Research funded by the Western Integrated Pest Management Center is addressing a critical challenge for cranberry farms across the United States. A bi-coastal project aims to protect West Coast cranberry producers from the false blossom disease, a condition devastating East Coast farms. This disease, transmitted by the blunt-nosed leafhopper, transforms cranberry vines into "zombie plants" that, while continuing to grow and bloom, fail to produce fruit.
On the West Coast, where neither the disease nor the leafhopper vector have been reported, efforts are underway to maintain this status. Laura Kraft of Washington State University spearheads an outreach and implementation project, drawing on East Coast experiences to preemptively safeguard West Coast cranberry farms. The initiative was inspired by insights gained during a conference tour in New Jersey, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to prevent the disease's spread.
The resurgence of false blossom disease, which nearly obliterated the Northeastern cranberry industry a century ago, has been attributed to shifts in agricultural practices. The transition from broad-spectrum insecticides to more selective pest control methods, coupled with the introduction of high-yield, high-quality, but more susceptible cranberry varieties, has facilitated the disease's comeback. This has prompted a reconsideration of pest management strategies, including the potential reintroduction of broad-spectrum insecticides, to combat the spread of false blossom disease effectively.
Addressing this challenge requires a nuanced understanding of pest management, as highlighted by Mike Haines of Pine Islands Cranberry Company. The difficulty lies in determining treatment thresholds for pests that, unlike others, do not directly damage the crop in the short term but have long-term detrimental effects. The dense, interconnected nature of cranberry bogs complicates the implementation of cultural control measures, leaving few options beyond the drastic measure of burning and replanting affected bogs.
Source: morningagclips.com