Cooperative Extension: Maine Wild Blueberries

Monilinia infection periods in all weather station fields May 5 to 6th

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In all fields with weather stations, there were weather conditions for Monilinia infection from May 5th to May 6th (see table below).  Active Monilinia cups were seen in West Rockport, Appleton, and Searsport yesterday and in barren fields today.   The mummy berry cups are probably still present and active in most blueberry areas. There is a risk of more infection periods, particularly Downeast, this weekend.  Drier weather is predicted for most of next week, so we may be nearing the end of mummy berry season.  Please let me know what is happening in your mummy berry plot.  You can reach me, Seanna Annis, at sannis@maine.edu or 207-581-2621.

If you  applied fungicides after April 25th (10 days) or April 28th (7 days) your plants will probably be protected for this infection period.  If you have not applied fungicide, you can apply a fungicide with some kickback activity by May 8th evening to possibly decrease infection.    Many materials have limits on the number of applications that can be applied per year,  and rotating fungicides is also a good strategy to decrease the risk of resistance developing in the target fungus.