Bloom in Almonds is here and with a wet winter, bacterial blast will set in! Interestingly, when there is a high frequency of blast, the very similar disease of bacterial canker appears a few weeks later in young trees. Both of these problems are complicated. They involve the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae, plant stress which is often mediated by nematodes, and the weather!
P. syringae is an interesting bacteria. It lives naturally on plant surfaces as an epiphyte – meaning that it generally does not cause problems. During wet winters which create a favorable environment, bacterial populations increase and spread through the tree and orchard. At some point the population becomes large enough that it begins to invade plant tissues – starting with buds (bud drop), then flowers (blast), and finally bud scars and other openings which leads to bacterial canker.
However, there is a solution to Bacterial Blast (and Bacterial Canker as well)!
Magna-Bon CS 2005 is an OMRI-listed copper sulphate pentahydrate in-solution formula that will help control blast! You’ll be using less than 1/4 pound of metallic copper per acre compared to several pounds of conventional copper! Increased copper residual in the soil has proven to effect yields of crops and you will not have this issue with CS 2005!
Application Rates can be found here: Bacterial Blast in Almonds Application Rates
Simply use 32 – 64 ounces of CS 2005 to 100 gallons of water in your tank mix. If needed, agricultural-type spray oil may be added!
Here is a great video of research overview by Dr. Jim Adaskaveg!
We can be found at your major distributors or contact your local sales representative with questions you may have!
With Magna-Bon CS 2005,
Less Copper, More Power!
