Archives for May 2013

May 9, 2013

Slow Growth This Spring

By Jim Murphy

Slow growth of grasses has been a common complaint this spring. There are many factors that can cause this but cool dry weather has been a major factor this year.

Slow growth of turf can be due to many factors but cool dry weather has been important this spring.

But this is changing as I type. The abundant rains of this week will stimulate a lot of shoot growth. Be on the watch for large surges of growth from turfs that have been fertilized with relatively large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer. Water, warmer weather, and nitrogen can stimulate plenty of shoot growth.

Moreover, rains could interrupt mowing schedules. Sharp blades and bedknives will be very helpful in cutting fast growing, dense turfs. Overgrown turf will present the greatest challenge to mulching mowers.  Raise the cutting height if rains significantly delays mowing and turf becomes severely overgrown. Double cutting may be another useful practice to reduce clipping debris.

Avoid mowing turf areas that are squishy wet. Operating equipment under these conditions can cause significant traffic damage to the turf and soil.

Source: Read More on the Rutgers Turf Blog

Filed Under: Turf
May 9, 2013

Fruit IPM Report for 5/9/2013

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

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blueberry, Tree Fruit
May 9, 2013

Skin blotch in garlic

Skin blotch of garlic caused by the fungus, Embellisia allii, has been found in a homeowner’s garden. Symptoms on infected plants include the a diffuse coating of charcoal-colored flecks on the outer surfaces of infected stems. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops
May 8, 2013

A Generic Clopyralid (STINGER) Product Called SPUR is Labeled for Asparagus

Clopyralid, marketed under the trade name STINGER, was labeled for use in asparagus for years.  About eight years ago Dow removed asparagus from the Stinger label due to liability concerns.  A generic version of clopyralid called SPUR, produced by Albaugh Inc., is now available and includes asparagus on the label with a 48 hour PHI.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops
May 8, 2013

Veg IPM Update : Week Ending 5/08/13

Sweet Corn

By this time last year, we had already begun catching European corn borer (ECB) adults, as well as a few corn earworm (CEW) adults. Due to much cooler conditions this season, blacklight trap catches have very few insects of any type. As a result, there will be no maps published in this IPM Update. In general, sweet corn is well behind recent seasons in terms of development. As ECB numbers develop, their activity will be reported here.

Cole Crops

In many locations, imported cabbageworm butterflies (ICW) are active. These butterflies were seen laying eggs on kale in Hunterdon County this week. Egg deposition is undoubtedly occurring all over the state, during warm periods. Be sure to check the youngest portions of plants, as this is often where the ICW larvae go to feed. Feeding can damage the growing point of plants, if it is not detected in time. Check 5 consecutive plants each in 10 random locations throughout the field. Consider treating if caterpillars are found on 10% or more plants that are in the 0-9 true leaf stage. From 9-leaf to the early head stage (in broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage) infestations up to 20% may be tolerated. Once heads begin to form, a 5% threshold should be observed to protect the marketable portion of the plant. For leafy greens such as collards and kale, 10% plants infested is the threshold throughout.

Crucifer flea beetle is active on many plantings, particularly when conditions are warm. When scouting cole crops for caterpillar pests, check for the presence of flea beetles. Consider treating if flea beetles are present on 50% or more plants, and feeding injury is evident on the plants. Be sure to monitor newly emerged or transplanted fields for the presence of this pest. In general, plants like arugula and mustard (those with a “hotter” flavor) are more favorable to flea beetles.

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops
May 7, 2013

Downy Mildew in Ornamental Crops

Although the disease “downy mildew” sounds similar to the more familiar disease called “powdery mildew,” the downy mildews are caused by fungal relatives called Oomycetes.  These fungal-like organisms, troublesome in during cool, moist weather, attack tender, above-ground plant parts, dispersing rapidly in films of water.  In susceptible ornamental plants, downy mildews are most often caused by species of Peronospora, although species of Plasmopara, Pseudoperonospora, Sclerospora, and Bremia also cause this disease.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf