Fall nutrient sprays in tree fruit

Carbon (C), oxygen (O), and hydrogen (H), taken up in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O), are the most important nutrients for tree fruit growth and development, representing more than 95 percent of the tree dry matter. The rest of the nutrients represent the other five percent, and their uptake occurs mainly through the roots, between bloom and the rapid vegetative growth phase. In most perennial tree fruit, initial spring growth and early fruit development rely on reserves accumulated the previous season. Thus, fall nutrient management strategies have had positive effects on building those reserves in apples and cherries. However, the effectiveness of fall sprays will depend on the overall tree health, deficiency level, and demand. This publication presents some considerations to decide whether fall sprays are needed

Efecto de boscalid sobre las podredumbres de la fresa en postcosecha causadas por Botrytis cinerea y Rhizopus stolonifer

In Chile, gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) and leak (Rhizopus stolonifer) are the major storage diseases of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) that considerably reduce yields and quality, limiting its international commercialization. The effect of preharvest fungicide treatments and postharvest treatments against storage decays was studied. Based on the results obtained, the incidence of B. cinerea and R. stolonifer was significantly lower on "Camarosa" strawberry fruits treated with boscalid or boscalid + pyraclostrobin between blossom and harvest. Similarly, incidence of B. cinerea and R. stolonifer significantly decreased at 5 deg C and 20 deg C after immersion treatments with boscalid (600 to 700 mg LE-1) or cyprodinil + fludioxonil (371 + 250 mg LE-1). These postharvest treatments provided 5 and 15 days protection against these molds when strawberry fruits were stored at 20 deg C and 5 deg C, respectively. Fenhexamid (750 mg LE-1) arrested B. cinerea, but it was ineffective against R. stolonifer. Variable results were obtained with iprodione (750 mg LE-1). Fungicide treatments had no adverse effect on total soluble content, titrable acidity and firmness. Only boscalid + pyraclostrobin affected the external color of the treated fruits. In conclusion, fungicide treatments using new reduced-risk fungicides can be useful to extend strawberry shelf life for over a 15 day period. However, further research is needed to establish a commercial recommendation.En Chile, el moho gris (Botrytis cinerea) y el moho negro algodonoso (Rhizopus stolonifer) reducen los rendimientos y la calidad de la fresa (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) en pre y postcosecha, limitando su comercialización internacional. En este trabajo se estudió la efectividad de tratamientos de campo y postcosecha sobre el desarrollo de podredumbres, vida útil y cualidades de la fresa conservada a 5 grados C y 20 grados C. De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos, la incidencia de B. cinerea y R. stolonifer en postcosecha fue significativamente menor en fruta proveniente de fresas "Camarosa" tratadas, entre floración y cosecha, con boscalid o boscalid + pyraclostrobin. Del mismo modo, fresas "Camarosa" tratadas por inmersión en boscalid (600 a 700 mg LE-1) o cyprodinil + fludioxonil (375 + 250 mg LE-1), presentaron menor incidencia de B. cinerea y R. stolonifer tanto a 5 grados C como a 20 grados C. Este tratamiento protegió la fruta durante 5 y 15 días a 20 grados C y 5 grados C, respectivamente. Fenhexamid (750 mg LE-1) controló B. cinerea, pero fue inefectivo contra R. stolonifer y con iprodione (750 mg LE-1) se obtuvieron resultados variables. Ningún tratamiento afectó negativamente al contenido de sólidos solubles totales, acidez titulable y firmeza. Sólo boscalid + pyraclostrobin alteró el color externo de la fruta. En conclusión, tratamientos con fungicidas con bajo riesgo toxicológico y ambiental permitirían extender la vida útil de fresas almacenadas. No obstante, se requiere información adicional antes de establecer una recomendación comercial de uso

Bacterial canker in Washington sweet cherries

Bacterial canker in sweet cherries is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (PSS) van Hall and is commonly associated with production areas characterized by wet and cold weather, such as western Washington, Oregon, and southern Chile, among others. Historically, until about 1970, bacterial canker was not considered a significant threat in the arid, sweet cherry producing region of eastern Washington. However, since then, this disease has been observed more frequently, especially in newer plantings where tree losses of up to 75% have been reported. The apparent increase in disease levels observed in Washington can be attributed to several factors, with the seemingly most evident being the high susceptibility of the cultivar �Coral Champagne�. Additional factors influencing bacterial canker infection include extreme weather conditions and irrigation practices. The presence of other diseases, such as Little Cherry Disease (LCD) or Verticillium wilt, can further predispose trees to infection by PSS. This publication provides additional information on bacterial canker caused by PSS and provides an overview of the disease management practices for Washington sweet cherry growers and guidelines to better diagnose the disease and prevent confusion with other threatening diseases affecting the Washington sweet cherry industry

Soil health in orchards

Orchard soil health, or soil quality, is the capacity of soil to support productive trees over time without negatively affecting the surrounding environment. Soil health is influenced by interacting biological, physical, and chemical properties of soil. Active soil biological communities mineralize nitrogen, create soil structure, and compete with plant pathogens. Physical properties of soil determine its ability to store and release nutrients; accommodate water entry, storage and movement; provide sufficient oxygen for roots and microbes; and moderate environmental stress. Chemical aspects of soil health include nutrient presence and availability, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), salinity, and the presence of any contaminants, such as heavy metals or persistent pesticide residues. By increasing our understanding of the biological and physical as well as chemical properties of soil we may be able to increase root health, moderate nutrient and water stress, and increase the yield potential of our orchards

Tree fruit soil fertility and plant nutrition in cropping orchards in Central Washington

Healthy trees need healthy roots to take up water and nutrients; healthy soils to provide water, nutrients, and protection from plant pathogens; sufficient water; and exemplary horticulture. When considering tree nutrition, it is essential to start with standard soil and tissue diagnostics. These tools are often more valuable when used together, when coupled with observations of the tree, and when results are monitored over time for trends. There are many ways to create a tree fertility program. This publication will describe a strategy with five steps: 1. Know the common nutritional needs for your area; 2. Apply maintenance nutrient sprays; 3. Maintain optimal soil fertility levels; 4. Fertilize trees based on nutrient demand minus supply; 5. Monitor nutrient management program

Impact de la conduite en lots d’alimentation de brebis laitières Basco-Béarnaises en début de traite sur la production et la composition chimique du lait

International audienceDairy herds of sheep are usually conducted in single groups with the same level of concentrates for allewes. Physical or virtual feeding groups, supplemented through individual concentrate feeder allows adjusting concentrate levels to individual production. Until now, we do not know the effect of such management on milk production, milk composition and voluntary forage intake. Four groups of 44 Basco-Bearnaise ewes in early milking period were constituted and balanced according to their milk yield (MY): two with low (L) and two with high (H) milk yield. One L and H group was fed according to actual feeding management (C) and the two others according to their milk yield (E) for six weeks. Concentrate levels were decreased at mid experiment to fit the MY. There was no difference in forage DMI between EH and CH but DMI of CL was lower. Decreasing concentrates increased forage DMI in all groups with a substitution rate of 1.1 (CH) to 2 (EH). The adjustment of concentrates increased MY in EH by an average of 0.3 L/d/ewe. The milk fat content was modified for EH and EL groups, the urea leve l was higher for EH. Under these conditions, adjusting the concentrate to the MY has no great effect on milk production but increases the forage DMI. Substitution rate observed suggest that it could be possible to reduce the amount of concentrate when good forages are available. The economic interest will depend on the difference between the unit cost of concentrates and that of fodder.Les troupeaux de brebis laitières sont généralement conduits en lots de traite unique avec unniveau de concentrés identique pour toutes les brebis. La mise en lots, physiques ou virtuels, au moyen desdistributeurs automatiques de concentrés (DAC) permet d’ajuster les niveaux de concentrés aux productionsindividuelles. Les effets de ces conduites alimentaires sur les productions laitières, la composition chimiqueet l’ingestion volontaire de fourrage n’ont pas été évalués à ce jour. Quatre lots de 44 brebis basco béar-naises en début de traite ont été générés à l’issue d’un contrôle laitier initial, de manière à comparer, durant6 semaines, intra-lots à forte ou faible production, l’effet de l’ajustement ou non du concentré en fonction duniveau laitier. Cet ajustement des concentrés a des effets tangibles sur la production laitière, la compositionchimique des laits, et sur l’ingestion volontaire de fourrages. Ces effets sont cohérents avec les connaissan -ces antérieures. Dans les conditions de l’essai, la stratégie d’ajustement, comparée à la conduite en lot unique,s’est traduite par un gain de production laitière de 5.5%, une meilleure ingestion des fourrages (+5.8%), et unehomogénéisation des variations d’état corporel

Un partenariat technique avec les éleveurs de brebis laitières dans les Pyrénées Atlantiques pour adapter les pratiques et réussir l’insémination animale

National audienceDairy sheep breeders in the Pyrénées Atlantiques participate in sustaining traditional mountain agropastoral systems, based on transhumance and cheese-making on farms (with unpasteurized milk, Ossau Iraty-type) and even on mountain pastures. Reproduction performances have, however, deteriorated over the last decade and a decrease in fertility after Artificial Insemination (AI) can quickly beco me dangerous for the functionality of the selection scheme.This study was led in 2012 in partnership between the CDEO and 70 breeders to assess factors affecting fertility after AI (early pregnancy rate 28 days after AI, lambing rate). Surveys and measures were realized on the farm, at the herd scale and at the individual scale (n=9415 ewes): ewe traits, response to hormonal treatment and AI conditions, rearing conditions (particularly feeding), dairy production monitoring, body condition score and health events. The factors of variation identified confirmed the importance of the selection of the ewes to be inseminated: reproduction method of the previous year, fertility after AI during reproductive life, age, feeding and body condition around the time of the AI. Even if factors such as the practice of transhumance or the conditions of AI did not appear as limiting factors for fertility, in very restrained systems, the most fragile ewes can "drop out” (young, high-producing...). All breeders have to reconstruct a new technical consistency, to find a new balance between milk / cheese production, reproduction and feeding system. At a more collective level, the same power of selection has to be maintained in local and hardy breeds with only a small population. At the end of the study, every breeder received a synthetic card adapted to his farm with technical clues and possible areas to work on.Dans les Pyrénées-Atlantiques, les éleveurs de brebis laitières maintiennent des systèmes d’exploitation agropastoraux traditionnels, basés sur la transhumance et la fabrication de fromage fermier (au lait cru de type Ossau Iraty) y compris en estive. Les performances de reproduction se sont dégradées au cours des dernières années et la baisse de fertilité constatée à l’Insémination Animale (IA) pourrait rapidement devenir limitante pour le fonctionnement du schéma de sélection. Cette étude a été menée en 2012 en partenariat avec 70 éleveurs adhérents au CDEO pour évaluer les facteurs influençant la fertilité à l’IA (taux de gestation à 28 j et taux de mise bas). Des enquêtes et des mesures ont été réalisées à l’échelle du troupeau et à l’échelle individuelle (n=9415 brebis) sur : caractéristiques des brebis, réponse au traitement de synchronisation et conditions d’IA, conduite du troupeau (notamment alimentaire), production laitière, notation d’état corporel et événements sanitaires. Les facteurs de variation de la fertilité mis en évidence confirment l’importance du choix des brebis à inséminer, notamment le mode de reproduction de l’année précédente, la fertilité à l’IA pendant la carrière, l’âge, la conduite alimentaire et l’état corporel au moment de l’IA. Même si les facteurs d’élevage tels que la transhumance ou le chantier d’IA ne sont pas apparus comme limitants pour la fertilité à l’IA, dans des systèmes d’élevages très contraints, les brebis les plus fragiles peuvent « décrocher » (jeunes, fortes productrices...). Les éleveurs doivent reconstruire une cohérence technique pour trouver un nouvel équilibre entre production laitière/fromagère, conduite de la reproduction et système d’alimentation. Au niveau collectif, il s’agit de conserver la même capacité de sélection des races locales rustiques à effectifs réduits. A l’issue de l’étude, chaque éleveur a reçu une fiche synthétique qui a permis une réflexion sur les pistes de travail adaptées à son exploitation