Late blight was found in processing tomato in Salem County today. Late blight was found in an organic tomato field in Mercer County last week. All commercial and organic tomato and potato growers in NJ should now consider late blight a significant threat and should take immediate steps. All growers should scout their fields on a daily basis. All commercial tomato and potato growers should include late blight specific fungicides in their regular fungicide maintenance programs. All organic tomato and potato growers should apply OMRI-approved copper based products to help suppress late blight development. As long as the current weather conditions continue, late blight will remain a significant threat.
Archives for July 2013
July 2, 2013 Andy Wyenandt
Late blight found on potato in New Jersey – 7/2/13
Late blight has been confirmed in two commercial potatoes field in Salem County. These are the first reports of late blight on potato in the state. Late blight was found in an organic tomato field in Mercer County last week. All commercial and organic tomato and potato growers in NJ should now consider late blight a significant threat and should take immediate steps. All growers should scout their fields on a daily basis. All commercial tomato and potato growers should include late blight specific fungicides in their regular fungicide maintenance programs. All organic tomato and potato growers should apply OMRI-approved copper based products to help suppress late blight development. As long as the current weather conditions continue, late blight will remain a significant threat.
July 1, 2013 Steven K. Rettke
Cool Season Mites Fade, As Warm Season Mites Surge
As would be predicted, observations during the past few weeks within nurseries located in central & southern NJ have shown reduced activities of both the spruce spider mites & southern red spider mites. These common cool season mite pests feed predominately on conifers & broadleaf evergreens, respectfully. During the hot summer months, both of these spider mite species enter into a dormant stage. Alternatively, the two-spotted spider mite & several more host specific shade tree spider mites (e.g., maple spider mites, oak spider mites, honeylocust spider mites & European red mites) are common warm season mite species and are now rapidly laying eggs & building populations.
Spider Mite (0.5 mm), Egg & Pine Needle Stomates Photo: Cornell University Press
BMSB Insecticide Options – Revised
We have developed a table outlining the recommended insecticides for BMSB and their use restrictions to aide growers in making management decisions. Please note that the table has been revised since its original publication.
July 1, 2013 Richard Buckley
The Last Word in Leaf Spots
Oh no! Not more leaf spot posts! This is the last one for now, I promise. First thing first, we had a nice sample from a perennial ryegrass baseball field that was submitted for dollar spot diagnosis, which it had, but it was also covered with leaf lesions caused by the fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana. Sabrina thought it would be nice to share a photo with you.
Leaf spots caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana on perennial ryegrass leaves. Photo: Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers PDL
July 1, 2013 Andy Wyenandt
Late blight found on potato in Delaware
Late blight was found in commercial potato field near Leipsic, DE today. The wet weather forecasted for most of this week looks favorable for potential late blight development in New Jersey. Growers should continue to scout their fields on a regular basis and apply weekly protectant fungides whenever they can get into the field. To date, there has been one reported case of late blight on tomato in New Jersey (Mercer County). If you suspect late blight on your farm please contact your county agent.
