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uted to problems with rust and Alternaria and caused releafing. These leaves are very difficult to remove without really cold weather in winter. A zinc sulfate treatment of 20 to 25 pounds per acre in November and early December should have helped facilitate leaf drop. A bloom spray will help prevent disease spread, even if there are leftover leaves from last year. Brown rot has historically been the pri- mary disease at bloom. Numerous modes of action are effective on brown rot. With the ability to time treatments, there is rare- ly economic loss due to brown rot because of the fungicides and their efficacy. After bloom, jacket rot, especially in the Independence variety, can be a real prob- lem. There are fewer modes of action that are effective on jacket rot. But with a well- timed spray, growers can achieve effective control. To date, there hasn’t been any ev- idence of resistance to fungicides in use.
With warmer weather in 2024, disease pressure will be different compared to the colder weather in 2023. A warm winter could mean fewer problems with bacterial blast, but almond growers could see more bloom diseases and early leaf diseases with warmer rain events. If temperatures are 55 degrees or warmer during rain events, this could result in more anthracnose, scab, rust, brown rot and jacket rot. Another issue is late-season disease carryover from orchards that haven’t yet defoliated. Scab, rust and Alternaria leaf spot can be seen in these orchards with last year’s leaves. If the trees don’t defoliate, the inoculum will be waiting for disease to take off in the spring. Warmer winters, late-season nitro- gen fertilization and late irrigation on young, vigorous trees will prevent trees from defoliating. Newer varieties such as Independence don’t defoliate as easily, es- pecially when they’re young and growing vigorously. Late-summer rains also contrib-
PEST CONTROL ADVISOR
How will this warmer winter affect disease pressure in almonds?
Justin Nay Integral Ag Services, Durham
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February 14, 2024 Ag Alert 17
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