Archives for March 2021

March 15, 2021

Ag Employers Urged to Submit Survey to Sign Up for Vaccinations for Your Migrant Farm Workers & Other Employees

In the attached letter, NJ Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher encourages you to participate in a brief online survey to sign up your farmworkers for COVID-19 vaccinations. As stated, once your information is received by the Department of Health, it will be routed to a local Health official who will contact you to schedule vaccinations on your farm or at a standing location. Please complete the survey by March 23, 2021.

Sign up for the opportunity to get your workforce vaccinated against COVID-19!

Dear Agricultural Employer:

Effective March 15, 2021, migrant farm workers are eligible to receive the vaccine. In an effort to help migrant farm workers access the vaccine and continue to support the agriculture industry and food chain in New Jersey, an agricultural vaccine program is being created to partner farms with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to help vaccinate you and your workforce.

If your business participates, all adults aged 18 years or older who live or work on the farm will be eligible to receive the Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccine, administered by FQHCs. If you are interested in joining a vaccination program tailored to the needs of the agricultural community, please sign up at http://healthsurveys.nj.gov/NoviSurvey/n/zz2jr.aspx. Since interest is quite high, we ask that you complete the survey by Tuesday, March 23, 2021.

Outside of this dedicated agricultural vaccine program, effective March 29, 2021, you and your non-migrant workforce are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Questions you may have about the vaccine and COVID-19:

  • Can I lift mask-wearing and other health and safety protocols/mandates at my business, where my workers live on-site, or in group transportation once my entire workforce has been vaccinated?
    ➢ No. Vaccines are only an additional layer of protection. Employers and their workers need to continue to follow health and safety protocols as currently mandated by the state. Information on protocols currently in place is available at https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/slowing-the-spread/where-can-i-find-guidance-on-best-practices-to-maintain-the-health-and-safety-of-seasonal-farmworkers-what-rules-are-in-place-and-what-resources-are-available 
  • Is the vaccine safe and which vaccine will my workforce, my family and I be receiving?
    ➢ Yes, the vaccine is safe. The vaccine which will be offered is the single-dose COVID19 vaccine developed by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson (J&J), to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older. The J&J vaccine is the state’s first choice for the agricultural community because it only requires administration of a single-dose, and it can also be stored at refrigerator temperature thus making it possible to bring the vaccine to the farms reliably. In addition, it is important we create immunity rapidly in settings where workers, such as migrant workers, live in congregate housing, rely on group transportation and work in close proximity to one another. Learn more about the different vaccines at https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/slowing-the-spread/how-do-covid-19-vaccines-work#direct-link
  • Can I require my workforce to get the COVID-19 vaccine in order to seek employment with me?
    ➢ Yes. An employer can require that an employee receive the COVID-19 vaccine in order to return to the workplace, unless the employee cannot get the vaccine because of a disability, because their doctor has advised them not to get the vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding, or because of a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

  • Do I need to participate in this agricultural vaccine program in order to personally receive a vaccine?
    ➢ No. The agricultural vaccine program is being set up to support access to the vaccine for your agricultural workforce, especially your migrant workforce which will face challenges accessing the vaccine otherwise. Your business is strongly encouraged to participate to help your workers become vaccinated and you too can get vaccinated through an FQHC. However, once you are personally eligible to receive the vaccine, you can alternatively choose to book your individual vaccine appointment on your own through the State-run NJ Vaccine Scheduling System or directly with any of the vaccination locations throughout the state. You can learn more about appointment scheduling at https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine.
  • Can my employees use paid sick leave to get their vaccine?
    ➢ Yes. Under NJ state law, employers must provide up to 40 hours of paid Earned Sick Leave to their full- and part-time employees, including migrant and seasonal employees. Employees can use their earned sick leave to get vaccinated for COVID19. Learn more about New Jersey’s earned sick leave law at
    https://www.nj.gov/labor/worker-protections/earnedsick/law.shtml
Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
March 15, 2021

Accurately Timing Scouting by Using Plant Phenological Indicators

Challenges of Pest Controls

Accurately timing a control tactic against the most vulnerable stage of an insect’s development allows for the use of biorational pesticides as well as less use of traditional pesticides. Unfortunately, accurately timing controls is difficult because of the complex array of landscape plants and pests that can be present on any one site. IPM methods require knowledge of the pest’s life cycle stages and when the vulnerable stage occurs for each pest. It requires knowledge of what pesticides will suppress the pest as well as their relative toxicities. This extensive amount of information can become overwhelming, especially to the less experienced landscaper or arborist.

Some landscape managers often resign to the easy, yet environmentally unsound practice of using four or more preventative cover sprays of pesticides each year. Studies have shown that typically only 2% of a blanket spray actually hits a targeted pest, with the remaining 98% contaminating the surrounding environment. Is there another way that pesticides can be applied more intelligently?

Infected white oak tree

Farmers know that when White Oak leaves are the size of a squirrel’s ear, THEN…. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

Sowing corn in a field

….THEN, =It is time to Sow Corn into the planting fields. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab
March 14, 2021

Grower’s Guide: Understanding the DMI fungicides (FRAC code 3) in 2022

The DMI (DeMethylation Inhibitors) or Sterol Biosynthesis Inhibiting (SBI’s) fungicides belong to FRAC code 3 which include the triazoles and imidazoles. Some of these fungicides are commonly known as Tilt (propiconazole), Rally (myclobutanil), Folicur (tebuconazole), and Procure (triflumizole) and are widely-used in agriculture.

DMI’s work by inhibiting the biosynthesis of ergosterol which is a major component of the plasma membrane of certain fungi and needed for fungal growth. Resistance by fungi to the DMI fungicides has been characterized and is generally known to be controlled by the accumulation of several independent mutations, or what is known as ‘continuous selection’ or ‘shifting’, in the fungus.

In any given field population, the sensitivity to the DMI fungicide by the fungus may range from extremely high (highly sensitive, and will be controlled by fungicide) to moderate (partially sensitive to the fungicide) or low (mostly resistant to fungicide).

This type of resistance is also known as quantitative resistance. With quantitative resistance, as stated above, there are different levels of resistance to the fungicide due to independent mutations, which, is unlike the target mutations that occur in qualitative resistance associated with the QoI (FRAC code 11) fungicides. Because different levels of resistance to the DMI fungicide may exist in the field, control of fungal population may widely vary based on the rate of the DMI fungicide being applied. It is suggested that using a higher rate of a DMI fungicide, may improve control when lower rates have failed.

For example, let’s say that a cucurbit powdery mildew population on pumpkin consists of 25% highly sensitive, 50% moderately sensitive, and a 25% low sensitive (resistant) population to a DMI fungicide. If fungicide is applied at the low rate, only 25% of the population (highly sensitive) may be controlled. Where, if the high rate was used, 75% (the 25% highly sensitive + 50% moderately sensitive) of population would have been controlled. The main point is that if low rates of DMI fungicides have been used and control seems to be weakening, increasing to a higher rate may improve control.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine what proportion of the powdery mildew population is sensitive or not sensitive by just looking at the field until you have begun a proper spray program. The best advice, if you are using low rates and think those rates are not working, is to increase to the high rate the next time the fungicide is sprayed, and if the high rate still doesn’t work it may be safe to assume the fungal population has grown mostly resistant. Importantly, if the high rate fails, whether you bumped up to a high rate or started with one, and control does not seem adequate, DO NOT continue to use the DMI fungicide.

Recognizing if and when fungicide chemistries are failing and when fungicide resistance is developing is critically important to producing successful crops and why scouting on a regular basis, at least before and after each fungicide application, is important. Regular scouting can help reduce unwarranted and ineffective fungicide applications and help reduce wasted costs.

Remember to always tank mix DMI fungicides with protectant (M) fungicides (i.e., chlorothalonil, manzate) to help reduce the chances for fungicide resistance developing. Always apply DMI fungicides according to label rates and resistant management recommendations and always be aware of the fungicide rate you are applying.

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops
March 11, 2021

Central Jersey Vegetable Growers Meeting

Registration is now open for the 2021 Central Jersey Vegetable Growers Meeting.

This year’s event will be held virtually on March 24th from 2:00 – 5:30pm.

This annual event is brought to you by Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer, Burlington, Ocean & Somerset Counties. Seminar topics will benefit those who are involved in commercial production of vegetables and specialty crops.

Pesticide Credits Offered:

  • Core: 1 credit
  • 1A: 4 credits
  • 10: 3 credits
  • PP2: 4 credits

Educational Presentations:

  • Pesticide Safety for Applicators and Handlers: George Hamilton, Ph.D., Specialist in Pest Management
  • Using Growing Degree Day Models: Tim Waller, Ph.D., Agriculture Agent – RCE Cumberland County
  • Cream Ridge IPM Research Updates: William Errickson, Agriculture Agent – RCE Monmouth County & William Hlubik, Agriculture Agent – RCE Middlesex County
  • Challenges in Managing Corn Earworm in Sweet Corn: Kris Holmstrom, Research Program Coordinator in Vegetables
  • Weed Management in Vine and Cole Crops: Thierry Besancon, Ph.D., Specialist in Weed Science
  • Vegetable Disease Updates: Andy Wyenandt, Ph.D., Specialist in Vegetable Crops

For more information and to register, visit https://go.rutgers.edu/2obo91hl

Registration Fee: $15

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: ,
March 11, 2021

Early Season Pest Scouting 0-25 Growing Degree-days (Pest GDD list and forecasting)

Please download or print the two resources of this post (click on them): 

How to use this pest scouting / growing degree-day (GDD50) information:

The information provided in the downloads give early season scouting ranges (in growing degree days) for specific insect pests. Additionally, forecasting predictions (GDD50 accumulation) per calendar date for multiple regions of New Jersey (S,N,C).

(Please note: we will be providing pest GDD ranges regularly throughout the season for our green industries)

Scouting Ranges (please download / print above resources):

  • It is important to note that these GDD50 are not exact, rather provide a range of GDD and subsequent calendar dates that can be used to scout for, and treat for, insect pests.
  • The pests listed here will be listed again in future scouting range announcements as they undergo further developmental life stages or are vulnerable to management options.
Pest Scouting – Growing Degree-day Ranges Starting (0-25 GDD50)
Crop type Common Name Scientific Name GDD Min (50F) GDD Max (95F) Reference Developmental / Target Stage
Conifer Conifer rust mites Eriophyidae 7 22 4 Overwintering eggs hatch
Pomes, Stone fruit European red mite Panonychus ulmi 7 58 2 1st adults active
Conifer White pine weevil Pissodes strobi 7 58 RU Overwintering adults become active / prevent egg laying
Deciduous Oystershell scale Lepidosaphes ulmi 7 91 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Deciduous, Yew Cottony camellia / taxus scale Pulvinaria floccifera 7 91 5 Spring control of overwintering stage
Many Southern red mite Oligonychus ilicis 7 91 5 Overwintering eggs hatch
Conifer Taxus mealybug Dysmicoccus wistariae 7 91 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Oaks Kermes oak scales Kermes spp. 7 91 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Elongate hemlock scale Fiorinia externa 7 120 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Many Aphids Aphidoidea 7 120 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Spruce spider mite Oligonychus ununguis 7 121 RU Overwintering eggs hatch
Oaks Golden oak scale Asterolecanium variolosum 7 121 5 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Pales weevil Hylobius pales 7 121 RU Overwintering adults become active / prevent egg laying
Magnoliaceae Tuliptree scale Toumeyella liriodendri 12 121 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Rhododendron, Azalea Azalea lacebug Stephanitis pyrioides 18 372 RU Spring control of overwintering stage
White and Scotch Pine White pine aphid Cinara strobi 22 91 RU Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Pine bark adelgid Pineus strobi 22 58 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Magnoliaceae Magnolia scale Neolecanium cornuparvum 22 91 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Spruce bud scale Physokermes piceae 22 120 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Juniper scale Carulaspis juniperi 22 148 2 Spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Eastern spruce gall adelgid Adelges abietis 25 100 3 spring control of overwintering stage
Conifer Zimmerman pine moth Dioryctria zimmermani 25 100 3 1st larvae
Conifer Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 25 120 3 Spring control of overwintering stage
References RU Rutgers Cooperative Extension – IPM Notes
2 http://ccetompkins.org/resources/using-growing-degree-days-for-insect-management
3 https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/agriculture/christmas_trees/gdd_of_conifer_insects
4 https://extension.psu.edu/ipm-basics-for-christmas-trees#section-2
5 https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/publications-forms/documents/landscape-pests.pdf

 

Forecasting (please download / print above resources):

  • The forecasting can help you know what to scout for and when to have materials ready if treatment is required.
  • In the printable resource; look at the date on the bottom of the graph and follow that to the GDD shown to get a better understanding of GDD accumulation at calendar dates. These models change constantly as they are reliant on weather patterns but are still extremely beneficial.
  • Site specific GDD50 models, like those shown in the printable resource can be obtained at USPEST.ORG
  • NEWA-Cornell also have great degree-day models and maps that are useful for regional and specific GDD information
  • Please review Tim Waller’s previous post on utilizing growing degree-day calculators
NJ – Location Station Code GDD-Today GDD-3/19 (next Friday)
Upper Deerfield NJ50 9 19
Howell NJ10 6 16
High Point NJ59 0 4
*predicted

 Contact Tim Waller (twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu) for more information.

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf
March 11, 2021

Copper resistance in bacterial leaf spot found in New Jersey during 2020 growing season

Copper resistance has been detected in bacterial leaf spot of tomato and pepper and in Pseudomonas chicorii, the causal agent of bacterial leaf spot in basil, in New Jersey. While not surprising, copper resistance has been known to develop for decades now; however, this is the first time it has been confirmed in vegetable crops in New Jersey. Copper applications for the control of bacterial diseases in many crops has been a mainstay for decades now and is often applied in weekly protectant fungicide programs. In 2019 and 2020, with help from Dr. Nrupali Patel and Dr. Don Kobayashi, bacteriologists in the Department of Plant Biology located on the New Brunswick campus, a survey was begun to determine which species of bacterial leaf spot are most prevalent in New Jersey vegetable crops. Bacterial leaf spot can be caused by four species of Xanthomonas: X. euvesicatoria, X. vesicatoria, X. perforans, and X. gardneri. Currently, there are four races of BLS found in tomato (T1-T4; one for each of the 4 species stated above) and eleven races found in pepper (0-10). Differential tests in southern New Jersey using various bell pepper lines over the past 15 years has suggested that the number of races of BLS in pepper has increased over time; with all races present in the State to date. Lab testing results from samples collected from the small number of NJ vegetable farms the last two summers has shown the presence of X. euvesicatoria in pepper, as well as X. euvesicatoria and X. perforans in both tomato and pepper in the state, with ~50% of all samples testing positive for copper resistance.

How do you know what species of bacteria are present on your farm?

The only way to determine which species of bacteria are present in tomato or pepper crops on your farm are to have them identified through laboratory methods.

How do you know what races of the pathogen are present on your farm?

That’s a difficult question to answer. Up to now, the only way to know is through differential testing. That means planting a number of different bell peppers with varying BLS resistance packages and monitoring which cultivars develop symptoms. For example, if you detect BLS development in Aristotle X3R (which has resistance to races 1,2, & 3); then you possible have races 4-10 present on your farm. If you were to plant Turnpike in that same field and you have BLS development in it, then you possibly have race 6 or 10 present, because Turnpike has resistance to BLS races 0-5 and 7,8,9. It’s extremely important to know what races of BLS are present so you can chose the proper cultivars to grow. Choosing the proper cultivar will do two things: significantly reduce the chances of BLS development and significantly reduce the number of copper applications on your bell pepper crop. As a note, there are a few non-bell peppers available with BLS resistance packages (see 2020/2021 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide).

How do you know if copper resistance is present on your farm? 

Growers who have used copper applications for controlling bacterial leaf spot in crops such tomato or pepper for many years should always monitor for efficacy. If you notice or have noticed a loss in copper efficacy over time, then there is a good chance copper resistance is present. Once copper resistance is detected, further applications will be unwarranted and ineffective. The only method to truly determine if copper resistance is present is through laboratory testing, however growers who pay close attention to efficacy should have a good idea if copper is still effective.

What can you do to mitigate bacterial leaf spot development on your farm?

In crops such as bell pepper, it comes down to growing cultivars with resistance to BLS and knowing what races are present on your farm. Many of the recommend commercial cultivars have varying resistance packages to the different races of the pathogen. Some cultivars, such as Paladin which has Phytophthora resistance has no resistance to BLS. Other “older” cultivars such as Aristotle X3R has resistance to races 1-3; newer cultivars such as Turnpike has resistance to races 0-5,7-9; while cultivars such as Playmaker and 9325 have resistance to 0-10 (also known as X10R cultivars). Unfortunately, BLS resistance in commercial tomato varieties are lacking, but efforts from around the world are making progress.

Moving forward in 2021.

More sampling and surveying are planned for the 2021 production season in New Jersey. Growers who are interested having tomato or pepper samples collected from their farm for species determination and copper resistance testing are encouraged to contact their county agent so arrangements can be made.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With: ,