Asparagus growers should consider scouting their fields regularly during the summer months for foliar disease development. Important pathogens that growers need to scout for on a regular basis include Purple spot, Cercospora, and Rust. [Read more…]
July 18, 2023 Andy Wyenandt
Controlling Cercospora leaf spot in beet crops in 2023
Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by Cercospora beticola, is an important and emerging disease in beet and swiss chard production in New Jersey. Efforts to control this disease has become more difficult in the past few years in some areas of southern New Jersey. [Read more…]
July 17, 2023 Andy Wyenandt
Controlling Anthracnose and Alternaria Leaf Blights in Cucurbit Crops
Anthracnose and Alternaria leaf blight can become problematic in cucurbit crops during long periods of wet, humid weather. Both can cause significant losses if not controlled properly. With the production season in full swing, now is a good time to review a few of these important diseases. [Read more…]
July 16, 2023 Andy Wyenandt
Important resources for cucurbit disease control in 2023
The cucurbit growing season is well under way in New Jersey and the rest of the mid-Atlantic region. Below are links to useful resources for the identification and management of important cucurbit diseases.
Diagnosing important diseases in cucurbit crops
Cucurbit Powdery and Downy Mildew: A Tale of Two Pathogens
The downy mildew forecasting website
Preparing for cucurbit downy mildew in 2023
Preparing for cucurbit powdery mildew in 2023
Preparing for Anthracnose and Alternaria Leaf Blights in Cucurbit Crops
Recognizing and controlling Angular leaf spot in cucurbits
Recognizing and controlling Plectosporium blight in cucurbits
Controlling Phytophthora and Pythium root rots
Destroying cucurbit plantings after harvest
July 15, 2023 Andy Wyenandt
Diagnosing Important Diseases In Tomato – Reference Guide
The following images consist of important diseases in tomato. These images can be used as a quick reference for diagnosing important fungal and bacterial pathogens. For best results, please turn your device (i.e., cell phone) sideways. For information on commercial control recommendations, please visit the tomato section of the 2022/2023 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Guide. Additional information for home gardeners is located at the bottom of the Table.
| Early blight | Septoria leaf spot | Anthracnose fruit rot |
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| Early blight lesion on fruit | Ground rot infected green fruit | Ground rot sporulating on fruit |
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| Bacterial leaf spot | Bacterial canker | Bacterial speck |
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| White mold | Southern blight | Late blight on foliage |
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| White mold sclerotia in infected stem | Southern blight sclerotia on infected stem | Late blight infected fruit |
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| Collar Rot caused by Alternaria spp. | ||
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For the homeowner or non-commercial grower there are a number of Rutgers/NJAES Fact Sheets available on-line:
For other Rutgers University/NJAES Fact Sheets for tomato please click here.
July 14, 2023 Andy Wyenandt
Diagnosing important diseases in Pepper – Reference Guide
| Phytophthora blight causing plants to wilt and die | Phytophthora blight – crown rot | Phytophthora crown rot. Note the blackish-brown necrotic tissue at base of the stem |
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| Phytophthora sporulating on infected bell pepper fruit. | Phytophthora fruit rot (L) and Pythium blight (R) | Symptoms of Phytophthora blight on infected leaves. Under ideal conditions leaf infections can occur. |
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| Anthracnose fruit rot | Anthracnose fruit rot. Note the salmon colored spores being produced in the lesion of the lesion. | Sunscald on pepper fruit (L) and Anthracnose fruit rot (R) |
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| Bacterial leaf spot on leaves | Bacterial leaf spot. Note the infected leaves falling off of plant. | Bacterial leaf spot infection of pepper fruit. Note the irregular raised scabby spots on fruit. |
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| Southern blight on infected stem. Note the numerous small fruiting bodies (sclerotia) developing on the stem | White mold infecting pepper stem. Infected stems come brittle and hollow | White mold sclerotia present on inside of infected stem |
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| Blossom end rot | Cucumber Mosaic Virus | Cyclamen mite feeding injury. Symptoms resemble virus infection |
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| Others: | ||
| Mefenoxam injury on a young pepper transplant | Sunscald on stems of pepper recently transplanted into black plastic mulch. | Cyclamen mite damage on immature pepper fruit |
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| “Silvering” on mature bell pepper fruit. | “Silvering” on the right and thrips feeding injury on the Left | Edema on pepper fruit |
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The following images consist of important diseases in pepper. These images can be used as a quick reference for diagnosing important fungal and bacterial pathogens. For best results, please turn your device (i.e., cell phone) sideways. For information on commercial control recommendations, please visit the pepper section of the 2022/2023 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Guide.
Andy Wyenandt, Wesley Kline, and Kris Holmstrom
