Archives for June 2013

June 27, 2013

Pepper Anthracnose Reported

Pepper Anthracnose

Pepper anthracnose symptoms
on bell pepper fruit:
note pink-orange spore masses.

The first cases of pepper anthracnose are being reported. Pepper anthracnose can be extremely destructive causing 100% loss if left uncontrolled. No peppers are resistant to anthracnose.

Growers with a history of pepper anthracnose on their farm or in particular fields should be highly diligent and scout their fields on a regular basis looking for ‘hot spots’.

Pepper anthracnose always starts out as a ‘hot spot’ and then fans out with the prevailing direction of the wind. The hot, wet weather and isolated afternoon and evening showers in many areas have been ideal for anthracnose development. If a ‘hot spot’ is found, all fruit (of any size) from the area and from nearly plants should be strip-picked and discarded appropriately. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With:
June 26, 2013

Late Blight Found on Tomato in Mercer County

Late blight has been found in a 2 acre organic tomato field in Mercer County. This is the first report of Late blight in New Jersey this growing season.

All tomato and potato growers in New Jersey should scout thier fields immediately, especially if fields have not been scouted in the the last 5 to 7 days. At this point, this is just an isolated case. Late blight has not been reported elsewhere in the state. All tomato and potato growers should continue with their regular protectant fungicide programs. The extremely hot weather (> 90 degrees) the last few days should help reduce the threat of late blight as long as the isolated rain showers have missed your farm.

If you suspect late blight on your farm please contact your county agent. For more information on the control of Late blight please see the 2013 commercial vegetable production recommendations guide.

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With:
June 26, 2013

Veg IPM Update: Week Ending 6/26/13

Vegetable IPM Report 6-26-13 – Click to View | Download | Print

Current Week’s Pest Maps – Available Maps for the week are highlighted

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops
June 25, 2013

Cereal Leaf Beetle in Corn

We spent a fair amount of time scouting wheat fields for cereal leaf beetles earlier in the season. Now it is time to focus attention on adjacent corn fields.

The adult cereal leaf beetles can now be found in adjacent corn fields. They are primarily found on the perimeter of the corn fields. Though I have encountered them throughout some corn fields. Adult cereal leaf beetle damage appears as longitudinal slits between the leaf veins. Corn plants usually outgrow the injury. Unlike larval damage in wheat, there are no firm thresholds for adult damage in corn. One threshold suggests treatment when 10 or more adults are found per plant and 50% of plants show feeding damage.

Cereal Leaf Beetle Adult

Cereal Leaf Beetle Adult
Courtesy Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates
June 25, 2013

Fruit IPM Report: Week Ending 6/29/13

Fruit IPM Report 6-29-13 – Click to View | Download | Print

In this report:

  • Peach
  • Apple
  • Grape
  • Scouting Calendar
  • Blueberry
  • Trap Counts
Filed Under: Blueberry, Tree Fruit, Wine Grape
June 25, 2013

Brown Rot Found in Nectarines

Last week a block of Fantasia nectarines was found to have a very small percentage of rot present. This week several more blocks were found with rotten fruit present. The common denominator between the three is that they were all mid – late season nectarines that had been just thinned or were being thinned during the severe weather pattern we just experienced. Fruit were injured or the stems knocked loose from either heavy downpours or breaking up clusters. In one orchard many of the rotten fruit were dropping so it is likely the stem had been compromised. Any type of injury in these weather conditions can lead to rot infection.

So what should you do?

  1. Don’t panic! Fruit should have a high degree of resistance at this point. Only fruit injured in some way should be susceptible to rot;
  2. Maintain good coverage with a full rate of captan during periods of unstable weather;
  3. If possible, remove all the rotten fruit from the orchard canopy. Rotten fruit on the ground can be removed by discing where sod middles are not maintained.
Filed Under: Fruit, Tree Fruit