Extension specialists in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions have put together new guidelines for cucurbit powdery and downy mildew control. These new guidelines list all recommended fungicides and their efficacy ratings for controlling both diseases based on recent fungicide efficacy trials. Also included in the new FRAC table are notes on fungicides where resistance has been detected in the region. The new FRAC table can be downloaded for FREE on American Phytopathology Society’s Plant Health Progress website.
February 20, 2018 Andy Wyenandt
Fungicide resistance management guidelines for cucurbit powdery and downy mildew control in 2018
January 12, 2018 Andy Wyenandt
Best management practices for managing Dickeya dianthicola in potato.
Its the time of year when many potato growers (organic and conventional) are preparing to purchase seed potatoes for the upcoming season. Dickeya dianthicola was detected in ‘Dark Red Norland’ and ‘Kennebec’ seed being sold in retail establishments and in ‘Silverton’ in a commercial seed lot in NJ in 2017. Importantly, all growers are encouraged to follow best management practices for buying seed and best management practices for Dickeya in field production. North American Seed Health Certification records and Dickeya test results should be requested prior to purchasing any seed. If you suspect Dickeya dianthicola in potato seed during purchasing, cutting, or planting please contact your county Extension agent or Extension Specialist. All suspect potato samples should be PCR tested to confirm the presence of Dickeya or Pectobacterium.
This past fall The University of Maine held a Dickeya and Pectobacterium Summit which was attended by over 150 people from all over the world. A nice summary of the meeting by Dr. Angela Madeiras can be found in the January 11, 2018 UMASS Vegetable Notes Newsletter here.
The best method for keeping your potato operation Dickeya-free is to adopt your own 0% Dickeya-tolerance policy.
September 24, 2017 Andy Wyenandt
Vegetable Disease Update – 9/24/17
- Late blight has been reported in western NY and Long Island this past week. Late blight has not been reported on tomato or potato in NJ to date. If you suspect Late blight on your farm please contact your county Extension agent. To track the progress of Late blight in the US please visit USAblight.
- Cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) continues to be reported throughout the region. All cucurbit growers are encouraged to continue to include downy mildew specific fungicides in their regular weekly maintenance programs. To track CDM movement in the US please visit the North Carolina State University’s CDM Forecasting Website.
- Fusarium and Rhizoctonia root rot has been reported in Cilantro and parsley this past week.
September 24, 2017 Andy Wyenandt
Understanding root rots in fall-seeded and transplanted crops
Damping-off is caused by a number of important vegetable pathogens and is very common at seeding and transplanting in spring and fall. Damping-off can kill seedlings before they break the soil line (pre-emergent damping-off) or kill seedlings soon after they emerge (post-emergent damping-off) or soon after transplanting. Common pathogens that cause damping-off include Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium spp.
It is extremely important to know which pathogen is causing the damping-off problem and which fungicide to properly apply.
August 30, 2017 Andy Wyenandt
Vegetable Disease Update – 8/30/17
- Late blight has not been reported on tomato or potato in NJ to date. If you suspect Late blight on your farm please contact your county Extension agent. To track the progress of Late blight in the US please visit USAblight.
- Cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) on cucumber continues to be reported throughout the region. All cucumber growers should add downy mildew specific products to their regular maintenance programs. CDM has also been reported on giant pumpkin, cantaloupe, and butternut squash in PA and on pumpkin and watermelon in DE, VA, and MD to date. All pumpkin and watermelon growers are encouraged to include downy mildew specific fungicides in their regular weekly maintenance programs. To track CDM movement in the US please visit the North Carolina State University’s CDM Forecasting Website.
August 22, 2017 Andy Wyenandt
Vegetable Disease Update – 8/22/17
- There have been a few reports of late blight in PA this past week. Late blight has not been reported in NJ to date. If you suspect Late blight on your farm please contact your county Extension agent. To track the progress of Late blight in the US please visit USAblight.
- Cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) on cucumber continues to be reported throughout the region. All cucumber growers should add downy mildew specific products to their regular maintenance programs. CDM has also been reported on giant pumpkin, cantaloupe, and butternut squash in PA and on watermelon in VA and MD to date. To track CDM movement in the US please visit the North Carolina State University’s CDM Forecasting Website.
- Bacterial canker and bacterial leaf spot in tomato are being reported.
- Bacterial leaf spot is also being reported in pepper.
- Pepper anthracnose has been reported in the past week.
- Cucurbit powdery mildew and anthracnose in cucurbit crops have been reported.
