Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Peach:
Tufted Apple Budmoth (TABM): The first tufted apple budmoth adults were caught on 5/1 in southern counties. The first insecticides that target this pest will be due in a few weeks in southern counties. This has been only a minor pest during the last 6-8 years. [Read more…]
Click to View | Download Report 5-16-17
We will be tracking DSVs for Late blight development and calculating P-days for initiating the first early blight fungicide application.
The first late blight fungicide application is recommended once 18 DSVs accumulate from green row. Green row typically occurs around the first week in May in southern NJ. An early season application of a protectant fungicide such as mancozeb (Dithane, Manzate, Penncozeb) or Bravo (chlorothalonil) as soon as the field is accessible is suggested. Please be vigilant and keep a lookout for suspect late blight infections on young plants. No late blight has been reported in our region to date.
Remember the threshold for P-days is 300! Once 300 P-days is reached for your location, early blight fungicide applications should be initiated. Growers who are interested in using this model should choose the location above that is closest in proximity to their farming operation and should regularly check the Cornell NEWA website (http://newa.cornell.edu) where this information is compiled from. Click on Pests Forecasts from the menu, select your weather station, and click on tomato diseases, set accumulation start date, and a table of daily and total DSVs will be generated.
Disease severity values (DSVs) for early blight, septoria leaf spot, and tomato anthracnose development are determined daily based on leaf wetness (due to rainfall, dew) and air temperature.
On a daily basis DSV values can range from 0 to 4 where 0 = no chance for disease development to 4 = high chance for disease development. DSVs are accumulated during the production season.
Fungicide applications are based on an individually determined DSV threshold. The first fungicide application for the control of these three diseases is not warranted until 35 DSVs have accumulated from your transplanting date. After that, growers can base fungicide applications on different DSV thresholds.
Reports generated by Ryan Tirrell
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
A few years ago we observed damage to cranberries likely caused by an unknown “mirid” bug (Hemiptera: Miridae). These insects are known as true bugs and have piercing-sucking mouthparts to suck out plant juices. The species was identified as Plagiognathus repetitus (Hemiptera: Miridae). The insect seems to damage young leaf and flower buds early in the season (May). In June, we observed deformed leaves and flowers as a result of the feeding damage. This damage appears to cause serious reduction in yield. The damage was likely caused by the nymphs in May-June, as adults were seen in late June-early July. At this time of the year, nymphs are very small- mostly 1st instars.
Nymph of Plagiognathus repetitus (Hemiptera: Miridae)
We know little about the biology and management of this insect. Mirids can be serious pests of other agricultural crops. For example, the tarnished plant bug, Lygus spp., is an important pest of cotton causing injury to the flowering buds. As for Plagiognathus repetitus, Franklin (1950) writes that, in Massachusetts, it overwinters as eggs and the eggs hatch in early June (Franklin H.J. 1950. Cranberry insects in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 445. 88 pp). In New Jersey, the eggs likely start to hatch in May, so scouting for nymphs should start at this time of the year. Adults were seen in Massachusetts in late June-early July (similar to our observations). The insect is known to occur from Ontario (Canada) to Virginia and is an ericaceous plant specialist. It has been recorded form cranberry, sheep laurel, Vaccinium sp., and related plants. Franklin noted that this insect is rarely seen in high numbers; this was not the case three years ago where we saw high numbers in one farm that had not sprayed broad-spectrum insecticides pre-bloom in several years.
At this time of the year, we recommend growers to scout for this insect. Carefully look for the nymphs in sweep net samples. If needed, use a broad-spectrum insecticide like Diazinon (no aerial applications allowed) or Lorsban (only pre-bloom applications allowed for Ocean Spray growers) for its control.
Sweet Corn
Cold temperatures are slowing corn growth considerably. The same weather is also delaying the onset of pests like the European corn borer (ECB). No ECB were captured in blacklight traps this week. As the population develops, look for maps to be published in the weekly IPM Update.
Cole Crops
Although cold weather and heavy rains have suppressed them, IPM personnel continue to observe infestations of crucifer flea beetle. These beetles can build to high populations quickly, especially where wild mustard and related cruciferous weeds are common. Extreme feeding on small transplants can cause irreversible damage if not controlled promptly. [Read more…]
Tufted Apple Budmoth (TABM): The first tufted apple budmoth adults were caught on 5/1 in southern counties. The first insecticides that target this pest will be due in a few weeks in southern counties. This has been only a minor pest during the last 6-8 years. [Read more…]
