Photo courtesy of Rachel Elkins, UC The generally arid conditions in the Pacific Northwest limit the threat of the disease, which needs warm and moist conditions to become established. Some areas in the Midwest and eastern United States, which have more humid weather, simply can’t grow pears because of fireblight. Some varieties are more susceptible to the disease than others, but in general pears are more susceptible than apples. Currently, the antibiotics oxytetracycline and streptomycin are growers’ first line of defense, but chances are they won’t be allowed in organic agriculture after October 2014. At its April 2013 meeting, the […]