All NJ licensed pesticide applicators, as well as dealers, who store pesticides are required by law to send a copy of their storage inventories with an explanatory cover letter to the local fire company by May 1st each year. [Read more…]
Archives for April 2014
April 14, 2014 Andy Wyenandt
Spear Damage in Asparagus
Spear damage in asparagus can be caused by diseases such as Phytophthora spear and crown rot and purple spot. However, other environmental factors during the spring can damage spears as they emerge from the soil.
 Fig. 1. Wind damage of asparagus spears. Notice how all spears are pointed in the same direction |
Wind – Periods of heavy winds during emergence will cause spears to bend.
Winds can cause one side of the spear to dry out quicker than the other causing the spear to bend and point in the direction of the prevailing wind. An asparagus planting is suffering from wind damage if most of the bent spear heads in the bed are pointing in the same direction (Fig.1). |
April 14, 2014 Andy Wyenandt
Controlling Spring Diseases in Asparagus
Asparagus season is just around the corner and now is a good time to review important diseases. With the long, wet spring we’ve encountered this year many fields have been extremely wet for long periods of time.
These types of soil conditions are ideal for Phytophthora and Pythium development. To help reduce potential losses, especially in fields with low spots or fields that are poorly drained soils, or more importantly, in fields with a history of either disease apply Ridomil Gold 4SL (mefenoxam, 4) at 1.0 pt/A, or Ultra Flourish 2E/A (mefenoxam, 4) at 2.0 pt/A, or MetaStar 2E (metalaxyl, 4) at 2.0 qt/A over beds just before 1st harvest. For new plantings, apply the same after planting or after crown covering. Do not apply Ridomil or MetaStar one day prior to harvest or illegal residues may result. [Read more…]
April 11, 2014 Albrecht Koppenhofer
ABW Part 1: Managing Insecticide Susceptible Populations
With the ongoing ‘heat wave’ forsythia should be in full bloom and overwintered adult annual bluegrass weevil (ABW) should have started their spring migration soon. But no reason to panic. Adult ABW are best controlled when forsythias are half gold:half green, when most of them are on the short-mown turf but have not started laying eggs, yet. And given the reversion to cool weather in the coming week (4/15-18), that will likely not happen until early May in central NJ.
Annual Bluegrass Weevil Adult
Annual Bluegrass Weevil Larvae
April 11, 2014 Joe Ingerson-Mahar
Pepper Weevil Situation for 2014
Sign up for pepper weevil monitoring with the Rutgers IPM Team. Our base fee is $450 per farm and $100 per trap deployed. If we are already doing insect trapping or field scouting at a farm, then the only additional cost is for the weevil pheromone traps. We suggest that one trap be set in a high traffic area near the packing shed and then at least one trap per field.
For more information or to sign up for weevil monitoring, contact Joe Ingerson-Mahar, phone – 856-889-5718, or email, mahar@aesop.rutgers.edu
For the past two years we have had two NE-SARE grants and a grant from the Charles and Lena Maier Fund, New Jersey Vegetable Growers Association, to study the movement of pepper weevil within New Jersey and how it arrives here. This article summarizes our findings and what the situation is for 2014. [Read more…]
April 8, 2014 Raymond Samulis
Sweet Corn Insects: Underground & Unseen
Early season sweet corn damage from seedling insects is easily underestimated since it happens underground. By the time spotty, inconsistent stands or dying seedlings are observed, it is too late for control. Over the years, I’ve gathered tips especially applicable to the cold, wet spring we are experiencing:
- The cold weather is keeping soil temperature below the desired range for good germination. The longer seed remains in the ground before emerging, the more time seed is susceptible to seed corn maggots and wireworms. In addition, experts are warning us not to count on this winter’s brutal, low temperatures to reduce pests.
- Be wary of planting untreated seed. Using untreated seed in check rows in our Rutgers 2011 sweet corn trials resulted in pitiful 28% stands. Most sweet corn seed is now commercially treated before you receive it. Common treatments may include Cruiser, Gaucho, Poncho (these extend protection to early flea beetles), Lorsban or various other branded combination treatments. If your seed is untreated, you can use a hopper box treatment of Concur or Latitude or, at-planting soil-applied treatments with Counter to help suppress early pests. Consult page F178 in the 2014 Commercial Vegetable Recommendations.
Photo: Mariusz Sboieski, Bugwood.org
Dig around some emerging sweet corn plants; you might be surprised at what you find!
