Best Management Practices for Wild Blueberry Production in Maine
 Fact Sheet No. 251

Use of the wild blueberry growers guides for Best Management Practices.

I. Pest populations and disease or weed pressures should be determined to be at a threshold or potentially harmful levels before a corrective measure is applied. Refer to:  

Insects
Fact Sheet No. 204 - Integrated Crop Management Field Scouting Guide for Lowbush Blueberries
Fact Sheet No. 201 - Monitoring for the Blueberry Maggot Fly

Disease
Fact Sheet No. 217 - A Method to Control Monilinia Blight
Fact Sheet No. 212 - Botrytis Blight Control for Wild Blueberries

Weeds
Fact Sheet No. 236 - Weed Management in Wild Blueberry Fields
Fact Sheet No. 204 - Integrated Crop Management Field Scouting Guide for Lowbush Blueberries

II. Accurately determine the insect, disease or weed pest. Refer to:

Insects
Fact Sheet No. 201 - Monitoring for the Blueberry Maggot Fly
Fact Sheet No. 205 - Red-Striped Fireworm
Fact Sheet No. 200 - Blueberry Flea Beetle
Fact Sheet No. 198 - Grasshopper
Fact Sheet No. 203 - Blueberry Leaf Beetle
Fact Sheet No. 204 - Blueberry Sawfly
Fact Sheet No. 197 - Blueberry Spanworm
Fact Sheet No. 199 - Strawberry Rootworm
Fact Sheet No. 202 - Blueberry Thrips

Disease
Fact Sheet No. 211 - Blueberry Diseases 1

Weeds
Fact Sheet No. 241-249 - Weeds 1 - 9

III. Determine the most effective, least toxic alternative and integrate chemical and cultural practices. Refer to:

Insects
Fact Sheet No. 209 - Insect Control Guide for Wild Blueberries

Disease
Fact Sheet No. 219 - Disease Control Guide for Wild Blueberries

Weeds
Fact Sheet No. 239 - Weed Control Guide for Wild Blueberries

IV. Follow methods in fact sheets to minimize of- target deposition. Refer to:

Fact Sheet No. 303 - Minimizing Off-Target Deposition of Pesticide Applications
Fact Sheet No. 250 - Hexazinone Best Management System for Wild Blueberry Fields
Fact Sheet No. 237 - Glyphosate for Weed Control in Wild Blueberries
Fact Sheet No. 235 - Postemergence Grass Control for Wild Blueberries
Fact Sheet No. 234 - Calibration of Granular Applicators for Herbicide Impregnated Fertilizer.

V. Application Methods Include: Ground boom, Airblast sprayer, Aerial by fixed wing or helicopter, granular spreader, selective wiper application, spot treatment with hand-boom or back pack-mist blower.

VI. Determine the most effective method of application by considering:

• The effectiveness of coverage and distribution provided by equipment, or if the terrain is uneven and or rocky, for herbicide, insecticide and fungicide treatments.
• The effectiveness of the product and it's formulation for controlling the pest outbreak.
• If plants are emerged in the field, or if terrain is uneven and or rocky, damage to the plant and fruit by the application method. 
• The time available to treat pest once threshold or threat has been identified.
• The proximity to sensitive areas. 
• Availability of application equipment and custom applicators.
  

VII. Use cultural controls first. Refer to:

Fact Sheet No. 252 – Cultural Management for Weeds in Wild Blueberries
Fact Sheet No. 253 – Cultural Management for Insects and Diseases in Wild Blueberries
Fact Sheet No. 254 – Cultural Management pH

Prepared by David E. Yarborough, Extension Blueberry Specialist, The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469. June 2003. (Revised February 2008)