Rutgers University | New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station | Pesticide User Responsibility

Andy Wyenandt

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

April 14, 2014

Controlling Spring Diseases in Asparagus

Asparagus season is just around the corner and now is a good time to review important diseases. With the long, wet spring we’ve encountered this year many fields have been extremely wet for long periods of time.

These types of soil conditions are ideal for Phytophthora and Pythium development. To help reduce potential losses, especially in fields with low spots or fields that are poorly drained soils, or more importantly, in fields with a history of either disease apply Ridomil Gold 4SL (mefenoxam, 4) at 1.0 pt/A, or Ultra Flourish 2E/A (mefenoxam, 4) at 2.0 pt/A, or MetaStar 2E (metalaxyl, 4) at 2.0 qt/A over beds just before 1st harvest. For new plantings, apply the same after planting or after crown covering. Do not apply Ridomil or MetaStar one day prior to harvest or illegal residues may result. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With:
April 8, 2014

Early-season Pythium and Phytophthora Control in Pepper & Tomato

With the wet spring we’ve had thus far, it’s easy to see the potential for Pythium and Phytophthora problems to develop once transplanting begins.

Unlike in the past, there currently are a number of good options for early season control of these pathogens, it just takes a little bit more planning ahead of time.

Options for pre-transplant applications include a Ranman (cyazofamid, 21) drench one week before transplanting for Pythium in tomatoes; as well as Previcur Flex (propamocarb HCL, 28) for the suppression of Pythium and Phytopthora in tomatoes and peppers. Phosphite fungicides, such as ProPhyt, Rampart, and K-Phite (FRAC code 33) can also be applied as a pre-transplant drench in the greenhouse on many crops. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops
April 8, 2014

Vegetable Disease Update – 4/8/14

WhiteMold

White Mold (Lettuce)

  • Asparagus
  • Cabbage
  • Cole crops
  • Leeks
  • Lettuce

Asparagus

Phytophthora crown and spear rot – In fields with low spots (poorly drained soils) or fields with a history of crown and/or spear rot apply Ridomil Gold 4SL (mefenoxam, 4) at 1.0 pt/A, or Ultra Flourish 2E/A (mefenoxam, 4) at 2.0 pt/A, or MetaStar 2E (metalaxyl, 4) at 2.0 qt/A over beds just before 1st harvest. For new plantings, apply the same after planting or after crown covering. Do not apply Ridomil or MetaStar one day prior to harvest or illegal residues may result. For more information please see 2014 New Jersey Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops
April 8, 2014

Controlling Septoria Leaf Spot in Parsley

Septoria leaf spot (SLS) in Parsley can cause significant losses in fields where it has become established. Like other Septoria’s, the leaf spots produced on parsley look much like the leaf spots produced on tomatoes and other crops. Septoria leaf spot overwinters from year to year on infected debris so long crop rotations of 2 or more years are important to help reduce disease pressure. During the season, SLS will spread rapidly with each subsequent rainfall and/or overhead irrigation event. Therefore, early detection and preventative fungicide applications are key to successfully controlling SLS. Unfortunately, very few fungicides are currently labeled making control difficult.

Parsley SLS

Septoria leaf spot of Parsley

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With: ,
April 4, 2014 and

Veg ICM Twilight Meeting Apr 22, 2014

Vegetable Integrated Crop Management Twilight Meeting
Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: East Vineland Fire Hall, Landis Ave. across from the Savoy Restaurant
(park behind the building and enter conference room door in rear)

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agricultural Agents of Atlantic, Cumberland and Gloucester Counties invite you to the first twilight meeting of the 2014 season to discuss early spring crop pest control, label updates and management topics. Feel free to bring plant, insect, disease, or weed samples to the meeting to have them identified, or perhaps you can stump the experts. Please bring samples in sealed plastic bags. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Vegetable Crops
March 21, 2014

Organic Production: Suppressing Soil-borne Pathogens

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) transplant 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…]

Filed Under: Organic Production, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , ,