Michigan State University Extension

Blueberry Newsletter - Blueberry Bites

The blueberries are coming!

This past week I had my first blueberry of the season (this exact one pictured here). It wasn't quite ripe but, I couldn't help myself. It got me really excited for the quickly approaching harvest season. There's nothing quite like a fresh Michigan blueberry!

View From The Field

Bluejay - Paw Paw

Bluecrop - Paw Paw

Bluecrop - Fennville

Upcoming Events

What?	When?	Where?
Blueberry Field Day	September 6, 10-3	Trevor Nichol's Research And Extension Center

Pest Update: Insects

Blueberry maggot was caught in an un-sprayed field at SWMREC in Benton Harbor on Wednesday.

Cranberry fruitworm traps are still catching some moths in high-pressure sites. We expect a late start to the SWD population buildup this summer due to all the hot weather, and so far no blueberry maggot flies have been reported in traps. Time to get those traps up and be monitoring for these pests as part of your IPM program to prepare for the 2023 harvest.

Blueberry Maggot IPM Guide

Disease Update

Even though it is fairly dry and hot, at this point in the season anthracnose fruit rot is the primary disease to control. Long dew events in the morning, any precipitation and overhead irrigation can all drive infection and at these temperatures, only 6-8 hours of wetness is required. Remember the calyx of the blueberry can often remain wet longer than the blueberry foliage and is a potential infection site. Additionally, infections can remain undetected and could have occurred at bloom.

If you are considering a fungicide application utilize FRAC codes 3, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 29 for optimal control. Also, because disease pressure is low it may be an ideal time to utilize a biological fungicide to assist with resistance management (we have been finding FRAC 11 resistance to be widespread). As we get closer to harvest Alternaria fruit rot becomes more of a concern and a product like Switch (FRAC 9 and 12) can be more useful.

Don't Guess, Test!

Growers have been submitting samples to the diagnostic clinic that range from stem blights to viral symptoms. Remember the Michigan Blueberry Commission has a program to subsidize any testing through MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics. Click below to get more information about how to submit a sample.

Diagnostic Testing Form

Pictured here is a blueberry with blueberry mosaic virus. While this virus test is still in the works, many other virus tests are able to be screened by the lab!

Extension Update

The southwest fruit team hosts weekly IPM meetings feel free to join us in-person or virtually from 5:30-7 at the southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center. 1 RUP credit is offered each week. Sign up here! THE LAST MEETING WILL BE JUNE 26

Blueberry Bites is compiled by Cheyenne Sloan, Blueberry and Small Fruit Educator

Contributors: Rufus Isaacs, Tim Miles, Josh VanderWeide, Cheyenne Sloan

Questions? Comments?

MSUE Small Fruit Educators

Blueberry and Small Fruit Educator - Cheyenne Sloan

Small Fruit Educator - Carlos Garcia Salazar

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