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…]
June 28, 2022 Andy Wyenandt
Don’t Rely on Disinfestants for Disease Control
The hot, then windy, then wet weather these past few weeks have brought with it prolonged windy days and rain to many areas. In general, this type of weather is ideal for the development and spread of many vegetable diseases.
By now most growers are on weekly protectant fungicide programs to help prevent disease development. It’s important to remember at this point in the season when disease pressure is high that growers stick with their standard fungicide programs.
Growers should not replace fungicides with disinfestant-type products in their weekly fungicide programs.
Remember, disinfestants only kill what they come into direct and immediate contact with and do not offer any residual activity like fungicides do. Disinfestants should be used in conjunction with weekly fungicide programs and be applied based on specific weather events such as following rainfall or overhead irrigation or after certain cultural practices such as tying or pruning where plant injury or wounding may occur.
June 28, 2022 Andy Wyenandt
Preparing for important fungal diseases in Asparagus during the summer.
Asparagus growers should consider scouting their fields 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…]
June 27, 2022 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.
June 27, 2022 Andy Wyenandt
Organic Production: Suppressing Soil-borne Pathogens in 2022
Pathogens such as Fusarium, Pythium, Phytophthora, Thielaviopsis and Rhizoctonia that cause pre- and post-emergent damping-off can cause serious problems in organic (and conventional) production.
The key to controlling and/or suppressing damping-off pathogens with biological controls is keeping the biological populations high and continually present on root surfaces of the host, and by following good cultural practices. [Read more…]
June 27, 2022 Andy Wyenandt
Quick reviews of fungicide chemistries, FRAC groups, and fungicide resistance management
For a quick review on fungicides, FRAC groups, and managing fungicide resistance development please click on the links below.
Using tank mixes and fungicide rotations and information on FRAC group 4, FRAC group 7, and FRAC group 3 and FRAC group 11 fungicides.
