Pruning is an essential part of blueberry production. It is used to promote postharvest growth
of new foliage and fruiting wood, balance vegetative and reproductive growth, reduce disease
and insect pressure, assist in mechanical harvesting efficiency, promote new cane growth and
plant longevity, and help establish new plantings.
Fungal leaf diseases can be a problem for Florida blueberry growers during summer months, including anthracnose, Phyllosticta leaf spot, rust, and target spot. This post is a quick reference guide to identifying these diseases from the symptoms (although some of these diseases can have symptoms that appear to be similar) and suggested chemical controls. Additional information on leaf diseases can be found in UF EDIS Publication PP348, Florida Blueberry Leaf Disease Guide (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP348).
The table below lists suggested blueberry management items for summer and early fall. Suggested management items for the entire calendar year are available in an EDIS publication, Calendar for Southern Highbush Blueberry Management in Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1363). Specific disease, insect, and weed controls are listed in the 2022 Florida Blueberry IPM Guide (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS380), as well as in subject-specific publications referenced below. Also, a list of all UF EDIS blueberry publications can be found at www.blueberrybreeding.com/blog, along with a summary description and link to each.
If you ask any Florida blueberry grower which season keeps them the busiest, they’re almost certain to tell you harvest season. But when you’re talking about blueberries, just as much as any other crop, the other seasons are no less important. In fact, summer is pretty pivotal to the success of your crop. That’s because the new growth that develops after your summer pruning but before terminal bud set in the fall will contain most of the flower buds for the following year’s crop.
by PAUL CATALA
Summer in Florida is wet, humid, and hot—great conditions for plant disease. Blueberries suffer from a range of summer problems caused by algal, fungal, and water mold pathogens. This article is meant to be an overview of some of the most important problems and ways to tie together management strategies over the summer that will cover the bases. Knowing what the typical symptoms of these diseases are and how to scout for them are critical first steps toward effectively managing healthy bushes through the summer months.
by PAUL CATALA
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The southern red mite is the most important mite pest attacking blueberry plants in Florida. Adults are about 1/60 of an inch in length, red or brown to deep purple in color, with lighter-colored legs. Females are slightly larger than males and have a more rounded body shape, compared to the slender body of the males (Figure 1).
For many Florida growers, especially those whose farms took the brunt of Hurricane Ian, it was a tough year. Some had little or no crop. Some had half crops. Few, if any, made their usual volume of production. Enough damage hit our warmer regions to make this year’s Florida blueberry crop one of the smallest in years.
Travis Kuhn is the Chief Operating officer of the H&A family of companies. He is responsible for all farming, packing, and agritourism activities. Travis is a graduate of the Food and Resource Economics program at the University of Florida. Following graduation, he took on a role as a Market Analyst for a leading international berry marketer and quickly moved into the Blueberry Commodity Manager role, building the program from 1.5 million pounds to 14 million pounds in less than three years. Desiring to learn production agriculture, Travis took on a role as Business Development Manager for a Central Florida farm engaged in blueberry, citrus, and hay production as well as blueberry packing. There he developed horticultural programs, managed the packing house, and improved the processes and procedures for all operating segments. He has served with the Produce Marketing Association Pack Career Pathways program as a four-year panelist, on the Florida Blueberry Growers Association Board of Directors, as a guest lecturer for the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences grower programs and is a member of Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association’s Emerging Leaders Development Program Class 6.
ALGAL STEM BLOTCH
Strong, healthy, vegetative growth is extremely important during the summer growing season. The wood that develops after summer pruning and before terminal bud set in the fall will contain most of the flower buds for next year’s crop. The goal is for plants to enter the late summer and fall (the major flower bud development period) with healthy shoots and leaves from growth that occurs during the summer. Pruning, pest and disease management, irrigation, and fertilization are all important practices that are necessary to achieve optimal summer growth. This article will outline some principles and suggested practices for irrigation and fertilization.
One of the most problematic insect pests on blueberries in Florida is chilli thrips, (Scirtothrips dorsalis). It was first recorded in blueberries in Florida in 2008. Chilli thrips typically feed on the new vegetative growth of blueberry after summer pruning, although in recent years they have been observed in mid to late May on new foliar flushes.
The most common and destructive root rot disease of southern highbush blueberry (SHB) in Florida is Phytophthora root rot (PRR) caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. PRR is a persistent problem that is currently managed through careful site selection, preparation, and routine Phytophthora-specific fungicide applications.
USHBC’s BerrySmart Field initiative is a collaborative experience among growers, researchers and tech providers to optimize blueberry farming operations, focusing on soil, soil nutrients, yield distribution, weather, chemicals, and labor. As part of this initiative, we’re working in partnership with innov8.ag to validate a smart farm network that enables blueberry growers, packers and stakeholders in sales, tech and research to collaborate on farm operation optimization with better and more predictable yield outcomes.
As late spring and early summer approach, it’s time to start thinking about managing chilli thrips. This has been reported as the most significant insect pest on blueberries in Florida, often taking repeated applications of different insecticides to achieve and maintain control.
