The new strobilurin fungicides, Sovran and Flint, are excellent in control of many apple diseases. Unfortunately they are also very prone to the development of resistance. Therefore growers should be extremely judicious in their use of these compounds. While the strobilurins are effective in precover sprays for the control of other diseases, we believe their real strength lies in the control of fruit scab and sooty blotch and flyspeck. So lets use them when they will do the most good and hopefully avoid future resistance problems.
Strawberries are in bloom in southern and central areas of the state.
Sprinkler irrigation equipment for frost protection should be set up, tested, and ready to go. Once flowers open they are susceptible to temperatures below 30 F. Application of water through overhead irrigation can prevent temperatures from dropping below 30 F even though the air temperatures may drop to 25 F or colder. The principle behind this method of frost protection is that as water freezes, heat is released. As long as an adequate layer of freezing water covers the bud or berry, the temperature will remain at or near the freezing point. It is important to remember that a layer of freezing water must be present at all times.