Fire Blight Causing Problems For Fruit Farmers

[mr.d]

Fire blight causing problems for fruit farmers

FERGUSON TOWNSHIP, Pa., JULY 17,2014 --------- Fruit farmers from across the commonwealth are keeping a watchful eye on their crops this summer, as fruit-killing bacteria has been turning up on farms.

A quickly-spreading bacteria, known as fire blight, has made its return this growing season and it has apple, peach and pear farmers, specifically, concerned.

Dan Harner, of Harner Farms in Ferguson Township, Centre County, said the blight hasn't impacted his production too much, but he has lost some of his crops.

"This is where the tree bloomed and it started to form apples, and the fire blight came in and just destroyed the whole thing," Harner said.

Harner said the blight just isn't a problem for fruit plants, but smaller ornamental plants as well. The blight is highly contagious and there's no known cure for the disease.

"Comes in when the trees are in bloom typically. It will infect a branch like this on a small tree," Harner said. "If it's serious enough it will work back into the trunk of the tree and will completely kill the tree."

Harner said this year the blight has hit peach crops particularly hard and has been determined to be the worst case of the blight in 30 years.

Typically hot summer weather will help kill the blight, Harner said.

 

SEE VIDEO;   http://www.wjactv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/fire-blight-causing-problems-fruit-farmers-3297.shtml

[Petee]

It spreads through insects, birds, animals and even humans.  Infected tool are another way to spread it.