Andy Wyenandt

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

Two Viruses Found Throughout Strawberry Fields in US

The following article has edited and reprinted with permission from the original authors: Chuck Johnson, Virginia Tech and Kathy Demchak, Penn State University

Two strawberry viruses are causing problems for strawberry growers in Eastern and Mid-west states this spring. The viruses (strawberry mottle virus, abbreviated SMoV) and strawberry mild yellow edge virus (SMYEV) have been found in Pennsylvania, Virginia and New Jersey this spring. [Read more…]

Late Blight Found on Heirloom Tomatoes in West Virginia

Late blight was found on heirloom tomatoes being grown hydroponically near Winchester, West Virginia on May 24th. Winchester, WV is just below the southern border of Virginia. This is the first report of Late blight in the region this year. There is no immediate threat to tomato or potato growers in New Jersey. However, this should remind everyone to do there part and scout on a regular basis! We will keep you up to date on the current situation.

Vegetable Briefs 5-24-13

  • Cucurbit downy mildew was reported on cucumber as far north as Southern Georgia this past week.
  • Crown rot and leather rot (fruit rot) caused by Phytophthora spp. were found on strawberry this past week.
  • Bacterial problems in strawberry, parsley, and lettuce were reported this past week. With the rain and windy weather predicted over the next few days conditions will be ideal for the bacterial diseases.
  • No late blight has been reported in the region to date.

Vegetable Disease Update 5-24-13

  • Cucumber/Pickles: Angular leaf spot
  • Lettuce: Bacterial leaf blight; Bottom Rot
  • Tomato: Bacterial spot and speck
  • Strawberry: Leather rot; Angular leaf spot

[Read more…]

Vegetable Diseases of the Week 5-24-13

Leather rot of immature strawberry fruit

Bacterial leaf blight of romaine lettuce

Potato Disease Forecasting Report 5-14-13 (updated)

5-14-13 Potato Report Updated report. Sorry folks, the information at the bottom of the original 5/14/13 report was not intended. No reports of Late blight in NJ.

Welcome to the new potato report for 2013! As always, we will be tracking DSVs for Late blight development and calculating P-days for initiating the first early blight fungicide application. Remember the threshold for P-days is 300! Once 300 P-days is reached for your location early blight fungicide applications should be initiated.