Rutgers Cooperative Extension
The mighty hosta is no super hero, but its nemesis Hosta virus X sure is. Hosta virus X (HVX) is a rather new disease of hosta that has become a regular visitor to the Plant Diagnostic Laboratory. We get samples of hosta with the disease once or twice every summer, usually from a nursery, and we just got this year’s supply.
Line patterns caused by Hosta Virus X. Photo: Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers PDL
The revised produce rule is now available online and the FDA is accepting comments on the revisions.
To access the rule and comment visit the FDA FSMA Produce Rule webpage. The comment period will remain open until December 15, 2014.
Cercospora leaf spot can significant losses in beet if not controlled properly.
Cercospora leaf spot on beet. Note the round tan leaf spots with dark red margins.
The fungus overwinters in soils and be a continual problem in fields with short crop rotations. It has developed resistance to important fungicides in beet production areas in the US and abroad. Resistance has been detected in the Benzimidazole fungicides (FRCA code 1); the DMI fungicides (Tilt, tebuconazole; FRAC code 3) and the strobilurin fungicides (Quadris, Cabrio, Headline; FRAC code 11). Beet growers in NJ who have relied heavily on, and are not obtaining adequate control of Cercospora with either DMI or strobilurin fungicide applications in their weekly programs should discontinue their use. These growers should switch to fungicides with different modes of action such as Fontelis (penthiopyrad, 7) at 16.0 to 30.0 fl oz/A (3 day PHI) and Merivon (fluxapyroxad + pyraclostrobin, 7 + 11) at 5.5 fl oz/A (7 day PHI). Growers who are still obtaining adequate control with either the DMI or strobilurin fungicides can continue their use, but should make efforts to incorporate the use of the mentioned fungicides above to help reduce the chances for resistance development.
Join Northeast SARE grants coordinator Carol Delaney for a lunchtime webinar on Friday, October 10th at Noon regarding Farmer Grants and Partnership Grants. Carol will cover topics ranging from the application process, designing a budget, choosing a technical advisor (for farmer grants) and the review process. There will be plenty of time for Q&A. Register online.
This year, Michelle Infante-Casella takes over the reins from Jack Rabin as Northeast SARE coordinator for New Jersey. Visit NE SARE, New Jersey webpage for information on programs and priorities.
Late blight has been found in small cherry tomato field near Roadstown, NJ today where 100% of the field is affected. This is the third report of Late blight in New Jersey this year and the first since 9/8.
Cool day and night temperatures with prolonged dews are ideal for Late blight development, especially in fields where no protectant fungicides have been applied in recent weeks.
All growers who are still in tomato production should continue to scout on a regular basis and apply protectant fungicides. Abandoned commercial fields, need to be disked under or sprayed with gramoxone to kill all living tissue. All abandoned organic fields should be disked under or plants should be pulled and discarded.
South Jersey vineyard and winery managers are invited to an Alert Meeting at Auburn Road Vineyard and Winery, 117 Sharptown-Pilesgrove Road, Woodstown, NJ on Monday September 29th at 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
Do you have plants that look like this?
It may be a virus symptom.We often see red leaves in vineyards at this time of the season, which can result from many causes including viruses, mineral deficiencies, trunk injury, and crown gall. In a season like 2014, following a damaging winter, the most common causes include the aftereffects of cold injury to the woody parts of the vines and the subsequent crown gall infections.
There are several well-documented types of viruses known to have serious deleterious effects on the performance of grape vines with names like Grape Leaf Roll and Grape Fan Leaf. A newly identified virus, generally called Red Blotch, is present in New Jersey vineyards. Red Blotch biology and potential impact on vineyard performance is yet to be worked out.
