By The Certis Team
Fire blight is a destructive bacterial disease that can spread rapidly through apple and pear orchards, causing significant damage if not proactively managed. While complete control of fire blight is difficult, a well-structured Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program—with a combination of best practices and proven biological products—can help reduce infection pressure and protect your trees throughout the season.
Here’s how to build a comprehensive season-long defense.
1. Early Season Defense: Start Strong with Kocide®
Your first line of defense starts before the buds break. A copper-based product like Kocide® offers strong early-season protection by reducing overwintering bacteria and setting the stage for a healthy start.
Pro Tip: Apply Kocide® at silver tip or green tip to reduce initial fire blight inoculum and establish early-season control.
2. Pre-Bloom Protection: Rotate Cueva® and Double Nickel®
As your trees enter the tight cluster stage and approach bloom, it's time to bring in biological protection. Rotate Cueva®, a copper-based fungicide, with Double Nickel®, a multi-action bio-bactericide, to create a layered defense.
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Cueva® forms a protective barrier, preventing bacterial penetration.
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Double Nickel® breaks down harmful bacteria on plant surfaces and activates the plant’s natural defenses.
Pro Tip: Apply these products during tight cluster and pre-bloom for optimal protection and resistance management.
3. Peak Infection Period (Bloom & Post-Bloom): Bring in Howler® EVO
Fire blight risk is highest during bloom and post-bloom. During this period, strengthen your program with Howler® EVO, a broad-spectrum biological fungicide with four modes of action.
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Howler EVO partners well in the tank with standard chemistries like streptomycin, extending their efficacy and offering longer-lasting suppression of fire blight.
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It also supports control of other diseases like apple scab, offering added value during this critical window.
Pro Tip: Use Howler EVO in rotation or tank mix with streptomycin during bloom and post-bloom to reduce resistance pressure and enhance performance.
4. Post-Petal Fall Defense: Activate the Plant’s Immune Response with LifeGard® WG
As the season progresses and environmental stress or late-season pathogens emerge, activate your orchard’s internal defenses with LifeGard® WG. This product triggers the plant’s immune response, improving resilience to secondary infections such as rots and late-season blight.
Pro Tip: Apply LifeGard® WG post-petal fall to reinforce the tree’s own ability to resist disease as fruit development continues.
5. Ongoing Sanitation and Monitoring
Throughout the season, continue to scout for symptoms like water-soaked shoots, discolored blossoms, or bacterial ooze. Promptly prune infected areas, cutting 12–15 inches below visible symptoms, and always sanitize tools between cuts.
Sanitation Reminder: Pruning during dry weather minimizes spread, and tool sanitation between trees is crucial.
Whether you’re a conventional or organic grower, IPM programs can greatly increase the health of your trees and help prevent the onset and spread of fire blight in apple and pear orchards while offering a sustainable, resistance-conscious approach to disease management. These products not only provide season-long protection but also preserve the beneficial microbial life in your orchard ecosystem.
Want to learn more about integrating biologicals into your orchard disease management program? Contact your local Certis representative or explore our portfolio of products.
