Evaluation of Cevya®, Omega® alone and in combination with Rampart® for CFR management in Massachusetts, 2024

Cranberry fruit rot (CFR), associated with a complex of fungal pathogens including Coleophoma empetri, Allantophomopsis cytisporea, Botryosphaeria vaccinii, and Colletotrichum spp., significantly impacts cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) production in Massachusetts. Symptoms include softening, discoloration, and decay of berries at harvest. This trial evaluated the efficacy of Cevya® (mefentrifluconazole, FRAC 3) and Omega® (fluazinam, FRAC 29), applied alone or in combination with Rampart® (phosphonates, FRAC 33), for CFR management. Treatments were compared against a non-sprayed control and a grower standard program composed of QuadrisTop® (azoxystrobin + difenoconazole; FRAC 11 + 3) applied at early bloom (EB), Manzate® Max (mancozeb; FRAC M03) applied at mid-bloom (MB), and Proline® (prothioconazole; FRAC 3) applied at late bloom (LB).The study was conducted in 2024 on cranberry cv. ‘Stevens’ at the UMass Cranberry Station. Several treatments, especially Cevya +Rampart or Omega + Rampart® significantly reduced CFR and improved yield on par with grower standard. These results support the potential of reduced-risk fungicide programs in cranberry production.