Environment
State wants federal OK on chemical to fight apple blight
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By BRIAN BIENKOWSKI
Capital News Service
LANSING – The state is seeking federal permission to use an unregistered pesticide on up to 10,000 acres of apples trees that are susceptible to a deadly disease. The bacteria causing the disease have grown resistant to current treatments, agricultural experts say. The spray-on fungus killer, an antibiotic called kasugamycin, would control fire blight, which has been on the uptick in Michigan orchards the past few springs. The bacterial disease attacks apple and pear trees’ blossoms, shoots and limbs. Branches, leaves and trees look scorched when infected.