SMALL FRUIT UPDATE | WEEK 19 |  

MAY 05, 2021

Bluejay field 4-30-21. Photo by Tom Peerbolt

Tom Peerbolt
WHAT'S INSIDE NORTHWEST BERRY FOUNDATION

INDUSTRY RESOURCES
Willamette Valley Blackberry Damage

GROWER RESOURCES It’s becoming apparent that many blackberry fields in the Willamette Valley have suffered damage. After
surveying a number of fields and soliciting the opinions of several growers, I’d say that it’s bad enough
that it will significantly impact overall blackberry yield this year. How much remains to be seen. Some
INDUSTRY NEWS grower comments:
‘I have seen some very poor looking Black Diamond fields. Ours were hit pretty hard also. Noticeably
short fruiting laterals.’
PEST MANAGEMENT
‘Our Thornless Marion field looks like it was hit hard, deformed fruiting laterals.’
‘Columbia Star fields are looking somewhat O.K.’
SFU SPONSORS ‘I am seeing some secondary buds pushing in the Black Diamonds. The primary buds still look bad. It’s
early but I believe our Black Diamonds could be off by as much 50% percent on yield. Columbia Star
doesn't look as bad. Maybe down 15 percent?
‘Our younger Columbia Star field looks better which is typical of freeze damage. Kotata’s also look
good. That variety has a history of holding up to freezes.’
‘I definitely saw primary bud kill, especially in Black Diamond. Secondary buds are starting to push in
them.’
‘I agree that the amount of damage is mixed by variety, field age and location. Differences even in
fields in close proximity’

Possible causes of Damage

Well below freezing night temperatures in February after plant dormancy was broken are primary
suspects.
Subscribe Here Dr. Bernadine Strik confirmed that in some areas temperatures got low enough after bud break to kill the
young growth. However, the following unusual environmental condition may also have played a role:
‘Part of what some are seeing could be related to the high difference between day temperatures
Small Fruit Update is (unusually high) and low night temperatures (more typical) after fruiting laterals started to grow. This
might have had an adverse effect on fruiting lateral development while not killing the growth. The
produced once a week
impact of this would depend on what stage the growth was at during these times of usual
during the growing temperatures.’
season and bimonthly
outside the growing Possible causes of Damage
season (Oct - Feb) ‘The extent of the fires and excessive, constant smoke coverage in many regions of the Willamette
Valley in early September 2020 may have had negative impacts on flower bud development in some
berry crops. Early September is a critical time period for flower bud development in all of our berry
crops. The smoke cover lasted about 10 days and while this is only a portion of the whole bud
development period, I am wondering if it may have had a noticeable impact.’ If any of you notice less
than normal flowering intensity or unexplained, unusually lower yields in any berry crop, please let me
know: Bernadine Strik (bernadine.strik@oregonstate.edu).

Have a good week,

Regional Monitoring

April 29, 2021

VIEW FULL REPORT SIGN UP HERE

REGIONAL MONITORING

In this week's Agragene SWD Regional Monitoring report, we are evaluating the spring emergence
of the SWD population.

We have now had a consistent amount of warm days to wake and induce activity in the SWD
population from its winter diapause. With large over-winter survival at this point, we would expect to
see a big jump in trap counts on average with the increase in activity. However, looking at the data,
we are not seeing that. Despite having generally exceptional weather in the Willamette valley since
the beginning of March, numbers have remained statistically flatlined.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 02
 Blueberry Bud Development

PATR I O T BLUEJAY DUKE DRAP E R TOP S H E LF LIBE R T Y AURO R A LAST C A L L CALY P S O

WEEK 18 4/30/2021
WEEK 17 5/01/20
WEEK 17 4/26/19
WEEK 17 4/27/18

PATR I O T BLUEJAY DUKE DRAP E R TOP S H E LF LIBE R T Y AURO R A LAST C A L L CALY P S O

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 03
Grower Resources

REGIONAL FIELD REPORTS

Western Oregon, Willamette Valley (5/3)From Tom Peerbolt, PCM, Portland, OR
Blackberries: Bloom is scattered in Columbia Star and Black Diamond. Most Marions seem to just have a bloom here
and there. Columbia Sunrise of which I’ve only looked at a couple of fields looks to be already past 10% and Hall’s
Beauty has very little showing yet.

Blueberries: Very concentrated bloom with Duke well into petal fall at this point. The first pick of Duke looks to be
very heavy.

Strawberries: Very concentrated bloom with Duke well into petal fall at this point. The first pick of Duke looks to be
very heavy.

Beekeepers in Blues Columbia Star Blackberries 5-4-20

British Columbia, Fraser Valley (5/3) From Jason Smith, Grower, Abbotsford, BC
Blueberries: ·Bloom has been progressing with the usual variability of percentage bloom depending on growing area.
Reka is well into bloom with Duke being in that 30-50% area and Aurora just really getting up to that 15-20% bloom
stage. There have been a couple days with good bee activity but according to my weather station temperatures have
been just above 15 Celsius with only a couple days reaching the 18-20 degree range but there has been wind as well.
Expecting a bit of rain later today and overnight and then drying out a couple then back to rain for 3 days. Hoping we
will see some actual heat next week so they really get to work. There has been good growth on the plants this last
week.

British Columbia, Fraser Valley (5/3) From Chuck Mouritzen, Southwest Crop Consulting, Chilliwack, BC
Blueberries: ·We're well into bloom now on all varieties. Variations in percent bloom are apparent depending on
where you are in the valley. I think Duke falls in a range from 30-75%. I really don't think the past week or so has really
been a good pollination period. There were patches of nice weather but overall temps were quite moderate. Bee
activity seems to be sub-par to me so far. I haven't seen a lot of good foraging in the blues on a consistent basis. I
really hope that this week's weather allows pollinators a chance to get the job done, as there is and there will be a
good percentage of bloom available in the near coming days. Draper is in the early part of its flowering period and we
are starting to apply weekly foliar calcium applications through the bloom and early green fruit stages as a
preventative measure against green fruit drop. Starting a little earlier in the bloom period (< 50%) than we have in the
past.

Raspberries: On the raspberry front, Meekers are still trailing other varieties on the development side. Foliar nutrient
applications are going on to stimulate more lateral development.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 04
Industry Resources

FEATURED RESOURCES
Announcements, Surveys, and Job Openings

Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research (NSCFR) has published the first edition of their
new quarterly newsletter, with updates on Pacific Northwest research, news, USDA funding,
personnel, and NCSFR events. You can read the Spring newsletter here. Interested in
subscribing? Get future editions sent directly to your inbox by signing up here.

PODCASTS OF THE INDUSTRY

The Business of Blueberries: A podcast from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council hosted by
Kasey Cronquist and Rod Cook.
THE SMART ORCHARD – POTENTIAL FOR BLUEBERRIES?

PolliNation: A podcast from Oregon State University Extension Service hosted by Dr. Andony Melathopoulos.
177- OLIVIA MESSINGER CARRIL - A FIELD GUIDE TO THE COMMON BEES OF NORTH
AMERICA?

Industry News

FEATURED LINKS
Mexico becomes world’s leading strawberry exporter
READ MORE
(5/4, Fresh Plaza)

New ways to protect produce crops grown on plastic mulch beds

READ MORE
(5/3, Growing Produce)

British Colombia: Water licence angst

READ MORE
(5/1, County Life in BC)

Crop protection manufacturers maneuver tight supply

READ MORE
(4/30, The Scoop)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 05
The future of precision weed control
READ MORE
(5/3, VSC News)

The revolution of new blueberry varieties

READ MORE
(5/3, Blueberry Consulting)

RESEARCH
TECHNOLOGY
First fully electric ‘smart’ tractor makes debut
READ MORE
(4/27, Growing Produce)

Canadian wild blueberries: Smart tech makes farming blueberries cheaper, more
enviromentally friendly
READ MORE
(4/27, Fruit Grower News)

Mighty battle: Artificial intelligence takes on the two-spotted spider mite

READ MORE
(5/4, Growing Produce)

NORTH AMERICA
Full extent of freeze damage unknown for Great Lakes fruit
READ MORE
(4/28, Good Fruit Grower)

SOTUH AMERICA
Peruvian agribusinesses’ interest in acquiring land in Colombia increases
READ MORE
(5/3, Fresh Plaza)

EUROPE
First 2 months of Brexit translated into less fruit exported but their value increases by 7%
READ MORE
(4/30, Blueberry consulting)

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

Using hummingbirds to protect New York’s berries
READ MORE
(5/1, Fruit Grower News)

STRAWBERRIES
Mexico: Exports increased in March with large rise in strawberries
READ MORE
(5/3, Fresh Fruit Portal)

Mexican border: U.S. Customs and border protection intercepts meth in strawberries
READ MORE
(4/30, The Packer)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 06
PESTICIDES
Pesticides harming vital soil organisms, study says
READ MORE
(5/4, Fresh Fruit Portal)

LABOR
Biden says America is “ready for takeoff,” calls for immigration reform
READ MORE
(4/29, The Packer)

COMPANIES
Walmart commits to sourcing from suppliers working to protect pollinators
READ MORE
(4/28, Fresh Fruit Portal)

CLIMATE/WATER
Growing drought: USDA indicates 14 states have no topsoil moisture in surplus conditions
READ MORE
(5/3, The Scoop)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 07
Pest Management, Week 19

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR WEEKLY MUMMY BERRY UPDATE UPDATE BY DR. CHAKRADHAR MATTUPALLI OF WSU NWREC, MOUNT VERNON.

Blueberry Disease Alert: Mummy Berry

Plants at risk should have a protective fungicide on the susceptible tissue at this time to minimize infections.
Factors that increase risk of infections:
If we have periods when plant tissue is continually wet for the 12 hours or more required for infection.
If our temperatures are near the optimal range for infections to take place (50-57°F / 10-14°C).
Mummy berry primer from MSUb
Secondary infection symptoms are now showing up in regional fields.

Rose Stem Girdler (Agrilus Cuprescens) in Caneberries

The basic facts:
This is a beetle that inserts its eggs into blackberry and raspberry primocanes in the spring.
The larva feeds all season on the tissue right under the bark girdling the cane.
In the fall, it pupates and overwinters inside the cane.
It emerges as an adult in the spring (probably April & May) and continues the cycle by inserting eggs into the new
primocanes.
Management issues:
There are two basic strategies: 1) Spray insecticides to kill the adults. The problem with this is we’ve got bees in
the field at the time. 2) Cut out the infected canes and remove from the field. The problem with this is logistics &
cost.
This pest can also be masked if pruning crews just cut out the infected canes and the grower isn’t aware of why
his/her field is weakening while the pest population builds each year.

Rose Stem Girdler 04/16/18. Photo by Jason Myer

Scorch Virus in Blueberries

Go here for full information from the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture. Check with your berry management specialists,
both public and private, for more specific recommendations and selection of appropriate management materials.
You can also email the B.C. Blueberry Council’s research coordinator, Karina Sakalauskas (or call her at (604) 613-
2133) for information.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 08
Shock Virus in Southern Blueberries
Symptoms should be visible in many fields starting this week.
This disease is vectored by pollinators.
There is no treatment or cure.
Infected bushes generally display symptoms for one year and then return to
productivity.

Downey Mildew in boysenberries, Kotata blackberries (occasionally other blackberries):

This is a systemic disease that only displays symptoms if environmental
conditions are right in the spring. It can cause major losses due to misshapen
berries. A distinctive red leaf pattern is also diagnostic of the disease. Phosphite
applications in the spring are recommended to prevent outbreaks Shock Virus 04/24/18. Photo by Jason Myer

Crop Management, Week 19

ALL CROPS
Weed management
Fertilizer program
Can put out monitoring traps for Spotted Wing Drosophila
Scout for virus symptoms & send in samples for testing as needed.
Can put out monitoring traps for Spotted Wing Drosophila, orange tortrix leafrollers, obliquebanded leafrollers
and/or strawberry crown moth.

BLUEBERRIES
Bring in bees around 10% bloom.
Bloom applications to prevent fruit molds.
Blueberry Gall Midge, southern blueberries. Tip damage from this midge is due to begin showing up in southern
blueberries. Damage is usually deemed to not be economic except in specific situations like new vigorous fields
where gall midge can occasionally cause too much stunting of new growth.
Azalea Bark Scale. This scale's telltale bright white egg sacs on the lower branches of infested plants are becoming
more apparent in some southern blueberry fields.
Treat for Mummy berry as needed. (See Alert above) You can scout for sprouting mummy berries on the ground, but
they can be very difficult to find. Base your treatment decisions on plant stage, environmental conditions and the
past mummy berry history of the field and surrounding fields.
Scout for Pseudomonas (Bacterial Blight) Water-soaked lesions in some fields that then develop into reddish brown
to black cankers or dead buds. Click here for a PCM Research Update on bacterial blight first posted on 1/3/13.
Scout for leafroller larvae feeding.
Scout for Shock virus symptoms in southern area fields.
Scout for Clay Colored Weevils - This early emerging species is a pest in northern growing areas where it feeds on
newly emerging shoots and buds.
Winter Moth/ Bruce Span Worm blueberries: Scouting for winter moth larvae should start as soon as the buds start
swelling. More of an ongoing issue in the northern growing regions but also an occasional, locally severe problem in
some Oregon and SW Washington fields.
Scale blueberries
Scout for weevil notching
Scout for root rot issues

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 09
 BLACKBERRIES
Scout for Rose Crown Girdler.
Burn back primocanes as needed.
Scout for Purple Blotch lesions.
Scout for virus symptoms & send in samples for testing as needed.
Can apply a phosphite material for stronger root growth and root rot prevention.
Scout for Cane and Leaf Rust and assess treatment options.
Can apply fungicides starting at 10% bloom to prevent fruit mold

EVERGREEN BLACKBERRIES
Can apply lime/sulfur for blackberry rust.

RASPBERRIES
Burn back primocanes as needed.
Scout for Twospotted mites and Yellow mites
(Northern areas) Scout for Clay Colored Weevil feeding and treat as needed.
Scout for virus symptoms & send in samples for testing as needed.
Can apply a phosphite material for stronger root growth and root rot prevention.
Scout for Yellow Rust and assess treatment options

STRAWBERRIES
Can apply phosphite material materials to strengthen root systems and manage
root rot.
Watch for weak growing areas and check rots for weevil larvae, root rot and/or
cold damage.
Scout for Root Weevils. Adults of Black Vine, Rough Strawberry, Strawberry Root
Weevils are now being recovered from some strawberry fields.
Can apply fungicides starting at 10% bloom to prevent fruit mold.
Scout for Strawberry Crown Moth in southern strawberries.

Industry Calendar

MAY 2021
4 Train the Trainer Food Safety Practices Remote Workshops
ENGLISH IS FROM 9 AM - NOON AND SPANISH IS FROM 1 PM - 4 PM. EMAIL
REGISTER HERE
11 MARIA.MARLIN@OREGONSTATE.EDU FOR MORE INFORMATION

MRL Harmonization Workshop

26 VISIT WEBSITE
VISIT WEBSITE FOR AGENDA AND MORE INFORMATION

JULY 2021
Washington Blueberry Commission Meeting
07
FURTHER DETAILS COMING SOON.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 10
 THE SMALL FRUIT UPDATE
WEEK 19 | MAY 05, 2021

This is the sole industry publication, For more information or requests please contact:
gathering grower and producer news, and
regional field reports to unite, stabilize, and Abby Gearing,
strengthen the Northwest berry growing SFU Designer & Editor
region (Canada and US). abby@nwberries.org

Production is independent of government Tom Peerbolt,

and commercial control and made possible NBF Director & Editor
by the following commission & councils. tom@peerbolt.com.