Nematodes consistently rank as a top yield robber of soybeans. Join us November 16 from 9:00 AM-12:00 for the Nematode in Atlantic Soybean Production Webinar to discuss nematode distribution and management strategies for the region. The webinar is free, but registration is needed for access to the zoom link. Registration information can be found at https://www.pcsreg.com/nematodes-in-atlantic-soybean-production-webinar. Topics of emphasis will include updates from regional nematode distribution surveys, assessment of soybean cyst nematode seed treatments, root knot nematode on-farm field trials, general management strategies, and how to collect and submit soil samples. Please email Alyssa Koehler akoehler@udel.edu with any questions.
ALERT – Alternaria leaf spot active on fall cole crops.
Alternaria leaf spot has been reported on broccoli this week. Weather conditions for the development of both diseases has been ideal. Preventative control is recommended and growers should scout and apply protectant fungicides on a regular basis. Note, if Downy mildew is present use downy mildew specific fungicides in conjunction with fungicides for Alternaria leaf spot control. For more information on controlling Alternaria and Downy mildew, please see the 2020/2021 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations.

Alternaria leaf spot infection. Note the yellow halo around each spot. Under ideal conditions black concentric rings will develop within each spot. These rings are the conidia which are then spread causing new leaf spots to develop.

Symptoms of downy mildew on infected chinese cabbage leaf. Note the irregular chlorosis and browning of upper leaf surface. Under ideal conditions the pathogen will produce white spore masses only on the undersides of the leaf.
Could a dead cow and a Wisconsin farmer in 1933 lead to Phytophthora blight control?
I recently came across a new manuscript while catching up on research efforts on our national APS (The American Phytopathological Society) website. The article is titled ‘The inhibitory effects of the natural product Esculetin on Phytophthora capsici and its possible mechanism’. This research article caught my eye because P. capsici, the fungal oomycete which causes Phytophthora blight, is one of the most economically-important and one of the hardest diseases to control in New Jersey and other regions where vegetables are grown. [Read more…]
Vegetable Disease Update – 9/09/21
- Downy mildew, Alternaria leaf spot, Cercospora leaf spot, Black rot, and Clubroot have been reported in broccoli in southern New Jersey. All growers of fall-planted cole crops need to scout fields on a daily basis initiate preventative programs.
- Cucurbit downy mildew has been reported on cucumber (6/16/21), cantaloupe (6/22/21) and pumpkin (8/27/21) in southern New Jersey. All cucurbit growers need to scout all cucurbit crops on a regular basis. For more information on CDM and its control please click here. To track the progress of CDM please visit the CDM forecasting website.
- Phytophthora blight is being reported in pepper and cucurbit crops. For more information on Phytophthora blight control please click here.
- Pepper anthracnose is being reported in southern New Jersey. For more information on pepper anthracnose please click here.
- No reports of Late blight in the region. To track the progress of Late blight in the US please click here.
- Cucurbit powdery mildew has been reported on summer squash, butternut, and spaghetti squash as we are now headed into the fall. Please scout fields on a regular basis and initiate a preventative fungicide program if you haven’t already done so. For more information on CPM control please click here.
- Bacterial leaf spot (BLS) continues to be reported on bell and non-bell peppers in southern New Jersey. For more information on our continuing survey for BLS and copper resistance detection in tomato and pepper please click here.
- For an update on Dickeya dianthicola research in potato please click here.
- The 2020/2021 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide is available for free online.
- 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.
Disease management recommendation for fall planted strawberry plugs
Kathy Demchak, Senior Extension Associate, from Penn State University and Dr. Mengjun Hu, Small Fruit Pathologist, from the University of Maryland have published an excellent article on disease management recommendations for fall planted strawberry plugs. Please click here for more information.
Vegetable Disease Update – 9/03/21
- Phytophthora blight is being reported in pepper and cucurbit crops. For more information on Phytophthora blight control please click here.
- Pepper anthracnose is being reported in southern New Jersey. For more information on pepper anthracnose please click here.
- Cucurbit downy mildew has been reported on cucumber (6/16/21), cantaloupe (6/22/21) and pumpkin (8/27/21) in southern New Jersey. For more information on CDM and its control please click here. To track the progress of CDM please visit the CDM forecasting website.
- No reports of Late blight in the region. To track the progress of Late blight in the US please click here.
- Cucurbit powdery mildew has been reported on summer squash, butternut, and spaghetti squash as we are now headed into the fall. Please scout fields on a regular basis and initiate a preventative fungicide program if you haven’t already done so. For more information on CPM control please click here.
- Bacterial leaf spot (BLS) continues to be reported on bell and non-bell peppers in southern New Jersey. For more information on our continuing survey for BLS and copper resistance detection in tomato and pepper please click here.
- For an update on Dickeya dianthicola research in potato please click here.
- The 2020/2021 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide is available for free online.
- 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.