Early reports suggest that damage to the plants from wind may include toppled plants, broken stems, and loss of leaves. However, rains were heavy and reported to be upwards of 8.5 inches over a 48 hr period in our prime blueberry growing regions of southern Georgia. Many plantings may have been inundated, which increases the opportunity for root rots. Damage from \u2018Irma\u2019 may not be noted for quite some time, but if you have been flooded, a proactive approach may minimize long term damage to your planting.<\/p>\n
Ren\u00e9e Allen, Area Blueberry Agent, Bacon County, GA, has sent out the following statement:<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether fungicides are needed or not will be situational. If your field or areas of your field, do not drain well and there was standing water for a long period of time, then it may warrant a root rot fungicide application. If you have not applied a root rot fungicide, such as Prophyt, K-phite, etc, this season, you may want to consider an application.\u00a0 Check out your blueberry root systems. If you have dead, necrotic roots and the root sheath is easily detached from the root, this is indicative of root rot. Broken limbs and laid over plants are other items to consider.\u00a0 Like with the freeze, extensive damage, may warrant a fungicide application.\u00a0 Removal of excess plant debris, such as broken limbs, leaf litter, etc, is always ideal because it will lessen the number of overwintering sites for various fungi. Again, it really depends on your situation and what your disease management program has looked like up to this point as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
As of this post, I have not heard from growers about the extent of damage to equipment, buildings, and on-farm infrastructure. Here is a way to have that information accounted for. Kathy Taylor, USDA Senior Risk Management Specialist, is compiling information on crop damage to blueberry by hurricane Irma for the Secretary of Agriculture. If you would kindly send damage assessments to either:<\/p>\n
Kathryn Taylor, PhD<\/p>\n
Senior Risk Management Specialist Or<\/p>\n
\nUSDA-RMA
\nValdosta Regional Office
\n106 Patterson St., Suite 250
\nValdosta, GA\u00a0 31601
\n229-242-7235 x221 (office)
\nEmail kathryn.taylor@rma.usda.gov<\/a><\/p>\n