Before the 1960s, there were no antibiotics to help orchardists control fireblight, one of the most destructive diseases of pears and apples. Copper materials were the mainstay back then. But coppers are returning as fireblight control products, particularly for organic orchardists. Oxytetracycline, an effective antibiotic, could lose its place on the list of acceptable organic products, a list compiled by the National Organic Standards Board. The NOSB will decide this spring if its organic use will be extended beyond October 2014. The coppers of today are improved from the old formulations, says Dr. Ken Johnson, Oregon State University plant pathologist. […]