As the world’s second largest blueberry producer, Canada’s blueberry industry continues to thrive with strong crop prices and high demand. Two types of blueberry production combine to make it Canada’s largest fruit crop by acreage. Highbush, or cultivated blueberries, are the higher value crop and are generally easier to manage using agricultural machinery. Lowbush blueberries have a unique set of issues as they generally propagate underground, rather than through seeding, and their delicate nature can offer greater management challenges for producers.

Disease control protects floral buds and yield

Lowbush blueberries are susceptible to Canada’s most common disease pathogen – rust. Septoria leaf spot is also a threat for lowbush blueberries. Both diseases can be managed with a foliar, systemic fungicide applied in the sprout year of the plant. Highbush blueberries are at risk from anthracnose, which makes the berries unmarketable if not controlled. Other disease such as phomopsis and phythopthora attack the plant roots and can ultimately cause plant death.

Fungicides:

Great news! Propulse® fungicide now delivers superior disease protection against Septoria leaf spot, leaf rust, mummy berry and fruit rots in bushberry and low-growing berry crops. With two modes of action, Propulse combines fluopyram (Group 7) with the proven defense of prothioconazole (Group 3), offering exceptional yields and unparalleled disease protection. Learn More

From first spray to harvest and beyond, Luna Tranquility® fungicide protects blueberries throughout the growing season, improving plant health for beautiful crops and abundant blueberry harvests. As a breakthrough systemic fungicide, Luna Tranquility provides unparalleled control of Botrytis gray mould and powdery mildew. Make Luna Tranquility a cornerstone of your fungicide program to consistently produce a high-quality crop – and more of it. Learn More

When it comes to your blueberries, Proline® does not mess around. Control tough diseases like monilinia blight and get protection against important diseases like Septoria leaf spot, leaf rust and Valdensinia leaf spot. Learn More

For high disease pressure situations blueberry growers count on Proline® GOLD. With two modes of action, Proline GOLD combines fluopyram (Group 7) with the proven defense of prothioconazole (Group 3), offering exceptional yields and unparalleled disease protection against Septoria leaf spot, leaf rust, mummy berry and fruit rots. Learn More

Herbicides:

Alion® provides control of glyphosate-resistant weeds, without compromising crop safety. Learn More

Insecticides:

Decis® is the most powerful synthetic pyrethroid insecticide available. It works quickly on a broad range of insects and crops including leaf tier and Bruce spanworm in blueberries. Decis is affordable and effective at very low rates per acre Learn More

Movento® insecticide features powerful, two-way movement that moves within plants to protect them from a broad range of insects, , creating healthier crops and higher-quality fruit. Movento delivers excellent control of aphids, blueberry maggot,and blueberry gall midge while also offering protection against Lecanium scale (Parthenolecanium spp.). Learn More

Clear ground to manage weeds

The weed profile for lowbush and highbush blueberries varies greatly. Annual weeds tend to be more of an issue for highbush crops, as it is easier to clear the ground below the plants each season to reduce perennial weed concerns. While more challenging, it’s also important to keep the ground as clean as possible for lowbush blueberries. Cultural methods such as hand weeding, managing stands, periodic burns and mowing can help reduce weed pressure.

Sencor gets the job done right with proven annual broadleaf weed control for your blueberry crop. Learn More

Determine economic thresholds for insect control

Scouting is key to insect management in blueberries. While common in-season, aphids aren’t problematic until they reach threshold levels where by 30% of the shoot tips are infested. Aphids are problematic because they feed on new shoots by sucking plant sap. They can also become a vector for disease. European chafers and Japanese beetles, commonly called white grubs, feed on the roots and can reduce productivity of the plant. They can be especially harmful in highbush blueberries in early years following planting.

Sivanto Prime works fast to target the pests that have the potential to do the most damage to your blueberry crop including aphids and blueberry maggots. Learn More