The use of Serenade MAX in commercial integrated systems to control apple diseases in the U.S

Serenade MAX is a biologically based fungicide that has been shown to be active on a wide range of plant pathogens in apple production. The active ingredient in Serenade MAX is Bacillus subtilis, a bacteria which produces a variety of lipopeptide secondary metabolites. This product is safe on beneficial organisms, has a 0 day pre harvest interval, is very safe for workers and plants, is OMRI and NOP approved, and can be used in an integrated approach to control a wide range of plant pathogens in tha apple system. The commercial production of apples usually requires the use of a high number of conventional fungicides and bactericides. Some important target pests include fire blight (Erwinia amylovora), apple scab (Venturia inequalis), powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha), and various summer disease such as flyspeck (Zygophiala jaimaicensis), bitter rot (Colletotrichum spp.), cedar apple rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae), and sooty botch. The commercial adaptation of biopesticides such as Serenade into conventional systems is dependent upon its demonstrated efficacy when used, resulting in an overall reduction in chemical pesticide load and resistance pressure on conventional products. This poster looks at the integration of Serenade into these systems.