Updates to the 2025 Fruit Management Guide
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EmailSummary of pesticide label additions, clarifications and corrections to the 2025 MSU Fruit Management Guide (E-154).
This article provides a list of key changes to the fruit pesticides included in the 2025 E154 Michigan Fruit Management Guide. This is not a comprehensive list of all changes, but rather a compilation of the most important changes and additions for this season. There were many smaller revisions throughout the guide so please ensure you are using the 2025 version and destroy previous editions. Hard copies and an electronic version of the Fruit Pest Management Guide can be purchased from Michigan State University Extension at the MSU Extension Bookstore.
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Newly added pesticides
Gamma (tiafenacil) is a non-selective postemergence herbicide controlling broadleaves and grasses. It is a new group 14 herbicide, PPO inhibitor, in the N-phenyl-imides chemical family. It is a contact herbicide that provides fast-acting control of weeds and degrades rapidly in the soil. Tiafenacil was developed as a paraquat alternative. Gamma is labeled for basal-direct applications in grapes that have been established for 2-plus years. For best performance, use adjuvants.
AVIV (Bacillus subtilis) is a biocontrol product registered for control of fungal and bacterial diseases on pome fruit, stone fruit, grapes, strawberries, blueberries and caneberries. AVIV is a protectant fungicide/bactericide, so thorough coverage is important for control. AVIV is listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic production. The restricted entry interval (REI) is 4 hours, and the preharvest interval (PHI) is 0 days.
Axios (104) (ipflufenoquin) is a quinoline fungicide (FRAC 52) that is labeled on apples and other pome fruits for controlling apple scab and powdery mildew. Axios contains the DHODH inhibitor fungicide ipflufenoquin, which is a unique mode of action compared to other fungicides registered on apples. To limit the potential for resistance development, make no more than two sequential applications of Axios, tank-mix with a broad-spectrum protectant such as an EBDC or Captan, and rotate with other fungicide chemistries such as SDHIs. There is a limit to three applications per season. Also note the seven-day PHI, and that Axios is not labeled for summer diseases. Axios is currently not labeled for other small fruit crops (e.g. blueberries and grapes).
Regev (tea tree oil and difenoconazole) is a hybrid fungicide that mixes the biological active ingredient (tea tree oil) and the synthetic triazole (difenoconazole, FRAC 3). This combination of a systemic triazole with a protectant that contains terpene hydrocarbons provides broad spectrum fungal and bacterial control for diseases of pome fruit, stone fruit, grapes, strawberry and blueberries. The recommended application rate is 4-6 ounces for pome fruit and 4-8.5 ounces for the rest of the crops listed above. The REI is 12 hours, and the PHI is 14 hours for pome and stone fruits, and 48 hours for the berry crops.
Timorex ACT (tea tree oil) is labeled for use as a fungicide or bactericide and is a biological product that comes from the tea tree plant (native to Australia). Tea tree oil is compatible with oil adjuvants and is not a concern with regard to phytotoxicity. It contains terpene hydrocarbons that provide broad spectrum activity against fungal and bacterial pathogens of pome fruit, stone fruit, grapes, strawberries, blueberries and caneberries. Timorex ACT is listed by the OMRI for use in organic production. The REI is 4 hours, and the PHI is 14 hours for pome and stone fruits, and 48 hours for the berry crops.
Corrections or additions to existing pesticides
At this time, all pre-August 2021 chlorpyrifos (e.g., Lorsban) tolerances have been reinstated and are currently in effect. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will soon issue a proposed rule to revoke the tolerances associated with all food uses, except the 11 food and feed crop uses identified in the 2020 Proposed Interim Decision (for Michigan this includes apples, tart cherries and peaches, but no small fruit/grapes or sweet cherries).
Additionally, chlorpyrifos is being added to the EPA mitigations in Bulletins Live! Two and will include additional restrictions on when to apply, restrictions on tank mixing, and use limitations related to both runoff and drift, as well as wind speed restrictions. Users should carefully review current labels and regulations when considering this product as the legal conditions for use are subject to change.
Pesticides are undergoing significant label changes that growers should be aware of
Anyone applying agricultural pesticides needs to be aware of changes coming to pesticide labels across the United States. In an effort to address concerns related to the impact of pesticides on threatened or endangered species and in response to ongoing litigation, EPA has developed an online system called Bulletins Live! Two that determines if additional pesticide use limitations are needed to protect listed species or habitat based on location, pesticide formulation, and application month. The system is intended to avoid blanket use restrictions and instead limit restrictions to geographic and time-specific use patterns that should be avoided to protect endangered species and their habitat. These changes are impacting the application of some pesticides in Michigan.
The Bulletins Live! Two system allows applicators to check their planned application parameters to determine if any additional pesticide use limitations are required to protect listed species or their habitat. Applicators are only required to consult the Bulletins Live! Two system if the label that came with the pesticide container in their possession directs them to. These limitations are often included in the environmental hazards section of the pesticide label. If a pesticide label directs you to Bulletins Live! Two, you are required to follow the pesticide use limitations found on both the label and on the bulletin generated by Bulletins Live! Two.
Compliance with all label directives including using Bulletins Live! Two is mandatory and the applicator’s responsibility. Ideally, applicators will carefully check the labels of products they are considering before purchase to fully understand any use limitations on their site. Because Bulletins Live! Two will continue to add new pesticides, applicators need to check all product labels carefully for this new directive.
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