A major rain and hail storm occurred at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Bridgeton during last Thursday evening, 22May. Hail stones the size of marbles fell for about 15 minutes. [Read more…]
Fruit Crops Edition
Seasonal updates on diseases, insects, weeds impacting tree fruit and small fruit (blueberry, cranberry, and wine grape). Fruit Pest Alerts are also available via this category feed.
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May 21, 2014 Cesar Rodriguez-Saona
Cranberry Insect Upate
The season has started very slow due to the cold weather. Insect activity is just starting to increase. Thus, growers need to intensify their scouting efforts. The following insect pests bear special mention for early-season scouting:
Blackheaded fireworm – Blackheaded fireworm eggs overwinter on the bed and usually hatch by around mid-May. It is important to catch the first generation, if possible, because the second generation occurs during bloom and is typically much more destructive. Blackheaded fireworm larvae can be detected by sweep net sampling and it is good idea to look along the edges of bed where vines first begin to grow.
Remember: blackheaded fireworm is much easier to control if detected during the early part of the season. [Read more…]
May 20, 2014 Dean Polk, Dave Schmitt, and Atanas Atanassov
Fruit IPM Report May 20, 2014
First Generation OFM:
Larval flagging and bleeding on developing shoot.
This week in Fruit IPM
- Peach
- Apple
- Pear
- Blueberry
- Scouting Calendar
- Trap Counts
May 16, 2014 Pat Hastings
Pesticide Worker Protection Inspection Warning
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Pesticide Control Program (NJDEP) has announced that federal agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) compliance farm inspections will be conducted mid-May through July. Be a prepared agricultural employer. Take the necessary actions this week to make sure your farm is in compliance to avoid citations.
Two outstanding farm employer resources on agricultural WPS compliance are:
1. EPA Ag Employer Quick Reference Guide (2005)
2. EPA website How to Comply with the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides: What Employers Need to Know
These are inspections by the US EPA, although NJDEP inspectors may accompany them. Approximately 20 to 30 inspections are slated to be conducted any time from May through July.
May 15, 2014 Dean Polk, Dave Schmitt, and Atanas Atanassov
Fruit IPM Report May 14, 2014
This week in Fruit IPM
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB):
Emergence from overwintering sites has started!
Both male and females are being found in pheromone traps and blacklight traps throughout the state. Any insecticides or insecticide mixes that are used for oriental fruit moth, plum curculio, codling moth or other pests should now include materials effective for BMSB.
- Peach
- Apple
- Blueberry
- Scouting Calendar
- Trap Counts
May 15, 2014 Norman Lalancette
Copper Bactericides for Peach Bacterial Spot Management
Fruit Infection
Effective management of bacterial spot on peach and nectarine necessitates application of bactericides during the post-bloom cover spray period. Early fruit infections during the first two to three weeks of this period generally result in large, deeply pitted blackened lesions that often ooze with sap. Later season fruit lesions are less pitted and much more shallow, but can be numerous, particularly on highly susceptible cultivars. Either way, considerable yield loss can occur on susceptible cultivars when the environment is favorable and/or inoculum levels are high. [Read more…]
