-12- 



The yield data show that 2 lbs. of 50% WP per 100 gallons of H^O 

 applied 3 times at about 3 week intervals was as effective as 

 the 4 lb. rate and as suitable as netting from July 3 to September 

 8, It also appears that yield of some of the check plots (replicate 



I, II and IV) which were adjacent to one or more sprayed plots was 

 not greatly reduced by birds. This suggests that the presence of 

 some treated plots in a field may tend to repel birds from unsrayed 

 plants in the area. The poor yield (0.42 lbs. per plant) of the 

 Replicate II check plot was related to its extreme earliness in 

 ripening. This selection was fully ripe 7 to 10 days before the 

 other plots and prior to the first methiocarb application on July 



II. Consequently, birds had an opportunity to devour the crop from 

 this selection before coming in contact with methiocarb on any of 

 the chemically treated plots. This chance situation provides addi- 

 tional evidence of the effectiveness of methiocarb as a bird-repell- 

 ent for highbush blueberries. 



Present recommendations of 2 to 3 lbs. of actual methiocarb per 

 acre are suggested per application where clearance for use of this 

 material has been obtained. A tolerance of 2S ppm on harvested 

 fruit is allowable and a preharvest interval of 7 days will insure 

 no harmful residues. No more than 3 applications per season are 

 allowed. 



The effect of methiocarb on birds is reported to be temporary. 

 Ingestion of small quantities of fruit treated x^'ith methiocarb is 

 claimed to cause birds to become excited, slightly disoriented and 

 unable to continue feeding. Affected birds give off distress calls 

 and/or react in an agitated manner ichich conveys a warning signal 

 to other birds. In a 1973 Fish and Wildlife Service study, blue- 

 berries treated with 1 lb. actual methiocarb per 100 gallons of 

 water were fed to robin, starling and grackle nestlings of differ- 

 ent ages. Nestlings fed from 3 to 10 treated berries at one feeding 

 survived without any incidence of ill effects. The data from this 

 study indicate that feeding nestlings fruit treated with methiocarb 

 at recommended bird repellent levels should not influence their 

 long-term survival. 



RESEARCH IN PROGRESS 



Fruit Research in Plant Pathology 



William J. Manning 

 University of Massachusetts, Amherst 



1. Etiology of the Apple Replant Problem 



Apple replant is a problem of unknown origin tiiat can affect 

 the growth and development of new apple trees in old orchards and 

 . sometimes on newly-cleared sites. Some trees decline and die in 

 the first season. Others survive, with varying degrees of stunt- 

 ing and uneven growth. 



