COMPARISON OF MODELS TO PREDICT THE OCCURRENCE OF FIRE BLIGHT IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA.

Three Fire Blight predictive models, the Mean Temperature Line model, the Cougarblight (Smith’s) model, and Maryblyt were examined and compared in 1998 in the San Joaquin Valley of California.
The models accurately predicted low fire blight potential during the susceptible bloom period.
Rain events during this period were associated with cold temperatures which reduced disease potential.
In 1998, all three models accurately predicted a fire blight infection period in orchards with secondary or rat tail blooms associated with late season warm rain (>15C). Grower antibiotic spray timing, based on bloom phenology and temperature, could have been improved if any of the three models had been used.

VIII International Workshop on Fire Blight

B.A. Holtz, B. Teviotdale, T. Turini

Mean Temperature Line, Cougarblight, Maryblyt

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1999.489.74