Autumn plant protection activities in the orchard

In September, the summer-autumn drought continues. It is felt more distinctly in the eastern regions, where the average monthly rainfall amounts to 25-30 l/sq. m. In the western part of the country it does not exceed 40-50 l/sq. m.

In some years, the average monthly rainfall reaches between 5 and 10 l/sq. m. The average daily temperature is from 15 to 20 °C, and after 20 September it decreases by almost 2-3 °C. The highest daily temperature reaches 28-32 °C, and the lowest average temperature is between 3 and 8 °C.

Under these climatic conditions, the environment is favourable for the occurrence and multiplication of multivoltine insects and mites. They develop their last generations, and the density of these populations will largely determine the level of damage in the following year. During the month, conditions are created for the formation of abundant dew, which is a cause of infections of apple and pear scab, late blight on late tomatoes, and others.

Apples and pears

At the beginning of the month, the flight of the codling moth (end of the second generation and partially the third) should be monitored and treatments carried out where necessary.

After a thorough inspection and detection of late scab infections, as well as for the control of diseases that develop during storage of the produce, treatments are carried out with Topsin M 70 WG - 0.1% or Top plus 70 WP - 0.1%. For good storage of apples and pears and for reducing rots and decay during storage, it is also advisable to carry out one post-harvest treatment with Topsin M 70 WG - 0.120%. After spraying, the fruits are left to dry and then arranged in cold rooms or deep, cool cellar premises.

Vineyards

During this period, grey mould causes significant damage to the vine from the onset of berry colouring until consumption. Therefore, in wet and cool weather in September, treatments are carried out with Topsin M 70 WG - 0.2%. At this time, the adults of the third generation of the European grapevine moth are also in flight. The caterpillars damage the ripening or already ripe grape berries. For the control of the pest, a registered pyrethroid is added to the fungicidal spray solution.

One-year-old vines are covered with soil 3-5 cm above the graft union. This operation is carried out at the end of September.

Pursuant to the Plant Protection Act, farmers are obliged to use only plant protection products authorised for use for the respective crop and pest, and at the corresponding rate.

Plant protection products authorised for marketing are published on the website of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency at the electronic address: http://www.babh.government.bg/ or in the “List of plant protection products authorised for placing on the market and use” 2019.

Plant protection products shall be purchased only from commercial companies holding an authorisation!

Attention! When working with plant protection products, all requirements for occupational safety, protection of bee colonies from poisoning, and protection of the environment from pollution must be observed!