Updates to the 2026 Fruit Management Guide
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EmailSummary of pesticide label additions, clarifications and corrections to the 2026 MSU Fruit Management Guide (E-154).
This article provides a list of key changes to pesticides included in the 2026 Michigan Fruit Management Guide (E154) published by Michigan State University Extension. This is not a comprehensive list of all changes, but rather a compilation of the most important changes and additions that growers and consultants should be aware of. There were many smaller revisions throughout the guide, so please ensure you are using the 2026 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 via the Spartan Spirit Shop.
Newly added pesticides
Bronte (Burholderia rinojensis strain A395) is a biopesticide consisting of inactivated Burholderia rinojensis and spent fermentation media. It must be ingested by the target pest. Labeled for control or suppression of a variety of insects and mites in berries, stone fruit and apples. The foliar rate per acre in all fruit crops is 20 fluid ounces with a zero-day preharvest interval (PHI). Its mode of action is currently unknown, and so it has yet to be assigned an IRAC Group number.
Propulse (fluopyram and prothioconazole) is a fungicide for bushberries and several non-fruit crops with activity against a variety of diseases. Propulse is the combination of fluopyram (Group 7) and prothioconazole (Group 3) increasing the spectrum of activity on several diseases including anthracnose and botrytis.
What you will not find in the 2026 guide, because E154 had already been sent to press before the announcement of its registration in Michigan, is another insecticide, Zivalgo. It will be included in the 2027 guide with the following description:
Zilvago (isocycloseram) is an insecticide that binds to the GABA receptor in insects — it interferes with nerve inhibition and is active via ingestion or contact. It is labeled for control of mites, thrips, true bugs, lepidopterous pests and other insects in pome and stone fruit. The foliar rate per acre ranges from 1.1-2.5 fluid ounces depending on the target pest, with a 14-day PHI. This insecticide is currently the only one listed in IRAC Group 30, which makes it a novel mode of action for use in a resistance management program.
Corrections or additions to existing pesticides
As of July 1, 2025, the only allowable use for chlorpyrifos (Lorsban) is for apples, tart cherries and peaches in Michigan. Additionally, chlorpyrifos is being added to the EPA Endangered Species Act risk mitigations (Bulletins Live! Two). The upcoming label 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. Carefully review current labels and regulations when considering this product as the legal conditions for use are continually subject to change.
The restricted entry interval (REI) for Imidan in grapes was corrected from 14 days to two days for certain scouting activities. Please see the label for detailed language on the exceptions to the 14-day REI applicable to most tasks.
Added Kenja to appropriate timings/diseases for blueberry, grape and strawberry.
Added Beleaf and Luna Flex to appropriate timings/diseases/pests for strawberries.
Added Luna Flex, Cevya, Miravis Prime and Propulse ratings to appropriate timings/diseases for blueberry.
General changes
Detailed revisions of several sections were completed this year, including:
- Detailed revision of “Guidelines for Safe Pesticide Use” (pg. 6)
- Added a “Fruit Production Irrigation Management” section (pg. 72)
- Updated “Insecticide Resistance Compatibility Charts” (pg. 301)
- Updated “Days Between Final Spray and Harvest” Tables (pg. 304)
- New information available in the “Record Keeping” section to indicate if a product is permitted for use as an aerial application (pg. 310)
- Updated information from the diagnostics labs (pg. 332)
- Detailed revision of all “Weed Control” sections
Some sections and topic areas that were previously included in this management guide are no longer being updated annually and so have been removed. See the removed resources at the Michigan Fruit Management Guide website.
Sections now in the online archive:
- Bird management
- Enviroweather
- Saskatoons
- Fungicides for green houses and tunnels
- Weed management in nut crops
Pesticides to be aware of that are undergoing significant label changes
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, the Environmental Protection Agency (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 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 “Directions for Use” 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.
