Date: April 16, 2021

To: Hyder Farms Employees

From: Nathan Hyder
Subject: Apple Scab Management at Hyder Farms

This report gives a few management strategy solutions that are available to fruit growers when it comes to
dealing with apple scab. Potential solutions are limited as research is ongoing, but it is important to
attempt to manage the disease This disease can be a very stubborn one to deal with and can potentially
affect revenues and profits significantly if not properly addressed. Farmers across the state can take
several steps to save lost product and make more profit. It is important that we implement these steps on
our own farm to control the disease. We must also change our approach on our own farm when it comes
to apple scab management and be more aggressive in our preventative actions.

Summary
Apple scab is the most common disease in the industry. During this research, the goal was to come up
with some management strategies that best fit individual farmers budgets and farming practices. That
includes the small time at home grower, commercial grower, and even organic growers. No matter what
type of farmer it may be, management is very important if the goal is to grow a superior, good looking
crop. Information on this subject is desperately needed by farmers in order to have better management.

Management Practices
Preventative Measures
The best potential solution for managing apple scab is to plant disease resistant varieties. The most
sought-after varieties are not disease resistant but planting these disease resistant varieties is a way to
keep chemical cost and management cost over time down to a minimum. Some examples of these
varieties are the Crimson Crisp, Crimson Topaz, Enterprise, and the GoldRush varieties. If a grower is
trying to meet the standards for “organic”, this is definitely something they should look into.

Chemical Treatments

As mentioned before chemical treatments are limited. Most chemical treatments must be applied on a
weekly basis and no longer than a ten-day interval in order to be effective and prevent further spread.
Copper based sprays are the most common fungicides on the market to treat apple scab. These sprays
need to be applied starting right before bloom, up until harvest time. Some example spray brands can
include but are not limited to Captan 50W and Dithane M45. (Apple Scab, 2019). Chemical management
has been proven to be one of the best ways to limit the spread of apple scab by making the conditions
undesirable by the disease for spread and reproduction,

Organic Management

Organic treatments are even more limited than chemical. Organic farmers are limited by state regulations
in order to be classified as organic. The best strategies to fit in this category are to remove dead leaves
and rotting fruit from the orchards especially around the base of the trees. This will limit the production of
spores and reproduction of the apple scab. This orchard management practice should also be used by
farmers not wishing to be “organic”, if practical. Some larger farms may find this practice impractical.

Conclusion
Whether you are going for the organic label or you prefer to use chemicals and other resources, it is key
to manage apple scab. The disease will in some way infect, all grower at some point during the lifetime of
a tree or orchard. Here at Hyder Farms, we have had previous problems with apple scab, and it is
important that we implement a management plan to get it under control. Losses could potentially add up
to significant losses. It is best to stay in front of the curve or spread. Obviously, the best solution is to
avoid primary infection, which means disease resistant varieties. However, as previously mentioned, that
is not always the ideal variety. This is where chemical treatment comes into play as well as the orchard
management strategies discussed for organic farmers.

Recommendations
As previously mentioned, disease resistant varieties are the first option available to prevent primary
infection. If you are not considered an organic farm, like our own farm, it is recommended that you look
into chemical sprays. These sprays will add some expense, but they are necessary to slow the spread.
Slowing the spread and limiting the effects will help save product and profits. If practical, it is also
recommended to use orchard management strategies such as removing dead leaves and fruit from around
the trees. During our upcoming company meeting, we will implement a spraying pattern and timeline to
keep scab infections down. We will also discuss a few changes to our orchard management plans such as
removing infected dead leaves. It is recommended that all employees familiarize themselves with these
practices and this information before the upcoming meeting, especially those in charge of spraying and
orchard management.
References
“Apple Scab.” New England Tree Fruit Management Guide, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 17
Mar. 2019, netreefruit.org/apples/diseases/apple-scab.