Archives for June 2022

June 8, 2022

Status of Fanfare in Cranberries

The information from this article was kindly shared by Lindsay Wells-Hansen (Sr. Agricultural Scientist, Ocean Spray).

As many of you might be aware by now, there are several formulations of the newly registered product Fanfare (bifenthrin) for which we have supplemental labels for use in cranberry. However, there has been a bit of confusion surrounding which of these products are actually registered for use in the state of NJ.

Currently, FANFARE ES (EPA Registration # 066222-0099) IS registered for use in NJ. The supplemental label can be found here (https://www.cdms.net/ldat/ldB3C000.pdf) and is valid until 12/21/2024.  Unfortunately, this formulation seems to be difficult to obtain from distributors at this time.

Fanfare 2EC (EPA Registration # 066222-0236) and Fanfare EC (EPA Registration # 066222-0261) are NOT registered for use in NJ at this time despite the fact that there are supplemental labels for cranberry for these products and it sounds like some local distributors are carrying the 2EC formulation of this product. Unfortunately, the 2EC and EC formulations CANNOT be used in NJ in 2022. The manufacturer is working on getting all formulations registered in NJ, so hopefully we’ll have more options available for use in the future.

I hope this helps to clear up some confusion surrounding bifenthrin products.

Filed Under: Cranberry, Fruit
June 7, 2022

Consumer Price Index for Food Highest Since 1980

It’s not to late to plant a garden in a few square feet of lawn…

According to the April 2022 report, the prices urban consumers paid for food in the grocery store is the highest it has been since November of 1980. To read the full report visit https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2022/food-prices-up-10-8-percent-for-year-ended-april-2022-largest-12-month-increase-since-november-1980.htm

The next release of data for the month of May 2022 CPI data is scheduled to be released on June 10, 2022, at 8:30 A.M. Eastern Time. If grocery store canned good prices are any indication, the May report will be higher.

Besides joining one of the many CSA’s in New Jersey, (https://ediblejersey.ediblecommunities.com/shop/csa-guide-jersey)

What can you still plant in the yard (sod removed, compost, lime, fertilizer in place) turned square foot garden hot spot in the month of June?

  • First, if you have not already done so, and this is a new garden spot, get a soil test and include a lead test. Contact your local extension office for soil testing kits from laboratories in the region. When paying for the soil test results, be sure to request on the form a fertilizer recommendation by the linear foot (garden) as opposed to by the acre (as is done for commercial vegetable crops).
  • Next, stock your own pantry with the following crops if you can: A) water them when needed and B) weed them when needed.

Be mindful of the bees. Plant insect-pollinated crops well away from backyard picnic areas and swimming pools.

  • Corn: Self-pollinated, plant at least seven inches but no more than nine inches apart in multiple rows (not one long row)
  • Sunflowers: Insect-pollinated, primarily bees, plant with corn, account for the width of the sunflower head in seed placement
  • Beans: Self-pollinated, plant with a pea or bean-variety-specific mycorrhizal inoculant, provide stakes for pole beans
  • Tomatoes: Wind pollinated, plant in a open area block for proper pollination and air flow
  • Peppers: Self-pollinated, be mindful peppers drop flowers in high heat
  • Cucumbers: Insect pollinated, plant in a area with the highest sun exposure
  • Yellow squash: Insect pollinated, primarily bees
  • Winter squash: Insect pollinated, primarily bees
  • Pumpkin: Insect pollinated, primarily bees
  • Melons: Insect pollinated, primarily bees

For a full list of crops and other information see the Rutgers Publication Planning a Vegetable Garden

For further reading on the cost of canned goods over time see, Canned Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in the United States. United States Department of Agriculture An Updated Report to Congress October 2010.

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized
June 7, 2022

North and South Jersey Wine Grape Twilight – II Meetings (Next Week)

North and South Jersey Wine Grape Twilight – II Meetings (Next Week)

The focus of these meetings will be on equipment demonstrations specifically with regard to canopy management such as leaf pulling and hedging. There will also be discussion on timely updates on pest management. Please feel free to bring samples for disease and pest identification.

North Jersey Twilight – II: Beneduce Vineyards (1 Jeremiah Ln, Pittstown, NJ 08867)

June 13th (Monday)

4:00 – 6:00 PM

RSVP: Please call or E-mail to Kim Crommelin at 908-788-1338 or kfrey@co.hunterdon.nj.us

South Jersey Twilight – II: Bellview Winery (150 Atlantic St, Landisville, NJ 08326)

June 14th (Tuesday)

4:00 – 6:00 PM

RSVP: Please call or E-mail to Joan Medany at 856- 224- 8030 or jmedany@co.gloucester.nj.us

 

Light fare will be provided. However, please RSVP using above contact information.

If any additional assistance is needed, please contact Megan Muehlbauer muehlbauer@njaes.rutgers.edu (North Jersey) or Hemant Gohil gohil@njaes.rutgers.edu (South Jersey) prior to the meeting.

Filed Under: Fruit, Wine Grape
June 7, 2022

Questioning the Plant Stress Hypothesis

Definition

The Plant Stress Hypothesis generally states that plants subjected to stressful conditions become more susceptible to attack by insects and diseases. This is often thought to be due to the plant’s increased suitability as a food or due to the reduced ability of the stressed plant to defend itself. It is commonly believed that when a plant is stressed it becomes better food for “bugs.” Is it correct to state that plant stress leads to pest outbreaks, or is the statement too simplistic?

The Experiments

A publication written in 1998 (Koricheva et. al.) summarized approximately 70 controlled experiments that were performed to study how distinct types of plant stresses affected insect/mite attacks. Diverse types of environmental stresses were included in these studies (e.g., drought stress, waterlogged roots, ozone exposure, excess shade, as well as many others). Plant nutrient stress & insect impacts has been researched but was not performed within these studies.

Plant roots stressed from waterlogged soils were included in these studies. Research also included other types of environmental stresses such as excess shade & ozone exposure. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

Dogwood leaves scorched from environmental drought stress. How does this plant stress impact insect herbivores? (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab
June 1, 2022

Vegetable IPM Update 5/31/22

Sweet Corn

Low numbers of European corn borer (ECB) moths have been captured in parts of the state.  Overall, this flight has been weak, but consistently warmer weather may result in somewhat higher numbers over the next week.  The highest adult activity is currently in Burlington and Gloucester counties, although even there it is low.  Whorl corn is the primary target for egg laying, and injury as high as 4% of plants infested has been found in northern Burlington County this week.  Feeding levels could be somewhat higher in the southern counties, and should rise over the next 3 weeks.

Look for the characteristic “shot-hole” type of feeding (photo below at right) and consider treating when infested plants exceed 12% in a 50 plant sample.  As plantings proceed to the pre-tassel stage, ECB larvae may be found in emerging tassels (see photo at left).  It is a good idea to treat individual plantings as they move into the full tassel/first silk stage one time.  This eliminates any ECB larvae that have emerged with the tassels as they begin to move down the stalk to re-enter near developing ears.

 

Useful insecticides for this particular application include synthetic pyrethroids (IRAC Grp 3), spinosyns (including OMRI approved Entrust) IRAC Grp 5), and diamides such as Coragen or Vantacor (IRAC Grp 28) or materials such as Besiege which include the active ingredient in Coragen.  Synthetic pyrethroids alone should NOT be used for corn earworm (CEW) protection on silking corn.  Control with these materials is very inconsistent.

The highest nightly trap catches of ECB for the week ending 5/31/22 are as follows:

Downer   2 Cinnaminson   1 Hillsborough   1
Milltown   2 Clinton   1 Jones Island   1
Pedricktown   2 Crosswicks   1 Medford   1
Bellemeade   1 Georgetown   1 Woodstown   1

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Organic Production, Vegetable Crops
June 1, 2022

Bagworm hatch & Boxwood Blight potential now through Friday

Boxwood Blight (BWB) Alert – Infection Potential (Now – FRIDAY) 

There is a potential for new boxwood blight infections throughout much of NJ. The end of week rains coupled with more mild temperatures, cloud cover, and prolonged periods of leaf wetness will contribute to the spread or worsening of boxwood blight infections.

Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 5/24/2022
Region Location CODE 1-June 2-June 3-June 4-June 5-June 6-June
Southern Upper Deerfield NJ50 Very Low  Infection Risk Infection Risk Very Low Very Low  Very Low 
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 Infection Risk Infection Risk Infection Risk Very Low  Very Low  Very Low 
Northern High Point NJ59 Infection Risk Infection Risk Infection Risk Very Low  Very Low  Very Low 
Check local boxwood blight risk here (CLICK HERE – input your area code – select closest weather station – check 7-14 prediction – click on graph / table)

 

ALSO: Volutella Blight is extremely common and readily mis-diagnosed as boxwood blight or vise-versa.

  • There is a free / open to the public seminar June 23, 2022 about this important disease. Boxwood International Seminar on Biology and Management of Boxwood Volutella Blight by Prof. Tom Hsiang, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Registration Link: Click here to register

Pest Scouting – Please refer to these documents for a full listing of insects pests for your area corresponding to growing degree-days (GDDs). 

Bagworm hatch is upon us in Southern NJ and will soon be /already the case throughout NJ. Please be ready to control these insects during the VERY SHORT treatment window.

Days old bagworm size.  Bagworm female case with developing juveniles

BAGWORMS (600-900 GDD) (Bagworm hatch prediction as of 6/1/22)
Crop type Common Name Scientific Name GDD Min (50F) GDD Max (95F) Reference Developmental / Target Stage
Conifer mostly, many minor hosts Bagworm Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis 600 900 RU Larvae (early instars) – ONLY CONTROL WINDOW
Region Location Station Date (600 GDD) Date (900 GDD) Treatment window  Bagworm Hatch – Predictions only, SCOUTING is critical! Treat as soon as larvae detected. 
South Upper Deerfield NJ50 30-May 12-Jun 13 days
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 3-Jun 18-Jun 15 days
North High Point NJ59 14-Jun 30-Jun 16 days 

 

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,