Andy Wyenandt

This is an archive of Dr. Wyenandt's posts on the Plant and Pest Advisory.

Late Blight Found on Tomato in Mercer County

Late blight has been found in a 2 acre organic tomato field in Mercer County. This is the first report of Late blight in New Jersey this growing season.

All tomato and potato growers in New Jersey should scout thier fields immediately, especially if fields have not been scouted in the the last 5 to 7 days. At this point, this is just an isolated case. Late blight has not been reported elsewhere in the state. All tomato and potato growers should continue with their regular protectant fungicide programs. The extremely hot weather (> 90 degrees) the last few days should help reduce the threat of late blight as long as the isolated rain showers have missed your farm.

If you suspect late blight on your farm please contact your county agent. For more information on the control of Late blight please see the 2013 commercial vegetable production recommendations guide.

Cucurbit downy mildew reported in Delaware – 6/25/13

Cucurbit downy mildew has been reported in a commercial cucumber field in Sussex County, Delaware. All cucurbit growers in New Jersey should scout their fields on a regular basis and add a downy mildew specific fungicide to their weekly maintanence program. Downy mildew is much more difficult to control if the pathogen arrives prior to any preventative fungicide application(s). Please see article titled “2013 Cucurbit Downy and Powdery Mildew Management Guidelines” from 06/07/13 for current recommendations.

To track the progress of cucurbit downy mildew in the US please visit http://cdm.ipmpipe.org/.

Cucurbit Downy Mildew Reported on Cucumber in Maryland

Downy mildew was reported on cucumber in Caroline County, MD on Friday night (6/21/13). This is the first report of cucurbit downy mildew in the mid-Atlantic region this growing season. All cucurbit growers should scout their fields on a regular basis and should add downy mildew specific fungicides to their weekly fungicide maintenance programs. Please see article titled “2013 Cucurbit Downy and Powdery Mildew Management Guidelines” from 06/07/13 for current recommendations.

To track the progress of cucurbit downy mildew in the US please visit http://cdm.ipmpipe.org/.

Vegetable Briefs and Update – 6/23/13

Vegetable Briefs

  • Cucurbit downy mildew was reported on cucumber in Caroline County, MD this Friday (6/21). This is the first report of CDM this year in the region. All cucurbit growers should scout their fields on a regular basis and consider adding downy mildew specific fungicides to their regular maintenance program.
  • Pith necrosis has been reported on tomato.
  • Basil downy mildew was reported near Vineland last week! All basil growers should continue to scout their fields and apply preventative fungicides.
  • Late blight was reported on tomato on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and in Montgomery County, MD this past week. These are the first reports of Late blight in the region this year.
  • To track late blight in the US please visit http://usablight.org/
  • Want more information on what’s going on, please sign up for the Jersey Vegetable Crop Ag Updates at: http://jerseyvegcropsagupdates.blogspot.com/.

Vegetable Disease Update – 6/23/13

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Late blight Reported on Tomato on the Eastern Shore, VA and in Maryland

Late blight was confirmed on tomato on the Eastern Shore of Virginia this afternoon and on tomato in Montgomery County, MD yesterday. All tomato and potato growers in New Jersey should scout thier fields on a daily basis and consider starting a standard weekly protectant fungicide program if one hasn’t already done so. No Late blight has been found in New Jersey to date. More more information on the control of Late blight please see the 2013 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide. Organic growers should consider applying a OMRI-approved copper-based fungicide.

For more information and to track the progress of Late blight please USAblight.org.

Edema Developing in Some Brassica’s

Edema is being reported in some brassica crops. Edema is often expressed as off-color swellings or galls that appear on leaves and stems. Edema develops when epidermal cells hold excessive water due to a slowing of evapotransporation when hot, muggy days are followed cooler, wetter weather. Edema develops because the plant takes in more water (due to a high soil moisture content) than it can get rid of causing cells to rupture which results in the blistering of the leaves.

Symptoms of edema on collard leaf. Note the off-color appearance of leaf surface.

Symptoms of edema on top side of
collard leaf.
Note the off-color appearance of leaf surface.

Edema, bottom side of collard leaf. Note the irregular, 'corky appearance caused bythe rupture of leaf cells.

Edema, bottom side of collard leaf.
Note irregular, “corky” appearance due to
leaf cell rupture.