Latest Pest and Disease Information

Conditions have been favorable this season for brown rot fungal spores to build up in peach, nectarine, and other stone fruit. Preharvest brown rot management is critical to limit loss to rots.

Fire blight incidence is occurring throughout the region. Bitter rot of apple risk continues.

The 1-800 PENN IPM line is designed to provide concise messages on important production and management issues for growers of specialty crops including vegetables, cut flowers, small fruit, tree fruit, and Christmas trees. Certain content is also available in Spanish.

The apple and peach phenology report tracks bud development from the start of the season through the setting of fruit in four growing regions in Pennsylvania: Central, Northwestern, Southcentral, and Southeastern.

Much of Pennsylvania has received rain that provided relief from dry conditions; however, with the rain comes increased disease pressure. If conditions are cool and wet, Botrytis is the disease of main concern.

If the forecasted conditions come to fruition, we will have a severe infection event for apple scab, rust, and apple blotch May 2–7; and fire blight May 1–3.

Given the diseases present in strawberry plug plants last fall, growers are understandably concerned about the causes of poor plant or leaf growth this spring.

The apple and peach phenology report tracks bud development from the start of the season through the setting of fruit in four growing regions in Pennsylvania: Central, Northwestern, Southcentral, and Southeastern.

Managing Botrytis (gray mold) is a must for many strawberry producers, especially when extended wet conditions are expected.

Lurking beneath the soil surface on Pennsylvania farms and orchards are a variety of plant parasitic nematodes.

Rusty spot is caused by the fungus that causes apple powdery mildew, Podosphaera leucotricha.

Spotted wing drosophila populations can rapidly increase in Pennsylvania, making efforts to control this pest a necessity for most berry crop growers.

Blueberry canes of various ages are a mixture of colors and textures, and it can be difficult to tell which canes are healthy from those that are not.

The plant material used to make strawberry plug plants is usually well-traveled by the time it gets to your fruit production farm. Chances are it has been in situations where it could "pick up some unwanted things" along the way.