It is especially damaging when warm, wet weather occurs during late May and June. We are evaluating a model that was developed at the University of California. The UC model estimates the risk level and uses this estimation to time fungicide applications. Spray programs based on the model and on a standard schedule were compared in 1999 and will be done again this year. Results with the model have been favorable, and a final report will be available after cherry harvest this year.
Several diseases infect cherry fruit just before, during, and after harvest.
These include brown rot and blue mold. These three components appear to compliment each other in a synergistic way. The project will conclude and details will be available later this summer. Finally, we have studied bacterial canker of sweet cherry for several years. Psuedomonas syringae, which causes bacterial canker, is a major bacterial pathogen of young sweet cherry trees.