Obsolescence of existing documents. Pest occurrences and pest management practices (especially

pesticides) have changed dramatically in the last several years. Thus, existing IPM crop profile

documents do not resemble today’s orchards or their pest management practices. As mentioned above,

there are sixteen apple crop profiles available for reference, with publication dates as late as 1997*

(California), 1998* (Kentucky), and 1999* (Ohio). The newest profiles on record were released in 2009

(Tennessee) and 2010 (Virginia). Nonetheless, even the most recent profiles are vastly outdated.

Disease priorities/prevalence in both the 1998* Kentucky apple profile and those from neighboring

states Tennessee (2009) and Virginia (2010) are not the same as they were at time of publication. For

example, apple scab is described as the most consistently serious disease of apple in Kentucky. Powdery

mildew appears second in the list (unclear if this order is a ranking), but the disease does not reach

epidemic proportions here. Phytophthora root and collar rot only affect young trees in poorly planted

situations. The more recent profiles from Tennessee and Virginia, as well as a profile from neighboring

North Carolina documented Alternaria blotch, Brooks fruit spot, black pox, and/or blister spot as

common diseases. According to UK diagnostic laboratory records (2000 to present) and communication

with university specialists, these diseases rarely or never occur in Kentucky. The distinct pattern of

disease agents in Kentucky requires targeted disease management practices, and our fungicide

approach has progressed during the past several years. Some fungicides listed in previous profiles, such

as triademefon (e.g. Bayleton) and benomyl (e.g. Benlate), are no longer labeled for apple in Kentucky.

Older products such as sulfur and Bordeaux mixture are not commonly used, and their occurrence in the

document is misrepresentative of grower practices. Moreover, there are new chemistries that should

be listed, such as the FRAC 7 SDHI fungicides (e.g. Fontelis, Luna series), introduction of host plant

resistance inducers (e.g. Actiguard) and biologicals (e.g. BioBan, Serenade), as well as a new trend

toward pre-mixed products (e.g. Luna Sensation, Merivon, Inspire Super). All of these updates are

required to compose a profile that is more representative of the current state of the industry.

Insect records in previous profiles are also out-of-date. Most importantly, new pests (brown

marmorated stinkbug and Oriental fruit moth should be listed as targets for pest management

strategies. The more recent profiles of Tennessee and Virginia list insects that are not found in Kentucky

or are insignificant to our orchards (e.g. gypsy moth, tufted apple bud moth, apple maggot). Even

common pests have different life cycles within our region, such as seasonal occurrence of codling moth

and numbers of generations of the plum curculio. Thus, an updated crop profile is needed to reflect

relevant pest trends. Insect management has changed drastically since the publication of the

aforementioned profiles. Most importantly, azinphosmethyl (guthion), a mainstay product, was phased

out of use within the last two years. Insect management in a post-guthion era is not reflected in

previous documents. Endosulfan registrations have also been cancelled by the EPA and thiacloprid has

been voluntarily cancelled by the registrant. The industry has also experienced a shift toward reduced

amounts of organophosphates (e.g. Imidan, Lorsban) and an increase in softer products (e.g. summer

oils). Meanwhile, new, more efficacious miticides have entered the market. When combined with

reduction of insecticides that safeguard natural predators, mites are no longer major orchard pests.

There are numerous new insecticides and miticides that warrant documentation, as well as

identification of obsolete chemistries that should be removed.

Other major pests of apple include weeds and wildlife. With the increase in herbicide-resistant weeds

(e.g. glyphosate resistant marestail and palmer amaranth), it is critical that a substantial weed and

herbicide section is added to the Kentucky profile. Likewise, an expanded wildlife management portion

should include emerging vertebrate populations (e.g. deer, elk, and black bear in the Appalachians).

Innovative new tools and technologies have been adopted by some of the more progressive growers,

thus reducing inputs and resulting in more precise pesticide applications. Pheromone traps combined

with trapping data (mytraps.com) can help growers identify thresholds before insecticide applications.

During the past four years, the apple IPM working group has updated and streamlined the UK

AgWeather Weather Forecasting Model site for grower decision-making. As printed publications and

virtual information and social media sites become a common form of communication, growers can

access information quickly (whether university-oriented or non-research-based). These tools are not

included in the 1998* Kentucky apple profile or in other existing documents. Since pest management

decisions are often based on an assortment of information, it is essential to define both the positive and

negative impacts of those sources.

Pests are also influenced by changing markets. During the recent past, Kentucky growers have

experienced increases in agritourism, community supported agriculture markets, and local farmers

markets. Consumer interactions have led to demands for popular cultivars and familiar grocery varieties

(e.g. Fugi, Honeycrisp), as well as newer varieties not available in supermarkets (Zestar!, Pixie Crunch,

Crimson Crisp, WineCrisp, GoldRush, and EverCrisp). The Kentucky Farm-to-School program also

influences cultivar selection with specified harvest times (after mid-August) and fruit sizes (smaller

apples). Additionally, there are several emerging markets that also influence cultivar selection and

thereby pest management challenges. Craft beers and hard ciders (e.g. hard cider orchard, Morehead

State University), as well as a new pet food market (Champion Pet Foods) are shaping grower-level

decisions.

With the national decline in managed honey bee colonies, particularly since the recognition of colony

collapse disorder in 2006, grower sensitivity to the need for and protection of honey bees has increased.

It is likely that pollinator concerns are changing insect management decisions in commercial orchards.