Fruit Tree Pathology Lab at Virginia Tech
We have detected first symptoms of bitter rot disease on fruit of apple cultivar ‘Idared’ in Winchester on 7/1/2025 at the AREC’s experimental Block 30 (Figures 1-4). The rot started on the sun exposed fruit side (Figs 1 – 4). Apple bitter rot is caused …
TO ALL LOCATIONS WITH THE POME FRUIT IN VIRGINIA: There is a warning issued this evening for isolated severe thunderstorms predicted for Virginia locations listed below that have a chance to large size hail and wind gusts that can trigger trauma blight. Trauma blight are …
(I). FIRE BLIGHT. As of last week (12 May), first fire blight symptoms were visible in Southern and central Virginia (Figs 1 and 2). We are aware that symptoms of fire blight were probably visible much earlier in different warmer locations (from 5 May on), …
Based on the long range forecast for 2025, we will be expecting more rain in months prior to apple harvest. Apple bitter rot disease is a significant risk for apple production in apple orchards of the whole East U.S. Coast and Midwest. Apple bitter rot …
(I) We are very close to the end of primary apple scab season but we are not there yet. We call the ned of the primary scab season when the apple scab fungus’ Venturia inaequalis ascospore number in the spore bank in the leaf litter …
Due to extremely conducive conditions, all the major apple fungal diseases in the Northern Virginia are visible as of 2 May 2025: apple scab (Figs 1, 2), powdery mildew (Fig. 3), and rust (Fig. 4). On 2 May, I found first fresh apple scab infections …
Major scab and, as reported yesterday, fire blight infections are predicted to occur with rains 1-5 May. Whichever is the case, I would recommend applying a strong fungicide mix (contact plus a systemic) with streptomycin for any blocks in bloom. If you have no flowers …
There are a lot of apple trees in bloom, especially in northern Virginia. For any locations with apple trees still in bloom major fire blight infections are predicted in NEWA EIP model with rains in Cross Junction and Winchester on 29 and 30 April, 1 …
Spring frosts can be devastating to apple orchards, especially when they occur during bloom or early fruit development. In such scenarios, where no fruit is present after frost, managing diseases like apple scab and powdery mildew becomes crucial so as to prevent infection pressure buildup …
Major apple scab, Juniper-apple rust, and fire blight infections (where flowers are open) are predicted for 25 – 27 April rains ahead. See attached screenshots. This applies to all of Virginia. Apply fungicides and streptomycin tomorrow, before the rains start.Early apple cultivars are at Petal …