The National Plant Board will be holding their annual meeting in Wilmington, DE on July 31 to August 4th. The National Plant Board plays a significant leadership role in regulation and policy rules in agricultural production with each state having a representative member. One of the topics of discussion will be Dickeya dianthicola which has caused significant problems in potato production in NJ other states in the mid-Atlantic region. There will be presentations on Dickeya and seed potato production on the morning of Wednesday August 3rd starting at 8:15 AM. More information on the meeting and the schedule can be found here.
June 24, 2016 Andy Wyenandt
Dickeya dianthicola affecting potato in New Jersey
Dickeya dianthicola, an aggressive form of blackleg, has been found on potato in New Jersey for a second year in a row. The pathogen has also been found in potato crops in other states in the mid-Atlantic region this summer. The pathogen can cause significant losses if brought into the field on infested seed. Symptoms of Dickeya include the rotting/melting of the infested seed piece without the smell of traditional soft rotting bacteria. The bacterium will spread to other tubers developing on plant and into the stems leading to blackleg symptoms on the foliage. Infected plants can collapse quickly under hot conditions. Surveying and testing for Dickeya is currently being done in all states in the region. All potato growers should scout on a daily basis and any suspect plants should be submitted for testing. In New Jersey, fields of ‘Reba’, ‘Snowden’, and ‘Norwis’ have tested positive for Dickeya dianthicola from seed originating from Maine and Canada.
Symptoms of blackleg caused by Dickeya dianthicola on an infected potato plant.
June 21, 2016 Andy Wyenandt
Vegetable Disease Briefs – 6/21/16
- Cucurbit downy mildew has been reported on cucumber as far north as northern North Carolina this past week. CDM was reported on acorn, yellow summer, and butternut squash in South Carolina and on watermelon and cucumber in North Carolina. All cucurbit growers should scout on a regular basis for downy mildew and powdery mildew.
- There have been no new reports on late light in the region. Late blight (US23) was reported on potato on the Eastern Shore a few weeks ago. All tomato and potato growers in the region should scout on a regular basis.
- Blackleg caused by Dickeya dianthicola has been reported in potato this past week. All potato growers should continue to scout for symptoms of Blackleg, especially as temperatures warm up, and report any suspect plants or fields for testing.
June 16, 2016 Andy Wyenandt
Vegetable Disease Briefs – 6/16/16
- There have been no new reports on late light in the region. Late blight (US23) was reported on potato on the Eastern Shore two weeks ago. All tomato and potato growers in the region should scout on a regular basis.
- Blackleg caused by Dickeya has been reported in potato this past week.
- Cucurbit downy mildew has been reported on cucumber as far north as central North Carolina this past week. CDM was reported on acorn, yellow summer, and butternut squash in South Carolina on 6/14. All cucurbit growers should scout on a regular basis for downy mildew and powdery mildew.
June 7, 2016 Andy Wyenandt
Vegetable Disease Briefs – 6/7/16
- Late blight (US23) was reported on potato on the Eastern Shore last week. All tomato and potato growers in the region should scout on a regular basis.
- Cucurbit downy mildew has been reported on cucumber as far north as central North Carolina this past week.
- Pythium root rot has been reported on a number of transplanted crops this past week.
June 3, 2016 Andy Wyenandt
Late blight confirmed in VA on 6/3/16
Late blight was confirmed on potato in Accomack County, VA located on the Eastern Shore just south of the Maryland border. This is the second report of Late blight in the mid-Atlantic region this growing season. All tomato and potato growers should scout their fields on a regular basis. Growers who have not initiated standard protectant fungicide programs should consider doing so.
