Keeping Quality Forecast

For more information on the Keeping Quality Forecast, please contact the Plant Physiologist, Dr. Peter Jeranyama at (508) 295-2212, extension 29.

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2021 Preliminary Keeping Quality Forecast

The forecast is for FAIR preliminary keeping quality. As of April 1, there are 3 points out of a possible 10 that favor keeping quality for the 2021 Massachusetts cranberry crop. The 3 points were awarded for sunshine hours in February which was less than 143 hours (1 point) and favorable sunshine hours in March which were greater than 179 hours (2 points). The final keeping quality forecast (issued after June 1) could be upgraded if we have a cool and dry April and May. Based on the preliminary forecast, fruit rot fungicide applications and the rate of fungicides applied should not be reduced. As for the holding of late water, there are no definitive indicators pro or con. Some growers have indicated that vines are showing stress, this could be partly due to the prolonged drought of 2020 or winter injury among other possibilities. Growers should determine whether to hold late water based on specific bed conditions. Please check the table below and the section on late water in the Chart Book for advice regarding the implementation of this cultural practice. If you have any questions, please contact Leela Uppala at suppala@umass.edu or 508-295-2212 x18. 

Late Water is Advised:

  • Once in three years for 4 weeks from Mid-April to Mid-May.
  • If the scale and/or fruit rot incidences were high in 2020.
  • If your bog looks healthy and not showing any signs of stress.
  • If your bed was properly flooded at the periods of coldest temperatures.
  • If you have access to good quality water supplies.

Late Water is Not Advised:

  • If you held late water in the past two years.
  • If your bog produced a heavy crop in 2020.
  • If the bed was sanded the previous year.
  • If the bog is stressed and shows signs of winter injury.
  • If your bog is severely out of grade.

 

Peter Jeranyama and Leela Uppala

2020 Final Keeping Quality Forecast

Leela Uppala and Peter Jeranyama

The final keeping quality forecast is GOOD.

We calculated 7 points out of a possible 16 to arrive at this keeping quality forecast for the 2020 Massachusetts cranberry crop. This score is based on (1) the total of sunshine hours for February for the present year is less than the 50-year average for that month (143 hr), 1 point. (2) the total of sunshine hours for March for the present year is more than the 50-year average for that month (179 hr), 2 points. (3) the average temperature for April for the present year at Middleboro is below the April threshold of 44°F, 2 points. (4) the total precipitation for April for the present year is less than the average of East Wareham and Middleboro (6.70 inches), 1 point.  (5) the total precipitation for May for the present year is less than the average of East Wareham and Middleboro (3.20 inches), 1 point.

Implications

You may be able to reduce the number of fruit rot fungicide applications if your answer is yes to at least one of the following criteria. If a particular cranberry bed:

  • Held late water in spring 2020.
  • is planted with resistant varieties.
  • Had a low fruit rot incidence in 2019.

Even if you answered YES to one of the above three criteria, you should not reduce the number of fruit rot fungicide applications:

  • For newly planted beds.
  • Beds with excess vine growth that prevents rapid drying.

Please note:

  • Do not use a fungicide at less than the registered label rate.
  • Proper timing and uniform coverage of fungicides are critical for effective fruit rot management.  
  • Above normal sunshine hours during June, July and August (especially July) have been associated with good or better quality than predicted. Less than normal sunshine hours during these three months may result in keeping quality not as good as predicted.  

 

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