Thanks to all that have come to the GLS and bitter rot workshops in Henderson County over the past couple of weeks. It's been really great being able to talk candidly with all of the growers and I'm hopeful everyone who came was able to take home a little something new for management. I'll be sending out an announcement tomorrow morning, but just to get it on your radar, I'm headed up to Wilkes and Alexander Counties next week to lead another informal discussion for folks growing in the Brushys and around that region. It'll be held at the Deals and pizza and air conditioning will be included.

At least in Henderson County, we have been getting some very isolated heavy rains and even hail in the Fruitland area. Looking at next week's forecast it's a lot of the same deal - but slightly cooler leading to ideal conditions for GLS and bitter rot infections. If you have not applied a strobilurin - Merivon, Cabrio, Pristine, Luna Sensation, or Flint Extra, or have only applied two sprays of one of these materials, your next spray may be a good opportunity to include one of these fungicides in addition to a half rate of captan (e.g. 2.5 lb/A Captan 80WDG). This will giving you some extended protection if you can't head immediately back out to cover with captan. Regardless, if you get a cumulative 1.25-1.5" of rain, make sure to go out and reapply captan as much of the residues have washed away. If you have resistance to the aforementioned strobilurins and want to put a little something extra in consider Aprovia, Omega/Orbus, or Topsin. Make sure to keep an eye on their PHI intervals as some are 30 days.

For those who couldn't make it to the GLS/bitter rot meetings, I've summarized a few management points for you to consider.

Every fungicide spray should include one of the following:

• Mancozeb (e.g. Manzate Pro-Stick): 3 lb/A. 77 day PHI
• Captan (e.g. Captan Gold 80WDG): 2.5-5 lb/A. Use high rate only before period of extended or heavy rains. 0 day PHI
• Ziram 76DF 3-4 lb/A. 14 day PHI

Include “helper” locally systemic fungicides at Petal Fall-3C, prior to extended or heavy rains, or just prior to harvest. Apply at the highest labeled rate.

• Best Options: Cabrio, Merivon, Pristine
• Excellent Options: Luna Sensation, Flint Extra
• Great Options: Aprovia
• Very Good Options: Topsin, Omega
• Examples of Fungicides that Don’t Work: Inspire Super, Cevya, Indar, Scala, Sovran, Luna Flex, Axios, + Several Others

How often should I spray?

• Every 7 to 10 days. Do NOT extend your spray intervals past this
• If it rains ~1.0-1.5” or more, REAPPLY your multisite protectant fungicide (Mancozeb, Captan, Ziram).

If my GLS or bitter rot is resistant to “Merivon” or “Cabrio” what other fungicides am I resistant to?

• Merivon, Cabrio, Pristine, Luna Sensation, Flint Extra, Sovran
• Do not waste your time or money spraying any of the aforementioned fungicides for GLS or bitter rot if we’ve confirmed resistance. These fungicides will still be effective on other diseases

• 3 to 1 days before harvest: If you do not have resistance to the strobilurin group apply:
  • Cabrio 12 oz/A + Captan 80WDG (2.5 lb/A)

If you do have resistance to the strobilurin group apply:

• Captan 80WDG (5 lb/A) OR
• Captan 80WDG (3.75 lb/A) + Topsin (1 day PHI)