Andy Wyenandt

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

July 2, 2023 Andy Wyenandt

Cucurbit Downy Mildew Alert – Cucumber – 7/2/23

Cucurbit downy mildew has been confirmed on cucumber in Gloucester County (7/1) and in Atlantic County (6/13) in southern New Jersey. This is the second report of CDM in the state and region this growing season. All cucumber and cantaloupe growers should scout on a daily basis and initiate a preventative fungicide program immediately. All other cucurbit plantings need to be scouted on a regular basis. CDM was last confirmed on cucumber and butternut squash in coastal South Carolina. Remember, some CDM isolates fall into Clade I which predominately infect watermelon, pumpkin, and squash, where CDM isolates in Clade II predominately infect cucumber and cantaloupe.

For more information on CDM, the clades, and CDM control please click here.

Cucurbit downy mildew sporulating on the underside of an infected cucumber leaf.

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With: cucurbit downy mildew

July 2, 2023 Andy Wyenandt

Preparing for Pepper Anthracnose in 2023

Pepper Anthracnose

Pepper anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. has become a significant problem on some farms in southern New Jersey.

Unlike in tomato, where symptoms are only present in mature (red) fruit, pepper anthracnose can infect pepper fruit at any growth stage. Currently, there are no commercially-available bell or non-bell peppers with known resistance to anthracnose. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With: Pepper anthracnose, peppers

June 30, 2023 Andy Wyenandt

Vegetable Disease Update: 06-30-23

Cucurbit downy mildew has been reported on cucumber in New Jersey. For more information on CDM control please click here.
There have been no reports of Late blight in potato or tomato in the region to date. To follow the progress of Late blight in the US please click here.
Bacterial leaf spot has been reported in pepper. More more information on BLS control please click here. Rutgers is surveying tomato and pepper fields throughout the state this summer to help determine the makeup of the bacterial population and for copper resistance development.
Powdery mildew has been reported in cucurbit crops. For more information on the control of CPM please click here.
Southern blight has been reported on pepper.
Bacterial canker has been reported in tomato. For more information on diagnosing important tomato diseases please click here.
Phytophthora blight has been reported on pepper. For more information on controlling Phytophthora blight please click here.
For information on diagnosing important pepper diseases please click here.
The 2022/2023 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide is available for free online or for sale in hardcopy form at many County offices.
For a quick review on managing fungicide resistance development using tank mixes and fungicide rotations, and information on FRAC group 4, FRAC group 7, and FRAC group 3 and FRAC group 11 fungicides please click on hyperlinks.

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With: bacterial leaf spot, basil downy mildew, cucurbit downy mildew, cucurbit powdery mildew, Phytophthora blight

June 13, 2023 Andy Wyenandt

Cucurbit Downy Mildew Alert – Cucumber – 6/13/23

Cucurbit downy mildew has been confirmed on cucumber in Atlantic County in southern New Jersey. This is the first report of CDM in the state and region this growing season. All cucumber and cantaloupe growers should scout on a daily basis and initiate a preventative fungicide program immediately. All other cucurbit plantings need to be scouted on a regular basis. CDM was last confirmed on cucumber and butternut squash in coastal South Carolina. Remember, some CDM isolates fall into Clade I which predominately infect watermelon, pumpkin, and squash, where CDM isolates in Clade II predominately infect cucumber and cantaloupe.

For more information on CDM, the clades, and CDM control please click here.

Cucurbit downy mildew sporulating on the underside of an infected cucumber leaf.

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With: cucurbit downy mildew

February 23, 2023 Andy Wyenandt

‘Fields of Devotion’ screening in New Brunswick, 2-4pm on March 3rd

When climate change-induced diseases wipe out farmers’ fields, growers turn to scientists for help. Fields of Devotion, a 30-minute science-in-action film, follows the decade-long partnership between Rutgers plant biologists, the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES), and New Jersey small family farmers as they work together to develop resilient basil crops. A story of hard work, collaboration, and innovative solutions for a rapidly changing world, Fields of Devotion is told from the perspective of local farmers and plant biology graduate students who together help realize Rutgers’ land grant mission of community engagement and academic excellence.

Watch a Sneak Peek of Fields of Devotion or go to https://go.rutgers.edu/RUFieldsDevotion

This event is free but registration is requested to ensure seating.

Secure your seat for this exclusive free documentary screening, including a panel discussion and networking reception.

Please click here to RSVP today .

Event Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm, Friday March 3, 2023

Event Location:

New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health

School of Environmental and Biological Sciences

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

61 Dudley Road

New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8520

IFNH, George H. Cook Campus

Agenda For March 3, 2023 Film Screening Event

Fields of Devotion film screening
A discussion with the film’s featured farmers and scientists
Networking reception for farmers, scientists, and students

Who Should Attend? This two-hour event will provide valuable information to farmers, scientists, and students working in the agricultural field.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: basil, basil downy mildew, disease management, herbs, plant breeding, plant pathology, specialty vegetables, vegetables

January 30, 2023 Andy Wyenandt

Critical Updates for the 2023 Vegetable Production Season

The Critical Updates for the 2022/2023 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations are now available for FREE.

The 2022/2023 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations guide is available FREE on-line or can be purchased in hardcopy form through your county agricultural office in New Jersey. The complete Vegetable Production Recommendations guide or specific sections can be downloaded depending on your production needs.

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With: 2023 Critical Updates