Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae is ubiquitous in orchards, so bacterial blast can develop whenever environmental conditions are right (freezing or near-freezing and wet). While copper sprays have been used to protect trees from bacterial blast, resistance is common in P. syringae populations throughout the state. Unfortunately, it is no longer effective for controlling bacterial blast in some orchards, however, Kasumin® 2L has been shown to be effective. Continue reading →
In 2023, the cold, wet weather during bloom and leaf-out resulted in bacterial blast damage in many Sacramento Valley almond orchards. If conditions this year are cold and wet during bloom, we may see a recurrence of blast: make a plan now to keep blast damage to a minimum. Continue reading →
Bacterial canker/blast infections are most damaging, and potentially lethal, in stressed trees. Currently, there are limited control options for bacterial canker/blast in almonds. Read about factors influencing management practices and decisions. Continue reading →
Blast is a challenging disease to control, given the limited number of available tools. This year, symptoms were common even in orchards which had received one or more copper dormant sprays (copper-resistant Pseudomonas populations are common throughout the state). Continue reading →
Bacterial blast (Pseudomonas syringe), although thankfully not a problem every year (hopefully including 2022), can be tremendously damaging to almond yields. For example, significant crop damage was reported in the Sacramento Valley in 2017 and 2018, and in the San Joaquin Valley in 2017 and 2019. These grower reports of past crop loss supported a Section 18 emergency request for the use of kasugamycin on almonds during bloom. Continue reading →
Bacterial blast (Pseudomonas syringe), although thankfully not a problem every year (hopefully including 2021), can be tremendously damaging to almond yields. For example, significant crop damage was reported in the Sacramento Valley in 2017 and 2018, and in the San Joaquin Valley in 2017 and 2019. These grower reports of past crop loss supported a Section 18 emergency request for the use of kasugamycin on almonds during bloom. Continue reading →
Bacterial blast, although thankfully not a problem every year (hopefully including 2020), can be tremendously damaging to almond yields. Because Sacramento Valley almond growers were significantly impacted by bacterial blast in two of the last three years, crop loss data from Sacramento Valley counties supported a Section 18 emergency request for the use of Kasugamycin on almonds. Continue reading →
Bacterial blast doesn’t occur every year, so when there are a large number of orchards affected, it is natural to want to look for patterns in the occurrence and severity. One of the orchards affected in 2017 was the Regional … Continue reading →
Many almond growers in the Butte area were running sprinklers late last month for frost protection. I haven’t had any growers bring freeze damage to my attention yet, but over the last couple days several orchards began showing symptoms of bacterial blast. Continue reading →
Adapted from the article “Bacterial blast” by Joe Connell, UC Farm Advisor, Butte County and Carolyn DeBuse, UC Farm Advisor, Solano and Yolo County in the April 2011 Sacramento Valley Almond News Cold, frosty, and wet weather at bloom often … Continue reading →
Adapted from the article “Bacterial Canker and Blast in Prunes” by Bill Krueger UC Farm Advisor, Glenn County in the February 2010 Sacramento Valley Prune News Bacterial canker is a serious disease of all Prunus species. The causal bacteria, Psuedomonas … Continue reading →
Every year is a Cytospora canker year, and unfortunately, some years are also bacterial canker years. This spring farm advisors observed bacterial canker infections, read below for prevention practices. Continue reading →
Weekly “Photos from the Field” feature images taken while on farm calls. They reflect current conditions and questions that I am receiving from growers & PCAs. Continue reading →
Join on Wednesday, January 31st, for the 2024 North Valley Nut Conference in Chico! Continue reading →
Join us for our first North Sac Valley ‘Third Thursday Things from the Field on Thursday, January 18, 2024!! Hear updates on orchard management strategies for upcoming challenges and share what you’ve been seeing in the field. Lunch in Orland, CA. Continue reading →
