08/08/06 Spring rains hurt some orchards

Most Idaho farmers when into spring planting knowing that there was plenty of irrigation water in storage, thanks to abundant rains in the winter and early spring. But those same rains have been problematic for some fruit growers according to the University of Idaho Essie Fallahi. FALLAHI "Particularly we had fire blight. Fire blight is a disease which is particularly bad in apples and pears." Fallahi says fire blight and very hot weather can turn out to be a very bad condition. FALLAHI "Then the fire blight can be severe which it was this year particularly in varieties like gala and certain strains of Rome." Fire blight attacks the twigs, dries up the leaves and the bacteria can kill the entire tree. The bad news is that there is no known cure for it and it can carry over into the following year, doing more damage. Fallahi says because of spring rains there have been serious problems with powdery mildew in Idaho vineyards, both table and wine grapes. FALLAHI "it is a problem but it is curable. You can spray sulphur. You can spray some of the fungicides to get rid of it." Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott