A number of growers have reported of leaf spots appearing in spinach and other greens. Alternaria and Cladosporium leaf spots have been identified in fields in our region. Fields should be scouted on a regular basis to find ‘hot spots’. [Read more…]
NJ Farmers Soil Fumigant Compliance Inspection Advisory
During the weeks of May 13-17 and June 3-7, the NJDEP Pesticide Control Compliance and Enforcement will be conducting inspections of NJ farmers who currently or previously reported using soil fumigants, primarily Vapam (metham sodium).
There are about 50 NJ farms reporting fumigant use. These farms will be the targets of the compliance assistance inspections. The inspections are being conducted by NJDEP as non-citation “compliance assistance” in response to changing regulations from US EPA for assuring safety of fumigant application workers by licensed applicator farmers.
Growers Guide to Protectant Fungicides (FRAC codes M1 – M9)
Protectant (contact) fungicides typically offer broad spectrum control for many different pathogens. Protectant fungicides belong to FRAC groups which have a low chance for fungicide resistance to develop. These include:
- the inorganics (copper, FRAC code M1) and sulfur (FRAC code M2),
- the dithiocarbamates (mancozeb, FRAC code M3) and chloronitriles (chlorothalonil, FRAC code M5)
Vegetable Disease Update 4-19-13
- Cole crops
- Spinach
- Strawberry
- Keep in mind these disease tracking sites:
- Late blight http://usablight.org/
- Cucurbit downy mildew http://cdm.ipmpipe.org/
Vegetable Diseases of the Week 4-19-13
Early Season Pythium & Phytophthora Control in Pepper and Tomato
With the relatively dry spring we’ve had thus far, it’s easy to forget about Pythium and Phytophthora! The same question always comes up about this time of year when growers begin to start thinking about transplanting their tomato and pepper crops. “What should I do to help prevent Pythium and Phytophthora?”
In years past, the answer was simple, apply mefenoxam (Ridomil Gold SL, Ultra Flourish, 4) or metalaxyl (MetaStar, 4). Problem solved, right? In the past, that answer was right, but with resistance development in Phytophthora (P. capsici) to both mefenoxam and metalaxyl, the correct answer isn’t so simple anymore. [Read more…]