Planning for effective fire blight control
Given the recent high incidence of fire blight experienced in many apple and pear orchards, planning this season’s control options requires careful consideration. Fire blight is caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora and favoured by moisture and mild temperatures during the blossom period.
Following some global challenges with supply, Serenade® Optimum is again available as one of the more effective options to control fire blight in apple and pear crops. It utilises an optimised fermentation of the QST 713 strain of Bacillus subtilis, making Serenade Optimum different from other Bacillus species products.
Marc Fox, Horticulture and Biologics Brand and Product Manager for Bayer Crop Science says, “Serenade Optimum has a unique dual action mode of control. It has direct contact against the fire blight bacteria due to its antibacterial biological chemistry, and it also works by colonising the blossom and excluding growth of Erwinia. Collinisation reaches its peak 24 hours after application, and the dual modes of action have positive benefits for efficacy and resistance management.”
Best practice:
» Use Serenade Optimum in a programme with streptomycin. Apply as a protectant during periods of lower fire blight pressure and during periods of early or later bloom with lower numbers of flowers.
» Repeat applications at three to seven day intervals from early flowering to maintain colonisation of flowers.
» Utilise streptomycin, with its systemic activity, under heavy infection pressure when large flower numbers are present.
» If extreme fire blight pressure is forecast during late flowering, apply streptomycin first as per label directions. Follow-up with Serenade Optimum three to five days later, depending on disease risk.
» Serenade Optimum protects newly grown shoots from fire blight. Post flower, apply at seven day intervals to protect from fire blight infection to damaged foliage.
» Serenade can be tank mixed with a wide range of fungicides and insecticides, including those used for black spot control.
Speak with your Fruitfed Supplies Technical Horticultural Representative about Serenade Optimum’s role in your fire blight protection programme.
