The following review takes a deep dive into Nova Scotia’s 2025 apple growing season. Michelle Cortens, tree fruit specialist, Perennia, shared the following observations.
Apple scab
Above-average temperatures in early spring 2025 led to early maturing ascospores and consistently drizzly wetting periods produced infection events that occurred frequently at intervals of one week or less. Of the spores that were released during infection events, a heavy amount was capable of causing infection. This season a total of 10 primary infection events were recorded, which is similar to what has occurred in recent years. However, this year's infections were particularly long-lasting and presented frequent and heavy risk of infection. The event on May 19 was notable because it released 44 per cent of the total spore load.
Table 1: Summary of apple scab primary infection periods recorded in Kentville in 2025, based on the Modified Mills Table and assuming a green tip date of April 20.
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