IuJ6wmRWcu8f_2j2qMPXpB3Utf1xBo81PZkM8573-ogfq1XVRkHwAafe9oL65i2SwX/w400-h225/lutzapplenursery.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lutz nursery, 'Rave' bench grafts on G.935 (Larry Lutz photo)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EWScwGWFyqAPsx0nGrAt30Q6PURY3P8yHltDLfUhzpV-K9VpOmL2ZDG3V4F8vdPwfkrf6TgMNG4CoEMzZMp6tnMkaGpma3bZcCX4UbozhF9yoA2T-j_rVR-QOQU0lTTfeIJPbWm6xu3dsHPnhQ3lJ0MIZ3zM3QyKPm4tuunbn4dP8gMobxfhzE_ze2C2/s640/IFTANSday2-1b.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="640" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EWScwGWFyqAPsx0nGrAt30Q6PURY3P8yHltDLfUhzpV-K9VpOmL2ZDG3V4F8vdPwfkrf6TgMNG4CoEMzZMp6tnMkaGpma3bZcCX4UbozhF9yoA2T-j_rVR-QOQU0lTTfeIJPbWm6xu3dsHPnhQ3lJ0MIZ3zM3QyKPm4tuunbn4dP8gMobxfhzE_ze2C2/w400-h226/IFTANSday2-1b.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valent crew and Perennia's Michelle Cortens discuss thinning with Accede</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzakW3nul96mtFmeHRNqvaiqL80Syu34eEyzijMSM2loIpuhYaD4hcwZJjuGA1lECDrg7AA4kkahM2sLNymauUSvudUJBBxQv9nliVxDsrjK9Z_woh9gsi2hy1Sr3-1vHAro23aj9xeBLsZIsTRwxt0m2dMlHR3zJpt1d4OFbSRhdgt6rw4i7Wd5zCUQhm/s640/IFTANSday2-1c.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzakW3nul96mtFmeHRNqvaiqL80Syu34eEyzijMSM2loIpuhYaD4hcwZJjuGA1lECDrg7AA4kkahM2sLNymauUSvudUJBBxQv9nliVxDsrjK9Z_woh9gsi2hy1Sr3-1vHAro23aj9xeBLsZIsTRwxt0m2dMlHR3zJpt1d4OFbSRhdgt6rw4i7Wd5zCUQhm/w400-h300/IFTANSday2-1c.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd say Accede worked pretty good on these Honeycrisp!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Second morning stop was Crisp Growers Inc. owned Scotian Gold and their fourteen apple growing families. Kind of an interesting (but slightly dated) story <a href="https://www.goodfruit.com/growers-partner-to-buy-orchard/" target="_blank">here</a>. But we were only here to see the <a href="https://holsprayingsystems.com/products/hss-fruit-agbot-autonomous-machine/" target="_blank">H.S.S AgBot sprayer</a> and <a href="https://www.vivid-machines.com/" target="_blank">Vivid Machines</a> crop load management vision technology (aka camera mounted on an ATV). That AgBot is kind of scary, check out the video, what could go wrong? 😑 </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dd7D8wQ1mDs" width="320" youtube-src-id="dd7D8wQ1mDs"></iframe></div><p>After a Jamaican food truck lunch (yum) and cider tasting (double yum) at <a href="https://spurrbrothers.ca/" target="_blank">Spurr Brothers Farm Market</a>, we followed Lisa Jenereaux to Spurr Brothers Farm to look at V pears (sorry Lisa, I was not really into it) and another replant experiment being honchoed by Keith Fuller, this one being mulching (with and without fumigation) to improve newly planted tree growth. To date results are lackluster explained Keith, as tree growth in general in the first two seasons was poor, and compost and fumigaiton with Pic Plus did not improve tree growth. But pre-plant compost addition suppressed root leasion nematodes and compost presisted for 4+ years after planting as measured by soil C content. Oh well.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZRdUcT61UF1PhoHQKJoeiXsqJGFhATzyauiHSqvjlGdb5KYen3v6R0SeQYiTVatCgGLcNGf_RVayWv_Osop4OdFPiojBxWLJG3Dzy317IwRsiQVj36_6tfz8bynChCYOzCjLXV664DgdXuJ0bgfjwreiuO9h-st5V64DKb6YHPeqzYwIFyGEAP4HYWrB/s640/IFTANSday2-2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZRdUcT61UF1PhoHQKJoeiXsqJGFhATzyauiHSqvjlGdb5KYen3v6R0SeQYiTVatCgGLcNGf_RVayWv_Osop4OdFPiojBxWLJG3Dzy317IwRsiQVj36_6tfz8bynChCYOzCjLXV664DgdXuJ0bgfjwreiuO9h-st5V64DKb6YHPeqzYwIFyGEAP4HYWrB/w400-h300/IFTANSday2-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa Jenereaux at Spurr Brothers Farms talking about her pears.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Final IFTA Nova Scotia 2023 Summer Tour stop was the impecably manicured Wohlgemuth Farms where pre-harvest leaf removal to improve red color and NC-140 rootstock trials (2019 Buckeye Gala) were showcased by AAFC Kentville personnel. Also some of their research on effect of anti-ethylene products ReTain and Harvista and optimum harvest window of Ambrosia and Honeycrisp apples. Nice orchard, good research, overall a fitting Tour finale. Did I mention they are a hog farmer also?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GlSb0aCVuvxkWLrkcaGG_i5zOS8IA_kLcrMcqDB9iM0AN8whwnUmMEQW9XdGOU3fbGDyPD74ZxmgVZz7lGmJmTBUr2RAAK0OFrpkxaHuRR-21cRj8I-fJFNNoN9rGnjV71hnq8kPA-LSq5DzXlBNG_lLaWXQEH_1zUTAcDdtR6HatHkCmXcf7Q5QjraO/s640/IFTANSday2-3a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GlSb0aCVuvxkWLrkcaGG_i5zOS8IA_kLcrMcqDB9iM0AN8whwnUmMEQW9XdGOU3fbGDyPD74ZxmgVZz7lGmJmTBUr2RAAK0OFrpkxaHuRR-21cRj8I-fJFNNoN9rGnjV71hnq8kPA-LSq5DzXlBNG_lLaWXQEH_1zUTAcDdtR6HatHkCmXcf7Q5QjraO/w400-h300/IFTANSday2-3a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pneumatic leaf removal experiment to improve red fruit color at Wohlgemuth Farms </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoaPcJqLds2gBJBioswX_K5lXDVvNeDicILDtfG-XnSdRjSC_iVKxQ5d4W-7WTtJA9dpOCvtFrzTo56KSobaxNQ1Akhzv6ElPiT-_q3EkwYZEZwwrbBVOWidUqtQOWP-nYm4lOCNND-Lq_6g_rggXWfnax-liG0tr8v77oV8FX9M4RSA3p4OekqemfM55/s640/IFTANSday2-3b.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoaPcJqLds2gBJBioswX_K5lXDVvNeDicILDtfG-XnSdRjSC_iVKxQ5d4W-7WTtJA9dpOCvtFrzTo56KSobaxNQ1Akhzv6ElPiT-_q3EkwYZEZwwrbBVOWidUqtQOWP-nYm4lOCNND-Lq_6g_rggXWfnax-liG0tr8v77oV8FX9M4RSA3p4OekqemfM55/w400-h300/IFTANSday2-3b.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have come to the conclusion that hog farmers have the nicest orchard! </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFF9cVxxHpJ86Cdz87TpMTUoe_2iZAsqQQfk6-LExRKbSm2kRlV5m_qAVtB-W2EyM9FZ4QcBrBtOn6xgGp_M1SGsknZ3w5vwvJPhAp1EK4SaT5ckYrzzg2tSVCddRzJVO3ZYdnaZbfDXjOLT9yifSbMmIdkGI5lqyQhJaf2mgFotkepSxlKyNhQY_K8MFg/s640/IFTANSday2-3c.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFF9cVxxHpJ86Cdz87TpMTUoe_2iZAsqQQfk6-LExRKbSm2kRlV5m_qAVtB-W2EyM9FZ4QcBrBtOn6xgGp_M1SGsknZ3w5vwvJPhAp1EK4SaT5ckYrzzg2tSVCddRzJVO3ZYdnaZbfDXjOLT9yifSbMmIdkGI5lqyQhJaf2mgFotkepSxlKyNhQY_K8MFg/w400-h300/IFTANSday2-3c.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suzanne Blatt, AAFC Kenville entomologist, does double duty as a horticulturist <br />while discussing the 2019 Buckeye Gala NC-140 planting at Wohlgemuth Farms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTg5dCd8uglAHZIhvJSqbQnDRYxJJGe5JmoaBs8L5jfGbGko5Mue-NMHVdq_FShuyQKOMsBVKhmvYOq3kEbf3--CXxGJJGptvr_hVLKiJA0hcwmbh9KA3ulma8fy-LQpVvnWpFIJfVyNXK0So3SZoJKSaJSftDHpMrhGwc-e69HbKBxaxBSo9gGoVk88C0/s640/IFTANSday2-3d.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTg5dCd8uglAHZIhvJSqbQnDRYxJJGe5JmoaBs8L5jfGbGko5Mue-NMHVdq_FShuyQKOMsBVKhmvYOq3kEbf3--CXxGJJGptvr_hVLKiJA0hcwmbh9KA3ulma8fy-LQpVvnWpFIJfVyNXK0So3SZoJKSaJSftDHpMrhGwc-e69HbKBxaxBSo9gGoVk88C0/w400-h300/IFTANSday2-3d.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 2019 Buckeye Gala NC-140 planting (on left)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>That's about all I got, maybe all apple trees are starting to look alike, but I have to say, the longer I am in this business the more confused I get (about some things). I can confidently say though that Nova Scotia is a pretty darn good place to grow quality apples -- particularly Honeycrisp, they are absolutely the best there -- but they do have these tropical storms that in recent years have caused them some headaches! Thanks to all who planned and hosted us, best of luck to you during the upcoming harvest!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLHKDnCMsIc7TwJQARNMWgaIU1x1-WhMY5968zk-zzTM4lGNNLU8wXtG76k6Npo8VHGSuYD9RA2F-VFJyPMkNHioXIgfnfXBEj3ixWus0WhPPqH80DclA5Qk6YB8Ec3QxwDLyobHY9CLjt4YV0TLLNN5B3EtWqWnLZuBxCwIp1K3X77bDlzvVRu2xbDvZ/s640/IFTANSday2-4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLHKDnCMsIc7TwJQARNMWgaIU1x1-WhMY5968zk-zzTM4lGNNLU8wXtG76k6Npo8VHGSuYD9RA2F-VFJyPMkNHioXIgfnfXBEj3ixWus0WhPPqH80DclA5Qk6YB8Ec3QxwDLyobHY9CLjt4YV0TLLNN5B3EtWqWnLZuBxCwIp1K3X77bDlzvVRu2xbDvZ/w400-h225/IFTANSday2-4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think there is Scotian Gold at the end of the rainbow <br />as seen from the Old Orchard (note foreground apple trees) Inn </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-17467908440777261312023-06-26T09:28:00.001-04:002023-06-26T09:32:02.743-04:00Apple blossom density mapping using a UAV (aka drone)<p><a href="https://pacman.extension.org/" target="_blank">Precision Apple Cropload MANagement</a> (PACMAN) -- in whatever form it takes -- is "<a href="https://www.goodfruit.com/precision-crop-load-management-is-the-topic-of-our-time/" target="_blank">the topic of our time.</a>" Unmanned Aerial Vehicles-- UAV's, more commonly known as drones -- likely have a role. In fact, at least one company, <a href="https://outfield.xyz/" target="_blank">Outfield</a> already provides a low cost, turn-key (more or less) solution using drones to map apple blossom and crop density. To that end I acquired a sub-$1,000 "consumer" drone in the spring of 2023 and worked with U.K. based Outfield to get a feel for what this technology could provide?</p><p>After getting my <a href="https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot" target="_blank">FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate</a> allowing me to legally fly "my" drone -- a <a href="https://www.dji.com/air-2s" target="_blank">DJI Air 2S</a> -- while on the job at UMass, the helpful folks at Outfield (Oli and Andrew) provided me with a cloud based "dashboard" wherein I initially mapped my apple orchard blocks of interest -- five at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown, MA and three at Tougas Family Farm in Northboro, MA. The blocks totaled 3.5 hectares (8.6 acres). Outfield returned to me "flight plan" files that were imported into <a href="https://flylitchi.com/" target="_blank">Litchi</a>. Once the orchard blocks were in full bloom in early May, 2023, and I was ready to fly following all the standard flight safety planning practices, using the Litchi app the drone took off, flew the zig-zag-across the row flight plan while taking (many) high resolution pictures of the trees from about 10 meters (30 feet) above the canopy. All done automatically, including landing in the exact spot the drone took off. Cool! No crashes or wayward drone (yet)! Now, it sounds pretty easy, and it was, but not without some nail biting and making sure everything was in order prior to flying. After flying the block the images are uploaded into the Outfield dashboard and were processed withing 24 hours resulting in a colored blossom density "heat" map.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4X0pWsCeMQo5kEQv1ZU2Zoo_0e_zfMICvSSzvaio99U0p2dEn3JaPVQnZ4RoGb13Dg7jvezuYWJbQ2U-5UHYuDdGtNXtYVUxPABjGfzTOVLILRm9wNVzxNY0vmT21Ojv5_dDhsH5Kbzn34DHGzE4fiVRU67W6zZyuLG_WL2rUmEJD4ziHqN-wL9O9p-YE/s1280/flylitchi.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1280" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4X0pWsCeMQo5kEQv1ZU2Zoo_0e_zfMICvSSzvaio99U0p2dEn3JaPVQnZ4RoGb13Dg7jvezuYWJbQ2U-5UHYuDdGtNXtYVUxPABjGfzTOVLILRm9wNVzxNY0vmT21Ojv5_dDhsH5Kbzn34DHGzE4fiVRU67W6zZyuLG_WL2rUmEJD4ziHqN-wL9O9p-YE/w400-h280/flylitchi.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Litchi zig-zag block flight plan with picture locations</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9-ONnxQ1ied_8udBHQb-t24nQPLac71q0XoFqe-ULmLcW-93TojpydYgyiIOwFsYZeylq0MkbSusTXaRkCpOcP5IKWLjZwH9DkePV9-gWEElyvo2FG9c7wHKGSoigBrkcNRLOmLL5bXOzri-BdcPQ2R_vG5ph428JAJoLLLutAXbX7aJalOL7GfhmuVc/s656/blossomdensitymap.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="605" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9-ONnxQ1ied_8udBHQb-t24nQPLac71q0XoFqe-ULmLcW-93TojpydYgyiIOwFsYZeylq0MkbSusTXaRkCpOcP5IKWLjZwH9DkePV9-gWEElyvo2FG9c7wHKGSoigBrkcNRLOmLL5bXOzri-BdcPQ2R_vG5ph428JAJoLLLutAXbX7aJalOL7GfhmuVc/w369-h400/blossomdensitymap.png" width="369" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honeycrisp block blossom density map in Outfield dashboard</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcy_mBdVF03qTs2Owr3u8vQxUuB9oUcpYeozg3r80cx3nj1tNFP3VUQM0sqxWsyctG0maYsSHL5XIYXJGRecWYenQB9SpOGSNO5h18UzeeseJSWco-huRJ9IvmOwkuM0nAqPOiFqxMrX2OgljujsysJHgCn-jytpQRk8cveXMLMCcec2CPJcjNMGJ5bQY/s668/hi-lowblossomdensityexample.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="307" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcy_mBdVF03qTs2Owr3u8vQxUuB9oUcpYeozg3r80cx3nj1tNFP3VUQM0sqxWsyctG0maYsSHL5XIYXJGRecWYenQB9SpOGSNO5h18UzeeseJSWco-huRJ9IvmOwkuM0nAqPOiFqxMrX2OgljujsysJHgCn-jytpQRk8cveXMLMCcec2CPJcjNMGJ5bQY/w184-h400/hi-lowblossomdensityexample.png" width="184" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Low-high Honeycrisp blossom density example</td></tr></tbody></table><p>OK, so what? Is it an "actionable, holy grail" component of PACMAN? Well, I did do a bit of visual ground truthing, but found it kind of difficult to figure out exactly where I was in the block in relation to the "heat' map. (I have put in a feature request to Outfield to make the overlay more "transparent" so the individual rows can be seen.) It seems to me, and I think Outfield is headed in this direction, is the map needs to be synced with a variable rate sprayer so that, for example, bloom thinning sprays could be adjusted accordingly to where bloom density is higher (or lesser)?</p><p>Once the apples reach golf-ball size Outfield tells me I can repeat the flyovers and they will give me a yield estimate for the block (and fruit sizes on the horizon). I have not seen that yet, TBD. Drone use in agriculture is evolutionary, I suspect some aspect of this tool to better manage crop load -- or do pest scouting? -- is in my and your future. Stay tuned...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-80539569507606657672023-03-14T13:28:00.007-04:002023-03-16T16:45:24.182-04:00 Dan Donahue's Honeycrisp Playbook (to mitigate bitter pit risk)<p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6V16Q0nH90NfkgTRVSg3uwswExou2VDpbHmJUs0AjKD4l0sx5Biuzh6RnXGRftJ5oiuAncoIa9FA-DCWJoFLH9z6EJbTi1JWjgHTEZ6LTo8wHpTwY_gUoPnTUyyxMNdogjk_OY8W4XDnpPqUr81_b_-HA-HssWNHY2C-zPiVFrX89QBIwxVosFwpleg/s640/HCRBPNC140.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6V16Q0nH90NfkgTRVSg3uwswExou2VDpbHmJUs0AjKD4l0sx5Biuzh6RnXGRftJ5oiuAncoIa9FA-DCWJoFLH9z6EJbTi1JWjgHTEZ6LTo8wHpTwY_gUoPnTUyyxMNdogjk_OY8W4XDnpPqUr81_b_-HA-HssWNHY2C-zPiVFrX89QBIwxVosFwpleg/w200-h200/HCRBPNC140.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br />I attended the Eastern New York Fruit & Vegetable Conference February 22-23, 2023 in Albany NY. Hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program (ENYCHP). A day and a half of tree fruit talks, mostly featuring speakers from Cornell University and on many pest management (insect & disease) and production (horticulture) management issues. Check out my <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcextman" target="_blank">@jmcextman</a> Twitter hashtag #ENYFVC for a bunch of picts and comment on their presentations.</div><p></p><p>One presentation worth bringing to you here was by <a href="https://enych.cce.cornell.edu/specialist.php?id=67" target="_blank">Dan Donahue</a>, tree fruit specialist with CCE's ENYCHP. Dan has always been quite inventive, so his talk was excerpts from his 'Honeycrisp Playbook,' a series of specific recommendations to mitigate bitter pit risk when growing Honeycrisp apples. So without further adieu, here is Dan's most recent and comprehensive <b>'Playbook' (in bold)</b> <i>with some comments by yours truly (in italics)...</i></p><p><b>Avoid replant sites</b> - <i>yea, Honeycrisp are tough enough to grow as it is, give them a break and grow on virgin ground and/or follow BMP's for replant sites (fumigation, cover-cropping, etc.).</i></p><p><b>Soil pH should be adjusted to about 7.0</b> - <i>start a little high on pH with addition of lime to bring pH close to 7, that lime has calcium in it (don't use dolomitic-high mag limestone), and that slightly higher pH than the normal recommendation of 5.9 to 6.5 will enhance nutrient availability.</i></p><p><b>Use 30% less ground potassium (K) than other varieties</b> - <i>K is antagonistic to calcium uptake and movement in the plant, don't ignore the need to have some K (as dictated by soil/foliar nutrient tests), just don't use as much as you might, say with Gala?</i></p><p>M<b>oderate nitrogen (N), shoot for 2.2% in the leaf analysis, no foliar N</b> - <i>high nitrogen = high bitter pit, enough said? Feed the roots N using calcium nitrate as dictated by leaf analysis, just err on the short side vs. lots of N.</i></p><p><b>Use B.9 or B.10 rootstocks, avoid Geneva rootstocks</b> - <i>pretty straight forward, M.9 rootstocks fall somewhere between B.'s and G.'s in bitter pit prevalence. B.10 is a bit more vigorous than B.9. Friends don't let friends plant Honeycrisp on G.41. Good tree spacing for Honeycrisp on B.9 are app. 2.5 feet between trees by 10-11 feet between rows. A bit more in Dan's study <a href="https://treefruit.wsu.edu/article/the-honeycrisp-playbook-bitter-pit-response-to-rootstock-and-region-in-eastern-new-york-state/" target="_blank">Bitter Pit Response to Rootstock and Region in Eastern New York State</a>.</i></p><p><b>No apple crop in 2nd leaf</b> - <i>yup, grow your trees (with moderate nitrogen!) for years 1-3 in the orchard. Apples off young trees will be bitter pit prone anyways. Do de-fruit them when young, only start cropping when they are as tall and wide as you want, as they will stop growing (much) when they start fruiting.</i></p><p><b>Light to moderate tree vigor, pruning</b> - <i>a "calm" tree is what you want to mitigate bitter pit risk. Use thinning (vs. heading) cuts as much as possible while pruning.</i></p><p><b>Avoid precision pruning to a bud load < 2.5 buds per target crop load</b> - <i>yea, leave more buds than you might otherwise with say, Gala? You don't want to fall too far short of your target crop load in the end. Good insurance here. But I might go down to 2 buds per target crop load </i>😎.</p><p><b>Avoid aggressive, early crop reduction, aggravates bitter pit</b> - <i>normally we recommend thinning early and often. Not so much here, but there is a fine line. More below...</i></p><p><b>Prohexadione-calcium (Apogee/Kudos) at pink, do not apply post-bloom</b> - <i>Dan's work that has been field tested indicates Prohex-Cal applied post boom results in more bitter pit than when it is applied at pink. And actually, that pink application gives pretty effective growth control too. More <a href="https://cvp.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=767" target="_blank">here</a> from Dan. And his own words "I recommend avoiding conventionally-timed Prohex if at all possible."</i></p><p><b>10 ppm NAA at bloom, avoid bloom thinning with ATS or lime sulfur</b> - <i>that NAA at bloom nudges the thinning start (but not aggressively) and also promote return bloom (well, at least it is a start). Bloom thinning with caustic thinners typically and aggressively thins early (what did he say above?) and leaves the king bloom typically, especially when using the Pollen Tube Growth Model. King bloom = larger apples = more bitter pit? Maybe, maybe not, this may not always be true. But you might get away with using caustic bloom thinners with B.9/10 rootstocks? If bloom thinning with caustics, you should be using the <a href="https://ptgm.newa.cornell.edu/" target="_blank">pollen tube growth model</a>.</i></p><p><b>Calcium (Ca) at petal fall, continue through 5 weekly applications</b> - <i>I'd be using the formulated liquid calciun products (Sysstem-Cal, etc.) at this timing and then switch to calcium chloride mid-summer until harvest? More <a href="https://rvpadmin.cce.cornell.edu/uploads/doc_970.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> from Dan.</i></p><p><b>Target chemical thinning at 8-12 mm stage</b> - <i>is this all starting to come together? Besides, particularly when following the carbohydrate model to determine rate and timing of chemical thinner applications, this is when THE most effective chemical thinning often happens, at 8-12 mm. Still, NAA 10 ppm at bloom! And don't forget to use the <a href="https://agsci.psu.edu/research/centers-facilities/extension/frec/growing-season-information/carbon-balance-model" target="_blank">apple carbohydrate thinning model</a> when chemical thinning at this time.</i></p><p><b>Hand thin to target fruit load at 35 days post-bloom</b> - <i>Honeycrisp initiates flower bud development early, as soon as 30 days after bloom. Too many apples on the trees thereafter will inhibit flower bud formation = biennial bearing. Get it? So hand thin Honeycrisp first!</i></p><p><b>3 sprays NAA at 5 ppm</b> - <i>that's 2 oz. per 100 gallons dilute tree row volume per acre, beginning no later 30 days post-bloom, then 45, then 60 -- for return bloom enhancement AND research has shown that the auxin factor of NAA reduces bitter pit. I recommend 2 oz. per acre, period. Some return bloom recommendations use ethephon, might be OK in addition to those NAA sprays.</i></p><p><b>Limit irrigation (deficit?) late June through harvest</b> - <i>yup, you don't need to be blowing those Honeycrisp apples up and diluting calcium (and promoting calcium sink shoot growth) = more bitter pit risk. More on deficit irrigation of Honeycrisp (where practicable LOL) <a href="https://treefruit.wsu.edu/article/new-resources-explaining-use-of-deficit-irrigation-for-honeycrisp/" target="_blank">here</a> from Washington State University.</i></p><p><b>Use EMR model or passive bitter pit prediction protocol on M.9 rootstocks destined for long term storage</b> - <i>No need to test B.9 or Geneva rootstocks as they will have less or more bitter pit respectively Dan says. If you want to know more, h</i><i>ere is the reference for EMR (Environment, Minerals, Rootstock):</i> <i>Daniel J. Donahue, Gemma Reig, Michael Rutzke, Anna Wallis, Michael Basedow, Sarah E. Elone. 2021. A Predictive Model for Malus × pumila Borkh c.v. ‘Honeycrisp’ to Reduce Storage Risk in Eastern New York State, U.S.A. Acta Horticulturae 1314. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Precision Management of Orchards and Vineyards, October 2019. </i><i><a href="https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1314.51">https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1314.51</a> </i><i>And, a bit more about the passive bitter pit prediction model here: <a href="https://www.goodfruit.com/to-predict-bitter-pit-let-it-sit/">https://www.goodfruit.com/to-predict-bitter-pit-let-it-sit/</a></i></p><p><b>Weigh pros/cons of using ReTain/Harvista sprays, may increase bitter pit</b> - <i>bitter pit risk increases with earlier harvested apples, might increase with later harvested apples, but not really sure here? Apples will get bigger = more bitter pit? There is a sweet spot for less bitter pit with intermediate harvest dates? Just something to keep in mind when using these harvest management tools.</i></p><p><b>M.9 rootstock, third pick for long term storage</b> <i>= less storage bitter pit - has shown to be the case for that third pick, might represent optiumum maturity?</i></p><p>That is the most current Honeycrisp Playbook (for mitigating bitter pit risk) according to Dan Donahue. But hey, check out <a href="https://jmcextman.blogspot.com/search?q=calcium" target="_blank">It's the Calcium Stupid</a>, some recommendations from the recently deceased Jeff Alicandro/agri.assistance, RIP Jeff.</p>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-44502274014244461842023-02-25T14:21:00.002-05:002023-02-25T14:31:09.569-05:00#ifruittree 2023 annual conference Grand Rapids, MI<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabLdoLVSHEzWkmgXBp9QHlq1lrS_kXVS-C-yQq_3j3vQIXjH0cnNwVKFARaAUhDY1U5Vt9z35kogPDtO8kPn3n7Fd8KJ4w27WYMpafEaAcpZ33Qqs_thN8hKQ8F44P0i2oFvJe98iiifPvKyU7g7LrxgR2PL9tIchyg0nq04Yig_OkGvSlfHLi9dh-w/s640/IFTAGRR2023.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="474" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabLdoLVSHEzWkmgXBp9QHlq1lrS_kXVS-C-yQq_3j3vQIXjH0cnNwVKFARaAUhDY1U5Vt9z35kogPDtO8kPn3n7Fd8KJ4w27WYMpafEaAcpZ33Qqs_thN8hKQ8F44P0i2oFvJe98iiifPvKyU7g7LrxgR2PL9tIchyg0nq04Yig_OkGvSlfHLi9dh-w/w148-h200/IFTAGRR2023.jpeg" width="148" /></a></div><p></p><p>Carrying on tradition of posting about my <a href="https://ifruittree.org/" target="_blank">International Fruit Tree Association</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/iFruitTree" target="_blank">#ifruittree</a>) trips, this time Grand Rapids, MI. <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcextman" target="_blank">I tweeted</a> a bit about the Conference speakers over two days, there were - how should I say politely? - the good talks and the not so good talks, but that is OK. Here I will post a bit about the orchard tour stops, again, a mixed bag IMHO, I'm just calling it as I see it! So here goes...</p><p>First stop, <a href="https://riveridgeproduce.com/growers/riveridge-land-company/">Riveridge Land Company</a> "a vertically-integrated company that operates over 860 acres of orchards." Apples and cherries, both metallic V-trellis a la what you see a lot of in Washington. It was OK, but those things cost a lot of money to establish. All things being equal, V-trellis intercepts a lot of sunlight per acre, hence can lead to maximum production per acre. But there are a lot of "gotcha's" IMHO, including training trees (to tie or not to tie?), and in the case of cherries, canker issues. I thought, especially with the cherries, a lot going on here. Cherry variety was "Skeena," apples were Honey's and Fuji's? But the main attraction were the <a href="https://www.voencoveringsystems.com/" target="_blank">Voen</a> "rain" covers also serving as frost protection with "included" Voen gravity-fed pellet heaters at 20 per acre. Got the impression was both quite effective at preventing frost/freeze damage and preventing rain cracking. Apparently Riverridge has a good wholesale packing and marketing strategy, however, exactly how profitable the whole thing -- covered, hi-density sweet cherries in a humid/lower light environment such as Michigan -- is remains elusive? On the side, I was told they (Riveridge) may be moving to a UFO-style narrow canopy sweet cherry orchard, higher quality cherries and simpler management in that planar canopy? Did I mention we looked at apples on the V-trellis too, likely a better bet, unless organic? 😅</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeYyPqAxpp0Qho9xKuuUYnZAspmevPi5g3jig8dLSoKfF1Ax8QRVBzJdOoZEj3yfXqjPUMPTl8q2chKa5GHEzMeS3EgXFxx-S-t_6YrlKx24ljKNvO_V51_R1wVBn9PYP_fklIR6Ob9egDqoum1Cy8geeIfMo8ztUC-7e_s6flvPmlv-L8XHplI6ZaQ/s1280/riverridgecherry5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeYyPqAxpp0Qho9xKuuUYnZAspmevPi5g3jig8dLSoKfF1Ax8QRVBzJdOoZEj3yfXqjPUMPTl8q2chKa5GHEzMeS3EgXFxx-S-t_6YrlKx24ljKNvO_V51_R1wVBn9PYP_fklIR6Ob9egDqoum1Cy8geeIfMo8ztUC-7e_s6flvPmlv-L8XHplI6ZaQ/w400-h300/riverridgecherry5.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">V-trellis cherries at Riveridge with 'Voen' rain/frost/freeze prevention covers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXXasJLDh__x-xiFjKnxZyDiOuWrVZ_iFzIOp9J7lMLiiW9zRgBDmgXQ_HRrJ432Jk2eZyKIXmW9u2XL-kJIfe7w90u_NocpQujkjmhgre8aZ3y8r0y1-1BTa2ypnYFwRMnS_ZRe3Sp9z_wdJJB4gK8SrOI4V2kwFo3G_Ri6TLPDlZQzG1MPMJWC0Vw/s1280/riverridgecherry3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXXasJLDh__x-xiFjKnxZyDiOuWrVZ_iFzIOp9J7lMLiiW9zRgBDmgXQ_HRrJ432Jk2eZyKIXmW9u2XL-kJIfe7w90u_NocpQujkjmhgre8aZ3y8r0y1-1BTa2ypnYFwRMnS_ZRe3Sp9z_wdJJB4gK8SrOI4V2kwFo3G_Ri6TLPDlZQzG1MPMJWC0Vw/w400-h400/riverridgecherry3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gravity-fed wood pellet heater to further prevent frost/freeze damage, part of the Voen system</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUllhuo53gS8tiM4gH_hup6HxG51yiy0h5P2lc4qQ5P6wOrzi78ODNm9D0YET0s8Yq1RY9UiFZDLO8cZiW0R3XUOZ4bW1_lsBQ5L_wCuBaKhqbLHJTQR_8dhUZPAcH8nNn9FCeFUtAa2uVCvN8c_TIidIfWsQivl8474__zasK_B-LdK4K3Q-q6fMJg/s1280/riverridgeapple1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfEmJmNG5_dkSzb9jZimUYA4TsLhdLMZsaTLt4fSzoBEEUSp3jcT0A0LdPJyUkYRaOR9leYwfPlcvH1ynHkFbceJpLaYuKPPu-HjLYIRKr4IqqCEtFRv6Rp9brcQeIs1gxnnZKi2U16dqvHVLC3bZde5TSXnMEHBoVziiCQGCtELksG7gkyuC1gdIZQ/s1280/riverridgeapple2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfEmJmNG5_dkSzb9jZimUYA4TsLhdLMZsaTLt4fSzoBEEUSp3jcT0A0LdPJyUkYRaOR9leYwfPlcvH1ynHkFbceJpLaYuKPPu-HjLYIRKr4IqqCEtFRv6Rp9brcQeIs1gxnnZKi2U16dqvHVLC3bZde5TSXnMEHBoVziiCQGCtELksG7gkyuC1gdIZQ/w400-h300/riverridgeapple2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">V-trellis apple orchard at Riveridge Land Company</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p>Yup, organic apples at Riveridge. 80 acres. Major issues? Lack of tree growth/vigor compared to conventional, organic fertility (particularly nitrogen) always being a bugaboo. Weed control using landscape fabric leading to vole damage. I had to ask, what about mechanical cultivation as is so common in Europe? (No particularly good answer.) Pest control challenges (plum curculio, scab) such that much of the fruit goes to processing. But apparently demand exceeds supply, and there is a premium paid for organic processing apples, baby food? I got the impression Riveridge was doing it to broaden their portfolio as a supplier so they could offer organic as well as conventional to their customers? A bit of greenwashing? Maybe. Although there was some discussion about the larger organic ideals of soil health, organic pest control, etc. by guest Kyle Rasch of <a href="https://sweetango.com/our-growers/tom-rasch-son-orchards/" target="_blank">Tom Rasch & Son Orchards</a>.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdavzoxL7NSoRpDoJx6TrXV_77v64Kj2eU2O3qi4yb2F0W1kYZ5Hl1rGkjOIsxRsoVuhOa8fzyks86dVUpZl_Tc80Ui7V2vcgFidQ9Yet-NF_ZBeEkxRCVMmq1FB1WX1uGoxKmBF8MMB3o5j_rjoRDDraTkf2R7CNWIoRRVcSdfh5_bzCE5vbCRLMNg/s1280/riverridgeorganic1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdavzoxL7NSoRpDoJx6TrXV_77v64Kj2eU2O3qi4yb2F0W1kYZ5Hl1rGkjOIsxRsoVuhOa8fzyks86dVUpZl_Tc80Ui7V2vcgFidQ9Yet-NF_ZBeEkxRCVMmq1FB1WX1uGoxKmBF8MMB3o5j_rjoRDDraTkf2R7CNWIoRRVcSdfh5_bzCE5vbCRLMNg/w400-h300/riverridgeorganic1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">80-acre organic apple block at Riveridge</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfDsVPjUczA7MJUzh1JmLehb47ozih5kgXZeKXfcxNm7JYPjEKuwU046nQj1GFbXKiIdKw50XthnwrHq3E8YskNIXwtkNg8xaE9-uwqoMPVkdFjla0egPidHrMER_B8AfLWP7jTNX-p-l0Fv06K90QLqTK8wOlSXGzPWb1fs6BRXGaijevuxoZFbqRg/s1280/mousedamageorganic.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfDsVPjUczA7MJUzh1JmLehb47ozih5kgXZeKXfcxNm7JYPjEKuwU046nQj1GFbXKiIdKw50XthnwrHq3E8YskNIXwtkNg8xaE9-uwqoMPVkdFjla0egPidHrMER_B8AfLWP7jTNX-p-l0Fv06K90QLqTK8wOlSXGzPWb1fs6BRXGaijevuxoZFbqRg/w400-h400/mousedamageorganic.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vole damage exacerbated by fabric landscape cloth for weed control in organic orchard (photo courtesy Andre Tougas)</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>On to <a href="https://riveridgeproduce.com/growers/rasch-family-orchards/" target="_blank">Rasch Family Orchards</a>. (Yea, there are a lot of Rasch's out there on the "ridge." And Dietrich's 😂.) Hosted by "characters wanted" Jake Rasch in their hi-density peach block. I couldn't help myself thinking they've been drinking the Greg Lang Kool-Aid! Walking up the hill I saw some pretty nice looking perpendicular-V peaches, but we were looking at a planar V-system with wires, tying, etc. Rationale, according to Jake was better peach quality (mostly red color), labor efficiencies (platforms), and it did not take that much more work than the Perp-V's? Maybe, I could buy that, and am generally an advocate of hi-density tree fruit production, but I worry about within-the-row shading and -- as with all peach systems -- maintaining a properly sufficient light environment in the bottom of the trees. Remember, no really proven dwarfing rootstocks for peaches yet, so it's pretty hard to make a big tree "small." I already saw some pruning messes? Might be better off dispersing the vigor more into Upright-Fruiting-Offshoots, UFO? That can continually be renewed? But I will give Jake the benefit of the doubt for now...mostly because he was just good-humored about the whole thing!</span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlAdw7ZXjtIAU_OyTiLvkTs3MLRwC9hRF2MHBPLEqyNcrVQNVhgMXXbTpS6VNTYnlVWdpRzNZd4DQET-QvKI9SXh5H4neRZCNj5oQPC5bCQ0CL9PvJusHcQ1rEfAexN4i_VPKHpoIKSmmTMaQc5nVkkHpvzHVAnEgIT2pQQ_NtunOGHb1JIuWQ5WkHQ/s1280/jake%20rasch%20-%20peach.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlAdw7ZXjtIAU_OyTiLvkTs3MLRwC9hRF2MHBPLEqyNcrVQNVhgMXXbTpS6VNTYnlVWdpRzNZd4DQET-QvKI9SXh5H4neRZCNj5oQPC5bCQ0CL9PvJusHcQ1rEfAexN4i_VPKHpoIKSmmTMaQc5nVkkHpvzHVAnEgIT2pQQ_NtunOGHb1JIuWQ5WkHQ/w400-h300/jake%20rasch%20-%20peach.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pruning and training demo by Jake Rasch in planar 'V' peach system.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhkEM1OF1E3LxOtFNXQIb52vQ_WzaTHuhB7QzyO7DCdWknQxUiu03sN-if43aaLWCy9JsWa9CMb6RFgYh2ULG8OO5CsjBOejTAdQIEBdUBLOTUsgaKvisLjs15HfWLB6eKRfHdGgilVHpjS11QXIXrnlUmL0eeWO3ZU9U7CuW4eDQ5SeU8I5juwp3Bg/s1280/rasch-peach.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhkEM1OF1E3LxOtFNXQIb52vQ_WzaTHuhB7QzyO7DCdWknQxUiu03sN-if43aaLWCy9JsWa9CMb6RFgYh2ULG8OO5CsjBOejTAdQIEBdUBLOTUsgaKvisLjs15HfWLB6eKRfHdGgilVHpjS11QXIXrnlUmL0eeWO3ZU9U7CuW4eDQ5SeU8I5juwp3Bg/w400-h400/rasch-peach.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ugh! What now Jake Rasch?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>After BBQ lunch at a Riveridge pack house we re-assembled in an apple orchard newly aquired by <a href="https://www.ltiagresearch.com/" target="_blank">LTI (Let's Try It) Ag Research</a>. Hosted by LTI founder Tye Wittenbach and his righ-hand person Dan Zemaitis. LTI "was founded in 2021 by a group of like-minded industry professionals who identified a need for on-farm research in the apple industry. LTI will focus on membership-driven research of industry problems that face growers each season." The focus here at LTI was a just-planted "apple rootstock evaluation in a replant scenario." Two things stuck out to me: first, lots of replication but absolutely no randomization in terms of experimental design; and second, pretty lousy trees with very few branches. After the fact it's easy to criticise, but either at the nursery or when planted some effort should have been made to <a href="https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/fact-sheets/pdf/f-140_-_branching_young_apple_trees.pdf" target="_blank">promote braching in these young apple trees</a>. Now they are in a situation where they got to get some branches growing on older (2 or three years) wood, which is not easy. Much discusssion about ensued. Maybe it was exacerbated by the replant effect too? Whatever, I would not be happy if it was MY orchard...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjU9ynfBD_fTVn1CojKBlPxB1KgbVBRd4nc3vkUKH2ZR7onc6MdeenuO-KmechsUiX8repFBmw1Qj0gPdlWQwhKVOoFpioK_W-FI_iyn3BnuvxJHWUlkgsONY7VD_Ya3E7b9PweWghIhkfk2cIm58-d9-N7rXropsUAXzzGxq8gxbyYgc_rOBZmwO2w/s1280/lti3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjU9ynfBD_fTVn1CojKBlPxB1KgbVBRd4nc3vkUKH2ZR7onc6MdeenuO-KmechsUiX8repFBmw1Qj0gPdlWQwhKVOoFpioK_W-FI_iyn3BnuvxJHWUlkgsONY7VD_Ya3E7b9PweWghIhkfk2cIm58-d9-N7rXropsUAXzzGxq8gxbyYgc_rOBZmwO2w/w400-h300/lti3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LTI's 'Let's Try It' apple replant 'experiment.'</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqHrXdE3LYi3efhjByCIa21CvvJsZ_vJX5I-dsU5G8Ro3te5DyJr6A5R2r9ujyyl0A1Cbtg5PXKy5SXaVDvdiZKlCsEr8t6enrJBo_zUmOhedigYht9_zsjyHAMLgef6Idj2i3NqDyEC9Io4llEo9YAGdMMImvdXS3bJN85VCTwYdHwWMXRM_H_Wd9Q/s1280/lti2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqHrXdE3LYi3efhjByCIa21CvvJsZ_vJX5I-dsU5G8Ro3te5DyJr6A5R2r9ujyyl0A1Cbtg5PXKy5SXaVDvdiZKlCsEr8t6enrJBo_zUmOhedigYht9_zsjyHAMLgef6Idj2i3NqDyEC9Io4llEo9YAGdMMImvdXS3bJN85VCTwYdHwWMXRM_H_Wd9Q/w300-h400/lti2.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Where's the branches?" These trees at LTI were somewhat neglected in the nursery and in the first year in the orchard where some intervention (PGR's) could have helped prevent the blind wood seen here. </td></tr></tbody></table><p>Last stop of our day was J. Engelsma Orchard at <a href="https://www.applebarn.com/" target="_blank">Engelsma's Apple Cider Barn</a>, Michigan's best "blue ribbon" cider pressed fresh daily. Bridget Engelsma gave us a quick tour of the cidery, but then we followed Jim Engelsma out to a young block of Honeycrisp/B.9 trained to two leaders. I remember these "whip" trees were headed low at planting to get the two leaders, and now the struggle is to get to the top wire (at 9-10 feet) on that weak rootstock. Getting there, but not quite, and Jim admitted, might never happen. Jim's proposed pruning on these trees was done in a couple rows, mostly shortening "click" style pruning of last year's shoot growth to keep the trees planar and set flower buds closer to the trunk? At least that is what I took home, I think Jim's ultimate solution will be using a mechanical hedger with some annual dormant hand-pruning of bigger wood. Should be easy 😎</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoQNKyo09SqDW8UBnuYVwFloxysLDRDjWx7heqbF83Gwmqx6Q4BxUthtlZuHplVh2gndJADAMWwjVTyDTl3kd3Zncb0wpmiy0B9KB6VfzMs_Y27V04B5kYLQqhbHejlEOWozktY3Hw0g3jYuA8hXMsQ-DmGwIONnQwVRcnOesBoIPdrUc7MDpSdeyHg/s1280/engelsma1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoQNKyo09SqDW8UBnuYVwFloxysLDRDjWx7heqbF83Gwmqx6Q4BxUthtlZuHplVh2gndJADAMWwjVTyDTl3kd3Zncb0wpmiy0B9KB6VfzMs_Y27V04B5kYLQqhbHejlEOWozktY3Hw0g3jYuA8hXMsQ-DmGwIONnQwVRcnOesBoIPdrUc7MDpSdeyHg/w400-h300/engelsma1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a cold, frosty morning when Andre Tougas took this picture (thanks Andre!) of Jim Engelsma's bi-leader Honeycrisp/B.9 block</td></tr></tbody></table><p>OK, enought of me being "negative Nancy" (or so I am told), thanks to IFTA Education Director Greg Lang, the local Michigan State University crew (Amy Irish-Brown, Anna Wallis, Emily Lavely, Derek Plotkowski, Phil Schwallier [retired], and Todd Einhorn), and Ag Association Management (Shane, Shari, Bethany) for hosting, educating, and humoring all 300 or so of us IFTA'rs. Lest me not forget the couple of freeloaders on my tour bus looking for free food and a warm place to spend the day, they succeeded in pulling the wool over my eyes! 👻</p><p><br /></p></div>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-63575918918572603912023-01-16T14:58:00.004-05:002023-01-16T16:54:39.153-05:00PACMAN: Malusim vs. Fruit Growth model app vs. Farm Vision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6U4jYV2LTgeikX-A4ViuKJMSSBy_0OesG0twlAmUKozsY41ZUPnI4x5gzH7V700BiEL89H1AFkIFWu5vD4fFeqoYuarqeKYZMM86VkNOkyJR0Dvd7Bg2PFtzJfqsgVj6i_JC0MLxas7Y3szhR6RWQDdE6QQk8u26itPmBXnqDtIobw7M2G8knGn0UYw/s1710/Screenshot%202023-01-16%20at%204.52.58%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="1710" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6U4jYV2LTgeikX-A4ViuKJMSSBy_0OesG0twlAmUKozsY41ZUPnI4x5gzH7V700BiEL89H1AFkIFWu5vD4fFeqoYuarqeKYZMM86VkNOkyJR0Dvd7Bg2PFtzJfqsgVj6i_JC0MLxas7Y3szhR6RWQDdE6QQk8u26itPmBXnqDtIobw7M2G8knGn0UYw/w320-h93/Screenshot%202023-01-16%20at%204.52.58%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>Precision Apple Crop load MANagement (<a href="https://pacman.extension.org/" target="_blank">PACMAN)</a> is the topic of our time. Seriously, <a href="https://www.goodfruit.com/precision-crop-load-management-is-the-topic-of-our-time/" target="_blank">it is</a>. Although I have to be a jack of all trades (pest management included) my heart lies in horticulture. And technology. (Although I am no computer geek like some people think I am!) So, I have been interested in the fruitlet growth rate model per <a href="https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/pdf%2Cdoc%2Cppt/23279834_-_hortscience_development_of_a_fruitlet_growth_model_to_predict_thinner_response_on_apples.pdf" target="_blank">Duane Greene et al</a> for quite some time including onerous <a href="https://jmcextman.blogspot.com/2022/01/half-baked-research-2021-part-4-more.html " target="_blank">measuring of fruitlets for quite a few years</a>.</p><p>The fruitlet growth rate model is one part of PACMAN which also includes precision pruning, blossom thinning with caustics, chemical fruitlet thinning, and finally – if necessary – hand thinning. Why? Because, particularly when growing high value varieties like Honeycrisp – or where size matters even more, like Gala – it’s money you are otherwise leaving on the table. (Thanks Rod Farrow for that bit of wisdom).</p><p>So, carry on, here is what I did for PACMAN in 2022. My main objective was to compare the fruitlet growth rate model when measurements were put into <a href="https://malusim.org/" target="_blank">Malusim</a> (<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/malusim/id1433130788" target="_blank">MS app</a>) vs. the Ferri-Fruit Growth model <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fruit-growth/id1604255929" target="_blank">‘FG’ app</a>. In addition, and to make it more complicated of course, <a href="https://www.farm-vision.com/" target="_blank">Farm Vision</a> (FV) was in the mix. (And I later realized it’s a bit like comparing apples to oranges though. More on that later.) I’m going to lay it out here pretty tersely for you to digest and form your own opinion on the value of using the fruitlet growth rate model as part of your PACMAN strategy going forward. Which I do recommend, with caveats as you will see.</p><div>METHOD</div><p>At the UMass Orchard (UMO) I chose Gala, Fuji, and Honeycrisp. Per my <a href="https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/fact-sheets/hrt-recipe-predicting-fruit-set-using-fruitlet-growth-rate-model" target="_blank">RECIPE for predicting fruit set</a>, five representative trees were selected at bloom, number of flower clusters counted on each tree (for potential fruit set), fourteen flower clusters tagged per each of the five trees for fruitlet measurements beginning when fruitlets were app. 6-7 mm in size on 23-May and continuing subsequently on 26-May, 29-May, and lastly on 3-June, 2022. Unfortunately, although chemical thinners were applied, the details are sketchy and date of application(s) not included here for UMO.</p><p>Ditto for Tougas Family Farm (TFF) Northboro, MA for Gala and Honeycrisp, although over only three measurement dates: 21-May, 25-May, and 27-May, 2022. Here, chemical thinner application dates are noted in the results.</p><p>At both UMO and TFF, sometime between August and harvest the number of apples left on each tree were counted for the final fruit set. All make sense so far? Oh wait, on each measurement date I also did a Farm Vision (FV) scan using their provided equipment: smart phone, stereo video camera, and enhanced GPS location. And also did a final FV fruit scan to determine the fruit set in August.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXr1cwy18PM1F0lkSlpT-Rux9RqshaMzhFhddSkuXeFlIk8j06wH6a8mCkJRpHM_-gKQzOT1GSus68TYTn7bGwLDgefiOHWyzIPbj1WECFvaU9PkWm_KQWh_0cUrLhoco_qJQa08rE6mVvI6lpcSi1zn3tiX4XOW1R0tA9agBzW9L3V_rL9nb1pHa7w/s1280/FVscan060322.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXr1cwy18PM1F0lkSlpT-Rux9RqshaMzhFhddSkuXeFlIk8j06wH6a8mCkJRpHM_-gKQzOT1GSus68TYTn7bGwLDgefiOHWyzIPbj1WECFvaU9PkWm_KQWh_0cUrLhoco_qJQa08rE6mVvI6lpcSi1zn3tiX4XOW1R0tA9agBzW9L3V_rL9nb1pHa7w/w300-h400/FVscan060322.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FV scan on 3-Jun, 2022 at UMO, Fuji</td></tr></tbody></table><p>There, now the results are presented in both tabular and chart form (Figures 1. through 5.). Ought to be self-explanatory, but we will see 🙂 and more explanation will be included as it’s not always really pretty…</p><div>RESULTS</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7H0s1XuYTFvTkpojI9-2TRaa8K8v92lZYcp4bLVdgXVHf6kTZW7VvR4hQ3Pv2ybcTWW4VhHbvihcQ7iC45US3tKRB59GIxIQsqjiaH1OZSBTQJxAqieix2FWi-hmUlI3Wh53teuSy8yHBk7RLVxQz16sWAau76G0I6EL72aBEr0_G1K4pBEtJq1W81A/s1004/UMOgalatablechart.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1004" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7H0s1XuYTFvTkpojI9-2TRaa8K8v92lZYcp4bLVdgXVHf6kTZW7VvR4hQ3Pv2ybcTWW4VhHbvihcQ7iC45US3tKRB59GIxIQsqjiaH1OZSBTQJxAqieix2FWi-hmUlI3Wh53teuSy8yHBk7RLVxQz16sWAau76G0I6EL72aBEr0_G1K4pBEtJq1W81A/w400-h381/UMOgalatablechart.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 1. - Predicted fruit set Gala at UMO</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>A bit of explanation here which applies to all the Figures. There was one measurement date previous to all the initial measurement date(s) noted in Figure 1. (and Figures 2. through 5.). But that is not included because in Malusim there is no prediction. (No growth rate calculated on first measurement.) Otherwise, on the dates noted, those numbers in the tables are predicted fruit set (number of apples per tree) based on Malusim, the FGM app, and Farm Vision. Actual (count) in the Table was the number of apples hand counted (per tree) in mid-August. (Except for UMO Honeycrisp in mid-September.) Actual (FV scan) was what FV 'saw' on the trees mid-August. So you can compare that Actual fruit set to the Predicted fruit set on the last date of fruitlet measurements. Charts are table data visualized. All make sense now?</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Gala-specific at UMO (Figure 1.), these trees are on M.9 rootstock, fully mature, tall-spindle. Bloom was spotty but five trees with approximate equal (and good) bloom density were selected. The overall objective here was to compare Malusim and FGM app when the same numbers were used. You can see they differed a bit. Why? Measurements were made by different people (on at least one date), and that could have accounted for some 'increased' predicted fruit set noted on 29-May. (That should not happen!) Advice: same person should measure on each date to keep that source of measurement error down with more consistent measurement technique (hopefully). Farm Vision here was in the ball park. Oh, one more thing, not sure I am using the trend line appropriately, but I like it here...😉</div><div><br /></div><div>OK, onward with the rest of the RESULTS (Figures 2. through 5.), with brief variety-location-specific comments.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_7IyqJ-vQVycNctdXaOmlhUZC0gChCZ09ZY9TD1th4MmW8uM6ptaXzrXJPRpPkdhaGBpMRfW6Ve4JHqf6vvE3VmwLL85hb6W4jpNUm8Ry-Lw17cPOnH4UxEoSziWQlKCg0R0yeh29vF9s-OaBussyH98dvxdTWgoUmBvIWEqHzWuT1S2nDm7h5skFw/s1004/UMOfujitablechart.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1004" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_7IyqJ-vQVycNctdXaOmlhUZC0gChCZ09ZY9TD1th4MmW8uM6ptaXzrXJPRpPkdhaGBpMRfW6Ve4JHqf6vvE3VmwLL85hb6W4jpNUm8Ry-Lw17cPOnH4UxEoSziWQlKCg0R0yeh29vF9s-OaBussyH98dvxdTWgoUmBvIWEqHzWuT1S2nDm7h5skFw/w400-h381/UMOfujitablechart.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 2. - Predicted fruit set Fuji at UMO</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Same story as Gala here with these Fuji (M.9 rootstock), with that uptick of predicted fruit set on 29-May, different measurement people, student interns? Malusim and FGM app were quite different at the end (3-Jun), FGM being right on compared to Actual (count). I should note that Malusim has instituted some error correction and will exclude measurements deemed to be outside specific error limits (too large, too fast growth rate). Not sure I like it because I think at least here it might have been discarding measurements that were indeed valid? Not sure, but perception is reality? Again, Farm Vision, at least on the last measurement date, predicted more fruit setting than Actual. Is this necessarily a bad thing as some fruit will continue to fall off, June drop, etc. I told you it was a bit ugly, but I am not casting any shadows yet after just one season of evaluation of Farm Vision. (BTW, they are now part of <a href="https://pometa.io/" target="_blank">Meter Group/Pometa</a>.) </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZYiancn64UENsCIbpWmLYLCq3vsDFsRNPx02S8OivbYckmU1oAZev9nBA7g2MSf4CJ45nNVV1sdMFLm43qHtH5yw0bVRLnuUWjJ2auPvQfst2wIw9bRkVgv2vGvN6i8cmVKG3i7Y6XjgEEp_2pleopGbVt-sBD_PO4kESpdvnXMl4AAjz8VLl94Clw/s1004/UMOhoneycrisptablechart.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1004" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZYiancn64UENsCIbpWmLYLCq3vsDFsRNPx02S8OivbYckmU1oAZev9nBA7g2MSf4CJ45nNVV1sdMFLm43qHtH5yw0bVRLnuUWjJ2auPvQfst2wIw9bRkVgv2vGvN6i8cmVKG3i7Y6XjgEEp_2pleopGbVt-sBD_PO4kESpdvnXMl4AAjz8VLl94Clw/w400-h381/UMOhoneycrisptablechart.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 3. - Predicted fruit set Honeycrisp at UMO</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>At least Malusim, FGM app, and FV align pretty good here with these Honeycrisp on G.11 rootstock in their 9th-leaf. Actual (count) may be an underestimate as there were some drops which were not counted. But not so many to skew the results too badly IMHO.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksg2Z-BrcpOGuJyKXWl2MNM6xbRxY69w8L08rGI_j1kcL03-_prtgac1OZOV2o57u1nteeozu1FHczkUn_Hr7jhCbCaoeZR-mRurYY55iIPKlKvVV4du2GSlLav6pPB4wrGugrwYUD2HnJtIsAvs0jg-2h6XaveS3fMGoBW78hdro5bGNjleF6g4sSQ/s848/Screenshot%202023-01-16%20at%204.46.30%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="812" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksg2Z-BrcpOGuJyKXWl2MNM6xbRxY69w8L08rGI_j1kcL03-_prtgac1OZOV2o57u1nteeozu1FHczkUn_Hr7jhCbCaoeZR-mRurYY55iIPKlKvVV4du2GSlLav6pPB4wrGugrwYUD2HnJtIsAvs0jg-2h6XaveS3fMGoBW78hdro5bGNjleF6g4sSQ/w383-h400/Screenshot%202023-01-16%20at%204.46.30%20PM.png" width="383" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 4. Predicted fruit set Gala at TFF</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>At TFF there were only three (total) measurement dates for both Gala (Figure 4.) and Honeycrisp (Figure 5.). Hence only two dates of Predicted fruit set. These Gala were mature tall-spindles on G. 41. I do have some thinning information here, thinners were applied to these trees on 12-May (Promalin + AmidThin, bloom) and 20-May (Maxcel). But I was not worried about using the Predicted fruit set to help with thinning times and rates, at least here, where the objective was to just compare what the three tools were doing in predicting the fruit set. Got it?</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-4UCFlzlGCWidAhGc82hIsAYRTGBoejdpSjtWatk3l4iiLrT3cMWpw3vtqWlX4fYYnx5zSp6ZZNAtImKzN8ERPRZSnqiBm-5hLiwhbntV8N8MNxnNQ5rrUpzdl-Q0ljm8PBdGjPwYY0YSjSHng44FvejCcLOWnfm8RQLdjNigH8PE5mgEzoVUCfJFw/s848/Screenshot%202023-01-16%20at%204.46.45%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="812" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-4UCFlzlGCWidAhGc82hIsAYRTGBoejdpSjtWatk3l4iiLrT3cMWpw3vtqWlX4fYYnx5zSp6ZZNAtImKzN8ERPRZSnqiBm-5hLiwhbntV8N8MNxnNQ5rrUpzdl-Q0ljm8PBdGjPwYY0YSjSHng44FvejCcLOWnfm8RQLdjNigH8PE5mgEzoVUCfJFw/w383-h400/Screenshot%202023-01-16%20at%204.46.45%20PM.png" width="383" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 5. Predicted fruit set Honeycrisp at TFF</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Thinning regimen here on these Honeycrisp/G.41 was NAA (4 oz.) on 12-May, NAA (4 oz.) plus carbaryl (one pint) on 18-May, and NAA (2 oz.) on 27-May. No Farm Vision here, the equipment was not behaving properly. (Except for the Actual FVT scan.) Malusim and FGM app were close, but not close enough. As an aside, bitter pit was really bad in this light cropped block of Honeycrisp on G.41. Did I say G.41? (Friends don’t let friends plant Honeycrisp on G.41.) </div><div><br /></div><div>I have to say that 2022 was overall just plain weird, I mean the weather during the post-bloom period made chemical thinning applications a nail biting experience. What we saw and what happened kind of defied expectation. It was not a 'normal' year. (As if we ever have one?) Can't wait to see what 2023 brings... 😱</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">RECOMMENDATION</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There you go, make of it what you will, there is lots more to dive into. But, I do know this is what I would do: follow the <a href="https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/fact-sheets/hrt-recipe-predicting-fruit-set-using-fruitlet-growth-rate-model" target="_blank">RECIPE</a> using the FGM app. iPhone only unfortunately. Malusim has issues, although I do like the website interface. The app, not so much. But it does more than predict fruit set, and I hear it is being updated to include fixed voice input recognition in 2023. After the initial set up, it takes less than an hour (easily) to do the measurements (per variety per block) using the RECIPE instructions. Preferably with two people. And you get instant results via the FGM app, i.e. predicted fruit set to better inform further chemical thinning decisions. Period. One side effect often observed, is the actual physical process of measuring fruitlets gives better insight over time as to what is going on -- what is growing, and what is not -- that you otherwise get from simple observation from the truck window!</div><div><div>But, Farm Vision (now Meter Group/Pometa) has merits in its early stages. Plus it gives you a crop estimate later in the season for better harvest management. Lots of potential there, and it – or similar tools (FruitScout?) – are the future of precision apple crop load management. Well, then there are rovers and drones, but I don't go there, I let others. Flip-flop, check out <a href="https://www.orchard-robotics.com/" target="_blank">Orchard Robotics</a>. And here's a couple videos from Farm Vision you might get a kick out of. I did, reviewing them here in January 2023 when it is otherwise pretty bleak outside. Good luck in 2023...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CGzkWH6PUDE" width="320" youtube-src-id="CGzkWH6PUDE"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">UMass Orchard Gala - Farm Vision fruitlet scan on 26-May, 2022</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/CGzkWH6PUDE">https://youtu.be/CGzkWH6PUDE</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-rKWAHVqusY" width="320" youtube-src-id="-rKWAHVqusY"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Tougas Family Farm Gala - Farm Vision fruitlet scan on 25-May, 2022</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/-rKWAHVqusY">https://youtu.be/-rKWAHVqusY</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-51665092873218216732023-01-13T10:49:00.001-05:002023-01-13T15:53:54.493-05:00The FRUIT GROWTH (FG) app<p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The FRUIT GROWTH (FG) app by Joe Ferri – and mentored by his grower brother Tom of TK Ferri Orchard, The Blue Mountains, Ontario, CANADA – is an iPhone/iPad (only, no Android) app that does just what it says: predict apple fruit set based on the apple fruitlet growth rate model. Per the description on the App Store (</span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fruit-growth/id1604255929" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fruit-growth/id1604255929</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), the FG app features:</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-4faf0ee9-7fff-50db-f423-1f1d83553c8f"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Easy fruitlet size and cluster count input screens.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quick apple set prediction results screen.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Full results easily shared to email addresses and Mac computers.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Fruit Growth app accepts fruitlet sizes and cluster counts data to calculate the predicted number of apples that will be set.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The results are summarized in the calculated results screen. The full results Summary file (.csv) can be shared to an email address, internal device storage or air dropped to a Mac computer.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The fruitlet size Data file (.csv) can be shared for cut and paste to the Excel Fruit Growth Model (Ferri version).</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I used the FG app in 2022 to predict fruit set in two Gala blocks, two Honeycrisp blocks, and one Fuji block. (Across two orchards, results forthcoming in a pending Fruit Notes article.) I found it generally easy to use and once fruitlet growth measurements are made on a given date it gives instant results predicted fruit set so further chemical thinning decisions can be made. One feature of the FG app allows you to do a split tree (top and bottom) calculation predicting fruit set. As you probably know, fruit set is often better in the tops of trees vs. the bottom. Thus you can target and be more effective with your thinning sprays. Below are a few screenshots from my FG app in 2022 (Figs. 1 - 3), and there are a set of excellent screenshots on the App Store (</span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fruit-growth/id1604255929" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fruit-growth/id1604255929</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) so you can better understand how it works. For reference, per the Ferri’s, here are their specific notes on how to use the FG app once you download and install:</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c16a75b5-7fff-93bd-006a-f2a862c56a1a"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fruit Growth Model Notes (Rev 3.0.0)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Select a Variety - to input the fruitlet sizes (Fig. 2)</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Input the fruitlet size and </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enter </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">button</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For fruitlet size measurement accuracy of 0.5 mm (e.g. if 12 is entered 12.0 is stored, if 12. is entered 12.5 is stored)</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Note: Once all current measurements are completed, to advance for the next sample date and measurements push the blue right arrow next to the date</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When each tree fruitlet measurements are completed:</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enter Clusters</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> button - to input the number of clusters per tree</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Input the cluster count and </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enter</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> button</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If two people are counting the clusters, use the </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">+</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> button to add the counts</span></p></li></ul><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Note: To delete all the last sample fruitlet sizes and cluster counts push the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trash</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> button</span></span></span><div><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-9f875491-7fff-ef10-f54e-1066bf5650a5"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Add Variety</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> button (Fig. 1)</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enter the variety name</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Choose the number of trees to measure</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Choose the split or full tree option</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Clusters: Tree Bottom 1-6, Tree Top 7-14)</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Save button - save the file name and settings</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Manage Files</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> button (Fig. 1)</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Select a Variety</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Results</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> button - generate the results summary (Fig. 3)</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Share Summary</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> button- generate the full results summary .csv file</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Delete</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> button - permanently deleted the file</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Import Data</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> button - import a fruitlet size Data.csv file</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Share Data</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> button - generate the fruitlet size data .csv file</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(used to cut / paste into the Excel Fruit Growth Model (Ferri) version)</span></p></li></ul><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joe Ferri is actively updating the FG app, it is up to version 3.0.0. You can download from the App Store, it costs $17.99 but is money well spent. Alone, once set up (see my RECIPE for setting up your trees for using the FG app: </span><a href="https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/fact-sheets/hrt-recipe-predicting-fruit-set-using-fruitlet-growth-rate-model" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/fact-sheets/hrt-recipe-predicting-fruit-set-using-fruitlet-growth-rate-model</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) I can complete a set of measurements per variety/block on a given date in less than an hour. It would go quicker with two people, and you get instant results predicting the fruit set. How good is that?</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ztwHHGIHtDgemRiPtRCLejpC6vcJvXgq_CupORyRYgnjpSub23OMqdHS6WtlmT9z2kbNUlvwloVBa-FQjOAzeyqks5rPlpYraOpYRypbXPadIY5gSrHrEqoLo012kDMCpTHyYtHnKk6av83dJ1orQQFFFQUvFWxk3e9Jj3E0evsWDRDI65UbtBvD9w/s1280/ferriscreenshotvariety.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="592" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ztwHHGIHtDgemRiPtRCLejpC6vcJvXgq_CupORyRYgnjpSub23OMqdHS6WtlmT9z2kbNUlvwloVBa-FQjOAzeyqks5rPlpYraOpYRypbXPadIY5gSrHrEqoLo012kDMCpTHyYtHnKk6av83dJ1orQQFFFQUvFWxk3e9Jj3E0evsWDRDI65UbtBvD9w/w185-h400/ferriscreenshotvariety.jpeg" width="185" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-61046b21-7fff-5930-ce22-b27c1a574dfa"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fig. 1 - FG app iPhone screen “Add Variety/Manage Files”</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsebTtm4DoODjtaZxVeFQpaXs5vDPzlV4rhCwLvU5Z2ngZ_bkTdvcFF1rK-iABDEz8UIBU2PEmSrfAkVmMMmOCbgfbuf9MqPeZUz3XOJ3LHtqCvJH-_4mT7ETWNQeVPJqeQqjWTWVSagAKk6_yh7tCTOwAIL8eu-LMVOKqs-mOuL4lzL-uIfPsYZrwFg/s1280/ferriscreenshotinput.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="592" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsebTtm4DoODjtaZxVeFQpaXs5vDPzlV4rhCwLvU5Z2ngZ_bkTdvcFF1rK-iABDEz8UIBU2PEmSrfAkVmMMmOCbgfbuf9MqPeZUz3XOJ3LHtqCvJH-_4mT7ETWNQeVPJqeQqjWTWVSagAKk6_yh7tCTOwAIL8eu-LMVOKqs-mOuL4lzL-uIfPsYZrwFg/w185-h400/ferriscreenshotinput.jpeg" width="185" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-54bd1aca-7fff-779a-8549-ddc9d4b89e14"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fig. 2 - FG app iPhone screen “Enter measurements”</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighLIV7BLYeVn6_cgDXRTZE2glGhchzc37BNhVbSWjOviQ9jtK1_mfQ8E0g2zE20KaGG3Bkqf5sPMKgiLnNhg4L_zK72yYWRfc0miuR1azH6vfjafO49rhvYmP8mzVJsOwpuLgXoEMoUlH9ANlrdzu9kEvJn-UXPFp3B1A72wwnR2iP4Vgs4YGeRDfcw/s1280/ferriscreenshotresults.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="592" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighLIV7BLYeVn6_cgDXRTZE2glGhchzc37BNhVbSWjOviQ9jtK1_mfQ8E0g2zE20KaGG3Bkqf5sPMKgiLnNhg4L_zK72yYWRfc0miuR1azH6vfjafO49rhvYmP8mzVJsOwpuLgXoEMoUlH9ANlrdzu9kEvJn-UXPFp3B1A72wwnR2iP4Vgs4YGeRDfcw/w185-h400/ferriscreenshotresults.jpeg" width="185" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4c254b8b-7fff-4381-0a20-4cc89256fb8e"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fig 3. - FG app iPhone screen “Results”</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-32248359770082773712022-12-05T14:06:00.005-05:002022-12-22T16:36:04.647-05:00#iftaitaly2022<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzVYfS4m47woeClpn8DjWrlVbuKhYuhmJu8Hvo7htLObB23GV_avjWnqSOQz3GKmZ9t32zoMNUN8kDH0QC4VLhIKlc-zueDLjy5wdG7IvWLcM-6pqnaWLo3yXj0jjWmZrte3vx-W2H1WWUkNEXST_kKlBH90RviZLSDYSgzBQRCNVHwGuVHzRCGlyBQ/s1280/Screenshot%202022-12-05%20at%2012.03.45%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="918" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzVYfS4m47woeClpn8DjWrlVbuKhYuhmJu8Hvo7htLObB23GV_avjWnqSOQz3GKmZ9t32zoMNUN8kDH0QC4VLhIKlc-zueDLjy5wdG7IvWLcM-6pqnaWLo3yXj0jjWmZrte3vx-W2H1WWUkNEXST_kKlBH90RviZLSDYSgzBQRCNVHwGuVHzRCGlyBQ/w144-h200/Screenshot%202022-12-05%20at%2012.03.45%20PM.png" width="144" /></a><b>W</b>ow, my third International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA) event in 2022. <a href="https://jmcextman.blogspot.com/2022/02/ifta-22nd-annual-conference-hershey-pa.html" target="_blank">Annual Conference in </a><span><a href="https://jmcextman.blogspot.com/2022/02/ifta-22nd-annual-conference-hershey-pa.html" target="_blank">Hershey, PA</a> in February, <a href="https://jmcextman.blogspot.com/2022/08/its-takeover.html" target="_blank">Summer Tour in Washington</a> in July, and now just back (as I start wring this anyways) from </span><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z1fj1jPeqiq-R1rlqETit8dD5n3ZAYKE/view" target="_blank">Italy Study Tour</a><span>, November 11-19. And we covered a lot of ground -- Bologna, to Venice, to Bolzano, to Milan. Some orchard visits but a good dose of bus time, tourist stops, and trade shows. I posted a real time highlight from each orchard stop on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IFruitTree" target="_blank">IFTA Facebook page</a>, I will bounce off those with more detail here, including a bit of one tourist stop for your entertainment.</span></div><p>Starting off in Bologna, spent a day at <a href="https://www.eima.it/en/" target="_blank">EIMA International 22</a>, the International Agriculture and Gardening Machinery Exhibition. Simply huge, mostly indoors, many themed buildings. I found a couple toys I wanted, of course I have no money, but it was fun looking. I should mention on arriving in Bologna we -- approximately 150 of us on the Study Tour -- were treated to a visit and dinner at <a href="https://www.fico.it/en" target="_blank">FICO Eataly World</a>. No, not misspelled, apparently Eataly's are a thing that originated in Italy (Eataly, Italy, get it)? <a href="https://www.eataly.com/us_en/stores/" target="_blank">Eataly's are in major USA cities</a> too, including an online store. Who would've known?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG98vmJ8NIBSEFSIqG7x8TOfECvQDE2JcKxc6bpvm7psBR4KdVihPQ97S8ja9JQmh-WclfK5WPY6Pgvte8q_UxxtpB1v_Rl6cPKML-Gg5HHZuq_KUEXj2XDk6Wwdrv9FvMInXYfJIvzCBO1eaMEDyiQBEZO-QZYWn_zbxHv3DMCtz1sFaydTbbPRfaWQ/s3399/eima123.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="3399" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG98vmJ8NIBSEFSIqG7x8TOfECvQDE2JcKxc6bpvm7psBR4KdVihPQ97S8ja9JQmh-WclfK5WPY6Pgvte8q_UxxtpB1v_Rl6cPKML-Gg5HHZuq_KUEXj2XDk6Wwdrv9FvMInXYfJIvzCBO1eaMEDyiQBEZO-QZYWn_zbxHv3DMCtz1sFaydTbbPRfaWQ/w400-h113/eima123.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little boy in toy store?</td></tr></tbody></table><p>While still in Bologna, in lieu of spending another day at EIMA, I chose to go with Greg Lang (IFTA Education Director) and a sub-group of circa 40 grower-attendees to (one of) the University of Bologna research farm(s). First stop with Assistant Professor Luigi “GiGi” Manfrini was to look at various peach multi-leader/variety training blocks. Hmmm, interesting, I have to say there were a lot of questions here, not always answered, but our host definitely expressed some frustration with tree establishment and getting those many-leaders (certainly called UFO in stone fruit?) going at uniform spacing and size. I got the impression it was a hands-on experiment. IMHO peaches will be a challenge growing anything other than some kind of 2-4-6 scaffold steep leader because I think they largely grow like "weeds."</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68_HlAUQEFHNEZjUPKy4ln6UHuR31JYlM40eoI06ArzJ0GyPZ0LNyyPfLRPuWu3sBQtajaCi2tGBDeq71VLjE097pYCHWTBFqAfMcSi81ZfSdrq47kROjE748iU5hYi--ZKUPdYdGHS56kY8bcdH7QREUgUJsFAVKHqtgz1wj9aKxM4ce3wjTec42ug/s1280/gigi-peach.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68_HlAUQEFHNEZjUPKy4ln6UHuR31JYlM40eoI06ArzJ0GyPZ0LNyyPfLRPuWu3sBQtajaCi2tGBDeq71VLjE097pYCHWTBFqAfMcSi81ZfSdrq47kROjE748iU5hYi--ZKUPdYdGHS56kY8bcdH7QREUgUJsFAVKHqtgz1wj9aKxM4ce3wjTec42ug/w400-h300/gigi-peach.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GiGi in the multi-leader peach experiment</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We also looked at some apples, first with Professor Luca Corelli Grappadelli, an experimental block of trees where the primary objective was disease control (scab and fire blight) by covering the orchard thus eliminating "wetness." Unsure how successful it was, but I did notice wooly apple aphid seems to love that protected environment. Corelli also showed us a rover/robot with autonomous navigation they are working on with an industry partner, purported to have multi-functionality (sensors, flail mowing, etc.) and there was some discussion with him and GiGi about a "smart specialized sustainable" orchard. And GiGi showed us a multi-leader (UFO or 'guyotte') apple system trial, it looked pretty good, I am thinking UFO looks better in apples than stone fruit? And, first detecting a theme here, the sustainable smart orchard and multi-leader trees, we/you will see more...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpX9OsVUJtCC9VW-hFrn65Vrm7d4zrAD9Q8F8tR-WVae5OSYK7FvkpsJDa6cltoHMzO3sVu9phcNpR0SduYL-nsQgbUk99kr7SBoXD7BhNzs_gVy0Bwui3qkARTWhv1uLAUSqTOGugfpwnvgKIeOwQPdtr5FYsiYqbRBVL_uNqmcaFzqmek_kB3aLlcg/s1280/corelli-apple.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpX9OsVUJtCC9VW-hFrn65Vrm7d4zrAD9Q8F8tR-WVae5OSYK7FvkpsJDa6cltoHMzO3sVu9phcNpR0SduYL-nsQgbUk99kr7SBoXD7BhNzs_gVy0Bwui3qkARTWhv1uLAUSqTOGugfpwnvgKIeOwQPdtr5FYsiYqbRBVL_uNqmcaFzqmek_kB3aLlcg/w400-h300/corelli-apple.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Luca Corelli Grappadelli in the covered apple orchard</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpd3fmXrFL_PhdaraFI6OXWCB3iaBfzbyiuJTesdjN4ZfnyFIUsf5bS-aVyN8EGFyZTbCIRSvLyoIMqrNSlAKUavmd5cYLa667Zo_a0B51vnFA5dPEp57k8_uBJek1BRj65ZOrLyG2B6q4lTkjLTmn5i4IJRjaWXuH2VcHAKEENhEpdurwd9FuUI6kcw/s1280/gigi-apple.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpd3fmXrFL_PhdaraFI6OXWCB3iaBfzbyiuJTesdjN4ZfnyFIUsf5bS-aVyN8EGFyZTbCIRSvLyoIMqrNSlAKUavmd5cYLa667Zo_a0B51vnFA5dPEp57k8_uBJek1BRj65ZOrLyG2B6q4lTkjLTmn5i4IJRjaWXuH2VcHAKEENhEpdurwd9FuUI6kcw/w400-h300/gigi-apple.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GiGi shows us his nice multi-leader apple trees</td></tr></tbody></table><p>OK, enough of Bologna, departed and on way to Venice we did a couple orchard stops. First a cherry variety/training system by <a href="https://www.salvivivai.it/?lang=en" target="_blank">Salvi Vivai nursery</a>. It was interesting, and I could relate, but not sure what my take-home is/was? Makes me want to grow cherries again, but planting them very close together (SSA?) and on Gisela 3 or 5 rootstocks (depending on variety)? (Note to self: don't be a glutton for punishment, just-don't-do-it!) </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjAezWR1TRYLjeBPRksydmaMleSPebAvTd35DTPq7v4_NRfmPOhwCoVz2PylMSNLzeStHie-KpBTFebwYXqdC0-1WgI7tLInEb4ttLMOOIeD4q5Pzd4dMZfN45vlVrsocRp5NLwq6Ts1OCZmU6IcRkmKF5gA3nmVFncCY3YkfQK4hcbjauxcbZu07NQ/s1280/SalviVivai.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjAezWR1TRYLjeBPRksydmaMleSPebAvTd35DTPq7v4_NRfmPOhwCoVz2PylMSNLzeStHie-KpBTFebwYXqdC0-1WgI7tLInEb4ttLMOOIeD4q5Pzd4dMZfN45vlVrsocRp5NLwq6Ts1OCZmU6IcRkmKF5gA3nmVFncCY3YkfQK4hcbjauxcbZu07NQ/w400-h300/SalviVivai.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacopa Diamanti shows us Salvi Vivia's cherry experiment</td></tr></tbody></table><p>And then a significant planting of 'Rosy Glow' Pink Lady (Cripps Pink cv.) which had not been harvested yet. (Or it might have been first picked?) This was at the <a href="https://en.mazzonigroup.com/agricultural-production/" target="_blank">Mazzoni Group</a>, a large multi-crop agriculture farm and fruit tree nursery. Again with some different training systems, bi-baum, guyotte(?), etc. Sorry for lacking detail here. I could not help wonder with the heavy crop load if there would be return bloom? Interestingly, fruit cracking was a significant issue, I assume because of the rather wet spring and early summer weather they seem to have? It was worse they said in tops of trees.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6Y4km9z4k5fUMvMFFAGVAsTMwbx0OKcgYT6gQAJP6IidycfjLB3BeUTYfK_9NKQ9UdUv7vuedRCZANS6p7eZr9Oc5ipAgUJ6OfrqCTq1dHLGTwEi4BHua1ZZxvBwOP-ny8c04KnE4i8HrQPIMLmgjyrox3eLHuiy9KsXv4dcWxNwcJG3Ppu4FafwgQ/s1280/Mazzoni%3F.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6Y4km9z4k5fUMvMFFAGVAsTMwbx0OKcgYT6gQAJP6IidycfjLB3BeUTYfK_9NKQ9UdUv7vuedRCZANS6p7eZr9Oc5ipAgUJ6OfrqCTq1dHLGTwEi4BHua1ZZxvBwOP-ny8c04KnE4i8HrQPIMLmgjyrox3eLHuiy9KsXv4dcWxNwcJG3Ppu4FafwgQ/w400-h300/Mazzoni%3F.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mazzoni's Michele Gerin starts our tour of their large orchard, mostly Pink Lady and Fuji still on the trees<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPWpa1PgPmtSGIiIknk8o_-JpgIoGbXkDEF-fLxEwpXLmUe00q2CvL3pvI-b5b5QTUywyu6kdksMKZ7i4C36NetxARmFqr_lxQS3bOyTKOjw3wwHBIcVsk2fYwgB_W_lrO___sUZEsjTXXPmO9E1XORVGZ6i_e1cRHcguy1u9xH1lxQAJj69pL2paUA/s1280/mazzoni1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="1280" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPWpa1PgPmtSGIiIknk8o_-JpgIoGbXkDEF-fLxEwpXLmUe00q2CvL3pvI-b5b5QTUywyu6kdksMKZ7i4C36NetxARmFqr_lxQS3bOyTKOjw3wwHBIcVsk2fYwgB_W_lrO___sUZEsjTXXPmO9E1XORVGZ6i_e1cRHcguy1u9xH1lxQAJj69pL2paUA/w400-h95/mazzoni1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Rosy Glow' Pink Lady experimental/production block covered with hail net</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bNpUwbW74bfK7Jw00Okm0cZRwqD0AY2O5AXVClemL7fbTzb9uK-FnGNnUbD4PQUHHiyaPMRwarR9yJrcR1MOlnE2T0p0ZYYEKmhrSb1eVNuDtpJqEL6ZyevWcbjnhHjrm_IPJ37eISEl9BX0za76v26QdwmIFAejkHXeGng0LeShT-09dZsU8J96OA/s1920/mazzoni2and3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bNpUwbW74bfK7Jw00Okm0cZRwqD0AY2O5AXVClemL7fbTzb9uK-FnGNnUbD4PQUHHiyaPMRwarR9yJrcR1MOlnE2T0p0ZYYEKmhrSb1eVNuDtpJqEL6ZyevWcbjnhHjrm_IPJ37eISEl9BX0za76v26QdwmIFAejkHXeGng0LeShT-09dZsU8J96OA/w400-h266/mazzoni2and3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crop load not as heavy as I thought, but I don't like that cracking!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>In the afternoon, we visited <a href="https://civ.it/" target="_blank">C.I.V. - Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti</a>, apple and strawberry breeders "we enhance nature" and nursery. Think CIVG 198 Modi®. Oh, what can I say? Focusing on "sweet and sustainable" varieties. I'd say half or more of the new apples they showed us were scab-resistant. We taste-tested a dozen or so new apple varieties in their <a href="https://civ.it/apples/" target="_blank">portfolio</a>, many of them numbered so not in orchard production yet. They ranged from "meh" to "pretty good." And got a look at some of their larger plantings for variety evaluation. We could look but not touch... 😎</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuvFvjhK-niYxZ9Lix03U1wA5WFaaiVSV-8IPitAjW4r8jVYXrR69z8pPy6OD4jCNllmnFSf83KWZgmp2F166PG82Kn4maHXHjg58Rrep351WVX2SUY7IajUX0FFSu4YPLlKQysGjGBRptBtlWNspoxBeFFO8pcf1o_2T_9NUl4Sjv15zFwPmr5y5KQ/s2560/CIV1and2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="2560" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuvFvjhK-niYxZ9Lix03U1wA5WFaaiVSV-8IPitAjW4r8jVYXrR69z8pPy6OD4jCNllmnFSf83KWZgmp2F166PG82Kn4maHXHjg58Rrep351WVX2SUY7IajUX0FFSu4YPLlKQysGjGBRptBtlWNspoxBeFFO8pcf1o_2T_9NUl4Sjv15zFwPmr5y5KQ/w400-h150/CIV1and2.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CIV's Marzio Zaccarini leads us in apple variety tasting and tour of variety field evaluation orchard</td></tr></tbody></table><p>So then, a free day in Venice. While in Venice, one must row to get around, seriously, there are no roads on the island of Venice. So how about a <a href="https://rowvenice.org/rv-cichetto-row/" target="_blank">Cicchetto Row</a> with <a href="https://rowvenice.org/" target="_blank">Row Venice</a> and these four jolly rowers, left to right -- Nan, our instructor, not unlike a Marine drill sargeant who was always on your case about your rowing technique, high five! 😅 -- and Marge, Molly, and Nicky. We all got the rowing down for a good 5 minutes straight (w/o being corrected by Nan!), rowing our way to some Prosecco, wine, and Cicchetto from a local bàcaro...or two!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBHhDpySJgdMNiPXctu-rexn-c8QRrqPNkX2wM9-CGsQ88khb2RKhSTTIYVqogpbrU7qFhLWGteQ1TMCVCMKc3AI9H9gYtemjCYS1vOLNcPL5fz4PaeNvYWYgKjgwqz-CoPrMZ-5zZWTWs1wqE5H7rgG7V6pNrSQFNZjYu4J3SlN2k--ejUKAzkkdmw/s2235/rowvenice1&2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="2235" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBHhDpySJgdMNiPXctu-rexn-c8QRrqPNkX2wM9-CGsQ88khb2RKhSTTIYVqogpbrU7qFhLWGteQ1TMCVCMKc3AI9H9gYtemjCYS1vOLNcPL5fz4PaeNvYWYgKjgwqz-CoPrMZ-5zZWTWs1wqE5H7rgG7V6pNrSQFNZjYu4J3SlN2k--ejUKAzkkdmw/w400-h173/rowvenice1&2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nan and the Row Venice crew</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndU842od057Wi_IF6CEX8vu2XpVIhNgQDj9C26y0gOHmaSxFGSfogEoqBN74pweHNZc1F5wmbfEM-zvOUkwypE-2O7JmpfDXSbjytkD6szp-TGWPh7235UyOi-HpxaeIF4p5NzyD391lS2j-FDFBtZUGCHJ-TapOm-Qt_fEFitK7YVGN-oXHO9F0vyQ/s2145/molly-nicky-marge-cicchetto.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="2145" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndU842od057Wi_IF6CEX8vu2XpVIhNgQDj9C26y0gOHmaSxFGSfogEoqBN74pweHNZc1F5wmbfEM-zvOUkwypE-2O7JmpfDXSbjytkD6szp-TGWPh7235UyOi-HpxaeIF4p5NzyD391lS2j-FDFBtZUGCHJ-TapOm-Qt_fEFitK7YVGN-oXHO9F0vyQ/w400-h179/molly-nicky-marge-cicchetto.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicky, Molly, and Marge enjoy the Cicchetto</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Departing Venice headed to Bolzano, we had a choice of going on a just apples (Jeff Cleveringa lead) or an apple-cherry tour (Greg Lang lead). Actually being a glutton for punishment, I chose the apple-cherry tour. Sorry, lacking many details here, but I will do my best. First stop was an experimental orchard site that (apparently) was a collaboration of Societa Cooperative Agricola and the <a href="https://www.fmach.it/eng" target="_blank">Edmund Mach Foundation</a>, which "promotes and carries out research, scientific experiments, education and training activities as well as providing technical assistance and extension services to companies." We got a talk about apple production practices in the Trento region from Tommaso Pantezzi, Centro Trasferimento Tecnologico, Fondazione Edmund Mach – Instituto Agrario San Michele all’Adige, and Nicola Andreatti, from Fondazione Edmund Mach. (It might, however, be the grower whose orchard we were in according to Greg Lang?) Also, we saw MORE multi-leader 'guyotte' style apple trees!<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fGaqSoi9wiUleHw_yQ1Fs806TCmNGlbMOVrrEMlsdfSy75NR2svhuZKxDv0oUhnwP8WNlsn2wydJ95xjpu5cf6Wha-Jnu4tD0Tezyf7jCa7Xot6H9m9aC3s97Fjcxf53TPHWzS7HZXi2Q8SnsloKNWTu5j_Kk-rAIxYhelSuJaE5_Wc8LhtTfHWlJA/s1920/VtoB,%20apple-cherry%20stop%201and2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1920" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fGaqSoi9wiUleHw_yQ1Fs806TCmNGlbMOVrrEMlsdfSy75NR2svhuZKxDv0oUhnwP8WNlsn2wydJ95xjpu5cf6Wha-Jnu4tD0Tezyf7jCa7Xot6H9m9aC3s97Fjcxf53TPHWzS7HZXi2Q8SnsloKNWTu5j_Kk-rAIxYhelSuJaE5_Wc8LhtTfHWlJA/w400-h200/VtoB,%20apple-cherry%20stop%201and2.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomasso Pantezzi and Nicola Andretti inform on apple production practices in Trento region including here a producting multi-leader block</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div>For the cherry stop, up the road a ways, we were (after a long hike uphill) hosted by Angela Gottardell, Centro Trasferimento Tecnologico, Fondazione Edmund Mach – Instituto Agrario San Michele all’Adige in a cherry systems trial. The usual suspects, spindle, bi-axis, KGB (Kym Green Bush), and SSA (super slender axe). Looked like SSA and bi-axis were outperforming (in terms of cumulative production) the KGB and spindle. Would have been very interesting to see these trees pre-harvest, hint, maybe a summer tour to Italy is called for?</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaewpdDwMQjHY0BuZOZrI0txL8wWXESnGPksritmL5arRRPXQSp0A8C1FNOXPWXd5v3-g1jo8hw_WRNyxFUf7SPBLP8v0_QhJO0nGlSF3fwq9XsTrlubT0ETADV558pgGPr-Ogig0m_a50ukNQrQyQKNTP8W8kRgfKDFqNLSyw9RkIPwUIQ8Qur8YqZQ/s2432/VtoB%20cherry%20stop1and2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="2432" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaewpdDwMQjHY0BuZOZrI0txL8wWXESnGPksritmL5arRRPXQSp0A8C1FNOXPWXd5v3-g1jo8hw_WRNyxFUf7SPBLP8v0_QhJO0nGlSF3fwq9XsTrlubT0ETADV558pgGPr-Ogig0m_a50ukNQrQyQKNTP8W8kRgfKDFqNLSyw9RkIPwUIQ8Qur8YqZQ/w400-h158/VtoB%20cherry%20stop1and2.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angela Gottardell hosted and explained results at a stop in a cherry systems researchrch block</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div><br /></div><div>Last orchard stop before landing in Bozano was the <a href="https://www.laimburg.it/en/" target="_blank">Laimburg Research Centre</a>. After an introduction by Dr. Walter Guerra head of the Institute for Fruit Growing and Viticulture, three research orchard block vists stood out. First, the <a href="https://lido.laimburg.it/en/" target="_blank">Laimburg Integrated Digital Orchard</a>, LIDO for short. Not to be confused with LIDAR, LIDO is an outdoor orchard 'laboratory' focusing on "the latest, state-of-the-art technology available on the market." Just planted with 'Rosy Glow' Pink Lady trained as 'guyotrees' the orchard was equipped with all sorts of sensors communicating over a long range low power wireless network. Also an overhead, fixed spraying set up for pest control. Checked all my boxes. Next a robotic harvester was a big hit with the group, however, it was in a test stage demo mode, yup, it picked apples. That's all I can say. Far more interesting to me was the training system demo by Dr. Christian Andergassen, fruit physiologist at Laimburg. There he was comparing apple yield and quality of Fuji and Pink Lady apples grown to traditional (for Italy) tall-spindle vs. various multi-leader approaches, including 'bi-baum' and 'guyotree.' Bottom line through the early production years? Fruit quality and yield was superior in the many-leader 'guyotree' system. He pointed out, however, that it depends on variety, Fuji being more vigorous and being less suitable to many leaders than Pink Lady. I think anyways...</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgz6vweX9CRybVzxHApc60hCLVdnmR7IPqHexCQ9u8bxEtpGZE1JMA0ECuRw0iZLLFRUvptU3LLzJ3iQX_jHlnvgQNM6n_CPNMbLkYDtXZM0YAEqFD7kqQ6DSravOYK-VJELkIETmOkdo0kXirV9WSTCKgVsUEDKRWaxBgFEQ_Fr2-uo62r085Ln6hw/s1401/laimburg1&2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1401" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgz6vweX9CRybVzxHApc60hCLVdnmR7IPqHexCQ9u8bxEtpGZE1JMA0ECuRw0iZLLFRUvptU3LLzJ3iQX_jHlnvgQNM6n_CPNMbLkYDtXZM0YAEqFD7kqQ6DSravOYK-VJELkIETmOkdo0kXirV9WSTCKgVsUEDKRWaxBgFEQ_Fr2-uo62r085Ln6hw/w400-h274/laimburg1&2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LIDO, the Laimburg Integrated Digital Orchard, an outdoor laboratory</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ovSR_JmvMCc" width="320" youtube-src-id="ovSR_JmvMCc"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sQpbeCTv7f6gtnhxZ3Ctqv_YFylkab8D8hUntkxOzslBJS0Wj29jQdOSpexFQFZFrYkfCXcFIL2vOIG5mk0W9JQQp40J9cK5Ff4xZcYsy4zx5INrWFlAoOBCUbpcBtBd4gjf5ubVGOglOTkkRFhNEYTdU7oE4zCx6iSJTXSuaKNAz41i-HQdTEN6KA/s2118/laimburg-christian-ufo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="2118" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sQpbeCTv7f6gtnhxZ3Ctqv_YFylkab8D8hUntkxOzslBJS0Wj29jQdOSpexFQFZFrYkfCXcFIL2vOIG5mk0W9JQQp40J9cK5Ff4xZcYsy4zx5INrWFlAoOBCUbpcBtBd4gjf5ubVGOglOTkkRFhNEYTdU7oE4zCx6iSJTXSuaKNAz41i-HQdTEN6KA/w400-h181/laimburg-christian-ufo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Christian Andergassen in his Laimburg multi-leader apple experiment</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>So, we finally made it to <a href="https://www.fierabolzano.it/en/interpoma/home" target="_blank">Interpoma 2022</a>, the apple trade show. Words can't quite describe, suffice it to say it is THE International trade show about all things apple and pear, but of course with a focus on what's going on Italy-centric. I should do a word cloud about Interpoma. Wait, maybe I will! Followed by a few picts from the venue, Fiere Bolzano...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBmV4VkARVHhEPCmXKkXM3dzhG116ODsm9YT9VsYfzKiyr2oJY8s807M8o8ufWK-V5t5eJDNXLhrwP3ZsQEd6eg8BICbd2ppf7dlbvtdWKyR3Cs6NL-944JNwchdowRg7kCMAJP2QS72P9iboOHiSRCu29YnsdIh5V9SfyQIPL0LrRD_7QekkdJPPXQ/s2144/Screenshot%202022-12-05%20at%2012.32.40%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="2144" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBmV4VkARVHhEPCmXKkXM3dzhG116ODsm9YT9VsYfzKiyr2oJY8s807M8o8ufWK-V5t5eJDNXLhrwP3ZsQEd6eg8BICbd2ppf7dlbvtdWKyR3Cs6NL-944JNwchdowRg7kCMAJP2QS72P9iboOHiSRCu29YnsdIh5V9SfyQIPL0LrRD_7QekkdJPPXQ/w400-h208/Screenshot%202022-12-05%20at%2012.32.40%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygN49OmOI2Ka7zXV_vrBfCcBS7do9R6d8bS1J-GDN0v12CG19NzOSQz2T1vL131TpONwJ9sn8T2ygDpPqxzdvD-FvpAmZzHgvqwRPX41FjDKcUkih7q_pqQ_GbkG3EvnoEhQIq_9Q1Wyn3Khm2E37BfF46AtaLozgx8bIijOvTE6By9A9zNPb_XFhfA/s1280/interpoma1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygN49OmOI2Ka7zXV_vrBfCcBS7do9R6d8bS1J-GDN0v12CG19NzOSQz2T1vL131TpONwJ9sn8T2ygDpPqxzdvD-FvpAmZzHgvqwRPX41FjDKcUkih7q_pqQ_GbkG3EvnoEhQIq_9Q1Wyn3Khm2E37BfF46AtaLozgx8bIijOvTE6By9A9zNPb_XFhfA/s320/interpoma1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What could go wrong? Everything!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wWJPLMMKnI4" width="320" youtube-src-id="wWJPLMMKnI4"></iframe></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqV1yoMV8cU6aIpH3BDMbPXHPGmngS3v0Xgr8o-M1iXTeFZvoTUFGuT2UOfxJi8mGL8di_v98iMrltttennTjWQRcOyrG6ybsbyagGA5pCPFtlVkTDwE_6QvS-2w-qUHtgtHckee2HfbPQ8xet8HA6OqDWAppp2NkQmFmsyu2WYid4NJ5A2Fj01dIbMA/s1280/interpoma2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqV1yoMV8cU6aIpH3BDMbPXHPGmngS3v0Xgr8o-M1iXTeFZvoTUFGuT2UOfxJi8mGL8di_v98iMrltttennTjWQRcOyrG6ybsbyagGA5pCPFtlVkTDwE_6QvS-2w-qUHtgtHckee2HfbPQ8xet8HA6OqDWAppp2NkQmFmsyu2WYid4NJ5A2Fj01dIbMA/s320/interpoma2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The apple variety "garden" at Interpoma</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrY53qZHY_Yx3yobj5BQAXeazzgKd0sNL1PvsHgqtvZa0ILkZkiwK1-a6zX2ar2sTLjMtZ_B79wUvKMUZb5D7_ieDufnoQacB9cLWtM8VCXiSEhVSX27GiIZgPJhFXXVokHwNDbAlDiO7YQJBdvozcR_m1L71MPVZGo_8wUXGAlfphQQF2AlUBAsbKFQ/s2560/vikram-kunnal-jon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="2560" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrY53qZHY_Yx3yobj5BQAXeazzgKd0sNL1PvsHgqtvZa0ILkZkiwK1-a6zX2ar2sTLjMtZ_B79wUvKMUZb5D7_ieDufnoQacB9cLWtM8VCXiSEhVSX27GiIZgPJhFXXVokHwNDbAlDiO7YQJBdvozcR_m1L71MPVZGo_8wUXGAlfphQQF2AlUBAsbKFQ/w400-h163/vikram-kunnal-jon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch at Interpoma with my orchard friends from India, Vikram and Kunaal. Thanks guys!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fTa2ovO6ERvynSa3nXLIhZzl7XO_tK4ky_7Vjf2FVLVg6-jj_0ut1MzCgv6DzTpHkCLSy8aNqHvNjuuvDXE-cO-JENJg5v5mH2lgqx0bgG4-Ja4Rk_jt_-Rnft7CRsUab2j74yF8zIdcOGVGXKZt2_oM2tFoNFxrKHJwgyaZMTZX5fkfHuyG7cmPeA/s1280/interpoma3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fTa2ovO6ERvynSa3nXLIhZzl7XO_tK4ky_7Vjf2FVLVg6-jj_0ut1MzCgv6DzTpHkCLSy8aNqHvNjuuvDXE-cO-JENJg5v5mH2lgqx0bgG4-Ja4Rk_jt_-Rnft7CRsUab2j74yF8zIdcOGVGXKZt2_oM2tFoNFxrKHJwgyaZMTZX5fkfHuyG7cmPeA/w400-h300/interpoma3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple variety booths are a staple at Interpoma and quite flashy!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_Blw9wRzBG8MAzN9Q1cnRtnc-9k5eT_TpGNb_xu3qY_aLWPB9m7DKya3YV5vCvAs-yNSSVZF9MwImhyYrM984Zqs3zgLcgfav12zrSLww58DB-HvBmXxfQRa-ZFDIf2U9CAGelx4oIAkb_PKJIpbHMi_TYuKVtp2k8P-BChHw7zoCgp_nGYU_4CN0g/s1280/interpoma4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_Blw9wRzBG8MAzN9Q1cnRtnc-9k5eT_TpGNb_xu3qY_aLWPB9m7DKya3YV5vCvAs-yNSSVZF9MwImhyYrM984Zqs3zgLcgfav12zrSLww58DB-HvBmXxfQRa-ZFDIf2U9CAGelx4oIAkb_PKJIpbHMi_TYuKVtp2k8P-BChHw7zoCgp_nGYU_4CN0g/w400-h300/interpoma4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "GuyoTree." Do they come like that?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaglxozBOJu8cVHIjVC_tpG802YMRumO83qwjJrJZ1Y_I2G0gC6cTYwMkQcWwupHy04FoxGdSZum6XlftaG-Ccy2D0Uh9EHDGjMn56HwjJN6RsW6JYMFHCSPOJMrcANTVzrLdUagXlbFdf_QluOEPZ8D5S3Ef2tqzDQmSaWG6MIkkO2EmK6Ezq_HS-8A/s1280/interpoma5.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaglxozBOJu8cVHIjVC_tpG802YMRumO83qwjJrJZ1Y_I2G0gC6cTYwMkQcWwupHy04FoxGdSZum6XlftaG-Ccy2D0Uh9EHDGjMn56HwjJN6RsW6JYMFHCSPOJMrcANTVzrLdUagXlbFdf_QluOEPZ8D5S3Ef2tqzDQmSaWG6MIkkO2EmK6Ezq_HS-8A/w400-h300/interpoma5.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of equipment, platforms rule. N. Blossi is a local favorite?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I do want to thank <a href="https://ifruittree.org/" target="_blank">IFTA</a> (of course), <a href="https://www.onwardtravel.co/" target="_blank">Onward Travel</a> (Molly, Kat, and Barbara), Greg Lang (IFTA Education Director), Jeff Cleveringa (IFTA President) for putting this altogether and (mostly) pulling it off without a hitch. 150 are a lot to herd and keep happy. Highly recommended if you have the opportunity to go on a future IFTA International Study Tour led by Onward Travel, wherever you go? (Hint: Norway, South Africa?) And thanks to Jim Krupa for putting up with me as his roommate for eight nights!</div></div></div>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-14433723197597689492022-08-01T08:29:00.000-04:002022-08-01T08:29:44.986-04:00It's a takeover...<p> Not complete, but getting there. Corporate investment in Washington apple orchards I mean. Back from International Fruit Tree Association summer tour, July 17-20, 2022. Starting out with a day spent in the Pasco/Eltopia/Moses Lake area and ending up with a day in/near Quincy. I skipped out on the final day cherry or pear tour up near Wenatchee as I had some personal business to take care of up in the Brewster area with <a href="https://www.honeybearbrands.com/">Honeybear Brands/Pazazz apples</a> and at <a href="https://www.lonepointcellars.com/" target="_blank">Lone Point Cellars</a>. OK, back to the IFTA tour with a few take-aways before I get to some of the orchard stop highlights.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Yes, corporate/private investments are taking over what were family orchards, and/or already consolidated orchard "ranches." The investment game is huge now, with orchards summarily being removed and replanted by these outside investors, lots of money, and it remains to be seen how it will all play out in the long run. Water rights play into acquisition decisions as water is like gold out there. (Although it's copious if you got the rights.) No doubt the nature of the Washington apple industry has changed in recent years big time.</li><li>The metal Auvil-style V-trellis remains popular, largely because it is the most productive per acre. But it presents some labor and automation challenges still.</li><li>The WA-38 'Cosmic Crisp' thing has been a bit of a bust, ultimate outcome still TBD. But there are up to 20 million (or as "few" as 10 million depending on who you talk to?) trees in the ground, representing a significant piece of the WA apple production pie when it all comes into production. There are production issues, however, mostly shy bearing and some quality issues. Tree training practices are debatable and prices for Cosmic Crisp do not make up for the shortcomings so far. Unlike the also troublesome Honeycrisp but at least the the price is better there.</li><li>The apple crop is off, maybe 110 million bushels vs. a more 'normal' 125? A cold spring including up to a foot of snow in April in places was suggested as one culprit, but last summer's extreme heat in June may have hindered fruit bud development too, a double "whammy?" Honeycrisp blocks were all light, except some I saw up in Brewster. Let's not even talk about the dismal cherry harvest, although again it was better up 'North.' </li></ul><p></p><p>OK, here's a brief summary of the individual tour stops, beginning with <b>Day 1</b>...</p><p>In Pasco at <b>Hayden Orchard</b>, grower of organic apples and cherries, we looked at a cherry rootstock grower trial, the darfing cherry rootstocks being from Michigan State University (Amy Iezzoni). Cass, Clare, Clinton, Crawford, and Lake (named after Michigan counties) rootstocks. Not really sure what they are looking for other than an alternative to Mazzard that might be a better fit on this V-trellis? Some talk of the new <a href="https://www.davewilson.com/growers/products/fruit-trees/cherry/coral_champagne/" target="_blank">Coral Champagne</a> cherry which they really like.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgockd0s3k3k3S9YESByD5j5D8p4iWh5I9-TB0IAsh8JVgS_UNRp73jCaw2MoY_ukFu1whpNHK1z_lDd8O5W-EAN-xLkogFYuSqswRjuJg0WN5M_G9BXZQUkuGcE5siqiMDpqufcGvMLuK1QIEqQncvL6mQ-iDisAc288dVsmEZiJD3ewjWuZBanRlvTA/s640/haydenorchard.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgockd0s3k3k3S9YESByD5j5D8p4iWh5I9-TB0IAsh8JVgS_UNRp73jCaw2MoY_ukFu1whpNHK1z_lDd8O5W-EAN-xLkogFYuSqswRjuJg0WN5M_G9BXZQUkuGcE5siqiMDpqufcGvMLuK1QIEqQncvL6mQ-iDisAc288dVsmEZiJD3ewjWuZBanRlvTA/w400-h300/haydenorchard.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denny Hayden, Hayden Orchard in his V-trellis harvested cherry block</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Still in Pasco, at <b>Douglas Fruit Orchard</b>, WA-38 apple marketed as 'Cosmic Crisp' (CC) was the center of attention. A young (3rd-leaf, 4th-leaf?), lightly cropped planting of WA-38 on four different rootstocks -- M.9-337, B.10, B.9, and G.11 -- looked OK to me, although there was some blind wood in his V-trellis and trees were kind of wayward 'lanky?' Apparently that is part of the training problem dealing with WA-38, it is tip-bearing, click pruning might be the solution? It's also been shy-bearing, not heavy-setting and per acre production is lacking so far. The blind wood may have been on purpose as it looked like branches were being trained to the V-trellis wires keeping the windows "clean." Apparently sunburn and fire blight are also issues with CC. I am not sure we saw another CC planting on the rest of the tour, but I undersand there are some good CC blocks where trees have indeed reached the top wire. I did see a lot of 'Enterprise' growing characteristics in these trees, one of CC's parents. It's literally still a (up to) 20 million tree learning experiment, that is "what is the the best way to deal with CC?"<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHNS7S5sz0MksHl88WYA3SyvG9TvW5ab-oO6DyZ20VGOm9A_yIk0qp6MxX2jasPgAYTJUfBG9zJJX2I4i7tTZq8cNi9UCTRLq2LB4_nbTE_Vu-TId90-D0z1zQUEEnERzQHZvtaxemYrkGQbqhQE64BPrRPzb54POdfQ8eUR--3sq-S-Py9-z_kBt4Q/s640/douglasfruitorchard-f.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHNS7S5sz0MksHl88WYA3SyvG9TvW5ab-oO6DyZ20VGOm9A_yIk0qp6MxX2jasPgAYTJUfBG9zJJX2I4i7tTZq8cNi9UCTRLq2LB4_nbTE_Vu-TId90-D0z1zQUEEnERzQHZvtaxemYrkGQbqhQE64BPrRPzb54POdfQ8eUR--3sq-S-Py9-z_kBt4Q/w400-h300/douglasfruitorchard-f.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garrett Henry at Douglas Fruit Orchard discusses pros and cons of WA-38</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitR1dDIfmIPsiyQIpcvKmqF3VAlRh08shyqopuPMA5qgYiErHj6_oRi3K2iGB8GzxLd_n8BZYMlWI0FcaKEpRZoR2AStx4sIA79w9UgeIPylMC5ZIHAz7nv4H2xPgZMzuHds8ESfwGCMrMVkyswL2abLlYCaWK30OU7867zA4ESJjn_xR4wRlKcPKhnA/s640/douglasfruitorchard-f2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitR1dDIfmIPsiyQIpcvKmqF3VAlRh08shyqopuPMA5qgYiErHj6_oRi3K2iGB8GzxLd_n8BZYMlWI0FcaKEpRZoR2AStx4sIA79w9UgeIPylMC5ZIHAz7nv4H2xPgZMzuHds8ESfwGCMrMVkyswL2abLlYCaWK30OU7867zA4ESJjn_xR4wRlKcPKhnA/w400-h300/douglasfruitorchard-f2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young V-trellis WA-38 at Douglas Fruit Orchard. Note lanky tree bottoms and blind wood.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>After a real tasty taco truck lunch in their new tree storage at <b>Cameron Nursery </b>in Eltopia, we had a quick tour of the field with Todd Cameron. I will only point out that we saw a lot of rootstocks that were destined to be grafted with WA-38, but alas, were not because of lack of demand. Todd has also grubbed out 3/4 of his CC budwood seedling trees. Enough said? But I can't help myself, already over-planted? 😉<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxecGpkTMCf73VelSdpvCOx4kAqLD_m0ZPtj79kTnrRuHQG_-8DRRLts-U-FBMgKgyWum8SBFdK2WCIt9gHQYK50hpzrV7eemn9QWNoleefHOSqbJ8kRPlRJW-cZSBmRyFgwQD5hNR7EpohPruVuKgxuBZYdlGqfcyOQNjx_ONqxmRXAOF_pKK5nA1RA/s640/x-cosmiccrisp-cameron.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxecGpkTMCf73VelSdpvCOx4kAqLD_m0ZPtj79kTnrRuHQG_-8DRRLts-U-FBMgKgyWum8SBFdK2WCIt9gHQYK50hpzrV7eemn9QWNoleefHOSqbJ8kRPlRJW-cZSBmRyFgwQD5hNR7EpohPruVuKgxuBZYdlGqfcyOQNjx_ONqxmRXAOF_pKK5nA1RA/w400-h300/x-cosmiccrisp-cameron.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No WA-38 to be found here at Cameron, just rootstocks growing. Well, it was suppose to be WA-38!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Leaving Cameron Nursery, and after a bit of a wayward bus ride, we arrived (eventually) just down the road at <b>Columbia Reach Chiawana Orchards</b> where all things orchard tech awaited us. First an introduction to the <a href="https://www.innov8.ag/smartorchard" target="_blank">"Smart Orchard" Project</a>, a collaboration of the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, Washington and Oregon State Univerisities, and Innov8.ag to "sensorize" the orchard. Sensorize meaing various sensors in the trees, in the soil, and in the air - weather; soil mapping, chemistry, and water; plant growth and stress. Lots of data with analytics and artificial intelligence to bring about better (smarter?) orchard management decisions? I was a little befuddled because I did not see it all coming together yet. And something that looked like a medieval torture device measuring just one apple's miniscule growth (and loss of growth?) spurts? Maybe they had such multiple devices? And maybe it is all in the name of science and investigation? OK, I will buy it, but some of it seemed excess. Then, Innov8 Ag showed off their ATV's equipped with many kinds of cameras and LIDAR and GPS and on-board computers. (What happens when something breaks?) It all works eventually I suppose, and mapping using data is no doubt a nearly mature technology and I could see the benefits of those colored yield (among other things) maps. Visualization and artificial intelligence are hot topics these days. But how much does it cost? I think that is what most were thinking. Looks like a no-brainer maybe for these larger corporate orchards, but I hope the technology can be adapted for smaller growers with scaled-down equipment and cost? In fact I/we (the <a href="https://pacman.extension.org/" target="_blank">PACMAN</a> team) have been working with <a href="https://farm-vision.com/" target="_blank">Farm Vision Technologies</a> using a hand-held unit that provides similar functionality on a smaller scale and have been impressed so far.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedYwhflZLbaJj4QPCvGMEAb2L_w5mWk_bVk1jKeFDlV8s_BAWv8Y6OL8OrDawwOFyTdsC_turxWbOCkyzSNUqX5TOdhCy0zCC138R-cLhGY5vUmIJ3rt_IQpFeXrMUjPqoWRewWJp9srSSqZ7YJqfYi2cf933ISYABRY9c3b7dcKr8pdjBdxfrYvYHQ/s640/innov8ag-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedYwhflZLbaJj4QPCvGMEAb2L_w5mWk_bVk1jKeFDlV8s_BAWv8Y6OL8OrDawwOFyTdsC_turxWbOCkyzSNUqX5TOdhCy0zCC138R-cLhGY5vUmIJ3rt_IQpFeXrMUjPqoWRewWJp9srSSqZ7YJqfYi2cf933ISYABRY9c3b7dcKr8pdjBdxfrYvYHQ/w400-h300/innov8ag-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve Mantle of Innov8 Ag talks about the "smart orchard" project, which uses many sensors collect data from the soil, from the trees, and from the air (weather). Including a device that measures fruit growth continually in very small units, which apparently can be a tell-tale sign of stress when the growth is interpreted properly. Feed me? Water me?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRbkEio8EHyD9oDqVn8ty_fAMKW4VN3ETRsJpUADO4bbLCQAaYt8qgFa8WcBLSv2qupFNQHnrth88Od9LYpB9IsDpgMCDmtJ6OQeYeDsCEZvHu-ztQAKv6KefwXTRzO3aoqN8hSV12GIJi1UetOV0Rzq8DDR-pTtU4_eY2R60ftzGYeeqwuTvix6Vcw/s640/onnov8ag-deckedout.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRbkEio8EHyD9oDqVn8ty_fAMKW4VN3ETRsJpUADO4bbLCQAaYt8qgFa8WcBLSv2qupFNQHnrth88Od9LYpB9IsDpgMCDmtJ6OQeYeDsCEZvHu-ztQAKv6KefwXTRzO3aoqN8hSV12GIJi1UetOV0Rzq8DDR-pTtU4_eY2R60ftzGYeeqwuTvix6Vcw/w400-h300/onnov8ag-deckedout.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decked-out Green Atlas Cartographer, part of the smart orchard project. Drives up and down orchard rows pretty fast and takes pictures of flowers and fruits that can then be fed to artificial intelligence to produce maps that assist management decsions. Sounds good. How much $$$?</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Done with the "smart' orchard we were off to a pizza supper hosted by <b><a href="https://www.automatedag.com/" target="_blank">Automated Ag</a></b> (home of the Bandits) in Moses Lake. I had another dinner date so I missed it, but not so our fearless IFTA Education Director Dr. Greg Lang who made sure he had a good choice of pizzas!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPVKdbsQ7gOlPCDfES5vBfOd--kbvTwc__b3cFAg6CKZDK0C_3br3GXCvhlqG0RFqD65HxikNOAM1s0t3LsLbJtdSFU3VqKhGRdfVJy5Uq-xg4MB9lo2d_Q1yHQBLQLaHis6vBa81WgknfAWqn-N8H60PukgJYOue9ImGQ-r9QytrFHcXKKXnicSHNQ/s640/lang-pizza.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPVKdbsQ7gOlPCDfES5vBfOd--kbvTwc__b3cFAg6CKZDK0C_3br3GXCvhlqG0RFqD65HxikNOAM1s0t3LsLbJtdSFU3VqKhGRdfVJy5Uq-xg4MB9lo2d_Q1yHQBLQLaHis6vBa81WgknfAWqn-N8H60PukgJYOue9ImGQ-r9QytrFHcXKKXnicSHNQ/w400-h300/lang-pizza.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow, look at those pizza toppings! says Dr. Greg Lang at dinner hosted by Automated Ag</td></tr></tbody></table><p>OK, that was all Day 1 (Monday, July 18). <b>Day 2</b> (Tuesday, July 19) we were up in the Wenatchee-Quincy area. First stop for my bus was <b>RJK Farms</b> where a rather animated Richard Karstetter -- along with his two sons (who were much quieter) -- talked about family dynamics and farm transition, along with some irrigation technology and other automation advances to make work life more efficient and engaging for the next generation. Unfortunately, I thought their Honeycrisp crop was a bit lacking, but we have already been there, most likely adverse weather related. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfD25ypd_7kcnHeGvAi_ygn4hb5FxPZGIHmfF8dgFm7uiG_xiUUqjT5fPdtsjJSo8O6Q1iAzPkXcFX0dwZdMw1HYnAmRpqoTayptZhByxFeO_l9f5Kd73XdXlnQ2xaJpm5bto8WMcJ0TqFri7r72-tCA3fqg4QO5i6TsvVm5T6m7fTuNBQ-IGgLoaC7w/s640/RJKfarms.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfD25ypd_7kcnHeGvAi_ygn4hb5FxPZGIHmfF8dgFm7uiG_xiUUqjT5fPdtsjJSo8O6Q1iAzPkXcFX0dwZdMw1HYnAmRpqoTayptZhByxFeO_l9f5Kd73XdXlnQ2xaJpm5bto8WMcJ0TqFri7r72-tCA3fqg4QO5i6TsvVm5T6m7fTuNBQ-IGgLoaC7w/w300-h400/RJKfarms.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Karstetter at RJK Farms. He had a lot to say, believe me! Interesting guy...</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Next stop for Bus 2 was <b>McDougall & Sons Orchard</b>. A shade cloth/hail protectant retractable netting was the highlight of the stop and was demonstrated by the McDougall & Sons team. If left in place pre-harvest, the shade cloth can hinder red color development, hence the need for it's retractability. McDougall & Sons is a vertically integrated grower/packer/ shipper in the Wenatchee/Quincy area with 4,000 acres of apples, pears, and cherries in the ground. Yikes!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEpB6y6TTagPlavIBeOvBvjhvc-3ErQ5Fp8UUuUF1scAjcy-SzWXAoriuq5ucTEtD28WOrEt6W2XBkG6awC-sLwX2XvRLVJ7QPXsGatJo7xElMn6sNbwkTRURzNhXRvPUdeUJQPk6YW2Z8fhFVazdG06Yi53PHPnsIjg4eDI0c0V2SynNBukItwmEhg/s640/mcdougall.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEpB6y6TTagPlavIBeOvBvjhvc-3ErQ5Fp8UUuUF1scAjcy-SzWXAoriuq5ucTEtD28WOrEt6W2XBkG6awC-sLwX2XvRLVJ7QPXsGatJo7xElMn6sNbwkTRURzNhXRvPUdeUJQPk6YW2Z8fhFVazdG06Yi53PHPnsIjg4eDI0c0V2SynNBukItwmEhg/w400-h300/mcdougall.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Retractable (but non-retracted) protective netting over a Honeycrisp block at McDougall & Sons. Believe these were planted 2 X 12 feet, and may be in an organic transition. But they will go back to conventional in a snap if the organic market sours. Note it's a V-trellis but no metal, just wood...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><p>After a BBQ pork sandwich lunch and a quick tour of the <a href="https://starranch.com/" target="_blank"><b>Starr Ranch Growers</b></a> pack house (it was amazing, and home of <a href="https://starranch.com/juici-apples/" target="_blank">Juici apples</a>) we arrived at an <a href="http://agrimacs.com/" target="_blank"><b>AgriMACS, Inc.</b></a> managed Honeycrisp block in Quincy where we enjoyed some real shade while the AgriMACS staff and Dr. Lee Kalscits from WSU extolled the virtues of overhead shade cloth netting to both prevent sunburn and hail damage (at least when it is installed in time). Last time we were in Washington for the IFTA summer tour we looked at different color netting, but it looks like the white color has become the standard. Interestingly, behind us was a block of Honeycrisp planted on G.890 rootstock, hoping for more vigor I guess? But the M.9's generally looked pretty good wherever we went (as long as there is no fire blight).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWgFurqGrj_XoLgQhFOneMTE1gyksauKA8RyYxR2mCtQNBXj_S-BLfgzNuokSaheVpeNCakVslBI5tYZARbkzpGX2GG1nOEfz3GV1JNpggwAfo4RptjPJlLPWTW49-TjxwhwtTZHxKbbj1aCWqKXd5gY0SCphcXJAAJ8G77P22sGwdJMq9oIUl972tA/s640/agrimacs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWgFurqGrj_XoLgQhFOneMTE1gyksauKA8RyYxR2mCtQNBXj_S-BLfgzNuokSaheVpeNCakVslBI5tYZARbkzpGX2GG1nOEfz3GV1JNpggwAfo4RptjPJlLPWTW49-TjxwhwtTZHxKbbj1aCWqKXd5gY0SCphcXJAAJ8G77P22sGwdJMq9oIUl972tA/w400-h300/agrimacs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shade cloth that serves double-duty hail protection at AgriMACS, Inc. managed Honeycrisp block. Inset is hail damage from June where netting was not installed in time. </td></tr></tbody></table><p>We are getting there, the final (at least for me) IFTA summer tour stop was Dale Goldy's <b>G2 Orchards</b>. Planted with 'Minneiska' (SweeTango) trees from his own Gold Crown Nursery, it's a 'pedestrian' orchard with -- believe it or not -- six feet between rows and tree height limited to app. seven feet. I believe these trees, mostly on G.935 rootstock, were planted 4.5 feet apart with some training of branches to the horizontal wires. I saw a lot of shoot growth coming into the row, I told Dale to get a hedger and don't look back! A lot of late hand thinning had been done. Interesting for sure, I did appreciate the overhead mist cooling being on as it was getting hot! Oh, we also had a brief look at a similar 'Hapi' pear block and some equipment modified to fit these truly 'dwarf' blocks.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtqW_tKC77JxRxYz_a4ZRCLukgSvebSDNbMEmPkI8lOCAfG-b0nuBguW55bvP_4G2B4g3QrWDl6yBXpIz4LG55ekZoY3qa0HuJFKdVwhs-bpDjDyjXMhD9SF0G1y3yj3omnTj9HAfW033oi6qQkSP80sNT6UZVSLrH7zSpKs7GFV5CwtVwH1hbAKJng/s640/G2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="640" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtqW_tKC77JxRxYz_a4ZRCLukgSvebSDNbMEmPkI8lOCAfG-b0nuBguW55bvP_4G2B4g3QrWDl6yBXpIz4LG55ekZoY3qa0HuJFKdVwhs-bpDjDyjXMhD9SF0G1y3yj3omnTj9HAfW033oi6qQkSP80sNT6UZVSLrH7zSpKs7GFV5CwtVwH1hbAKJng/w400-h301/G2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pedestrian 'Minnesika' orchard block at G2 Orchards. Note the late hand-thinned apples on ground? These apples might have been only a month away from harvest? Check out the misting video below, ahhh....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uyf1aLI9DIU" width="320" youtube-src-id="uyf1aLI9DIU"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I previously mentioned, I skipped the Day 3 pear and cherry orchard tours, but you can see and read a bit about them on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IFruitTree" target="_blank">IFTA Facebook page</a>. Overall, much thanks to the orchard owners and staff we visited, and the tour coordinators, including IFTA management. I found we spent a lot of time standing and listening though, would have appreciated some more facilitated give and take (pruning, training, thinning) like in the old days. Or maybe it's just me, too much time standing in the hot sun getting more brain-fried than I already am!!!???</div><p><br /></p></div>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-18894563637804137112022-02-23T10:19:00.004-05:002022-02-23T10:47:54.389-05:00IFTA 65th Annual Conference, Hershey, PA: Orchard Post-Tour Brief<p>The <a href="https://www.ifruittree.org/" target="_blank">International Fruit Tree Association</a> (IFTA) held it's 65th Annual Conference in Hershey, PA from February 13-15, 2022. Orchard tour day was Monday, February 14. Cold and windy, but mostly sunny, true to IFTA fashion. (Cold and windy, not so sure about the sunny part?) I will have to admit, I was not terribly well engaged, I was dealing with everyone's earbuds and the speakers transmitter device so everyone could hear. Not terribly sold on it when the crowd is on the small side, there were 4 buses total, and mostly each orchard stop had only one bus, about 35 people. Sometimes I wonder if those earbuds do not foster engagement particulary well either? I would opt for the more traditional mic and speaker when the crowd is small. (Or have the speaker speak up? It's not that hard.) Oh well, enough of my complaining. I will give you a brief rundown of what I/we saw on the tour.</p><p>First stop, <a href="https://agsci.psu.edu/research/centers-facilities/extension/frec" target="_blank">Penn State Fruit Research & Extension Center</a> (FRAC, fitting for Pennsylvania, if you know what I mean), where Dr. Jim Schupp talked about his peach rootstock and hi-density peach plantings. The rootstock trial was planted in 2017 with Cresthaven as the variety trained to a Perpendicular-V. It looked good, Schupp says Controller 6, 7, and 8 reduce tree size somewhat at 80-90% compared to Lovell rootstock, and they are all about the same size to date. (Controller 6 "should" be smaller though.) Rootpac 40 and MP-29 are pretty dwarfing, 66% and 31% of Lovell respectively, and will likely need some kind of support as scaffold breakage and drooping are a problem. FYI, this is an NC-140 Regional Rootstock Research Project, more info <a href="http://nc140.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.) Speaking of support, Schupp also showed us a young hi-density peach planting, the rootstocks escape me, but trees were planted very close together and to a Perpendicular-V. Schupp was experimenting with removal of one of the scaffolds on alternating (every 2-3 years?) basis to renew the scaffold(s) and prevent the lower part of the trees from becoming shaded and non-productive. He wanted to make a pedestrian peach orchard. The scaffolds were supported by a T-post type trellis with two wires (about head height). I did not particularly like it, I say good luck.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjWWK8dX1SIKj9Frwpq4WdeZ1WyFjAMTDFZ68daG7L9IfGyoKFgzYEEmQacRGQZ4zsIjpf26k3p7YB0Bq46YxPgdjCgxdkhqUY0X36_IonQcCLd8TM5mSY4rNJVy3do0PO_fQWnM9zzl4R-Q_kiwNVyESDe_i2OexlJ48V0Mj6q_3m3lmKngl41VHrKw=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjWWK8dX1SIKj9Frwpq4WdeZ1WyFjAMTDFZ68daG7L9IfGyoKFgzYEEmQacRGQZ4zsIjpf26k3p7YB0Bq46YxPgdjCgxdkhqUY0X36_IonQcCLd8TM5mSY4rNJVy3do0PO_fQWnM9zzl4R-Q_kiwNVyESDe_i2OexlJ48V0Mj6q_3m3lmKngl41VHrKw=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Jim Schupp, NC-140 peach rootstock planting at FREC</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOuBWgbth9yTCqfRyx0pBPb5R8ycXY71fdMSaGN__0AFO_8Ohdf_yB1XA8Dik2yI1R7dzUbJC1udmIkyedZQsslBd2QZv76yThaXWMHEpOzheiew8cclx2Bb03k75cYMpi5H2hxHc59bmcNSY5iUTrFxmqF6HpdlAp-i4FK_v06K8ihWnHZx8dP2blvQ=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOuBWgbth9yTCqfRyx0pBPb5R8ycXY71fdMSaGN__0AFO_8Ohdf_yB1XA8Dik2yI1R7dzUbJC1udmIkyedZQsslBd2QZv76yThaXWMHEpOzheiew8cclx2Bb03k75cYMpi5H2hxHc59bmcNSY5iUTrFxmqF6HpdlAp-i4FK_v06K8ihWnHZx8dP2blvQ=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pedestrian peach orchard? Really Jim? Kind of an oxymoron isn't it?</td></tr></tbody></table><p>At FREC we also checked in with Dr. Long He's crew (aka grad students) in the engineering shed where each presented their project, including: robotic pruning and green fruit thinning, sensors in the orchard (Internet of Things, IoT), intelligent spraying, and imaging of fruit buds, flower clusters, and fruit(lets) using a <a href="https://www.moog.com/" target="_blank">Moog</a> data "rover" ATV (part of <a href="https://pacman.extension.org/" target="_blank">PACMAN</a>). Interesting stuff, some maybe a bit far-fetched? But that is what University researchers do, don't they?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3CjvZxeUM8zTe0bSE2TrPBx-VuxLOblabs0DpUN5ogk6kiVihGTH9G-Cz-pSIbrlf-A3zc9xP_vjxclR_fsJ1fwqx8D-LOtGAW--f2173BEvDr2E6Q1j7__-d88SMp_WYHe5ZJoYKLu7ZEZ8QkqljL1Q1ZtEO2Q0d66jVbBNkQnWUcHxLzOqeMMFWqw=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3CjvZxeUM8zTe0bSE2TrPBx-VuxLOblabs0DpUN5ogk6kiVihGTH9G-Cz-pSIbrlf-A3zc9xP_vjxclR_fsJ1fwqx8D-LOtGAW--f2173BEvDr2E6Q1j7__-d88SMp_WYHe5ZJoYKLu7ZEZ8QkqljL1Q1ZtEO2Q0d66jVbBNkQnWUcHxLzOqeMMFWqw=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought the drones and heat mapping were pretty cool. I envision drones could easily scout large areas, report back to the home base for further investigation by real eyes?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhl5laKt51_RnssaEvDqFoPkkzVWt7L013SuMjlBkjTh6Pw6-yKmb3pk48J9KuC0tldygHmFLHjiNyGVAA-5aiH_0zjQTlpzWCsLmA44hY-Kdblv9YOFi3MoyIAS29I-QVQ0gxoRmCxJqdU8aLBGNZj1Y2TNtznjeZ4BJ_zYzpC6ypirkqIbFFvhlaIA=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhl5laKt51_RnssaEvDqFoPkkzVWt7L013SuMjlBkjTh6Pw6-yKmb3pk48J9KuC0tldygHmFLHjiNyGVAA-5aiH_0zjQTlpzWCsLmA44hY-Kdblv9YOFi3MoyIAS29I-QVQ0gxoRmCxJqdU8aLBGNZj1Y2TNtznjeZ4BJ_zYzpC6ypirkqIbFFvhlaIA=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. He shows us the Moog data rover, the ultimate goal being gainful adoption of precision crop load management</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Stop two, <a href="https://hollabaughbros.com/" target="_blank">Hollabaugh Bros. Inc.</a> market and orchard. Their family run market is well known in the area, since 1955, and has the usual bakery, apples, groceries, and gift shop. There was a "bee" room which I gather is popular with the kids? It was popular with me as the cider donuts and coffee were served there... :-) Because it was Valentine's Day, I noted some were picking up gifts for their significant other. In the Hollabuagh Bros. orchard, well, I don't remember a whole lot, a mature semi-dwarf pear block, they like the fire blight resistant pears from Ontario, Harrow Sweet and Cold Snap? An on-farm peach rootstock planting sponsored by the Penn State Extension folks, Hollabaugh's being one of 12 farms with the planting of Controller 6, 7, 8 and Krymsk 86 with PF Lucky 13 on top. And some tall-spindle apples, generally looking good, but with some talk about fire blight history and M.9 rootstocks. Some active pruning was going on by the Hollabaugh orchard crew on a platform. BTW, during the Conference, attendees unanomously agreed a platform was the number one peice of "technology" that every orchard should have. Did I say it was cold and windy, and the cider donuts were beckoning?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBJ_2hEk0zhIDb1VOaWpLFSs9dZ31nMh5fngWWR1LAYXk8Z2TYJhU0pi8JGXJM-b9ezM8E8YaG1IbkPebXzWYOEGf1YQGCPk3jnQ0gG6lvtS3u8oM-KrKvG16VjbgWsQkGNc0-sAxaRjS6_JXBfWdv_Z_yp0KzP9GMxIUFCjO2HkrZ1AFciSnx2EUM-g=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBJ_2hEk0zhIDb1VOaWpLFSs9dZ31nMh5fngWWR1LAYXk8Z2TYJhU0pi8JGXJM-b9ezM8E8YaG1IbkPebXzWYOEGf1YQGCPk3jnQ0gG6lvtS3u8oM-KrKvG16VjbgWsQkGNc0-sAxaRjS6_JXBfWdv_Z_yp0KzP9GMxIUFCjO2HkrZ1AFciSnx2EUM-g=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruce (and father Brad listening) at Hollabaugh Bros. Inc. orchard. Mature talls-spindle apples, Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp. More trees missing on M.9 than other rootstocks. Otherwise, no complaints here.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>After lunch at the local Biglersville fire station -- it was very good, need I say more -- it was a quick hop to <a href="https://ricefruit.com/" target="_blank">Rice Fruit Company</a>. Usually packing house stops are quite ho-hum for me, but the Rice team did a good job showing us their pre-sorter operation, packing line, mesmerizing robotic technology (video below, and they do not take a coffee and donut break, unlike me!), and a bit about their marketing and who they pack apples for. Including <a href="http://www.oceancrispapples.com/" target="_blank">Ocean Crisp Apples</a> Honeycrisp out of Nova Scotia. Interesting. Not much to say here except Rice has kept up with innovation in the apple packing business, and the younger generation is slowly taking over running the show. Which reminds me, we got a demo of <a href="https://www.stem-punk.com/" target="_blank">StemPunk</a> by Leighton Rice, a wearable stem "clipper" while picking Honeycrisp (and other?) apples.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxev3QIHM_0hfIVsjqoD8Y7LHeUrQ5eqTXH8hyTAaUi3Auf58c5JHrNxMTFwkPhJl4l7gdYnX1JTN9qjlHKbw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p>OK, finishing up the tour at <a href="https://www.mtridgefarms.com/" target="_blank">Mt. Ridge Farms</a> with father David and son Blake Slaybaugh. David showed us his "workshop." Jaw-droppingly well outfitted with lots of new "toys" and clean. Very impressive. While inside we also got a demo of <a href="https://www.nobleorchards.net/" target="_blank">Noble Orchards Software Solutions</a> recordkeeping application. Out in the orchard with Blake we got into a bit of discussion about pruning, we felt they were not removing enough branches wholesale while leaning more toards cutting them back, the bud load seemed to high and could be corrected by wholesale removal of more branches? Plus, M.9 was showing more tree mortality, call it RAD/SAD whatever, but I put two and two together and call it fire blight in the M.9 rootstock. Oh, did I mention that <a href="https://www.acnursery.com/fruit-trees/apple-trees/402/premier-honeycrisp" target="_blank">Premier Honeycrisp</a> was found here? I think that helps explain all the new shop toys! :-)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM5giAW6CufqPdrl7SGoGTnTQ1kQk5_uihCsWFYYjnIvcPJydw4R-ZPQyz-SptvmPO2Li0WiiJVgbr-wpICXFGdmyFrQPlGGuiQqNlQOZ91vU3HlT4qgfheKwqmrJiHn1l0Ep_-MApNyAO8mRILkvl6jnCFyh3-Jun8GsgD2rrgYE9LMTKgcLSqNpkJA=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM5giAW6CufqPdrl7SGoGTnTQ1kQk5_uihCsWFYYjnIvcPJydw4R-ZPQyz-SptvmPO2Li0WiiJVgbr-wpICXFGdmyFrQPlGGuiQqNlQOZ91vU3HlT4qgfheKwqmrJiHn1l0Ep_-MApNyAO8mRILkvl6jnCFyh3-Jun8GsgD2rrgYE9LMTKgcLSqNpkJA=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blake Slaybaugh. Pruning is always a source of good (conflicting?) dialog on IFTA tours! But it's all good!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>That's about all I got, short and sweet, it was a good tour and the best thing was time spent on the buses was minimal, all the orchards were in Adams County and the Biglerville area, and it was less than an hour from Conference central at the Hershey Lodge. The downside of that of course, is not much nap time on the bus. And thanks to Jen Baugher our bus leader. Check out <a href="https://twitter.com/jmcextman" target="_blank">my Twitter feed</a> if you want to see some of the Conference presenters slides (along with my comments). Or search the hashtag <a href="https://twitter.com/iFruitTree" target="_blank">#ifruittree</a> on Twitter for more. For 2023, here we come Grand Rapids...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-47569321529085853022022-01-13T10:54:00.001-05:002022-01-13T10:54:43.216-05:00Half-baked Research 2021: Part 4 - More Precision Cropload Management (aka precision thinning)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHaey2vbeM4nXqO8lxVKDPi3CHzCFpLhcLkpJHGzFm13KEb4jRN7mXl0tCzPpzUzB9WVZPp2MotN1T3NhlkZpxcGnSYshxjFM9SatLrLppUv94rjVMLbcs4v9EgrBx1pdvaBuAo3JeHxQIKILyNG4X1muwznwlZgBkhK6EtpkTZtr2jUg5rPdfEjSBFQ=s317" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="313" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHaey2vbeM4nXqO8lxVKDPi3CHzCFpLhcLkpJHGzFm13KEb4jRN7mXl0tCzPpzUzB9WVZPp2MotN1T3NhlkZpxcGnSYshxjFM9SatLrLppUv94rjVMLbcs4v9EgrBx1pdvaBuAo3JeHxQIKILyNG4X1muwznwlZgBkhK6EtpkTZtr2jUg5rPdfEjSBFQ=w197-h200" width="197" /></a></div><br /> <b>I</b>'m a bit tired of talking about precision thinning (and precision crop load management), have written up much about it in the past:<p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://fruitadvisor.info/tfruit/2008/mcintoshthinning/index.html" target="_blank">2008 McIntosh 'Visual' Thinning</a></li><li><a href="https://jmcextman.blogspot.com/2019/01/mfga-meeting-and-malusim-app.html" target="_blank">MFGA Meeting and Malusim App</a></li><li><a href="https://jmcextman.blogspot.com/2019/05/how-to-use-malusim-app.html" target="_blank">How to use the Malusim App</a></li><li><a href="http://umassfruitnotes.com/v80n1/a3.pdf" target="_blank">Our Experience with Precision Thinning Gala, Honeycrisp, and Fuji Apples in 2014</a></li><li><a href="http://www.umassfruitnotes.com/v82n1/a1.pdf" target="_blank">2016 Precision Thinning and Predicting-Fruit-Set Demonstrations</a></li><li><a href="http://www.umassfruitnotes.com/v85n1/a2.pdf" target="_blank">Malusim App and Precision Apple Thinning - Trials and Tribulations</a></li><li><a href="http://umassfruitnotes.com/v81n1/a2.pdf" target="_blank">Apple "Mini" Precision Thinning Demonstrations in 2015 at UMass Cold Spring Orchard</a></li><li><a href="https://greatlakesfruitworkers.weebly.com/uploads/9/3/1/2/9312881/glfw_proceedings_2019_final.pdf" target="_blank">Malusim App and Precision Apple Thinning - Trials and Tribulations</a> (2019 GLFW Proceedings)</li><li><a href="https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/fact-sheets/hrt-precision-crop-load-management-of-honeycrisp-flower-bud-identification" target="_blank">HRT-Precision crop load management of Honeycrisp: flower bud identification and precision pruning</a> (fact sheet)</li><li><a href="https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/fact-sheets/hrt-recipe-predicting-fruit-set-using-fruitlet-growth-rate-model" target="_blank">HRT-RECIPE - Predicting fruit set using the fruitlet growth rate model</a> (fact sheet)</li><li><a href="https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/news/pdf/clements-glexpo-comparingfruitgrowthmodels.pdf" target="_blank">Comparing the Malusim app to the ‘Schwallier’ and ‘Ferri’ versions of the fruitlet growth rate model to predict fruit set... </a>(2020 GLEXPO poster)</li><li><a href="https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/news/pdf/glexpo2021-precision.pdf" target="_blank">PRECISION CROP LOAD MANAGEMENT OF HONEYCRISP - Flower bud identification and precision pruning</a> (2021 GLEXPO poster)</li><li><a href="https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/news/pdf/glexpo2021-recipe.pdf" target="_blank">RECIPE - Predicting fruit set using the fruitlet growth rate model</a> (2021 GLEXPO poster)</li></ul><p></p><p>You get the idea, but, I am always looking for that "magic bullet" to make it more accurate and my life easier. To that end, I tried to follow in 2021 the exact <a href="https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/fact-sheets/hrt-recipe-predicting-fruit-set-using-fruitlet-growth-rate-model" target="_blank">RECIPE</a> as described above. The details:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>six Honeycrisp trees selected on G.11 rootstock in our 2014 NC-140 Honeycrisp planting at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown, MA</li><li>14 flower clusterd tagged and whole tree bloom counted</li><li>measuring of fruitlets began on 18-May, and were measured 5 more times at 2-3 day intervals (average persisting fruit size on 21-May was 9.2 mm) until the last measurement on 4- June (7 days after the previous measurement, average fruit size of persisting fruits was 24.2 mm)</li><li>at first, measurements were voice-entered into the <a href="https://malusim.org/" target="_blank">Malusim app</a>, however, once it got "flakey" I switched to using the <a href="https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/perennia-orchard-tools/id1510843988" target="_blank">Orchard Tools app,</a> which worked very well.</li><li>used the Malusim app at first to predict fruit set, however, quickly discovered there were some issues in the way erroneous (too big or too small) measurements were being handled and thrown out, switched to the <a href="https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/fruit/predictingfruitsetmodelferri.pdf" target="_blank">Ferri spreadsheet</a>, although I did not use the tree top and bottom distinction.</li></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8CT4_eoBTDMJojQftyvQXzLLQVJY5Hj7JRaF3TJpmC607pj9_pk5ZyBele5PkzHmi47tMeHcC30GhR-1xJ7hh7nBS2ZcYqCdhGbgJ-3YJSlCgWvWLIk87FMV-zH06T81QqmqyhLOGNPaRE3mHdjxJ-z60uUKQvKRuNhDdsLoi615XtlCgauE3Jn0n7Q=s443" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="383" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8CT4_eoBTDMJojQftyvQXzLLQVJY5Hj7JRaF3TJpmC607pj9_pk5ZyBele5PkzHmi47tMeHcC30GhR-1xJ7hh7nBS2ZcYqCdhGbgJ-3YJSlCgWvWLIk87FMV-zH06T81QqmqyhLOGNPaRE3mHdjxJ-z60uUKQvKRuNhDdsLoi615XtlCgauE3Jn0n7Q=s320" width="277" /></a></div><p>Here is the result from the Ferri spreadsheet and I think it was quite accurate. It's a no-brainer to follow this RECIPE for tall spindle trees and apples of high value such as Honeycrisp, Gala, and Fiji. I'll admit I did not follow it to guide my chemical thinner applications, because someone else chose the rates and timing and made the applications on their schedule. But it worked out.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqLNM9K6G2vlrobGvzTZeE-Ssv4jaf2ZXUg8d4Ma1xN70JO53aMus6yPl_rwQFxMOZQ742JzkB2ShWnKou8QYx6vapkCLPLjcwA24tMb8FZkxck15_CaL9eWTCVKcojCsXd6fDaYpd0KEwzi0mRmccWQkBGOaircAC7OVjT9ckJRSjQwjghLPEDkP6XQ=s663" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="441" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqLNM9K6G2vlrobGvzTZeE-Ssv4jaf2ZXUg8d4Ma1xN70JO53aMus6yPl_rwQFxMOZQ742JzkB2ShWnKou8QYx6vapkCLPLjcwA24tMb8FZkxck15_CaL9eWTCVKcojCsXd6fDaYpd0KEwzi0mRmccWQkBGOaircAC7OVjT9ckJRSjQwjghLPEDkP6XQ=s320" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actual number of apples per tree at harvest 61! Pretty close to 70 predicted!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>So, what's half-baked about it? Well, myself and colleagues at UMass (Dan Cooley and PhD student Paul O'Connor to be exact) are collaborating with researchers at Carnegie Melon University (CMU) on a NIFA funded project: <a href="https://www.umass.edu/news/article/helping-growers-care-apple-crop-%E2%80%93-they%E2%80%99re" target="_blank">Using Computer Vision to Improve Data Input for Precision Thinning Models in Apples</a>. I pushed for them to use the RECIPE while doing their study of computer vision to measure fruit growth, and on two other varieties (Gala and Fuji) and another Honeycrisp block. So they did, with the exception is that all data was collected by pen and paper, but thanks to our summer help (Evan Krause), was entered and imported into the Ferri spreadsheet to predict fruit set. OK. I ran the model in the Ferri spreadsheet and came up with some very low fruit set numbers. I won't even show you that here, because although it was more-or-less field evaluated, it was by observation only. Even though I believe final fruit set was counted, the data entry source escapes us at this time. (Arghh.) Here was the problem, the student plucked spur leaves off tagged spurs to assist with the computer vision, and I believe that resulted in very poor fruit set (compared to the rest of the tree) on those hobbled spurs. (Hasn't someone a long, long time ago stressed the importance of healthy spur leaves for susbsequent fruit set and size/quality?) It's too bad because otherwise had the help to do a nice set of fruitlet measurements to run in the fruitlet growth rate model. Next year? No half-baked research? (Maybe?) But thankfully -- both to me as the writer and you the reader? -- this is the last half-baked research for 2021!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8TCbyMX5TfU" width="320" youtube-src-id="8TCbyMX5TfU"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">YouTube video of May 19, 2021 Twilight Meeting at UMass Orchard with CMU robot</div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-60467325789669976712022-01-07T16:10:00.004-05:002022-01-08T11:07:45.002-05:00Half-baked Research 2021: Part 3 - In Search of the Optimum Honeycrisp Bitter Pit Reduction "Diet!"<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikAWmS2vnVxprzPv3eya1o5HYCR7EeZF7BO04gc5c8Pgwmg0e0IVlCTd0qWf6xJGXQqMT2o5NpdjIQVr9O9Lwp2J7A1WDoBKJqCAB9yhLFC-7fdxTJmmT-gOfkiVriLVhi2EjvqjYi2aly4yvyspKww0C5RY-e9Kn-ccpT0xKPaOJCAeTw6P9kIs5IWA=s640" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikAWmS2vnVxprzPv3eya1o5HYCR7EeZF7BO04gc5c8Pgwmg0e0IVlCTd0qWf6xJGXQqMT2o5NpdjIQVr9O9Lwp2J7A1WDoBKJqCAB9yhLFC-7fdxTJmmT-gOfkiVriLVhi2EjvqjYi2aly4yvyspKww0C5RY-e9Kn-ccpT0xKPaOJCAeTw6P9kIs5IWA=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></div><b> H</b>oneycrisp is arguably the poster child for bitter pit. (With the exception of Cortland, but who would want to grow those anyways? LOL.) Bitter pit reduces packout of saleable fresh fruit significantly in some years, up to 50%. And you can put otherwise good looking (no bitter pit) Honeycrisp in storage and then when pulled out of storage a couple months later you go home crying.<p></p><p>Much has been researched and written on Honeycrisp bitter pit management (reduction), however, the problem is nowhere near totally solved. Nutrients in the skin and flesh of Honeycrisp apples – particularly nitrogen, calcium, and potassium – may play an important role, but there are many other factors including growing season weather, crop load, tree vigor, etc., those are all players too. Read more in "<a href="https://jmcextman.blogspot.com/2016/12/e-arlier-this-week-i-attended-annual.html" target="_blank">It's the calcium stupid!</a>"</p><p>But nutrition was the factor fully “looked at” but not really fully “evaluated” in 2021. By “looked at” I mean multiple leaf and fruit nutrient analyses using different analysis vendors, including industry and University testing labs. Let me outline what these were, and then attempt to make some sense of the results and how it might relate to bitter pit incidence. But I’ll tell you up front, Honeycrisp exhibited quite a bit of bitter pit starting pre-harvest in 2021, part of which I blame on a very wet summer and very large apples. All samples were collected from the UMass Orchard in Belchertown, MA, and I don’t consider our nutrition program specifically targeting BP all that much. So let’s see what tissue samples I/we collected and then what nutrient analyses results might have told us?</p><p>First, how/what/where tissue (and fruit) samples were collected and sent for analyses:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Agro-K (Minneapolis, MN) has been promoting their <b><a href="https://www.agro-k.com/sapanalysis/" target="_blank">leaf SAP analyses</a></b> to existing and potential customers. Leaf samples – from older and younger leaves individually on terminal growth, enough leaves to fill a one quart zip-loc bag, and without petioles – are collected in the morning and shipped overnight (via FEDEX) to a lab in the Netherlands (NovaCrop). There were three collection dates for Honeycrisp: 15-June, 19-July, and 10-August. Oh, leaves were collected off Honeycrisp on G.11 rootstock, which has been problematic for bitter pit in the past. </li><li><b><a href="https://www.goodfruit.com/an-a-peeling-approach-for-bitter-pit-prediction/" target="_blank">Peel SAP analysis</a></b> by the Cornell Nutrient Lab and Lailiang Cheng’s lab at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, NY. Honeycrisp fruit samples (about 30 apples, off the same trees on G.11, and I also did G.41 to compare) were collected in early July when the fruits were 50 to 60 grams. The apples were peeled and the peels frozen prior to delivery to Cornell for the analysis. (Thanks to Mike Basedow for meeting me in the Hudson Valley and ultimately getting those frozen samples to Geneva.) I received the results back in mid-August, which included Ca, K, Mg, N (all ppm), and K/Ca, (K+Mg)/Ca and N/Ca ratios.</li><li>Dan Donahue’s <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/5/983/pdf" target="_blank"><b>Environment Minerals Rootstock (EMR)</b> bitter pit analysis</a> out of Cornell’s Hudson Valley Commercial Hort Program. Honeycrisp fruits (app. 12, off both the G.11 and G.41 rootstocks) were collected in early August, peeled, and the peels sent off to Dan to forward to the Cornell Nutritional Analysis Lab in Ithaca. Results were back by mid-September and included the % of apples expected to have bitter pit developing in a month or two of cold storage.</li><li>Various fruit and tissue samples were also sent off to two independent labs, <b>Waypoint Analytical</b> and <b>SoilTech NW</b> Ag Testing Services (analyses by Brookside Labs). Waypoint is open to anyone but SoilTech only to consultants by invitation. Basic mineral analyses with recommendations were performed, I will try to summarize the results below.</li></ul><p></p><div>So here we go in an attempt to summarize the results of all the samples submitted to the various labs for analyses. And some snapshots of what the results looked like from each testing service.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><b>Leaf SAP analysis</b> – indicated there were generally few problems. The SAP analyses are quite comprehensive, including a listing of 24 line items, some not normally included in nutrient analysis, such as Total Sugars, pH, sodium, cobalt, and nitrogen in 4 forms (ammonium, nitrate, N in nitrate, and Total Nitrogen). Most nutrients were in the optimum range, with these exceptions: Fe (iron) was consistently low (is that a problem?); nitrate nitrogen and boron were high; and total sugars were high (indicates the plant is really cranking?) Remember, samples were collected over three dates and from old and new leaves on the shoots. Verdict out on this one, but over time might be very useful in quickly remedying problems or indicating you are doing a good job with nutrient management. Below in Figure 1 is a snapshot of the NovaCrop result but <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TNJIKUWQav10EqJe7eWe1_jh9ryP0FNG/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here is a full report</a> if you want to see it.</div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMpJQIM3wOqCTrr_AyCKR-NNZrP5Ye4GtenXUFq-q278WQ73xVp5KxOHa7rJZv_RqrKzsOS5sHE_ORZ-esMqkhPFt4byfMNa4c2m1w-s8ta-kr_v4CEtyT2ttH5YAzQqcLWGhOOgUjU3yDWWgsR89ViSso6PpaqMp6Bim0fi45fWm16RyHGUaFtk14Iw=s880" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="880" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMpJQIM3wOqCTrr_AyCKR-NNZrP5Ye4GtenXUFq-q278WQ73xVp5KxOHa7rJZv_RqrKzsOS5sHE_ORZ-esMqkhPFt4byfMNa4c2m1w-s8ta-kr_v4CEtyT2ttH5YAzQqcLWGhOOgUjU3yDWWgsR89ViSso6PpaqMp6Bim0fi45fWm16RyHGUaFtk14Iw=w400-h336" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 1 - Portion of NovaCrop SAP analysis result</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><b>Peel SAP Analysis</b> – courtesy of Cornell (thanks Terence Robinson and Lailiang Cheng), interesting and disheartening result when you see RED (as below in Figure 2) in the cells. RED usually means bad things compared to GREEN and YELLOW doesn’t it? But not too surprising, and probably a good analysis that I would buy based on field observation. And it aligned with the EMR results next…</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0sFwKWJzvd9TdT0SHDVUx5wrQGrif4LN52Vs184amEQbRQVLeE7gAjw6plkphZj-8nWfDC-HAwAHVHre6UxJEadRDb-42nuXtm4bZPvDl2tJfXFg_fPLuERSjY7Vjm89A3yZGiNV-p0RsGSLOvMQj0AX8RmRXAaDCPtzHpunycd5JaK3DhSHOmKULqA=s1740" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="1740" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0sFwKWJzvd9TdT0SHDVUx5wrQGrif4LN52Vs184amEQbRQVLeE7gAjw6plkphZj-8nWfDC-HAwAHVHre6UxJEadRDb-42nuXtm4bZPvDl2tJfXFg_fPLuERSjY7Vjm89A3yZGiNV-p0RsGSLOvMQj0AX8RmRXAaDCPtzHpunycd5JaK3DhSHOmKULqA=w400-h98" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 2 - Peel SAP Analysis interpretation courtesy of Terence Robinson and Lailian Cheng</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><b>Environment Minerals Rootstock (EMR)</b> – similar to Peel SAP Analysis, a bitter pit buffet. Suggests nearly a third (for G.41 at least, one out of 5 apples for G.11, bad enough) of the Honeycrisp will come out of storage with some bitter pit as seen in Figure 3. Not good. Nor did I verify that result unfortunately. Hence half-baked.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXH54bXQGeaxvFzJyLu3jxfWZK4KUxXO-zkbOh1xw3yCiz4QMR4hJ59vbU5afAgW1r93erFD5x2bxlAdUCVHjlHGIMstMKlOPRng1t3GDLyMXo8NuIkUchjazlcxJUHN948SVpVb9Uxo7KwTbETgSHvrmU3tUAvAUMs1yCGe9vLSHr447ShxyiZpeyhg=s694" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="694" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXH54bXQGeaxvFzJyLu3jxfWZK4KUxXO-zkbOh1xw3yCiz4QMR4hJ59vbU5afAgW1r93erFD5x2bxlAdUCVHjlHGIMstMKlOPRng1t3GDLyMXo8NuIkUchjazlcxJUHN948SVpVb9Uxo7KwTbETgSHvrmU3tUAvAUMs1yCGe9vLSHr447ShxyiZpeyhg=w400-h126" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 3 - Dan Donahue's (Cornell) EMR bitter pit prediction</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><b>Waypoint Analytical </b>is my latest go-to for leaf analysis with the apparent demise of University soils and tissue testing labs? Waypoint provides a quick turn-around of results including a nice graphical output (Figure 4). For this years Honeycrisp/G.11 leaf analysis, well, it looked pretty good overall. The only nutrient judged deficient by Waypoint was Potassium. But I’d like to see Nitrogen trending towards the Low side, while Calcium would be on the high Sufficient side. See the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H3rl8gFKS6vByeWFT3nKv05mJC3uJied/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">whole PLANT ANALYSIS here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUNlbk6eo0Bu1zG-1dDjyKxm7OiPltDntFiXEegVp7eN85K2l7l3ZNZmNt5dEnj38cgppbY53pZlLfIujI-absnZzyBwljcMw1eWFK1b9HBUCiHRalow_puXjsgA92YaZgfZBrpdvS2hWDp07SGRB6I9bMtXJzW0ec3StYZex-J2a01QApBhIf9KqrBQ=s853" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="853" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUNlbk6eo0Bu1zG-1dDjyKxm7OiPltDntFiXEegVp7eN85K2l7l3ZNZmNt5dEnj38cgppbY53pZlLfIujI-absnZzyBwljcMw1eWFK1b9HBUCiHRalow_puXjsgA92YaZgfZBrpdvS2hWDp07SGRB6I9bMtXJzW0ec3StYZex-J2a01QApBhIf9KqrBQ=w400-h288" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 4 - Portion of Waypoint analytical tissue (leaf) analysis output</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>And finally, <b>SoilTech NW</b>, which was a whole fruit analysis. SoilTech NW is a testing service by invite only as I mentioned, I have been using it in a collaboration with a managed apple variety. I really like their output, and they have developed their own set of desired nutrient ranges based on their database of samples over many years. The result here kind of mirrors the Waypoint leaf analysis, mostly in Nitrogen being high and Calcium low (Figure 5). Magnesium is kind of high too. All things being equal, Magnesium and Potassium are antagonistic to Calcium uptake, and with high Nitrogen it’s not a good outlook for bitter pit. Or do I mean it’s a good outlook for bitter pit, and a not so good outlook for storage potential as can be <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ysCJLe2qji3CCoGaQ34YS1aqn6_uVw5s/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">seen here in the complete results</a>.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOX4Yb2RGRRONDLx73In5pYvzcDQ6Chboo5fumpdw5pHMzhTDHt4VFAcBtMFz1FQHv2I21ZqxXNfFI-mgIe3MnBiueT4oTQ4r802KBLMkFsB5gptYgXPctfirlV2ijk0M5O-afZw8GThl75cQY117961gKMyw7hTZb0WGu8KGKN1rWE-VW5OO46foVXw=s792" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="792" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOX4Yb2RGRRONDLx73In5pYvzcDQ6Chboo5fumpdw5pHMzhTDHt4VFAcBtMFz1FQHv2I21ZqxXNfFI-mgIe3MnBiueT4oTQ4r802KBLMkFsB5gptYgXPctfirlV2ijk0M5O-afZw8GThl75cQY117961gKMyw7hTZb0WGu8KGKN1rWE-VW5OO46foVXw=w400-h220" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figue 5 - Graphical interpretation of SoilTech NW fruit nutrient analysis</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>So, all things considered, I/we could have done better when managing nutrients in Honeycrisp for reduced bitter pit in 2021. There’s always next year, but remember there are many other factors affecting bitter pit incidence in Honeycrisp, primarily tree vigor (overly vigorous, excessive pruning), cropload (lighter with bigger fruit means more bitter pit), tree age (younger trees more susceptible), and high nitrogen/low calcium ratios. And in the Northeast, it was generally a high bitter pit year, the wet growing season (large apples and diluted calcium content) likely being the primary reason. But there is always room for improvement in nutrient management, and doing leaf and fruit nutrient analyses no matter which lab you use is necessary information to improve your orchard bitter pit reduction diet.</div><div><div><br /></div></div><p> </p>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-12687406026720632152021-12-31T13:48:00.005-05:002022-01-08T13:51:34.495-05:00ACCEDE Experimental Use Permit in Massachusetts in 2021 (and what to expect in 2022)<p><b></b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO6eG5j8QtwL3zwn_Ek71FNaqFaoNJco35QbdoOZgy9OpgOi9Q56g81TJ1Ss8hDPaQe_n2Ls4AW-9f4kXw7vPil9gHwpBCgj4hoJMUiQDwtTZcHYdX1ShyBPG6k7YM_lZuH3XdbXbNQW4328lf-AuuiBdB-xyTa0AXdg14J0i_r62R8sZMT2cov81Udg=s234" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="93" data-original-width="234" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO6eG5j8QtwL3zwn_Ek71FNaqFaoNJco35QbdoOZgy9OpgOi9Q56g81TJ1Ss8hDPaQe_n2Ls4AW-9f4kXw7vPil9gHwpBCgj4hoJMUiQDwtTZcHYdX1ShyBPG6k7YM_lZuH3XdbXbNQW4328lf-AuuiBdB-xyTa0AXdg14J0i_r62R8sZMT2cov81Udg=w200-h79" width="200" /></a></b></div><b> I</b>n late 2020 Valent Biosciences received Federal registration for ACCEDE plant growth regulator. From their <a href="https://www.valentbiosciences.com/vbc-news/valent-biosciences-announces-u-s-epa-registration-of-accedetm-plant-growth-regulator-for-effective-thinning-of-stone-fruit-and-apples/" target="_blank">announcement</a> “Accede is the first PGR based on a naturally occurring compound developed specifically for thinning of stone fruit, including peaches and nectarines. It also gives apple growers an effective tool to thin apples in the late thinning window when fruit are 15-20 mm in diameter. Until now, no fruit thinner has provided reliable thinning at this stage of development. Use of Accede will reduce the need for costly hand thinning to adjust the crop load and generate higher fruit quality and grower returns.” <p></p><p>How does Accede work to thin apples and peaches? Accede (active ingredient 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, ACC) is classified as a naturally occurring “biochemical” plant growth regulator. It is an immediate precursor to ethylene production. Application of Accede thus stimulates ethylene production which in turn triggers seed abortion and the formation of an abcission zone. Hence fruitlet drop (in apples when applied at 15-20 mm fruitlet diameter) and flower senescence (in peaches when applied at bloom) is promoted and accelerated. Application of ethephon can do the same thing, but ethephon is a bit “unpredictable” whereas Accede is a bit “safer.”</p><p>At the University of Massachusetts, Duane Greene started experimenting with ACC over 10 years ago. A couple years of trialing at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown on McIntosh apples resulted in significant fruit thinning that increased (less percent fruit set) with rate and with later timing (10 mm vs. 20 mm, Figure 1). He also noted some leaf yellowing/drop after Accede application, but it was not excessive. And Phil Schwallier at Michigan State University in 2016 showed that ACC application increased fruit size of Gala apples to 160 grams per apple compared to 120 grams per apple for untreated trees.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWJMkGndjW1e4A4vqWzAUu5ow2V6va15My7ldSh40iug8OHJprtPHPyJJpK2H2D3Q9S6sdyRh078lTpvjbAPbYteMEichJUiCnCc4LegRu9ppO7v3LyZQmwx02WyqZOzHXf9lqTeCAqaJwLVx3Mg5T5YJcoSSAGlEK2PAHSUj4gGrzqHUywQuN5whI1g=s1020" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1020" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWJMkGndjW1e4A4vqWzAUu5ow2V6va15My7ldSh40iug8OHJprtPHPyJJpK2H2D3Q9S6sdyRh078lTpvjbAPbYteMEichJUiCnCc4LegRu9ppO7v3LyZQmwx02WyqZOzHXf9lqTeCAqaJwLVx3Mg5T5YJcoSSAGlEK2PAHSUj4gGrzqHUywQuN5whI1g=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 1 - 2011 results of ACC research at UMass Orchard (Duane Greene)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lacking a state label in Massachusetts in 2021, I was asked by Valent to supervise Experimental Use Permit (EUP) applications of Accede in a handful of Massachusetts apple orchards. Valent applied for and received the EUP from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) in January 2021. Notable stipulations of the EUP included:</div><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>MDAR notified in writing prior to application</li><li>Supervised by Cat 49 (Research & Demonstration) applicator</li><li>Public access limited by signage “Notice Pesticide Testing”</li><li>Report submitted to MDAR at conclusion of EUP</li></ul><p></p><p>With enough Accede on hand in the spring of 2021 to cover about five acres total, I solicited four Massachusetts orchards – one in the northeast, two in central Massachusetts, and one west of the Connecticut River – to use Accede under the EUP. I also intended to use Accede at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown. Along with Jim Wargo, Valent sales rep for New England and New York, visits were made to the orchards in late May to assess the need for further thinning after they had already applied their petal fall and 10 mm chemical thinners (Fig. 2). It was not too hard to settle on approximately one-half to one acre apple blocks where additional thinning was desired at 15-20 mm fruitlet size.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTh_MpFoQOhcO4WfjiU7Ui3szp9HiM4K0U9ebgPW12YL7qHOpgF_uTgs-Olu5I0dGecEes4-MbkqJjYTBmOo0A8vzi9TFJ5Kn52JBDXTicNF9Vi11sH562Oy_mBw-6lBsWQY2BmNCz51E8hhEVyrlIrqKm0m7lGI-cIZCMvTBdIVntYHDOwRuhrNYk3A=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTh_MpFoQOhcO4WfjiU7Ui3szp9HiM4K0U9ebgPW12YL7qHOpgF_uTgs-Olu5I0dGecEes4-MbkqJjYTBmOo0A8vzi9TFJ5Kn52JBDXTicNF9Vi11sH562Oy_mBw-6lBsWQY2BmNCz51E8hhEVyrlIrqKm0m7lGI-cIZCMvTBdIVntYHDOwRuhrNYk3A=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 2 - Accede EUP application discussion with Jim Wargo (Valent USA) on 25-May, 2021</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Valent supplied the directions for the growers to use when applying Accede under the EUP, including:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Use a rate of 200-400 ppm (23-46 fl oz/A) at 15-20 mm fruitlet diameter</li><li>Use a non-ionic surfactant at 0.05% v/v (6.5 fl oz/100 gal)</li><li>Use 100 gallons per acre (adequate coverage of fruit and foliage)</li><li>DO NOT apply as tank mix partner with other thinning products</li><li>Consider reduced rate if temperatures predicted to exceed 90 F. on day of application</li><li>And allow 7-10 days to observe effect of thinning</li></ul><p></p><p>Growers were instructed to follow these directions the best they could, and applications were made around June 1. I should note that the NEWA Apple Carbohydrate model indicated a moderate deficit would be occurring shortly after most applications were made, so we expected to get some (good) results. Accede was applied to quite a few varieties, including Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun, Golden Delicious, and Paulared (among a few others). Growers noted there were no particular problems mixing and applying Accede and most used LI-700 as the surfactant. The rate of Accede used was 300 to 400 ppm in 50 to 100 gallons of water. With the exception of Paulared and one Macoun block being larger trees, the rest of the blocks were smaller (150 gallons per acre dilute tree row volume approximately) but mature bearing trees on dwarfing rootstocks.</p><p>A few weeks following the Accede applications, a visit was made to each orchard to visually assess the efficacy (or not) of the Accede application(s). Valent provided a form that included the assessment parameters of leaf yellowing/drop, tree vigor, thinning activity, and return bloom (Fig. 3).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjafyNMGasd2SqwHGpjX3e9Wsj4uBJWcQOS7aCFP_yDAjn31Z0wIdcdt6rODt1rKf6pgEbczyWJ2xji_E2y-DwZm5E6Anvurz0c4lI-AFNmlGdnftg27t6kcSW0smPeG4-Zob0a30x4X8FqTQnU1OTrZfR2vReeRXhMmPU1x4XsygQ8cqXtVB09bkPdBg=s555" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="555" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjafyNMGasd2SqwHGpjX3e9Wsj4uBJWcQOS7aCFP_yDAjn31Z0wIdcdt6rODt1rKf6pgEbczyWJ2xji_E2y-DwZm5E6Anvurz0c4lI-AFNmlGdnftg27t6kcSW0smPeG4-Zob0a30x4X8FqTQnU1OTrZfR2vReeRXhMmPU1x4XsygQ8cqXtVB09bkPdBg=w400-h311" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 3 - Portion of assessment form provided by Valent to assess ACC applications</td></tr></tbody></table><p>When assessments were complete, it was agreed that leaf yellowing-drop ranged from none to moderate, while tree vigor was generally good (slight reduction in canopy density) to excellent (no difference in tree canopy vs. untreated). Thinning activity varied widely by orchard and variety. As a general rule, Golden Delicious types (like Gala) were sufficiently thinned compared to the untreated control (Figs. 4 and 5) where little or no hand thinning was needed. McIntosh types seemed largely unfazed by the Accede application(s) though. This was also observed in an ACC experiment conducted on McIntosh by Greene where virtually no thinning occurred too. On Honeycrisp, it’s unclear how Accede may work, it may be useful there but still to be determined.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfHz2DS4vmHmmOLJ-HCA4duqxgeSP6zbw9z6eVJLC-UDfOyF9fkx2HZS5IS_4AgBx1QRxPpxYnOSdz8ED9g9HyR0Qd_K_xHo2O6SG0FO--nb0ci1GI_0NpA5jeEv8ahf3nu9947pfqsAMq_djuoBCs7QdQdkGzBIgJlB4kI64c6I2E6Aw-1II6hUFN3Q=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfHz2DS4vmHmmOLJ-HCA4duqxgeSP6zbw9z6eVJLC-UDfOyF9fkx2HZS5IS_4AgBx1QRxPpxYnOSdz8ED9g9HyR0Qd_K_xHo2O6SG0FO--nb0ci1GI_0NpA5jeEv8ahf3nu9947pfqsAMq_djuoBCs7QdQdkGzBIgJlB4kI64c6I2E6Aw-1II6hUFN3Q=w400-h200" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 3 - Gala fruitlet drop following Accede application: untreated control on left vs. Accede application on right</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGoaYEAG-2Zv8ae6L6Q2W_U0shILU0j-6JRcJclIMDr2fjfeaC5_s2s4tMyd-0aOvo3soQUJXyvBjHiPNQLkd5L9JLn_KmcivC16XI2RkRtVY7GtcfLYKkqB6GRwAq76QF28stFPxVbSfDQA3eGSMZlZVLbUzJ1_mK9m16lq1R3mAkEC2jNy1__T7cQw=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGoaYEAG-2Zv8ae6L6Q2W_U0shILU0j-6JRcJclIMDr2fjfeaC5_s2s4tMyd-0aOvo3soQUJXyvBjHiPNQLkd5L9JLn_KmcivC16XI2RkRtVY7GtcfLYKkqB6GRwAq76QF28stFPxVbSfDQA3eGSMZlZVLbUzJ1_mK9m16lq1R3mAkEC2jNy1__T7cQw=w400-h200" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig. 5 - Typical Gala fruitlet clusters after Accede application: untreated control on left, Accede application on right</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We are learning how Accede may be another useful chemical thinner in your toolbox but don’t count on it being a silver bullet. Plan on starting chemical thinning early and often just as usual, and then bring out the Accede if you get to the point when fruitlets are 15-20 mm in size and you are looking at having to do considerable hand thinning still. Accede will probably not be a good option at the 10 mm fruit size, but that is still being evaluated. Having some carbohydrate deficit on the trees during the timing of Accede application will be helpful, and Accede may be particularly useful on Gala to increase thinning and improve apple size.</p><p>I alluded to the fact that Accede can also be used for thinning stone fruit, including peaches! That is a big deal as we don’t have a chemical thinner for peaches. And it’s a very promising thinner of peaches. For example, a summary of Accede EUP applied to peaches in 2021 in New York, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania across many peach varieties resulted in an average fruit reduction of 39% compared to the untreated control (Gregory Clarke, Valent USA). Peach varieties did vary quite widely in their thinning response to Accede, but that might have been a location effect. And in Michigan, work by Anna Wallis and Phil Schwallier in 2021 showed that hand thinning time was reduced by approximately 50% with Accede application compared to non-treated peaches. That would be sweet!</p><p>New York already has a state registration for Accede, on both apples and stone fruit, but as of late 2021 not all the New England states had Accede registered, including Massachusetts (per CDMS Advanced Label Search, which I really don't like, prefer <a href="http://appleipm.com/" target="_blank">Agrian</a>, but Accede not listed there yet!). All state registrations, however, are expected in 2022. But I have learned that Accede supply for 2022 may be somewhat limited, and Valent plans to expand a demo program similar to what was done in 2021. Reach out to your agrochemical supplier if you want to use Accede in 2022, particularly if you want to trial it on some peaches.</p><p><i>Thanks to Parlee Farms, Carlson Orchards, Ragged Hill Orchard, and Clark Brothers Orchard for participating in the EUP. And to Jim Wargo and Greg Clarke of Valent for supporting the EUP in more ways than one. And Duane Greene for his preliminary work with ACC and for some worthy edits to the text herein...</i></p>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-8117583933350301442021-12-27T10:56:00.002-05:002021-12-28T09:56:31.986-05:00 Half-baked Research 2021: Part 2 - Lesson learned, don’t play with fire blight!<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh30b87GN_eiPlufej5y62i6V5UTMfsxWT-Hq3ac_rkTKmt5wPz0GNO9nVjoM-dqiIUJRPIAp5ViUAd2N-cI82jNqOtOtd71UN3musLKngzya24E89u0MamOTCVHemq29dRaAxYT4-GKY72EuEwF4Nn-nsd6982YQwDIKI7-ulKprGcwNkX16vCp6PyTw=s1280" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh30b87GN_eiPlufej5y62i6V5UTMfsxWT-Hq3ac_rkTKmt5wPz0GNO9nVjoM-dqiIUJRPIAp5ViUAd2N-cI82jNqOtOtd71UN3musLKngzya24E89u0MamOTCVHemq29dRaAxYT4-GKY72EuEwF4Nn-nsd6982YQwDIKI7-ulKprGcwNkX16vCp6PyTw=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></b></div><b> D</b>on’t play with matches. Don’t play with fire. Don’t play with fire blight! Lesson learned. Of course I had to prove it for myself, as in “Half-baked Research 2021: Part 2 - Lesson learned, don’t play with fire blight!”<p></p><p>I was approached in early 2021 by a notable “manufacturer and marketer of science-based nutritional and biological products that will enhance crop quality, storability, and yield in a profitable and environmentally sustainable manner” to evaluate some newer formulations as to how they might suppress fire blight infection. (Apple scab too with a different array of products, I will touch on that briefly at the end.) OK, I was game as I am a believer in their products.</p><p>The protocol called for product application(s) to apple at 1/2-inch green, tight cluster, 1st pink, and bloom with three of their products, at different rates and mixes, the idea being to build up some resistance to fire blight infection. At least that was the hypothesis. Treatments also included an untreated check (of course) and the grower “standard” of streptomycin at bloom.</p><p>OK. At first I proposed to do the work at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown, but as soon as it was hinted the trial might involve actual application of THE fire blight bacteria, I was promptly shot down by smart people at the University. Too much risk, too much time spent fighting fire blight in the past. Arghh, but I kind of understood and did not push the issue, despite it being a research orchard :-)</p><p>But, being stubborn, I said to myself, OK, I will see if I can find a grower cooperator. And darn it, if I am going to go to all that work to apply these products, I am not going to take the chance we actually have some natural fire blight going on, so I sure am going to inoculate the trees with ACTUAL fire blight when their time comes at bloom. I mean, how bad could it be? We know how to manage fire blight, right? I over-achieved and convinced (with some grumbling) two orchards to let me do the experiment within their bounds.</p><p>In one orchard, we agreed on a group of younger variety test trees grown to super-spindle on G.11 rootstock that were “mine” anyways. And the trees were on the edge of the orchard, and downwind from the prevailing wind. (Not that it does not blow from the East too.) I even suggested the trees were expendable if push comes to shove (literally) and they get a lot of fire blight. But I was not too worried, we could manage that, right? The second orchard had a couple rows of mature tall-spindle Fuji trees to work in, again on the orchard edge and downwind, that was great I thought, because it would be nice to have a real-world apple variety (vs. the numbered test varieties) to report the results to the sponsor. All was good, what could go wrong? </p><p>So, the treatments (products) went on pretty much as scheduled. I used a back-pack sprayer, and they all got a good dose of treatments. A lot of driving around and work, but that was OK. Mission accomplished.</p><p>When bloom arrived in mid-May I made a run to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven to pick up some real live fire blight bacteria courtesy of Quan Zeng there. I think there was about 150 ml. of fire blight solution in an Erlenmeyer flask, the population density (CFU’s) of the fire blight bacteria in the solution escapes me, but I am pretty sure it was in the millions. I had to keep it cool (cold?) and use it in a few days, Quan advised. So, I put it in a cooler with an ice pack and safely seat-belt in the back of the Prius and set off back to the first orchard in MA to apply the fire blight. Somehow it felt pretty cool, definitely a first for me at least.</p><p>When I arrived to apply the bacteria, the test trees were in a varying state of bloom, and it was not as warm as predicted, maybe 65 degrees whereas it was supposed to be in the 70’s. Damn unpredictable East wind! But I went ahead and applied the fire blight bacteria solution to open bloom using the backpack sprayer. I should say I tagged only an individual limb area of the trees to direct the fire blight spray, I did not spray the whole tree with fire blight! After applying the fire blight to all the treatment trees I followed up with the streptomycin treatment to those trees only dedicated for that treatment. Because it was so cool during the application, and some of the test varieties did not have much open bloom yet, I came back a few days later as I had some fire blight solution left. So I sprayed the trees again with the fire blight even though it was even cooler and it started raining during the application!</p><p>Fire blight application to the Fuji orchard was a bit less dramatic, conditions were pretty good, with temperatures in the mid-70’s and a bit of humidity. That application was made mid-week (in mid-May) between the two applications described above.</p><p>I had some trepidation about whether the fire blight applications would work, for several reasons. Mostly because the application conditions were not ideal (too cool?), and I was afraid I might have not treated the fire blight containing flask 100% as recommended – maybe kept it too cold, maybe took too long (four days) to get the application(s) made?</p><p>So. I waited. Told the growers to let me know if they saw any sign of fire blight. I waited. A week. I was depressed. Doomed to fail. But then, shortly after a week, I got the first call, “yup, seeing some fire blight there in those variety test trees, you better get out here to take a look!” I did, and it was indeed fire blight! Yippee! And then guess what? A few days later, I got a call from the Fuji grower, “I think I am seeing some fire blight, you better come have a look.” Oh yes, a touch of fire blight. No worries, it did not seem too bad. So we waited a few more days.</p><p>Then things got worse. Fast! The fire blight was taking off! I had to get to both orchards and do my treatments evaluation, which was a simple rating scale – 0 = 0%; 25 = 25%; 50 = 50%; 75 = 75%; and 100 = 100% fire blight of flowers infected – on the limb area where I applied the fire blight. Done. And some pruning out of blight by me. But, it continued to get worse in both orchards, and some fire blight spread to neighboring trees was observed. Result was some sleepless nights, at least by me! We were resigned, however, to manage it (and the spread) by cutting it out (for a while) and spraying some low rate copper (in a Double Nickel/Cueva combination) and Apogee to the infected (including adjacent) trees. Some Oxidate too.</p><p>And then, a bit of miscommunication resulted in the demise of the experimental variety block! That was OK, as we had agreed on this course of action, but I was a little disappointed we did not try to further manage it. It was, however, spreading to adjacent Honeycrisp and Evercrisp trees, so totally understandable. It was the end of two experiments as you can see…</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPH-XunKo-5mC2lNFasXM-vDOMvcyagH28CMuFjvt7tzbu2CBgjjS3mxaffomz7GFmrqKyUk6aZT0VNO63YlO3ytEmQNLhnefXRRLyHDYdnrnll0WLzGNlIn9pEp_-a5hHsiyNeooEQMwvv6CkWc6gGmSi_fhgy_1AtNWoXOg7FWpBNZMjMiCZbk661A=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPH-XunKo-5mC2lNFasXM-vDOMvcyagH28CMuFjvt7tzbu2CBgjjS3mxaffomz7GFmrqKyUk6aZT0VNO63YlO3ytEmQNLhnefXRRLyHDYdnrnll0WLzGNlIn9pEp_-a5hHsiyNeooEQMwvv6CkWc6gGmSi_fhgy_1AtNWoXOg7FWpBNZMjMiCZbk661A=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grower impatience leads to the demise of the <br />fire blight infected apple variety test block! (25-May, 2021)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>As to the Fuji block, heck now, we were not going to cut that one down! So, we fretted, and continued to prune out the fire blight. Some of the treatment trees were looking pretty sad (cut up), and there was some spread to adjacent Braeburn, Gala, and Honeycrisp. Finally by mid-summer the worst was over, new fire blight infections had stopped, and the block was salvaged I think. Can’t say the grower was overly happy, but he remained pretty good-natured about the situation. He is going to have to be on top of it in the Spring of 2022 as I am sure there are plenty of cankers left there. I don’t believe the fire blight killed any of the trees outright, despite being on susceptible M.9 rootstock.</p><p>So you probably gathered by now the products tested were not overly effective at preventing fire blight. Correct. But in retrospect, I don’t think the intent was for these to “prevent’” fire blight when disease pressure was extreme, as it was with my generous blanket of fire blight bacteria sprayed on the trees during bloom. I believe the idea was to solicit some kind of SAR (Systemic Acquired Resistance) response, which may or may not have happened. (Don't dismiss the nutrition benefits of the products either.) Worth pursuing with further research? Probably. Oh, by the way, I said the treatments did not “work.” Actually one did, guess which one? Yup, the streptomycin treatment, which was nearly 100% effective at preventing fire blight infection. Should we be surprised? Probably not, streptomycin is very effective at reducing the fire blight bacterial load and preventing infection. (Unless resistance to strep by the fire blight bacteria has developed.)</p><p>I failed to mention I also did apply the fire blight treatments to a group of Honeycrisp trees at the UMass Orchard, but I did NOT spray with fire blight bacteria. Guess what? Absolutely no fire blight. Same (mostly) for the rest of the Orchard. And oh yes, I mentioned I also worked with some purported apple scab suppressing (at least that was the hypothesis) products at the UMass Orchard, on McIntosh trees (highly susceptible to scab). These again were nutritionals/biologicals, I did not expect much, and that was the case. High rates in one case caused some phytotoxicity – they got a good dose multiple times coinciding with change in bud stage and/or primary apple scab infection period – and that actually inhibited scab because the phyto was so bad there was less susceptible green tissue. BTW, the control there was primary apple scab season-long Inspire Super. I don’t recommend it nor does the label advise it (resistance issues), but there was no scab, it works… :-)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjA7AwCurzIO8gZINosIhpgAbIvZfWSD2XIC0QUuKaFgqPxb3BbpFaY2_5xORVvxRSS5cZkKwiMJCfX4pRz0SBX_StBmFE6Y9isLnoQ1jR_-ffw0LW20Bu-R-hofnlWzj-oP9eJw0rIKsT69WUn3q627FbQWPGMlvkbANdgueAGuG65xUeMrKsXw0r6cw=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjA7AwCurzIO8gZINosIhpgAbIvZfWSD2XIC0QUuKaFgqPxb3BbpFaY2_5xORVvxRSS5cZkKwiMJCfX4pRz0SBX_StBmFE6Y9isLnoQ1jR_-ffw0LW20Bu-R-hofnlWzj-oP9eJw0rIKsT69WUn3q627FbQWPGMlvkbANdgueAGuG65xUeMrKsXw0r6cw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuji fire blight experiment trees approaching bloom on 4-May, 2021</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZHKHXpGn2EqmMf1SueSi8MqY-8X5RB7sTMIWJU-TWJhxlONaWvmb8Y941vJV65uQVzs6QqYSXi4lFaki5cQmXDZP10YxBsGs37voiu7R8uFh9YnZr_ZlDXafQWkzbiF3GOJPFDgjxTAIEDG6Br1i1Px8XDUYcSCBbnR9XAU4eUPddhbGVVBDh5JnEmw=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZHKHXpGn2EqmMf1SueSi8MqY-8X5RB7sTMIWJU-TWJhxlONaWvmb8Y941vJV65uQVzs6QqYSXi4lFaki5cQmXDZP10YxBsGs37voiu7R8uFh9YnZr_ZlDXafQWkzbiF3GOJPFDgjxTAIEDG6Br1i1Px8XDUYcSCBbnR9XAU4eUPddhbGVVBDh5JnEmw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blossom fire blight infected limb on experimental tree (22-May, 2021)</td></tr></tbody></table><p><i>Thank you Tougas Family Farm (Northboro, MA) and Outlook Farm (Westhampton, MA) for the extra work and stress I created while doing this “half-baked” research. And to the sponsor for their financial support…</i></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-74052842837245779452021-12-23T12:19:00.003-05:002021-12-25T08:56:20.528-05:00“Half-baked” Research 2021: Part 1 - “Precision” Crop Load Management<p><b>2021</b> was a year of – how shall I say it? – “half-baked” research. With a couple exceptions, too many minor research projects producing variable (aka dubious?) results. But I like to document “stuff.” So I am going to write up some “research” I did during the 2021 growing season for “what it’s worth?” (Hopefully something!) So here is “Half-Baked” Research 2021: Part 1 - “Precision Crop Load Management.”</p><p>In April 2021, in a commercial orchard “we” (meaning the grower and I) attempted to initiate a full-fledged research project per a protocol developed by the PACMAN group. <a href="https://pacman.extension.org/" target="_blank">PACMAN</a> being “Precision Apple Crop load MANagement,” or as some prefer to call it Precision Crop Load Management (PCLM) of apples. The protocol was developed to address Objective 1. of PACMAN - “Develop and disseminate user-friendly computer-based models and comprehensive crop load management strategies for apple to achieve optimal crop load and maximize crop value.” Real PACMAN researchers in WA, MI, NY, NC, and VA are also following the protocol(s), which basically are as follows:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>For Experiment 1 – Pruning treatments: At green tip, reduce the total number of spur floral buds per tree to 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, or 400 with a target of 8 trees at each level. Thinning treatments: 1) Hand thin at full bloom to 2 flower per cluster then thin to single fruitlet (largest) at 10mm fruit size, 2) Chemically thin at bloom with lime sulfur and fish oil guided by the pollen tube growth model, at Petal Fall with NAA+Sevin and 12mm with Maxcel+Sevin if needed. Data collection to include: TCSA, final floral bud number per tree at bloom, final fruit number per tree at harvest, yield, average fruit size, average fruit red color, either actual packout (size and color) or calculated packout from mean fruit size and mean color and using a normal distribution to estimate number of boxes per acre in each size and color category.</li><li>For Experiment 2 – At green tip, reduce total number of spur floral buds per tree to 200 on all trees (2 times the target fruit number of 100) The pruning must be done at green tip when floral spur buds can be easily distinguished from vegetative buds. 4 levels of crop load (3, 6, 9, and 12 fruits/cm2 TCSA). At full bloom reduce the number of clusters per tree to the assigned crop load (assuming only 1 fruit per cluster) by removing all flowers of a cluster. Secondly reduce the number of flowers per cluster to 2 (king and L3 lateral flower). Thirdly, at 10mm fruit size reduces the number of fruits/cluster to the desired crop load by hand thinning leaving only 1 fruit per cluster (the largest fruit). No chemical thinning.</li></ul><p></p><div><div>All sounded like a good idea. On paper at least. But after thinking about the whole thing longer – and after flagging experimental trees, and starting to follow the protocols – we realized, amongst all the six million other things we had to do during the spring, and all the other projects I had going on (more on all that with upcoming blog posts) we simply could not follow through with all the treatment and data collection protocols. So, what actually happened?</div><div><br /></div><div>The pruning treatments (Experiment 1) were accomplished on Gala trees. (Despite some grumbling by the grower.) Grower chemically thinned, however, pretty much at will. Farm crew avoided (I believe) hand thinning our flagged treatment trees. In September, we (thanks Jim Krupa) counted the number of apples remaining on the flagged treatment trees across eight replications. Observation of the pruning severity treatment trees was interesting, and we all agreed we liked the look of the Gala apples on the 50 and 100 buds left after green-tip pruning. At the higher bud densities, the Gala apples were “small.” Although the grower said – being a pick-your-own operation – the more apples the better. They agreed, however, they want quality, good-tasting apples for their customers, something they hang their hat on, and aggressively attempt to manage crop load for quality and annual bearing. Want to see the results of the fruit count per tree (across 8 trees per treatment counted) at harvest?</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTp6cYC2JLFQeOxTcfJzd18bkjqo5FEIM3cinupTqYCvMIFSA_29DEfuluYoFKoZV9d7v3XxvXRlhN2QW9QwQ5QRMMEYLJufosKjhGDzUaiIvUJu3qY0N69zMiMB57-ROQ1uBOuP0M2X_KgDwBi4gZb9bD68taJ2VLbh4yerLa03LGCUTmgQ648Y1s2w=s480" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="243" data-original-width="480" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTp6cYC2JLFQeOxTcfJzd18bkjqo5FEIM3cinupTqYCvMIFSA_29DEfuluYoFKoZV9d7v3XxvXRlhN2QW9QwQ5QRMMEYLJufosKjhGDzUaiIvUJu3qY0N69zMiMB57-ROQ1uBOuP0M2X_KgDwBi4gZb9bD68taJ2VLbh4yerLa03LGCUTmgQ648Y1s2w=w400-h203" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>If I were to plot that, because we, as scientists, that’s just what we do, make charts:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg36KFk2AbfVMPADcHVtaCFqsHSdKtm5jLImt6fAGyZBSjRFGdW0aHzY49smLRor4wddxK_Pj2CRfYlC4fnI6S7uAcX47gg_UCNbDuMpPeZdxDMScoq48ZkRjDclfNgbGGF_Tc16JIGnXymp58aCBC93Ktsy66xA8S60qpQPDWrYeoKztravlMpj-Zlmg=s1098" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1098" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg36KFk2AbfVMPADcHVtaCFqsHSdKtm5jLImt6fAGyZBSjRFGdW0aHzY49smLRor4wddxK_Pj2CRfYlC4fnI6S7uAcX47gg_UCNbDuMpPeZdxDMScoq48ZkRjDclfNgbGGF_Tc16JIGnXymp58aCBC93Ktsy66xA8S60qpQPDWrYeoKztravlMpj-Zlmg=w400-h241" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Not a bad “fit.” (Red line.) Where is the sweet spot? I think where 100 meets 100, i.e., prune to a bud load of about 100 buds, hope for one apple set per bud, equals 100 apples per tree at harvest. Hope. Maybe best to leave a few more buds to hedge your bets. Picts of the different pruning treatments vs. crop load at harvest follow at the end. You be the judge.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Oh yea, Experiment 2, we did not follow through much at all. Well, the grower did attempt to reduce the 4 levels of crop load – to 3, 6, 9, and 12 fruits/cm2 TCSA – per the protocol, but only on a few reps. These were Honeycrisp trees BTW. Did not see much going on there in the end. We did some fruit counts at harvest. I won’t ever report that because there is nothing there. Half-baked? Yup.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the Gala experiment, I do think we learned something – that we may be under-pruning if the goal is large Gala’s. We kind of knew that, but this little bit of work bears that out. It will be very interesting to see the results from the real research, but I do know a preliminary analysis of the data suggests that “at a given crop load, larger fruits are produced in some climates than in other climates.” (2021 PCLM Report, T. Robinson et. al.)</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Thanks to <a href="http://tougasfamilyfarm.com/" target="_blank">Tougas Farm</a> for letting this research happen (despite some grumbling) and to Jim Krupa of UMass who so aptly helped me count apples and and held the treatment flagging for the pictures!</i></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUXH7iA3GIwChmtYXQezT6GMjZ72vTw7GMHznAEUMl_H-dmAFWVqfuf1ra7aWqHyn1pf0u5sjGhmGBuUWHOBuwYqqidoEeawsv8UEEVHfJSU2BirQixqPlSLv3qNFGIRsCFFZflLHKAzVnxu2R021eH0VondLihwWU7mUzkneCue_xJLUu4XZW3S8UAQ=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUXH7iA3GIwChmtYXQezT6GMjZ72vTw7GMHznAEUMl_H-dmAFWVqfuf1ra7aWqHyn1pf0u5sjGhmGBuUWHOBuwYqqidoEeawsv8UEEVHfJSU2BirQixqPlSLv3qNFGIRsCFFZflLHKAzVnxu2R021eH0VondLihwWU7mUzkneCue_xJLUu4XZW3S8UAQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pruned to 50 buds, 71 (large) apples left at harvest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6XADO8Zfn57YKxn3mJTY5eANlS1epHzg7vOLWZjYRvt4ZMvF8wnp6Yh0HkmTsW3Lb1Mr-CDjmVr2OSs2dnBdiznNdPs4rJH_iQ6DTn5dystXWgVZerGbw_atBJoyDbXr0sRtKo18GQfCEQgyWCjtvE1xIDy57oHr3285BZkfJRMHG0U2x_Au3teaXIw=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6XADO8Zfn57YKxn3mJTY5eANlS1epHzg7vOLWZjYRvt4ZMvF8wnp6Yh0HkmTsW3Lb1Mr-CDjmVr2OSs2dnBdiznNdPs4rJH_iQ6DTn5dystXWgVZerGbw_atBJoyDbXr0sRtKo18GQfCEQgyWCjtvE1xIDy57oHr3285BZkfJRMHG0U2x_Au3teaXIw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pruned to 100 buds, 140 apples left at harvest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuyHCN7HbNw7HfOHqs2Z3uHgKFOPKhL7kfl4SnzD-sSRTn7kqGi9BRYhILZepxI-CM9LzTQ1muiGTVWzq3Dc_a2RYsa2vOhgywAceupzAwDDHyUm-QqHVJcaudvJhYuVM4pn4xV22TLvkC4DxUgwiImrtiSI9VD3mYExRXIgCUCPwJAOXBvExUstSM3A=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuyHCN7HbNw7HfOHqs2Z3uHgKFOPKhL7kfl4SnzD-sSRTn7kqGi9BRYhILZepxI-CM9LzTQ1muiGTVWzq3Dc_a2RYsa2vOhgywAceupzAwDDHyUm-QqHVJcaudvJhYuVM4pn4xV22TLvkC4DxUgwiImrtiSI9VD3mYExRXIgCUCPwJAOXBvExUstSM3A=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pruned to 150 buds, 122 apples left at harvest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfQnDOBsKOtvvGQHTUwP3y09PvkPVONl1Z0x2QldGnHGsRkIcks0BRKVsn9G1vHTMeA5RrGdu1_4F2MZcqdxTACAwhUYhpEn0WtPL36U6TlAmkMtqizId4tSFXIAUx6vOQTEWs8G61KfVTtvrEaRayExDJh7o_Nzq4BgvhdKFNeBJwEWh7XOoi6QssAQ=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfQnDOBsKOtvvGQHTUwP3y09PvkPVONl1Z0x2QldGnHGsRkIcks0BRKVsn9G1vHTMeA5RrGdu1_4F2MZcqdxTACAwhUYhpEn0WtPL36U6TlAmkMtqizId4tSFXIAUx6vOQTEWs8G61KfVTtvrEaRayExDJh7o_Nzq4BgvhdKFNeBJwEWh7XOoi6QssAQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pruned to 200 buds, 148 apples left at harvest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH9ODzyt1966WBZzlkuD04nz6-fSu9o2DhMMBMBVrFaND5Gihv6uOlNjtxM8d3e7bw31qjmkpqq4tDAqS8vSOf7jAZT0Ziy1EKVSegrCtSZccj2WECk179_u-oHxzwsxZgqeknDaxKG9Ex48E06fAn6xFo9YDPt8aaub5UjRistpPc2c_MSUgFTV-jmQ=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH9ODzyt1966WBZzlkuD04nz6-fSu9o2DhMMBMBVrFaND5Gihv6uOlNjtxM8d3e7bw31qjmkpqq4tDAqS8vSOf7jAZT0Ziy1EKVSegrCtSZccj2WECk179_u-oHxzwsxZgqeknDaxKG9Ex48E06fAn6xFo9YDPt8aaub5UjRistpPc2c_MSUgFTV-jmQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pruned to 250 buds, 140 apples left at harvest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-15255853802855690972021-11-19T14:12:00.000-05:002021-11-19T14:12:32.696-05:00The 2021 apple pest season according to the RIMpro Cloud Service<p>Directly from their website "RIMpro Cloud Service is an interactive Decision Support System (DSS) for pest and disease management in fruit and wine grape production. For many growers and consultants RIMpro is their essential tool for effective crop protection." We have been using RIMpro for some years now, and although not for everyone - NEWA being a good alternative - it is the most sophisticated and granular DSS out there. Visual presentation of model output - such as the the flagship RIMpro Venturia (apple scab) model - is a particularly good and useful feature of RIMpro. To that end, I present mostly -- with a little explanation - the graphical RIMpro model output for most of the important apple pest model outputs of RIMpro, including Venturia (apple scab) for the 2021 growing season at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown, MA...</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcgP4x9X5GwoehyXkxjJ2qDDUQCwc89axHJNxhq2JT5PjbiSMS4nuYKIzwC8zKImIMkbAP4B-ZUEbtSaeacFvbPQnnqKXN7iWvTzJ7_WA0usnvmOwYqm-R_SAdF2Ce6bf3Ln1pmwSrLnA/s2048/1-RIMproapplescab2021.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="2048" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcgP4x9X5GwoehyXkxjJ2qDDUQCwc89axHJNxhq2JT5PjbiSMS4nuYKIzwC8zKImIMkbAP4B-ZUEbtSaeacFvbPQnnqKXN7iWvTzJ7_WA0usnvmOwYqm-R_SAdF2Ce6bf3Ln1pmwSrLnA/w400-h223/1-RIMproapplescab2021.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple scab model output based on weather station. Only when the red line (infection value) exceeds 100 is the scab risk high in an otherwise "clean" orchard. Thus, five apple scab infection periods that would need fungicide coverage, probably a combination of protectant and kick-back fungicides. I'd be looking at six sprays maybe?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkpD5KyOCwFjv6jnjc-l3MQPCQ2skcX3UNj2bQ5DIIgPwlBpNF2r9HgQQV_8TsHWhCelAchxg87hrIe6l6D11il8dRL69In2-FGB_qmR7Vc5Ns-NGGKFDOXXclKA2GOEUdN7LqKbZGtkQ/s2048/2-RIMproapplescabMB2021.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="2048" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkpD5KyOCwFjv6jnjc-l3MQPCQ2skcX3UNj2bQ5DIIgPwlBpNF2r9HgQQV_8TsHWhCelAchxg87hrIe6l6D11il8dRL69In2-FGB_qmR7Vc5Ns-NGGKFDOXXclKA2GOEUdN7LqKbZGtkQ/w400-h223/2-RIMproapplescabMB2021.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple scab model output based on virtual (meteoblue.com) weather data. Whoa, big difference from onsite weather station. Here, nine RIM values exceed 100 (Medium infection risk) which would trigger at least nine fungicide sprays? The virtual weather data appears to over-estimate when it rains (or not).<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDD6SgomVqqwPnTLOTq58CJg8XrdLC36mP2HfVz6Ra4U7QSiuoTHzyxdmOKZoXN8DkdtWHtAlbTjA9a_xkPB4Fpp4YnuHL55pJKtTzJNK_0nzsZOFQ0lfz13wyla9Kx6UfVH4JEx4VvpR/s2048/3-RIMproapplepowderymildew2021.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="2048" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDD6SgomVqqwPnTLOTq58CJg8XrdLC36mP2HfVz6Ra4U7QSiuoTHzyxdmOKZoXN8DkdtWHtAlbTjA9a_xkPB4Fpp4YnuHL55pJKtTzJNK_0nzsZOFQ0lfz13wyla9Kx6UfVH4JEx4VvpR/w400-h223/3-RIMproapplepowderymildew2021.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple powdery mildew. Not clear on how to interpret, but it looks “bad!” Yes, powdery mildew was an issue this year on susceptible varieties like Cortland and Honeycrisp. Really. Pretty. Bad.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCYYY5TfjqLtW7oclKURwKXVFktrbHisciidXgRXE_OZeTmKTffKrpQcdrT-L0f7AndqmP2XTovDdQnIFdhdou9wMMZUlq9hjnfFnQPWXJPyJgSTknW0D2Dxr5OTh9BhC1t8Zd7GG1Yx4/s2048/4-RIMprofireblight2021.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="2048" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCYYY5TfjqLtW7oclKURwKXVFktrbHisciidXgRXE_OZeTmKTffKrpQcdrT-L0f7AndqmP2XTovDdQnIFdhdou9wMMZUlq9hjnfFnQPWXJPyJgSTknW0D2Dxr5OTh9BhC1t8Zd7GG1Yx4/w400-h230/4-RIMprofireblight2021.png" width="400" /></a><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire blight. According to this RIMpro output there was one actual fire blight infection on May 18th wherein first visual symptoms should appear about May 25-26. A streptomycin spray then should have resulted in no fire blight. This is confirmed at the UMass Orchard. Plenty of fire blight around elsewhere though, interesting…</td><td class="tr-caption"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdZXrVAioMumS6NkQ2x54EL39Paez6JdsQ8BMz6H4r-vU7B9WseWI0acY_ijzMcV2CSDRnRTch_nUSr4scjD1mEm1ZZT5-yxhwQ31jkEZrqigLIzHpHF4PxdwKQibbX1EzWnyfJyQrPwD/s2048/5-RIMprorosyappleaphid2021.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdZXrVAioMumS6NkQ2x54EL39Paez6JdsQ8BMz6H4r-vU7B9WseWI0acY_ijzMcV2CSDRnRTch_nUSr4scjD1mEm1ZZT5-yxhwQ31jkEZrqigLIzHpHF4PxdwKQibbX1EzWnyfJyQrPwD/w400-h225/5-RIMprorosyappleaphid2021.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving on to an early insect, rosy apple aphid, the little buggers. The way I interpret this, nymphs and adults are in abundance and not yet curled up in the foliage during a tight spray window of approximately the last week in April into the first week of May. Two weeks. Indeed, this was overlooked and RAA was a real problem in certain orchard hot spots. Bad, trust me, resulted in many stunted/deformed apples.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxCv7k6_0ruy0LxsQMBNrxdxoipDwNxOq9o9Pfn9-zeFnBDqFrx9T2s518Extu9e8uMM1zZTcYlCJTC_L7-kwTEi9tRxZi3EDlwTreaOqjNQWSbeCjCF0-jWH1JTnmj3_1icJPI6EibzB/s2048/6-RIMproapplesawfly2021.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxCv7k6_0ruy0LxsQMBNrxdxoipDwNxOq9o9Pfn9-zeFnBDqFrx9T2s518Extu9e8uMM1zZTcYlCJTC_L7-kwTEi9tRxZi3EDlwTreaOqjNQWSbeCjCF0-jWH1JTnmj3_1icJPI6EibzB/w400-h225/6-RIMproapplesawfly2021.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another early insect, apple sawfly. RIMpro shows May 11 as a recommended insecticide application date. This was during the early petal fall period, which can be problematic. Fortunately, sawfly seems to be a significant problem only in loosely managed orchards, in most it is not an economic issues. Of course you can see there is also activity pre-bloom, so a pre-bloom insecticide is also an option, although most would say not a good option.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkn3SLEzMcYZb6aI7UEnbDaiPVqmuALA9d-8u5EuT_sdS1UUrtIvLJUgyzd0QcaCoX89UoxadK57I0-z_m4274VgPymUvKLLGNdDepWdxWV-PQ2dZoTC80nEl2pgo0aPwy-atei-7ptTDT/s2048/7-RIMprocodlingmoth2021.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkn3SLEzMcYZb6aI7UEnbDaiPVqmuALA9d-8u5EuT_sdS1UUrtIvLJUgyzd0QcaCoX89UoxadK57I0-z_m4274VgPymUvKLLGNdDepWdxWV-PQ2dZoTC80nEl2pgo0aPwy-atei-7ptTDT/w400-h225/7-RIMprocodlingmoth2021.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Codling moth. Pretty straight forward if targeting hatching eggs and L1 larvae with an insecticide, for first generation about June 20, and for second generation (if necessary) in mid-august.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoqi6pzGr-RfFMkDeDHuqlZIhpoMOZyHIvY7eiiQTyz9F-VjHLQbxHvAciOy0xXtHuK5-y5eGoP2rlRjAeTBOOvRYaNuybCSs-4yOfZS_R10DNGOBy51UwL_SHXtmbm_qmhrBM9rCKBTR/s2048/8-RIMprocodlingmothMB2021.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoqi6pzGr-RfFMkDeDHuqlZIhpoMOZyHIvY7eiiQTyz9F-VjHLQbxHvAciOy0xXtHuK5-y5eGoP2rlRjAeTBOOvRYaNuybCSs-4yOfZS_R10DNGOBy51UwL_SHXtmbm_qmhrBM9rCKBTR/w400-h225/8-RIMprocodlingmothMB2021.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Codling moth using virtual weather data (even though I said I was not going to bring it up again). But, as the codling moth model only uses degree days to calculate CM life cycle, it is much better than when using wetting information in a disease model. Here, the CM insecticide spray windows largely agree with spraying dates using the on-site weather station.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7xhovK5r1ye6IMVZhjFNqoFwRA7T0djflCrYGwEbcNu6a1jt-xqrNeRLCT-hqzwGkogmT3Wnzb9j7CDjS5UaEO4mi6wUHt6mG2be0axoZL6AOv8YNwSpfTiR08aTJIsCw6W09hUg7-dB/s2048/9-RIMprofruitthinner2021.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7xhovK5r1ye6IMVZhjFNqoFwRA7T0djflCrYGwEbcNu6a1jt-xqrNeRLCT-hqzwGkogmT3Wnzb9j7CDjS5UaEO4mi6wUHt6mG2be0axoZL6AOv8YNwSpfTiR08aTJIsCw6W09hUg7-dB/w400-h225/9-RIMprofruitthinner2021.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah, some horticulture, apple thinning, only available when using the meteoblue weather forecast (virtual data). Pretty busy chart, eh? Let me just point out that app. May 23 and then again on May 27 there were modest carbohydrate deficits, which would have been good chemical thinner application windows if you expected those chemical thinners to work. The growing pollen tube growth/squiggly blue lines also presumably help you time caustic bloom thinner application, but who does that anyways?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDqRBeIFdC6Tk2f5WaYA6epR-cbcLz9FTYVdND8c7r7vgDF0C8CHO3ub-irB0-bsikymSLdaW1O_R6VHBEcc9kGYAIbydFgC1bGH57Xd8OS1_uFfR8ikdnlQbJXlzGwSqVBuaYTbBBrex/s2048/10-RIMprosootyblotch2021.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="2048" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDqRBeIFdC6Tk2f5WaYA6epR-cbcLz9FTYVdND8c7r7vgDF0C8CHO3ub-irB0-bsikymSLdaW1O_R6VHBEcc9kGYAIbydFgC1bGH57Xd8OS1_uFfR8ikdnlQbJXlzGwSqVBuaYTbBBrex/w400-h223/10-RIMprosootyblotch2021.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Sooty blotch/flyspeck. Who cares? All I know, is that in addition to preventing rots — that is another story this year — you need to be applying fungicide every 10-14 days (assuming it rains an inch or two during that time, no problem with that this year) beginning late June right up to harvest (following PHI’s of course). Watch late varieties in particular with moderate-severe infection events ins September-early October.</span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTwpzOk6G-3JTFDgedeNwXOFz7CFVDpAcd5qiDU63iqNFSzYfPXCsvF8QS84XEb16zlZXh_nb5OGk8cSQWSG2HWilStXN8gt2Ti7_9VqOcaAzWcV1fAFUMIW5SLLquXFfuvT7VnhcuOKP/s2048/11-RIMpromarssonina2021.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTwpzOk6G-3JTFDgedeNwXOFz7CFVDpAcd5qiDU63iqNFSzYfPXCsvF8QS84XEb16zlZXh_nb5OGk8cSQWSG2HWilStXN8gt2Ti7_9VqOcaAzWcV1fAFUMIW5SLLquXFfuvT7VnhcuOKP/w400-h225/11-RIMpromarssonina2021.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Marssonina leaf blotch. An increasingly vexing problem, seen plenty of it at the UMass Orchard beginning in mid-September, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pazazz, and Topaz. Among others. Macs seem pretty immune to it. A fungal disease similar to scab, however, requires season-long control. Getting lax with late season fungicides can cause early defoliation, not sure how bit a problem that is? Can cause fruit spotting, but have not really seen that yet, stay tuned? RIMpro output suggests many infections, indeed that was the case I think…</span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-ZQ9m_jrXMBVexAoge3jdpKpyJhQaJkZdSYbgWT47mnNxaFR2r_hBn9k18D6DrYbqdm5pVVRkH3w8iAWKXzL4PDZPpw2heeK6zC2HMSt6HUv5YNNkNlEmlHBTPa3KyDTxhquhTV3K3Fa/s1280/applescab061421.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-ZQ9m_jrXMBVexAoge3jdpKpyJhQaJkZdSYbgWT47mnNxaFR2r_hBn9k18D6DrYbqdm5pVVRkH3w8iAWKXzL4PDZPpw2heeK6zC2HMSt6HUv5YNNkNlEmlHBTPa3KyDTxhquhTV3K3Fa/s320/applescab061421.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, we got apple scab in 2021 on unsprayed trees</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-JJE_DuD5ND6e_7rCj9L43xO6Y5T56Y-lUfH3F6UsOQtVOWwAKPO5OR7FrrnzsMiutgRS8W62c7EkiBNvXApvASBLWOEhSi8nEhA0to9LjOaChbG42serwU_PzZJwOwBVV0o2ykd8tmR/s435/mildew2+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="435" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-JJE_DuD5ND6e_7rCj9L43xO6Y5T56Y-lUfH3F6UsOQtVOWwAKPO5OR7FrrnzsMiutgRS8W62c7EkiBNvXApvASBLWOEhSi8nEhA0to9LjOaChbG42serwU_PzZJwOwBVV0o2ykd8tmR/s320/mildew2+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh apple powdery mildew!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9S4LDap_45B-4PS72E5cSF_C1aqViCbOvskGCrxuguDjbb6jK-JwDgnpr4-HBa5z2NkIiyo4DZY67ChXPuPvb0IuY6l6ADE04vl7BMPANzKzmHuSpP6Cds4CvbquOffDR1vpSU0RSrE_/s1280/blogfbshoot+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9S4LDap_45B-4PS72E5cSF_C1aqViCbOvskGCrxuguDjbb6jK-JwDgnpr4-HBa5z2NkIiyo4DZY67ChXPuPvb0IuY6l6ADE04vl7BMPANzKzmHuSpP6Cds4CvbquOffDR1vpSU0RSrE_/s320/blogfbshoot+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh yes, there was fireblight, none at the UMass Orchard, but sporadically/widespread elsewhere!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYtKKL7rp1oJukBpDieF88BfDuTwQFem-BaUcul2iMVtAqgWDSyKVxUqrC3quu6F8O_MidWi2VNnySdybb80FjyqCicWtZ8ehjFPm21lIi2yJCWBeqrVGzkyKpT96sHLUxTlPz3oqHhmk/s1280/macapple040521.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYtKKL7rp1oJukBpDieF88BfDuTwQFem-BaUcul2iMVtAqgWDSyKVxUqrC3quu6F8O_MidWi2VNnySdybb80FjyqCicWtZ8ehjFPm21lIi2yJCWBeqrVGzkyKpT96sHLUxTlPz3oqHhmk/s320/macapple040521.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosy apple aphid (RAA) nymph on apple bud in early April</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgti0si7TsMXUDWVNLJBDb2wGq_GsAO8_o41xGMKMGfFj9td1nXP-NeH_MNIs8u-kUfx94xOmWFORIVh4K3yYgWXpBW_5MenzB33HXuZmxrdwZa3Z4OI2e70_S865WhbrQ64yZBTZHd9Qju/s1280/raa070221.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgti0si7TsMXUDWVNLJBDb2wGq_GsAO8_o41xGMKMGfFj9td1nXP-NeH_MNIs8u-kUfx94xOmWFORIVh4K3yYgWXpBW_5MenzB33HXuZmxrdwZa3Z4OI2e70_S865WhbrQ64yZBTZHd9Qju/s320/raa070221.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deformed apples in early July a result of RAA infestation</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr4kEtxm9l_UZ8IxrowaRlY11Lcoxfgzx0TMBP00IFz85l8FvW-ESffyssNTwTRhdB9HI9wtys9mBgmdT5FDhmV6wLBa0MebW2405o7tbgqhyMb1s6UWS7mD8GWFiwXE5_DsaGJmyLh61/s1280/marsonninaevercrisp092821.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr4kEtxm9l_UZ8IxrowaRlY11Lcoxfgzx0TMBP00IFz85l8FvW-ESffyssNTwTRhdB9HI9wtys9mBgmdT5FDhmV6wLBa0MebW2405o7tbgqhyMb1s6UWS7mD8GWFiwXE5_DsaGJmyLh61/s320/marsonninaevercrisp092821.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marssonina leaf blotch on Evercrisp in late September</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7VQ5CiqAqrYjTkh-enIVA0aYYljU-uyBRp3bOQt_usRrs_rQL-7DqML5qTfhv3HBdJuTy8oUUQqVPvdTN24GrciOwNkFhDqFOCVskkyysG7_OEvVu0uavkbucIzu9ZdS43wmn2RJvenj/s1280/earlydefoliateevercrisp.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7VQ5CiqAqrYjTkh-enIVA0aYYljU-uyBRp3bOQt_usRrs_rQL-7DqML5qTfhv3HBdJuTy8oUUQqVPvdTN24GrciOwNkFhDqFOCVskkyysG7_OEvVu0uavkbucIzu9ZdS43wmn2RJvenj/s320/earlydefoliateevercrisp.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By late October (harvest time) these Evercrisp were completely defoliated a result of Marssonina leaf blotch!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-16362007728622216582021-09-01T16:02:00.001-04:002021-09-01T16:21:27.467-04:00Double-notching whip apple trees at bud break effective at promoting branching<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGQiqhvp5LEDaJvLrcmhW0KECIRl-rOWFa-yM7LAGF7mwnshnP3ofplR7LfxUBfu4M1S7dOc1o8qVoZ_spVd5xoSUQLZTdo2Bu-MUtneWZPrPWHpegWIl1RXURZSXZViNlc-Hyv15a3Mf/s1320/FIG1-pruner.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1320" data-original-width="1320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGQiqhvp5LEDaJvLrcmhW0KECIRl-rOWFa-yM7LAGF7mwnshnP3ofplR7LfxUBfu4M1S7dOc1o8qVoZ_spVd5xoSUQLZTdo2Bu-MUtneWZPrPWHpegWIl1RXURZSXZViNlc-Hyv15a3Mf/w200-h200/FIG1-pruner.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">N</span></b>ursery apple trees that arrive as unbranched, so-called “whips” are a perpetual problem. In the old days, when growing a central-leader tree, those whips were simply headed (cut) at waist height and then a lower tier of scaffold branches would result from buds breaking and shoots growing (feathers) vigorously just below the heading cut. Then some of those would have to be “stripped” off so a proper leader could form (<a href="http://fruitadvisor.info/tfruit/clements/articles/youngtreetraining.htm">http://fruitadvisor.info/tfruit/clements/articles/youngtreetraining.htm</a>).</div><div><br /></div><div>But if a tall-spindle system is being planted, that heading cut is a big no-no, you don’t want strong vigorous shoots growing that form permanent scaffold branches. Unless the nursery tree comes already feathered, it’s nice to get numerous smaller branches “breaking” along the length of the leader starting at approximately knee height and moving up the leader. What typically happens on whips, however, is only the top buds break going a foot down or so from the top of the leader. In addition to ending up with a top-heavy tree, those shoots will flex their apical dominance and further prevent lower buds from breaking. So, intervention is desired on newly planted whip apple trees to get the uniform branching up and down (to knee height) the tree and create the desired tall-spindle form early and going forward.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Several techniques can be used to induce this kind of branching. A common recommendation is to spray the leader with 6-BenzylAdenine (6-BA) at bud break. 6-BA formulations include Promalin or Maxel (Valent) and Exilis or Perlan (Fine Americas). Over the years, I have found this to not be particularly successful at inducing branching (<a href="http://umassfruitnotes.com/v75n3/a3.pdf">http://umassfruitnotes.com/v75n3/a3.pdf</a>). Dormant buds along the leader can also be painted with a high concentration of 6-BA in latex paint but this must be done before bud break. It is largely successful but can stunt the growth of the resulting shoots (<a href="http://umassfruitnotes.com/v79n3/a2.pdf">http://umassfruitnotes.com/v79n3/a2.pdf</a>; <a href="http://umassfruitnotes.com/v80n1/a2.pdf">http://umassfruitnotes.com/v80n1/a2.pdf</a>; <a href="http://umassfruitnotes.com/v85n1/a6.pdf">http://umassfruitnotes.com/v85n1/a6.pdf</a>). Notching of the leader just above the bud where a branch break is desired can be effective, however, it is time consuming when using a hack-saw blade as has been often recommended. Recently, I’ve become aware of using a double-edged, anvil-style hand pruner making two opposite side “notches” just above buds in the region where branching is desired (Stefano Musacchi, WSU, personal communication). I have previously tried this here and there and my observation was that it does indeed appear to be quite effective. So, in 2021 I decided to do a mini-experiment to demonstrate this method of inducing branching on whip nursery apple trees.</div><div><br /></div><div>Methodology was quite simple, I selected 30 just-planted whip apple trees at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown, MA. In a random manner, ten of the trees were NOTCHED using a double-edge hand pruner (STA-FOR Double Cutting Pruner, <a href="https://www.oescoinc.com/hand-tools/hand-pruners/double-cutting-pruner.html">https://www.oescoinc.com/hand-tools/hand-pruners/double-cutting-pruner.html</a>) just above each bud in the region where branching was desired, i.e. from approximately knee height then upwards about 18 to 24 inches. Typically, eight buds (plus or minus) were thus double-notched. This was done just as the buds in the top of the trees were breaking, but the dormant buds that were notched showed little or no growth (yet). 6-BA in the form of Promalin per the label rate (400 ppm) and directions for promoting branching at bud break was also applied to a similar region of the leader on ten other trees, and ten trees were left alone (the UnTreated Control, UTC).</div><div><br /></div><div>In mid-June, the number of branch breaks (greater than 2.5 inches in length) on each tree in the region the branching treatments were applied were counted, and the results speak for themself. NOTCHED trees averaged 8.5 “breaks” per tree that are becoming feathers or branches. Nearly every notched bud broke and grew into a feather. 6-BA way underperformed compared to notching, with only 1.9 breaks per tree, and the UTC only resulted in an average of 0.8 branches per tree. (If you insist, a statistical analysis was done on the data, and the difference in branching was significant, and the NOTCHED treatment resulted in significantly more branching than the 6-BA and UTC treatments, which did not significantly differ from each other.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Clearly notching using this double-edged anvil-style pruner is effective, and making the notches using the pruner is reasonably quick. Care must be taken, however, to not cut all the way through the tree nor to girdle the tree. (Someone suggested angling the pruner a bit to lessen the risk of girdling.) For several hundred newly planted trees that are whips it sure beats getting out the 6-BA filled backpack sprayer or the paint mixed up with 6-BA asNOTCHING in this manner is very effective at making branches. You do of course need to have a viable bud where the notch is made, and it is not alone effective at breaking branches on older “blind” wood without further intervention (<a href="http://umassfruitnotes.com/v82n3/a2.pdf">http://umassfruitnotes.com/v82n3/a2.pdf</a>). Furthermore, 1st-leaf trees should be planted early, fertilized, and irrigated to get the most out of your notching effort.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a YouTube video about this mini-experiment: <a href="https://youtu.be/x2EqTUTBhFc">https://youtu.be/x2EqTUTBhFc</a></div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsaG-VyrkXey0P3peko-wc-TLsNedHLGvIMP4bKVERpwfFrzI5bO-GnwUrv7rIM8sYAG5jMH2BXy6Dmn12ZKdxkw2r00bmN6FWHSaGtmiPoc95WQYeBSmfsVkuLHunhjsrUAMafngKwQB/s1320/FIG1-pruner.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1320" data-original-width="1320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsaG-VyrkXey0P3peko-wc-TLsNedHLGvIMP4bKVERpwfFrzI5bO-GnwUrv7rIM8sYAG5jMH2BXy6Dmn12ZKdxkw2r00bmN6FWHSaGtmiPoc95WQYeBSmfsVkuLHunhjsrUAMafngKwQB/s320/FIG1-pruner.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NOTCHING just above a dormant bud using a double-blade anvil style pruner</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0X7913SU3iGCU-OJSk7cqjt5A9KA8HrMDksqxHPKIb3XyG474v8_tKII8XV0MTwoSYSNuc0BrLjiGC5w9mYOM0BbHeX0db5MWq1KuRTP9S-JTcaFPVZoVCXTWTqa5dgbBr8ONyRYRNEsP/s1280/FIG2-NOTCHING.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0X7913SU3iGCU-OJSk7cqjt5A9KA8HrMDksqxHPKIb3XyG474v8_tKII8XV0MTwoSYSNuc0BrLjiGC5w9mYOM0BbHeX0db5MWq1KuRTP9S-JTcaFPVZoVCXTWTqa5dgbBr8ONyRYRNEsP/s320/FIG2-NOTCHING.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NOTCHING resulted in 8.5 feathered branch breaks per tree</td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLrPL5leaCW3MS4IYvHEDsVNx63S8SU3ZzkEFHvQkTLZxe7oxk0wV27hyz_Bb5QsK8un84DhSiPwFFdbLwb9K_CH1qY0NZVJFfGqKKZR-daF6Xdc8nxTEmdX0JsD-C3ANZee84271FF0W/s1280/FIG3-6BA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLrPL5leaCW3MS4IYvHEDsVNx63S8SU3ZzkEFHvQkTLZxe7oxk0wV27hyz_Bb5QsK8un84DhSiPwFFdbLwb9K_CH1qY0NZVJFfGqKKZR-daF6Xdc8nxTEmdX0JsD-C3ANZee84271FF0W/s320/FIG3-6BA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6-BA application resulted in an average of only 1.9 feathered branch breaks per tree</td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUd8ysDP609LmCDqgSeCSHY5J0F2fPFbXY5Su8nHht4iOz63YW9eKspfBfbH5pUb6SL11vDoS83iERxGDss4TUtBE20k9JKO7rPu5pnNGLTkM7seR848qv56EJRvMoRHIBMxNGD41qtDl/s1280/FIG4-UTC.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUd8ysDP609LmCDqgSeCSHY5J0F2fPFbXY5Su8nHht4iOz63YW9eKspfBfbH5pUb6SL11vDoS83iERxGDss4TUtBE20k9JKO7rPu5pnNGLTkM7seR848qv56EJRvMoRHIBMxNGD41qtDl/s320/FIG4-UTC.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">UTC (no intervention) resulted in average of just 0.8 feathered branch breaks per tree</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-22252082210226524592021-06-26T14:45:00.002-04:002021-07-03T14:03:29.075-04:00Fire blight's ugly side...<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglHvS-kGB2I-1b4w-fNAXvm6UPPDsZ92KStXzeVmzTW6WdqK758B9MYnDvOb9RAq0UX0yAT8EvuWOy8svxIc15octgG8J8rJ4psxhwflgzNlJ7W_3bNR3p4E4ghgVhAoKghPA_oRsuVW2/s640/blogFB1.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglHvS-kGB2I-1b4w-fNAXvm6UPPDsZ92KStXzeVmzTW6WdqK758B9MYnDvOb9RAq0UX0yAT8EvuWOy8svxIc15octgG8J8rJ4psxhwflgzNlJ7W_3bNR3p4E4ghgVhAoKghPA_oRsuVW2/w320-h320/blogFB1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blossom blight on newly planted NY-1 apple tree</td></tr></tbody></table>Does it have a pretty side? No, of course not. But this past week I saw a particularly ugly side of fire blight.<p></p><p>First up, this year's planting of NY-1 (sold as SnapDragon®) apples. Serious fire blight taking out significant portions of the leader, maybe up to 50% of trees planted. Sorry sight. Conversation with grower:</p><p>Grower: "Did it come in from the nursery?"</p><p>Me: "Nursery will deny it and in reality you have a mature apple block next door with a history of fire blight and these affected trees had a lot of bloom, right? Did you remove the bloom or spray streptomycin during bloom?"</p><p>Grower: "No on removing the bloom, but I did spray strep once, and there was no rain when they were in bloom."</p><p>Me: "Yea but I checked NEWA and indeed the fire blight risk was high to extreme and it does not take much wetting, for example airblast spraying or heavy dew, to spread the blight around and cause infection."</p><p>Grower "Oh, now what can I expect?"</p><p>Me: "Well you are cutting the fire blight out during dry weather to the best of your ability, it is a shame given many trees have significant part of the leader with blight, and some trees will have to be removed completely. And you will continue to see more blight after you think you have it all cut out. You should probably also spray copper as often as feasible, that will help reduce the spread. And next year be on top of bloom with strep sprays when the fire blight risk is high. Hopefully infection will subside now which is usually what happens after the initial outbreak, but it won't go away unfortunately."</p><p>Grower: "But I still think it came in from the nursery :-)"</p><p>OK, questions lingering in my mind after departing the orchard. Is SnapDragon® particularly susceptible to fire blight? I know for a fact it's sister NY-2 (sold as RubyFrost® apples) is very susceptible. And a couple other adjacent just-planted varieties (MAIA apples) had some, but not nearly as much, fire blight. And, I know there are other recommendations out there to help prevent further spread in young trees, what are those? Double Nickel and Cueva? Actigard and Prohex-Cal (Apogee/Kudos)? But of course I did not remember the details.</p><p>Second, another new planting, this time MAIA-1 (sold as Evercrisp® apples), orchard crew in the middle of once again cutting it out. Enough to be time consuming, will never get it all, and in some cases the whole leader blighted. Ugh. Was not easy to elicit whether strep sprays had been applied, maybe just once? Now I was getting mad after seeing this twice in one week, and it seems to me this could have been prevented? Or maybe <i>not</i> given the fact this new apple planting was adjacent to a block of cider apples! Now there is double trouble if I ever saw it! A history of fire blight in this cider block, of course. Found some blight over there right now, Dabinett, Stokes Red had more than most of the others. It's just not a good idea planting a new apple orchard next to a cider apple block! (Is it a good idea to plant cider apples period? I am beginning to wonder...)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibG00jjeQRvh86anQvw8H8_tzPciOfPMoYgw7IuH4EF0OoqibG8pfo6pKqm76rkP8mnfJJ1TvkQHo5kt4GmfyKPEsirF33K8OhzPpTlDc-0Y5bZ_kuojH0VoSKgY1_5vW8tMurBjfZm-Ti/s640/blogfbshoot.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibG00jjeQRvh86anQvw8H8_tzPciOfPMoYgw7IuH4EF0OoqibG8pfo6pKqm76rkP8mnfJJ1TvkQHo5kt4GmfyKPEsirF33K8OhzPpTlDc-0Y5bZ_kuojH0VoSKgY1_5vW8tMurBjfZm-Ti/s320/blogfbshoot.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoot blight (likely originated from blossom) of 1st-leaf MAIA-1 apple tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGaUPfQdH5LLjojb6pCJnkeoCIGpXxV5CS7Ca45b5ed6ONlW1QWzWBarjS9Ai_3UJziwm2RQoBQ7X78mKPkvTp1GqOu_W7zkradM0j9-l1IMsMdZzJkdN_Ex-z9GE66gtDS01zIyQ2vih/s640/blogfbbin.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGaUPfQdH5LLjojb6pCJnkeoCIGpXxV5CS7Ca45b5ed6ONlW1QWzWBarjS9Ai_3UJziwm2RQoBQ7X78mKPkvTp1GqOu_W7zkradM0j9-l1IMsMdZzJkdN_Ex-z9GE66gtDS01zIyQ2vih/s320/blogfbbin.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bin full (literally) of fire blight prunings<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWrROqy521ZiGDhcPhhv-T9bXxXxVhWBbeZFpnuPBnywh5WPV6_rVK_nhWvIGjzTKcQrhGRlNE92SpI4ZUJByf67fB64kBK4O9bF9_wjUw8b4XF1Qsx68Uw7ryoaV6P1dVP0l596AtXqA/s640/blogfbcider.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWrROqy521ZiGDhcPhhv-T9bXxXxVhWBbeZFpnuPBnywh5WPV6_rVK_nhWvIGjzTKcQrhGRlNE92SpI4ZUJByf67fB64kBK4O9bF9_wjUw8b4XF1Qsx68Uw7ryoaV6P1dVP0l596AtXqA/s320/blogfbcider.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire blight in cider apple (Dabinett or Stokes Red)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>OK. What could have and should be done to prevent or reduce fire blight infection on these 1st-leaf trees:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Manual removal of bloom. I know, it is time consuming but probably the number one thing you can do to prevent blossome blight infection. Usually requires several trips, every other day or so through the orchard to get all the bloom. I just clip the flower petals off at the pedicels with scissors or similar.</li><li>Lacking bloom removal, frequent strep and copper sprays, as recommended by consultant Win Cowgill. Copper beginning at bud break, your choice of product at moderate rate. Streptomycin beginning when first blooms open and continuing every 2-3 days as bloom opens. Need several (many?) strep sprays to keep up with open bloom. Until it is done. Strep probably not necessary if it is absolutely dry and there is no risk of fire blight infection predicted by the models, but that is rare. I know there are peaches to prune and vegetables to plant but you need to find time to do this! And think about coverage, there is not much tree there, turn off the fan, go slow, make sure you are getting good coverage and not blowing your spray all over the place!</li><li>If you are not successful with above, yes, cut out the fire blight. In dry weather. Does not hurt to sterilize pruners between cuts unless it signficantly hinders speed of fire blight removal. Goal should be to get it out of there ASAP. Remove prunings well away from orchard if possible, otherwise put in middle, let dry out for a few days, and mow. <i>Always during dry weather.</i></li><li>After pruning, it looks like the best option to prevent further shoot blight are regular applications (every 1-2 weeks?) of Double Nickel (a biofungicide) and Cueva (a low rate copper). There are other "biologicals" out there, but the Double Nickel/Cueva option seems to have the most mentions and has proven to be the most effective at preventing shoot blight. Kari Peter at PSU has a good review of these options <a href="https://extension.psu.edu/fire-blight-apple-scab-rust-plus-others-be-on-alert" target="_blank">here</a>. (I wonder about Oxidate? Couldn't hurt.) And oh yes, a strep application if a trauma event -- rain with high wind and/or hail -- occurs.</li></ul><p></p><p>Finally, be on top if it next year. George Sundin at MSU <a href="https://www.growingproduce.com/fruits/new-light-on-the-fight-against-fire-blight/" target="_blank">recommends Actigard with Prohex-Cal</a> on young trees (2nd and 3rd-leaf) at high risk for fire blight. And strep during bloom when the fire blight warning flag gets hoisted is still your best friend.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-13694981646067447382021-05-07T12:42:00.002-04:002021-05-11T11:59:08.220-04:00Fire blight prediction models — words and colors (and numbers?) matter<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4A1aGEzr1xESprMkTRkuO7jruMqkuyShXnlAZUxydcWqUpNk1uup8jIdWGMMkX3l98z4SaZibHn3ki8mrfGHxPW-P4lAxhdrgNeTAN8iPOy2xbYauAIhC_5KxUmk1I50xchJWpfWPZr_/s640/Honeycrisp050721.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4A1aGEzr1xESprMkTRkuO7jruMqkuyShXnlAZUxydcWqUpNk1uup8jIdWGMMkX3l98z4SaZibHn3ki8mrfGHxPW-P4lAxhdrgNeTAN8iPOy2xbYauAIhC_5KxUmk1I50xchJWpfWPZr_/w200-h200/Honeycrisp050721.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>This week apples have been in bloom in Massachusetts. Along comes the risk of fire blight blossom blight. Warm temperatures and moisture are known to be the trigger for blossom infection by fire blight. It’s been relatively cool — 60’s to lower 70’s — so the apparent risk of infection has been perceived as low. In addition, we have fire blight models on NEWA (Network for Environment and Weather Applications). And they — both Cougar Blight and the EIP (Epiphytic Infection Potential based on the MaryblytTM model) were showing generally low risk for blossom infection by fire blight. Nice, breathe easy, right?<p></p><p>But wait, there is always a catch when it comes to dealing with fire blight. A grower, who has a history of fire blight in their orchard, called me in the afternoon and said something to this effect, “Jeez Jon, this morning NEWA was showing low risk of fire blight infection but now one of them is green (Cougar Blight) and the other (EIP, Maryblyt) is showing HIGH, ORANGE risk of infection. What gives? Do I need to spray streptomycin? Arghhh, I had just put a cover spray on for scab this morning but did not include strep and I really don’t want to have to go out and spray the whole orchard again to prevent fire blight, what should I do?”</p><p>Great. Begs many questions. For one, I told the grower I am never going to tell him definitively NOT to spray strep for fire blight! But seriously, the day turned out warmer (low 70’s) than predicted (mid 60’s) so the model output changed. But why the perceived difference (by the grower) in model outputs, Cougar Blight being GREEN (low risk of infection?) while the EIP was ORANGE signifying much greater risk of infection? I was unable to give them a clear answer, so I had to do a little digging to refresh my memory on how the models differ in estimating risk of infection. I want to say here, however, the user-interface (on NEWA) is not the best and I hope my discourse might result in some clarification of the fire blight model outputs on NEWA going forward? Kerik?</p><p>OK, all a grower needs to know about the two fire blight models on NEWA, Cougar Blight and EIP.</p><p><b>Cougar Blight</b> simply accumulates degree hours as heat units beginning at bloom. Then, models the fire blight infection risk level based solely on these accumulated heat units/degree hours. Note that it does NOT use wetting or anything else in determining risk, <i>you</i> have to assess the level of wetting's contribution to fire blight infection, be it rain, dew, spray event, etc. But if Cougar Blight says the risk is HIGH or particularly EXTREME you better be applying some streptomycin to open bloom if wetting occurs. Note that the infection risk level also changes based on the amount of fire blight recent history in the neighborhood. Generally I leave it as fire blight occured in the neighborhood last year to keep it middle of the road unless I know fire blight is currently active. Very simple, but realize the Cougar Blight model can say HIGH or EXTREME but if there is no wetting event, there will be no infection. <a href="http://treefruit.wsu.edu/crop-protection/disease-management/fire-blight/cougar-blight-model/" target="_blank">Here is the latest on Cougar Blight</a> from WSU, but realize they talk about wetting event in their DAS which is not included in the NEWA Cougar Blight model. </p><p><b>EIP</b> as I said is straight out of the MaryBlyt model. Which is way more complicated than Cougar Blight! (Which makes it better? Maybe?) I will try to boil it down to as simple as possible. For a blossom blight infection to actually occur, regardless of whether EIP/Maryblyt shows up YELLOW or ORANGE, four condidions must be met:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>open bloom (D'oh! as Bart would say)</li><li>degree hours/heat units accumulation threshold</li><li>average (daily, 24 hours) temperature greater than or equal to 60 degrees F.</li><li>AND wetting! one tenth of an inch or more of rain, or could be heavy dew or dilute spray event?</li></ol><p></p><p>INFECTION will not occur unless all four of these conditsion are met. Just one, two, or three of these conditions might indicate LOW, MODERATE, or HIGH <i>risk</i> of infection, but you would still need the fourth parameter, likely wetting, for INFECTION to actually occur and eventually show up as blossom blight. Below is a Table -- straight out of the 44 page Maryblyt manual, available <a href="http://grapepathology.org/maryblyt" target="_blank">here</a> -- that pretty much sums it up:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyvJBajkEFdbGKgEZZtuAlrKaLLTijds-kHdBq4ALxOUptLNF6NbpPlfsHKx3WnK2XuHE_H7xxZcmM4lL-DdwmybapZ4gqZirjwNUkUGnvbi_HRoW5tXfxxJpIO_rltIbJM4tP8RAiaTD/s882/Screen+Shot+2021-05-06+at+11.07.47+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="882" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyvJBajkEFdbGKgEZZtuAlrKaLLTijds-kHdBq4ALxOUptLNF6NbpPlfsHKx3WnK2XuHE_H7xxZcmM4lL-DdwmybapZ4gqZirjwNUkUGnvbi_HRoW5tXfxxJpIO_rltIbJM4tP8RAiaTD/w400-h396/Screen+Shot+2021-05-06+at+11.07.47+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ok, let's look at the NEWA fire blight model ouptut that triggered this blog post:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddwgKh8Ac0GtkiwxNaySwUr-V8sJSGo_r-k7JpBUAVJawAnf5cBHX_GCEvYPKj-1nLMVYz5oHd-zbiRZWUDIuJYRZ5BryzqcpwH7S8sdfybR-6PIVzUkTG3nPkQhRpykOJSaxw45X2YNE/s1268/Screen+Shot+2021-05-06+at+11.14.10+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="1268" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddwgKh8Ac0GtkiwxNaySwUr-V8sJSGo_r-k7JpBUAVJawAnf5cBHX_GCEvYPKj-1nLMVYz5oHd-zbiRZWUDIuJYRZ5BryzqcpwH7S8sdfybR-6PIVzUkTG3nPkQhRpykOJSaxw45X2YNE/w400-h299/Screen+Shot+2021-05-06+at+11.14.10+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The afternoon in question was 5/3, this model output was run after the fact, and actually at the time on 5/3 Cougar Blight was showing a GREEN table cell. You can see why the grower might have been concerned, not understanding the nuances of the models, a GREEN-Low infection risk cell table in Cougar Blight, and an ORANGE-High infection risk in EIP (Maryblyt). Huh? Admittedly, NEWA does, below the Table provide this explanation: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GqSj0PdGZtxhljetssAqWCxlkHTekCSLK6F633S6W3YvZov-AACMIrdrnjc6Z-q4LT4gv0C5GfqMD1Jkouun-5o_efnKsVO1aogqpMNjAOPA3_LWzLjVzqZ4DVfE4sFcnfOr2np1lZnX/s866/Screen+Shot+2021-05-06+at+11.19.40+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="854" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GqSj0PdGZtxhljetssAqWCxlkHTekCSLK6F633S6W3YvZov-AACMIrdrnjc6Z-q4LT4gv0C5GfqMD1Jkouun-5o_efnKsVO1aogqpMNjAOPA3_LWzLjVzqZ4DVfE4sFcnfOr2np1lZnX/w395-h400/Screen+Shot+2021-05-06+at+11.19.40+AM.png" width="395" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Somewhat helpful but not overly, especially if you are panicking trying to figure out if I should apply a strep spray or "Oh crap, how come I did not include strep in that scab spray I just put on this morning???" Really, I told the grower it was in fact borderline and forecast cooler temperatures might reduce the risk of infection significantly. They still went out and sprayed streptomycin on younger, more susceptible blocks, or maybe it's been rumored they sprayed the whole orchard! Was there actually an INFECTION? Probably not, no, it appears not all four conditions were met for an INFECTION to occur. Bloom? Check. Degree hours? Check, barely, briefly, but then went down the next day 5/4. Wetting. Check, but not until next day 5/4. Average Temperature? Check, but only for 5/3 and barely. NO INFECTION! No need to spray strep! If you have faith and believe the models are right?<div><br /></div><div>My thought is growers really need to know that all four conditions -- bloom, degree hour accumulation, average temperature, and wetting need to be met for an INFECTION to actually occur. This again in the Maryblyt manual is helpful: <i>"A blossom [strep] spray is recommended when the risk is HIGH <u>and</u> when an infection is predicted for the next day."</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Oh, and then there is <a href="https://rimpro.eu/" target="_blank">RIMpro...</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Whew, not sure I really cleared anything up or simplified it or not? Note to self, stick with horticulture, want to talk about thinning sprays now??? :-)</div>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-82730912902379543942021-03-28T16:09:00.003-04:002021-03-28T16:09:43.094-04:00Tree Row Volume - it doesn't matter.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxfyMAYtfXTGCP7Uthj0oAd1Jm2XQdmuzAePRC0WPkrLdb44FDTZ-w7vegwW3xiYRZSCc1TvwDivMmu_w_8yjiBAXMhbuGTUA4IOeIiKObAGY0l5YtuTS0fl6F-kF5OuOgx55kmC1GRBA/s537/Screen+Shot+2021-03-28+at+2.26.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxfyMAYtfXTGCP7Uthj0oAd1Jm2XQdmuzAePRC0WPkrLdb44FDTZ-w7vegwW3xiYRZSCc1TvwDivMmu_w_8yjiBAXMhbuGTUA4IOeIiKObAGY0l5YtuTS0fl6F-kF5OuOgx55kmC1GRBA/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-03-28+at+2.26.48+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />A recent New England Tree Fruit Extension Seminar focused on <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3547624387422710226/8273091290237954394#">Tree Row Volume (TRV): What it is, why it matters, and how to use it</a>. (You can watch the recording <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3547624387422710226/8273091290237954394#">here</a> when it becomes available.) After a brief introduction about TRV by the host, a guest speaker -- Jason Deveau, of <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3547624387422710226/8273091290237954394#">sprayers101.com</a> fame -- cut to the chase about what (IMHO too) is really important, that is spray COVERAGE. Because, modern pesticide labels make no mention of TRV or rate per 100 gallons, a rate that <i>was</i> based on dilute spray coverage using TRV. Forget TRV, just worry about getting good coverage with an adequate amount of water. Then apply the amount of pesticide per acre as noted on the label in that amount of water that is getting you good coverage. Bingo.<p>I am not going to talk about how to get good airblast sprayer coverage here. For that you need to get your copy of <a href="http://sprayers101.com/airblast101/">sprayers101.com/airblast101/</a>. But let's look at a scenario. Let's say you have a tall-spindle apple orchard. Using TRV, it calculates out to about using 100 to 125 gallons of water per acre that would give you really good coverage. Fine if you are spraying oil. But when not, most growers I know spray tall-spindle using 50 to 60 gallons per acre and get quite adequate coverage. Adequate is fine because you can only fill up the sprayer so many times, right? There are other things to do!</p><p>OK now, let's look at a very modern pesticide label, that of Valent's <a href="https://www.agrian.com/pdfs/current/ExcaliaTM_Fungicide_Label.pdf" target="_blank">Excalia</a>. For apple scab, it says use 3 to 4 fluid ounces of Excalia per acre in a minimum of 100 gallons of water per acre. (Interesting on the minimum 100 gallons of water per acre, that is unfortunate, I would ignore it and as long as you are getting good coverage -- the label says "Equip sprayer with nozzles that provide accurate
and uniform application" -- you should be fine.) So, if your tall-spindle orchard has a little smaller trees or pest pressure is on the lower side, use 3 ounces of Excalia in that 50 to 60 gallons of water. Alternately, if pest pressure is high and trees are just a little bigger, use 4 ounces. Simple. You got good coverage and are applying the label-correct amount of pesticide per acre. Modify this train of thought accordingly to your tree size/acreage/pesticide label. Point is to get good COVERAGE with the label-recommended amount per acre of pesticide.</p><p>One little monkey wrench thrown into this thought process might be when using Plant Growth Regulators (PGR's). Because, their label rate typically DOES NOT use rate per acre, but instead amount per 100 gallons (dilute TRV). (Or even worse, Parts Per Million (PPM). Ugh.) Don't stress though. Let's look at NAA in the brand name <a href="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/agrian-cg-fs1-production/pdfs/PoMaxatm_Plant_Growth_Regulator_Label1.pdf" target="_blank">PoMaxa</a>. The label says to use 1 to fluid 4 ounces of PoMaxa in 100 gallons (TRV) for apple thinning. So my tall-spindle orchard, to keep it simple, requires 100 gallons per acre TRV. So if I wanted to use a 4 ounce rate (equivalent to 10 PPM) I would need 4 ounces of Pomaxa in 100 gallons of water to cover that acre. But I am using 50 gallons to cover an acre, so I still need to add that 4 ounces in the 50 gallons of water, right! (Which is now technically equivalent to a 20 PPM solution, isnt' it? Why I don't like PPM.) Interestingly again, in the text of the label, it says "A typical rate for a moderate-to-thin apple cultivar in an orchard which requires 100 gallons of water per acre to achieve drip is 2 fl oz of PoMaxa per acre. For an acre requiring 200 gallons to achieve drip, use at least 4 fl oz per acre." Makes perfect sense, doesn't it? So why not just say that on the label and leave it at that! My advice would be for apple thining to say "use 2 to 8 oz. per acre depending on tree size and amount of thinning desired!" That would cover most dwarf and semi-dwarf orchards. And that is what I tell growers! For more on this topic: <a href="http://umassfruitnotes.com/v82n3/a1.pdf" target="_blank">Spray Mixing Instructions (for PGR's) Considering Tree Row Volume</a></p><p>So, even though my start-out premise was TRV is dead, I came about and with PGR's not so fast! Sorry about that. I still contend, however, focus on getting good COVERAGE. Then for fungicides and pesticides use the label rate per acre, adjust the amount of product based on tree size and pest pressure. But always within the label amount (minimum and maximum) per acre. For PGR's, put on your thinking cap, analyze the situation a bit, and convert the label recommendation, whether it's amount per 100 gallons TRV or PPM, to rate per acre. Small trees, less PGR per acre, large trees, more PGR per acre. Less efficacy -- need for less thinning for example -- less PGR per acre, more efficacy, more PGR per acre. Makes kind of common sense doesn't it?</p><p><a href="http://fruitadvisor.info/tfruit/clements/trvcalculator.html" target="_blank">Still want to calculate TRV?</a></p>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-81443264819795608762021-03-28T12:23:00.005-04:002021-04-13T14:46:49.401-04:00Fungicide alphabet soup - time to pour it down the drain!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvkNsU5ZMln3OUz37S9i6Iwqk7S4gqtDZAdu3tVvsZTHM8pcJAKUM8y-Hi729lShnMXKAPX2mrlVof-5KbP8Lgx-k16EvRm47mpgjznFrrrjTtsmMq6hoXoqkNUYuNEtVMlc6iuM-4upl/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="367" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvkNsU5ZMln3OUz37S9i6Iwqk7S4gqtDZAdu3tVvsZTHM8pcJAKUM8y-Hi729lShnMXKAPX2mrlVof-5KbP8Lgx-k16EvRm47mpgjznFrrrjTtsmMq6hoXoqkNUYuNEtVMlc6iuM-4upl/w320-h269/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />I have a love-hate relationship with tree fruit plant pathologists. LOVE, because diseases -- apple scab, fire blight, brown rot, etc., you get the idea -- are arguaby the most problematic pest management issue pome and stone fruit growers face year in and year out. (And climate change, with more frequent rainfall is not going to make life any easier.) But tree fruit plant pathologists are the experts working on it! HATE though because of all the jargon they espouse when describing fungicide MoA's. There we go, I mean Mode of Actions. And you know what I mean, SDHI's, DMI's, QoI's (Strobies), AP's (what did I miss?) and now they say multi-site and single-site? Give me a break!<p></p><p>Here is my suggestion -- let's just ALWAYS ONLY use FRAC numbers. As in: <a href="https://www.frac.info/fungicide-resistance-management/by-frac-mode-of-action-group">https://www.frac.info/fungicide-resistance-management/by-frac-mode-of-action-group</a>. If I am correct, most tree fruit fungicides fall into one of six FRAC Groups:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>M1 - coppers; M2 - sulfur; M3 - mancozebs, Ziram; and M4 - Captan, M7 - dodine/Syllit. These are Multi-site as designated by the "M." Good rotation partner for resistance management. M is good, good, good. M=good.</li><li>1 - Topsin, t-methyl. Thus starts the single site fungicides. (Last time we will ever use single- or multi-site. OK guys and gals?) Not so good for resistance management when used time after time after time. Right?</li><li>3 - Indar, Rubigan, Vintage, Procure, Cevya. Formerly DMI's. And before that, SI's! Ackkk!!! No more! Banned. 3's from now on!</li><li>7 - Aprovia, Fontelis, Sercadis, Excalia. Formerly SDHI's.</li><li>9 - Vangard, Scala. Formerly AP's. Formerly.</li><li>11 - Flint. Formerly known as a QoI. Banned.</li></ul><p></p><p>Of course there are the pre-mixes too, common ones include: 7+11 (Pristine, Merivon, Luna Sensation); 3+9 (Inspire Super), (Merivon), and 7+9 (Luna Sensation/Tranquility). Oh, and then there's Syllit (Dodine), label says it's a U12. But according to FRAC it's an M7, multi-site, but the verdict seems to be out on that. Who wants to use that DANGER signal word causes irreversible eye damage $%&# anyways???!!!</p><p>So, go ahead and use M's. All the time if you want, but remember, they are largely preventive, i.e. have to be applied before the infection occurs. And then go ahead and use the 1's, 3's, 7's, 9's and 11's. But only in up to two back-to back-applications. Then use another number (or combination of numbers). These fungicides have some kickback (post-infection) activity, ranging from 1 to 4 days (maximum, at best), as well as preventive activity. I like them. </p><p>Ok, there you go. I made a fungicide recommendation while ditching the alphabet soup! I invite the tree fruit pathologists to follow suit! :-)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-89250587486011803422020-11-25T14:32:00.005-05:002020-11-25T15:08:08.544-05:00Weather Data Source and Apple Scab DSS Model Output – Does it Make a Difference?<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Jon Clements (UMass Extension) and Daniel Cooley (Stockbridge School of Agriculture)</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwmw4xmc7u0KQaijbSqveAy52Mcgdu96oV9CPiSDqS9M8U-VE_DmaORsJ6BIiR-T5ILLcPLDgy0RICIFVqKEuLDfIxO70d1e96W-VNqMS0FD8d-cePhq9NR7cDHW4X7nnkfMscMQhmgqt/s1280/scabongreenapple.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwmw4xmc7u0KQaijbSqveAy52Mcgdu96oV9CPiSDqS9M8U-VE_DmaORsJ6BIiR-T5ILLcPLDgy0RICIFVqKEuLDfIxO70d1e96W-VNqMS0FD8d-cePhq9NR7cDHW4X7nnkfMscMQhmgqt/w220-h220/scabongreenapple.jpg" width="220" /></span></a></div><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Weather data source, the location of a station, and DSS each make a difference in numbers of fungicide applications to control primary apple scab. So why the difference? Is the weather data different? Probably. Are the models interpreting the data differently? Probably. So it’s a combination of both? Likely.<br /></span></i><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">INTRODUCTION<br />In the Northeast it is not possible to produce apples commercially without timely fungicide sprays to control apple scab. Decision Support System (DSS) models based on weather data allow more targeted and potentially better scab control with fewer fungicide applications than a calendar spray schedule during the primary phase of apple scab infection. But does the source of weather data input or the DSS make a difference in predicting infection periods? To answer that question, we compared weather data collected in 2020 from several weather stations and a virtual weather data source at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown, MA.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">METHODS<br />Weather data was collected from four on-site weather stations at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown, MA. Two stations are situated close to one another, and the other two farther apart, as shown in Table 1. Weather stations included two RX3000 and one U30 weather station from Onset Computer Corporation (onsetcomp.com), and one Rainwise (rainwise.com) weather station. All collect temperature, wetness, and precipitation data, requisites to run the primary apple scab infection model on the <a href="newa.cornell.edu" target="_blank">Network for Environment and Weather Applications</a> (NEWA). The <a href="http://newa.cornell.edu/index.php?page=newa-pest-forecast-model-references" target="_blank">NEWA apple scab model</a> is based on Mills Table infection events with modification. We also looked at one “virtual” weather data service (meteoblue.com) feeding weather data into <a href="rimpro.edu" target="_blank">RIMpro</a> (rimpro.eu), a cloud-based DSS running its own (proprietary) version of the apple scab infection model. RIMpro was also run using data from the Rainwise weather station.</span></p><div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAko4JUF3EbX1q73yetunPRNpANz3ufaCgMoh3c6JuAOG6tFMT5q1fKIYHTUpBwFkw-pM5bwX1qi2kuk_eOd5qL21StUQB6rkIISxQ6UIQjDxjAmzv-kWh3ZcYXYOUTh-nuymSupA6yYrP/s1015/FNscabarticleTable1b.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="1015" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAko4JUF3EbX1q73yetunPRNpANz3ufaCgMoh3c6JuAOG6tFMT5q1fKIYHTUpBwFkw-pM5bwX1qi2kuk_eOd5qL21StUQB6rkIISxQ6UIQjDxjAmzv-kWh3ZcYXYOUTh-nuymSupA6yYrP/w400-h150/FNscabarticleTable1b.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Table 1 - Name (DSS used in this blog post), Station hardware, Lat./Lon., Elevation, and DSS of weather stations or virtual weather data source at the UMass Orchard, Belchertown, MA. (Click on Table to see larger.)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />RESULTS</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Examples of how and when infection periods for NEWA and RIMpro were determined are shown in in Figures 1. and 2. respectively. Then, all apple scab primary infection periods evaluated by each system is graphically illustrated in Figure 3. Red color-filled table cells with an ‘x’ in them are scab infection periods (by day). Yellow color-filled cells are presumed fungicide spray infection prevention events that are based on a few simple rules: a preventive fungicide spray before every infection event; a post-infection (kickback) spray during longer infection periods and/or during the accelerated phase of ascospore maturity/development; and for RIMpro, following the previous two rules, but only when the RIM infection value exceeded 100 (daily RIM value indicated by the number). From Figure 3., all primary infection periods from green tip to 100% ascospore maturity and final release of spores, and proposed spray events were counted for each Decision Support System and are shown in Table 2.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sFgXWVr80elKIyOQy46CjZiywCd7g26RZ4K2l7OWJgy2K5Wxx16WTlEae7Zk-2JNfcTdka219mqc2bn1Qo3T8RuXKYqsxSIMbUnwvJKx9aNEwh0-U1ER7ELtGFQ2wzuuB-jkmu-j7UcS/s1039/Fig1NEWAforFN.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1039" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sFgXWVr80elKIyOQy46CjZiywCd7g26RZ4K2l7OWJgy2K5Wxx16WTlEae7Zk-2JNfcTdka219mqc2bn1Qo3T8RuXKYqsxSIMbUnwvJKx9aNEwh0-U1ER7ELtGFQ2wzuuB-jkmu-j7UcS/w400-h154/Fig1NEWAforFN.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Figure 1 - Example of how apple scab infection periods are counted in NEWA. (Click on Figure to see larger.)<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="850" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqv6mWYwsf7_7d87XXoZOiiM99ZGJ6vag8OyJ1aTggILdHEhkMkfEfUQLm2l0lmUApFIAAvA-6kvkD3EGoY4XD-bxiovt1Izj-Fon3-jetHW3yGqAaUVdCNGsc-F2n1-9F6vO1gwjUXHU/w400-h234/Fig2RIMproforFN.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 2 - Example of how apple scab infection periods are counted in NEWA.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqv6mWYwsf7_7d87XXoZOiiM99ZGJ6vag8OyJ1aTggILdHEhkMkfEfUQLm2l0lmUApFIAAvA-6kvkD3EGoY4XD-bxiovt1Izj-Fon3-jetHW3yGqAaUVdCNGsc-F2n1-9F6vO1gwjUXHU/s850/Fig2RIMproforFN.png"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRr2rGryyJTO1l1eQbXXIxYb5wPGXOffmCL1Q3oGd4qmpProh2LNcSciKjt57jy4uM_r-ufiONodI4OmJxfGFzZLtXJ5dON-L1Nz7804DkxLibX_hiFZKu6JWo0xK8qC85naHSr4hpin1/s1200/Fig3applescabinfectionsforFN.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRr2rGryyJTO1l1eQbXXIxYb5wPGXOffmCL1Q3oGd4qmpProh2LNcSciKjt57jy4uM_r-ufiONodI4OmJxfGFzZLtXJ5dON-L1Nz7804DkxLibX_hiFZKu6JWo0xK8qC85naHSr4hpin1/w400-h200/Fig3applescabinfectionsforFN.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Figure 3 - Apple scab infections (in red) predicted by DSS and suggested spray events (in yellow) for the primary appe scab season beginning 1-Apr iland ending 30-June. (Click on Figure to see larger.)<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafKG-fuI4YHcv5IQdZYtqNdS1MeuzP1sRuIhr3VEg5ILCy388S8xjjM-9GxRTiJGdpy_3QtswCVnsZKi_Jek1QbqNPMSszd8dHqXtCpOY5w-Kra4d0L8Z2WRSDE0ZnqkNZueGLCjYQo68/s834/FNscabarticleTable2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="834" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafKG-fuI4YHcv5IQdZYtqNdS1MeuzP1sRuIhr3VEg5ILCy388S8xjjM-9GxRTiJGdpy_3QtswCVnsZKi_Jek1QbqNPMSszd8dHqXtCpOY5w-Kra4d0L8Z2WRSDE0ZnqkNZueGLCjYQo68/w400-h159/FNscabarticleTable2.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Table 2 - From Figure 3, total number of Infection Periods and Proposed Sprays during the primary apple scab season by DSS (Name).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">DISCUSSION</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Primary apple scab infection periods ranged from three infection events for RIMpro up to ten infections for NEWA (Table 2). Spray events followed similarly, ranging from three fungicide sprays to twelve sprays. Thus, the number of infection periods and proposed fungicide sprays vary significantly, from three to ten and three to twelve respectively. There are several sources of variability that could result in such different DSS outputs, including: virtual vs. hardware weather station (including manufacturer), location in the orchard, and different DSS interpretations of the scab model, particularly NEWA vs. RIMpro. Several assumption, particularly when it comes to spray events, have been made too, which could be argued. But these differences are concerning and could result in a grower taking different actions, and experiencing different outcomes, like getting scab, depending on how weather data is collected and what DSS is used. Therefore, there is a need for further field testing using fungicide applications applied according to each Decision Support System.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>For further reading:</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Clements, J., and D. Cooley. 2013. A Comparison of Two Sources of Environmental Data and Three Model Outputs for Primary Apple Scab in 2012 at the UMass Cold Spring Orchard. Fruit Notes, Volume 78, Spring 2013. <a href="http://umassfruitnotes.com/v78n2/a2.pdf" target="_blank">http://umassfruitnotes.com/v78n2/a2.pdf</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Garofalo, E., A. Tuttle, J. Clements, and D. Cooley. 2016. Discrepancies Between Direct Observations of Apple Scab Ascopore Maturation and Disease Model Forecasts in the 2014 and 2015 Growing Seasons. Fruit Notes, Volume 81, Spring, 2016. <a href="http://umassfruitnotes.com/v81n2/a2.pdf" target="_blank">http://umassfruitnotes.com/v81n2/a2.pdf</a></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://youtu.be/2tnmt5kD4Uo" target="_blank">Weather data in, DSS out for apple scab infection period model -- does it make a difference?</a> (YouTube video.) </span><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A comparison of four on-site weather stations and one virtual weather service as data sources in 2020 for the apple scab infection period model in two Decision Support Systems at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown, MA. A presentation at the 62nd Annual New England, New York, and Canada Pest Management Conference for Extension, research, and consultants, October 19, 2020 via Zoom. ©2020 Jon Clements and the UMass Fruit Advisor, umassfruit.com. Or play here...</span></span></div><div><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="373" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2tnmt5kD4Uo" width="448" youtube-src-id="2tnmt5kD4Uo"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)" face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div>Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547624387422710226.post-16888394877264425762020-11-25T10:38:00.001-05:002020-11-25T10:41:28.414-05:00Comparing the Malusim app to the ‘Schwallier’ and ‘Ferri’ XLS spreadsheet versions of the fruitlet growth rate model in 2020 to predict fruit set in Gala, Honeycrisp, and Pazazz® apples<span id="docs-internal-guid-5a7cf8b8-7fff-0867-9bf7-e6ae78889ab6"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>INTRODUCTION</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chemical thinning sprays are the most trying <i>and </i>most important decisions an apple orchardist can make. Factors that influence chemical thinner application include weather, carbohydrate balance, and fruitlet growth rate. The Malusim app (malusim.org) uses the <a href=" https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/48/5/article-p584.xml" target="_blank">fruitlet growth rate</a> and carbohydrate balance models to better inform chemical thinning decisions. Two XLS (Microsoft Excel) spreadsheets are also available for inputting fruit measurements and predicting fruit set based on the <a href="https://nyshs.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/15-20-Schwallier-Pages-NYFQ-Book-Spring-2015.eg-3.pdf" target="_blank">fruitlet growth rate model</a>.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>METHOD</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Five tall-spindle apple trees in each of three varieties – Gala, Honeycrisp, and Pazazz® – were selected at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown, MA. In May 2020, bloom (total number of flower clusters) in each of the five trees was counted to get an estimate of potential fruit set, and fourteen flower/fruit clusters were selected and tagged for fruitlet growth measurements. Fruitlet measurements were started on 27-May, and then made on 31-May, 4-June, and 12-June. Fruitlet measurements were entered using the Malusim app smartphone (iPhone) voice recognition feature and results calculated in <a href="https://jmcextman.blogspot.com/2019/05/how-to-use-malusim-app.html" target="_blank">Malusim</a> (<a href="http://malusim.org">malusim.org</a>) to get predicted fruit set. From Malusim the same data was exported and used in the <a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/files/PredictingFruitset1-21-14.pdf" target="_blank">Schwallier</a> and Ferri XLS spreadsheets/apps to get predicted fruit set. The Ferri XLS spreadsheet is a modification of the Schwallier sheet by Tom and Joe Ferri, T&K Orchard, Clarksburg, Ontario, Canada and not publicly available, but available on request. The fruitlet growth rate model output included percent fruit predicted to set and fruit numbers per tree on each measurement date so that the need for a chemical thinning spray could be better assessed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9Uu_z0CKrA-O7NP3PmmWEjlgDrR5Xy1CpiDMSF5BVcu0d3W4vcQ4GqYisLmybw0omlv0A6ESaNbZ_QLpVxVb3g1rtqmNhUqFPoHsGEALEHYI00_OPf4WbVGPJlliZyeDQdOzBK-2GLYW/s2048/fig1forthinningblog.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1534" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9Uu_z0CKrA-O7NP3PmmWEjlgDrR5Xy1CpiDMSF5BVcu0d3W4vcQ4GqYisLmybw0omlv0A6ESaNbZ_QLpVxVb3g1rtqmNhUqFPoHsGEALEHYI00_OPf4WbVGPJlliZyeDQdOzBK-2GLYW/w300-h400/fig1forthinningblog.png" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Honeycrisp trees selected for counting bloom and measuring fruitlets</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0plk4yC5WtWKNo2Z1r5ENxpzvlESUQz_QYC_tFwl0rj6ehYEF3AH6fExe5keHBVRoH2M-Mu2t6pVNXR8CvtQDiMyozTF8SrO29aIUAtYiLcInsp7bjcRV6Xp8OOVMqfsUQpAZPL7H7NBw/s2048/fig2forthinningblog.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0plk4yC5WtWKNo2Z1r5ENxpzvlESUQz_QYC_tFwl0rj6ehYEF3AH6fExe5keHBVRoH2M-Mu2t6pVNXR8CvtQDiMyozTF8SrO29aIUAtYiLcInsp7bjcRV6Xp8OOVMqfsUQpAZPL7H7NBw/s320/fig2forthinningblog.png" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cluster selected and tagged for subsequent measuring apple fruitlets</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAlKNA92gH8TRJSyftiBJ6bH3yEYnjiEFCXsxNUTBxerU4PZ7Bc3LMYvtGdhYV4JzExuEvJqamNlQDMxA4e6olW5joBwm2jgYtsNmbHRXG6DNkoDxyuVNsYS_C0TefISza9BUtQ_49Woz/s2048/fig3forthinningblog.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAlKNA92gH8TRJSyftiBJ6bH3yEYnjiEFCXsxNUTBxerU4PZ7Bc3LMYvtGdhYV4JzExuEvJqamNlQDMxA4e6olW5joBwm2jgYtsNmbHRXG6DNkoDxyuVNsYS_C0TefISza9BUtQ_49Woz/s320/fig3forthinningblog.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Digital caliper used for measuring fruitlets</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BUmA4v-BIFS2YG-B3ivq4KeaBLCYZjdGs8CZiybaGT0JLDSfdVyOb7hTMweK_GeipsBvl9ztOTwG9BbtFA4Nwr8-G0DW8aDF9tWeUJoiq9KBA_iOW7PyEOvIMzAsOZBNLAU1dd7aAZ-J/s739/Screen+Shot+2020-11-24+at+3.23.34+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="739" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BUmA4v-BIFS2YG-B3ivq4KeaBLCYZjdGs8CZiybaGT0JLDSfdVyOb7hTMweK_GeipsBvl9ztOTwG9BbtFA4Nwr8-G0DW8aDF9tWeUJoiq9KBA_iOW7PyEOvIMzAsOZBNLAU1dd7aAZ-J/w400-h178/Screen+Shot+2020-11-24+at+3.23.34+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sample Malusim app output</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y_D7_eRiy4dGf_bQ4ymnLOXD8kvfrwNsFyjCkrYVqPrwu1X7yTfQqtv__HnxF0RRiDNgnWdhEWxEU-4zdTGmcjyqeEFb1kb7n_0KY26Z5QIopZdu2R5K3h-4eW_54eFwXcUbVnN7H50D/s592/Screen+Shot+2020-11-24+at+3.27.27+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="517" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y_D7_eRiy4dGf_bQ4ymnLOXD8kvfrwNsFyjCkrYVqPrwu1X7yTfQqtv__HnxF0RRiDNgnWdhEWxEU-4zdTGmcjyqeEFb1kb7n_0KY26Z5QIopZdu2R5K3h-4eW_54eFwXcUbVnN7H50D/w558-h640/Screen+Shot+2020-11-24+at+3.27.27+PM.png" width="558" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sample Schwallier XLS spreadsheet output</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSosRStST3_vrP5A2bXAY1QZGPp98V82SC5B1d8qK8TYtmIWrV6njAL4nWFNwsjFoD5QEiWWjyYiGhEh98EPfwN8MOcTTeJIDKhitYEvdkOLK5xvQlHwoXGqt4mUEad_zovDKYy_WyiPD/s531/Screen+Shot+2020-11-24+at+3.29.01+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="531" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSosRStST3_vrP5A2bXAY1QZGPp98V82SC5B1d8qK8TYtmIWrV6njAL4nWFNwsjFoD5QEiWWjyYiGhEh98EPfwN8MOcTTeJIDKhitYEvdkOLK5xvQlHwoXGqt4mUEad_zovDKYy_WyiPD/w640-h269/Screen+Shot+2020-11-24+at+3.29.01+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sample Ferri (modification of Schwallier) XLS spreadsheet output</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>RESULTS</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For each variety, all three predictions of fruit set were similar within variety. Therefore, any of the three “apps” could be used to predict fruit set. In the end, however, final fruit set, as counted by the number of apples left on each tree, was less than predicted by the apps except for Pazazz®. And actual fruit number per tree counted at harvest was less than the target number of fruit per tree. (Ugh.) A severe carbohydrate deficit at the time of chemical thinner application – as indicated by the Carbohydrate Balance in Malusim – is the likely culprit.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hlURqHA5HnKZrbOxhAVRD_HutOpHWRQKip3asB95qQEN5531Gw4hUkQ5dsgTbKzt0Xze4qR2TLzqOOG4q4sc5CGS49ApS_Ee5MtMucV-vJIOfwSrDz6t8n3cMDMZBir6qZC3Nq27gy7n/s658/GalachatforFN.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="658" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hlURqHA5HnKZrbOxhAVRD_HutOpHWRQKip3asB95qQEN5531Gw4hUkQ5dsgTbKzt0Xze4qR2TLzqOOG4q4sc5CGS49ApS_Ee5MtMucV-vJIOfwSrDz6t8n3cMDMZBir6qZC3Nq27gy7n/w640-h390/GalachatforFN.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Gala predicted fruit set. Target was 80 fruit per tree, actual at harvest was 45 apples.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6WPrPELhTG1PQOAm7C1UsjPI3uVmiq4uwHLI8plUq1ZhpTiC_Tb1WmqOMAcD2gIzEhP45bL6OX08M9i1tJA4sHKYmWvr98y4naLzMHrIRoxQiKPGPMA1LXBThrX2QXTLVN0a8vsf4cEy/s658/HoneycrispchartforFN.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="658" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6WPrPELhTG1PQOAm7C1UsjPI3uVmiq4uwHLI8plUq1ZhpTiC_Tb1WmqOMAcD2gIzEhP45bL6OX08M9i1tJA4sHKYmWvr98y4naLzMHrIRoxQiKPGPMA1LXBThrX2QXTLVN0a8vsf4cEy/w640-h390/HoneycrispchartforFN.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Honeycrisp predicted fruit set. Target was 70 fruit per tree, actual at harvest was 26 apples.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXvWZWpE3ucZCRwGDtOT4G9Oic_EHj2DwDT2w4r6cVbvAUtQuHNAN-Bus8nTTuwgOGPDBgvjNzGJbXkyhUbP6HL9CdRPl8IqiRvpaK5nCH-P0_K6vgIqm1CCKSf6QSbtbDXZ1-UEmp0eo/s658/PazazzchartforFN.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="658" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXvWZWpE3ucZCRwGDtOT4G9Oic_EHj2DwDT2w4r6cVbvAUtQuHNAN-Bus8nTTuwgOGPDBgvjNzGJbXkyhUbP6HL9CdRPl8IqiRvpaK5nCH-P0_K6vgIqm1CCKSf6QSbtbDXZ1-UEmp0eo/w640-h390/PazazzchartforFN.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pazazz® predicted fruit set. Target was 70 fruit per tree, actual at harvest was 12 apples.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xS6THtxRkKpDfMcyhKTun2c9wpfpRycMZBCfgRPrUzo1xR8vJAUWh3Zp2CO9c8O5cfigQ6LSNeR9Fjtej9scrSzNqaNey4CfmRLQpnqUFCWJ1pzXO_A12Zca9K3jTVvjlCWsMu-yOeTy/s687/Screen+Shot+2020-11-24+at+3.18.22+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="687" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xS6THtxRkKpDfMcyhKTun2c9wpfpRycMZBCfgRPrUzo1xR8vJAUWh3Zp2CO9c8O5cfigQ6LSNeR9Fjtej9scrSzNqaNey4CfmRLQpnqUFCWJ1pzXO_A12Zca9K3jTVvjlCWsMu-yOeTy/w640-h357/Screen+Shot+2020-11-24+at+3.18.22+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Significant carboydrate deficit in the Malusim app during the chemical thinning window</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>DISCUSSION</b></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Although the fruitlet growth rate model is a useful tool to help guide thinning decisions, setting it up and measuring fruits is an onerous process and has not been widely adopted by growers. What’s needed is a faster and simpler method of assessing fruit growth rate during the chemical thinning window. To that end we are investigating, and in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University, <a href="https://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/helping-growers-care-apple-crop-%E2%80%93-they%E2%80%99re" target="_blank">computer imaging and learning to visualize and calculate fruit growth rate</a>. Early results are promising.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Jon Clementshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16803454357249729716noreply@blogger.com1