This article provides some recent updates on fungicides currently registered for fungal disease control in cranberries. Specific usage instructions such as rates, timing, and precautions can be found on the fungicide labels, the 2023 Cranberry Pesticide Chart from the Cranberry Institute, and the 2023 Wisconsin Cranberry Pest Management Guide. Please make sure you have the most up-to-date versions of these documents and get rid of older versions. If you notice an inconsistency between the product label and the UW spray guide or Cranberry Institute chart, always follow the instructions on the label. Check with your handler about rule changes and restrictions. REMEMBER, the label is the law, read and follow the directions on the label.

Chlorothalonil and mancozeb are still in registration review. The interim decisions for these drafts are very behind schedule, so they could come out anytime. It is likely that there will be many changes. While many Wisconsin growers do not rely on these chemistries for fungal disease control, these fungicides still represent important tools for cranberry disease management in other production regions, especially the northeast. I will provide updates once I learn more about their status.

There is a Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) date for a fungicide chemistry that could be registered for cranberry fungal disease control. The EPA is expected to release a decision on the applications of this chemistry for tolerances and/or new uses by October 2023 (assuming this date is not pushed back). It is possible that we could have a new fungicide registered by next growing season. This product is a pre-mixture of two FRAC groups not currently registered in cranberry. This product will be used in future Use Pattern trials in Wisconsin to find the best fit with current disease management practices. The introduction of new FRAC groups will expand the cranberry fungicide tool kit, offer new modes of action for disease control, and reduce the reliance on a limited number of FRAC groups.Hopefully, an update will be available by this fall, and I will share that information here in the Cranberry Crop Management Journal. Additional fungicide chemistries, representing current and new FRAC groups are at various stages in the pipeline, including ready for submission to the EPA for consideration and completion in IR4 trials.

This article was posted in Cranberry, Disease and tagged Cranberries, fungicide, Fungicides, Leslie Holland, Wisconsin Cranberry Fungicide Update, Wisconsin Cranberry Fungicide Update 2023.