Archives for April 2013

April 26, 2013

A Few Reminders About Lumax and Lexar Herbicides

By Mark VanGessel, Extension Weed Specialist; mjv@udel.edu

The formulations of Lumax and Lexar have been changed to Lumax EZ and Lexar EZ. Both products still contain mesotrione, atrazine, and s-metolachlor; and in the same ratios as the old formulations. The concentration of Lexar remained the same and the use rates are the same for the Lexar EZ formulation (3 to 3.5 qts/A). Lumax EZ (3.67 SC) is less concentrated than the older version (Lumax 3.9 SC) and so the use rates are slightly higher. So, instead of using 2.5 qts of Lumax, the Lumax EZ use rate is 2.7 qts, etc.

For vegetable growers and those advising vegetable growers, be sure to read all rotational restrictions and be sure you understand them. A lot of labels address dry beans or dry peas, but do not address succulent beans or peas. Some labels provide rotational restrictions others provide rotational guidelines. I am not aware of any acetachlor-containing herbicides that permit most of our vegetables to be planted within 15 months of application. Likewise, the new products of Anthem, Fierce, and Zidua do not fit into vegetable rotations.
Source: Read More from Weekly Crop Update

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates
April 26, 2013

April showers bring May….diseases?

Although the weather this weekend promises to be lovely, recent rains and the likelihood of more to come is ideal for the development of foliar diseases in the landscape.  The most common diseases on trees and shrubs affect the foliage as spots, blotches, and blisters.  Although unsightly, most foliar diseases do not greatly impact the health of the plant, and chemical inputs are rarely necessary.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf
April 26, 2013

Oriental Fruit Moth Update

In southern counties we have accumulated approximately 102 DD base 45 since the biofix set on 4/16. Based on the current forecast, insecticides  for OFM control should be applied  in 7-10 days. In northern counties, only 14 DD have accumulated since the biofix set on 4/22 so no applications for OFM will be needed for about 2 weeks.

Filed Under: Fruit, Tree Fruit
April 24, 2013

Fruit IPM Report for the Week Ending 4/20/2013

  • Peach
  • Apple
  • Pear
  • Scouting Calendar
  • Blueberry
  • Trap Counts

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blueberry, Fruit, Tree Fruit
April 24, 2013 and

FDA Food Safety Q&A: Biological Soil Amendments

The third FDA Proposed Produce Food Safety Rule Q & A conference call, coordinated by the Produce Safety Alliance, was held on Monday. This conference call focused on soil amendment use in the proposed rule. Details on soil amendments in the proposed rule can be found in Section F Biological Soil Amendments.  The FDA officially announced that it will extend the comment period by 120 days, allowing comments until September 16, 2013. Visit the FDA webiste to comment on these proposed rules.

Here are the questions from agricultural organizations and growers and answers from the FDA on Monday’s conference call:

1. If raw manure is applied to a field and then plastic is laid prior to seeding or transplanting is this a practice that is accepted to reduce the days to harvest to zero? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food Safety
April 24, 2013

Leaf spots showing up rapidly in spring greens

A number of growers have reported of leaf spots appearing in spinach and other greens. Alternaria and Cladosporium leaf spots have been identified in fields in our region. Fields should be scouted on a regular basis to find ‘hot spots’. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops