Organic Farm Advisory

The Plant & Pest Advisory serves NJ growers by reporting on important pests and recommending responses that are grounded in reproducible trials.

Articles in this section contain information helpful to the NJ commercial organic grower.

Sharing organic practice trial results between land-grant universities is a cost effective way to create a common knowledge base built on the strengths of individual programs. In the sidebar, find institutions with programs in organic agriculture which augment knowledge developed at the Rutgers New Jersey Ag Experiment Station.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension Field Guides: These concise guides help with decision making from pre-planting to harvest. For each crop listed, learn what pests to proactively look for as the season progresses, how to look for them, and when to take action.

Field Guide List

January 15, 2026 , and

Monitoring for RB-Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus in transplant production

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) has caused significant problems for some fresh-market tomato and pepper growers in New Jersey the past few growing seasons. Although not uncommon, economic losses these past few years have been extensive.

TSWV is vectored by various species of thrips, a common vegetable insect pest that seems to be on the incline and very difficult to control in vegetable production throughout the state. The most important vector of TSWV is the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis. It’s mode of transmission is persistent propagative, meaning that thrips nymphs have to feed on a TSWV-infected plant, whereby followed by a short incubation period (lasting from hours to days), the virus is then persistently transmitted throughout the rest of the insect’s life span.

Importantly, TSWV cannot be passed from infected females to eggs; and TSWV is not transmitted in seed.

The western flower thrips and TSWV both have a wide host range! Western flower thrips host range includes: tomato, pepper, onion, celery, cucumber, lettuce, potato, basil, strawberry; a wide range of herbaceous ornamentals (e.g., impatiens, geranium, marigold, petunia, dahlia, gerbera daisy, carnation) as well as many common weeds (e.g., pigweed, chickweed, lambs quarter, thistle, galinsoga). TSMV can infect over 1,000 plant species from more than 90 plant families.

In 2022, samples of a TSWV-infected fresh market tomato variety with Sw-5b resistance were collected in southern New Jersey and sent for analysis. Results determined that RB (C118Y) TSWV was present in the state; and the strain found in New Jersey was similar to the RB TSWV found in fresh-market tomato from Mexico and processing tomato in California suggesting a high potential for its widespread movement. Since 2022, isolated cases of RB-TSWV have been found in New Jersey each growing season.

So, where do we go from here? Based on the isolated reports of TSWV being found on resistant fresh-market tomato in New Jersey the past few growing season, it does not appear that RB TSWV is currently widespread throughout the state. However, this may likely change.

All vegetable growers, those who produce their own transplants or bring them in, need to carefully evaluate their thrips monitoring and mitigation programs this winter and spring.

  1. Start fresh. Prior to the transplant production season, clean and disinfect the greenhouse or any other structure where you might be holding transplants. Remove any weeds within and around the structure. Use sticky cards to monitor the potential carryover thrips population during the winter months, especially if you have any plant material in the greenhouse during those months.
  2. Never produce or keep tomato or pepper transplants you start yourself or bring in, in the same greenhouse with any ornamental plants.
  3. Segregate any transplants that are brought into your operation from your own transplants, as well as segregate different source of transplants as best you can.
  4. Evaluate all incoming transplants for thrips damage.
  5. Treat all incoming transplants with an insecticide immediately.
  6. Use yellow sticky cards to continually monitor for thrips populations in the greenhouse from the start of the transplant season until the end.
  7. Consider using biological or natural control(s) in the greenhouse.
  8. The use of silver reflective mulches have been shown to reduce thrips populations in fields.
  9. Develop a season-long insecticide program prior to the production season; from applying an insecticide at transplanting through cover sprays until harvest.
  10. Monitor thrips populations and feeding damage in the field with regular scouting and sticky cards.
  11. Closely monitor thrips feeding injury on pepper and tomato fruit during the production season.
  12. Proper weed control is essential since many weeds may harbor the virus or infected thrips. This includes areas around the production field.
  13. Rogue out any suspicious looking plant(s) prior to transplanting, or any suspicious looking plant early in the production season (e.g., any plant that starts to stunt out early) to help mitigate the within field spread.

Growers should continue to utilize TSWV-resistant tomato and pepper varieties realizing the effectiveness of those in limiting TSWV is becoming compromised. All growers need to continue to follow best management practices (such as those listed above) and pay careful attention to current weaknesses in their production practices and thrips control programs and adjust their management practices heading into 2026 growing season.

If you suspect RB-TSWV in transplant production or the field later this year please contact your county agent.

by: Andy Wyenandt, Maria Cramer, and Amanda Quadrel

References:

Macedo MA, Melgarejo T, Cespedes M, Rojas M, Lazicki P, Turini T, et al. (2024) An all-out assault on a dominant resistance gene: Local emergence, establishment, and spread of strains of tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) that overcome Sw-5b-mediated resistance in fresh market and processing tomatoes in California. PLoS ONE 19(7): e0305402.

Tomato spotted wilt virus on pepper and tomato. Inga Meadows and Andy Cooper, NCSU 2024

Gautam et al., 2022. First report of a resistance-breaking strain of tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus infecting Capsicum annuum with Tsw resistance gene in Texas. Plant Dis. 107:1958.

 

Filed Under: Organic Production, vegetable, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: ,
January 8, 2026

NEED PESTCIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDITS? REGISTER TODAY

4 CORE Credits – Pesticide Safety Workshop

A Tuesday, January 20, 2026 Workshop for Pesticide Applicators to gain CORE Credits towards their license will be held at the NE Agriculture Expo at Harrah’s in Atlantic City to start of this year’s event. This workshop will take place from 10:00AM to 12:00PM. Licensed applicators must accumulate 8 CORE Credits over a 5-year period to maintain their NJDEP Pesticide Applicators License. This workshop will offer 4 CORE Credits. Pre-registration is requested and can be found on the VGANJ website at https://vganj.com“>https://vganj.com. Registration cost is $25 per person and non-refundable. Registration for this workshop is separate from the convention registration and attendees must also register for the expo at https://vganj.com/convention-tickets. The topics include: Pesticide Safety – Personal Protection Equipment for the Pesticide Applicator; Update on US EPA Worker Protection Standards; Storage, Tank Mixing, Tank Cleaning, and Disposal; Pesticide Record Keeping and Notification. For more information contact Bill Bamka (bamka@njaes.rutgers.edu) or Michelle Infante-Casella (minfante@njaes.rutgers.edu).

For the full program (January 20-22nd) of Rutgers Educational Workshops and Sessions that offer more credits and diverse topics, see https://go.rutgers.edu/2026rutgerseduprog

Filed Under: Agrivoltaics, Blueberry, Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Disease Forecasting, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, pesticide credits, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Strawberry, training, Tree Fruit, Turf, Uncategorized, vegetable, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape, work shop Tagged With: , ,
January 2, 2026

Wednesday Luncheon at the NE Ag Expo 1/21/26 – Sign Up Today

All are welcome to the 2026 Celebration of the International Year of the Female Farmer on Wednesday, January 21st at the Northeast Ag Expo at Harrah’s in Atlantic City. Your $25 ticket includes access to the luncheon and keynote speakers – Carrie Edsall from New York and NJ Dairy Princess – Dakota Meys. Lunch is a full hot food buffet and dessert. This event will be inspirational and is also a very affordable way to have lunch while at the expo. Spend this time to network with fellow farmers and support women in agriculture. To register for the Expo and the Wednesday Luncheon go to https://vganj.com/convention-tickets

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Organic Production, vegetable, Vegetable Crops, work shop Tagged With: , ,
October 27, 2025

South Jersey Farmers – Stop the Bleed Training – February 2, 2026

STOP THE BLEED TRAINING
FOR FARMERS AND THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY
REGISTRATION REQUIRED – NO COST

REGISTER USING THIS LINK OR QR CODE:
https://go.rutgers.edu/stopthebleed


DATE: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 TIME: 9:00AM
LOCATION: GLOUCESTER COUNTY OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES
1200 N. DELSEA DR., CLAYTON, NJ

Rutgers Cooperative Extension’ Farm Health and Safety Team has partnered with the Gloucester County Emergency Services to provide “Stop the Bleed” training for the farming community.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn the life-saving skills of pressure application, wound packing, and use of tourniquets. The first 25 registrants will also receive a complementary bleeding control kit.

Space is limited, register today.

If you have questions contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County 856-224-8040 ext. 1 or email minfante@njaes.rutgers.edu

Rutgers Farm Health and Safety Team:
Agricultural Agents: Kate Brown, Michelle Infante-Casella, William Bamka, and Stephen Komar

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, training, Turf, vegetable, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , ,
October 11, 2025 and

Veg IPM Update 10/10/25

Greetings from the Veg IPM team! This will be the last regular update of the season. Should an urgent issue arise, we will put out a special edition of the Plant Pest Advisory.

Sweet Corn

For those who still have silking corn, Corn earworm pressure is finally letting up throughout the state (see map). Rotation is important for avoiding resistance, and there are four IRAC groups that are registered in silking sweet corn: 1 (carbamates), 3 (pyrethroids), 5 (spinosyns), and 28 (diamides). CEW is at least partly resistant to several pyrethroids, so a spray program should not rely solely on pyrethroids, although they can be useful in tank-mixes or as pre-mixed products, such as Besiege or Elevest (Group 28 + Group 3). For detailed information about resistance and potential spray programs, the University of Delaware has an excellent resource on corn earworm management.

Spray intervals based on nightly pheromone moth captures for the southern part of New Jersey. Note that not all locations in the IPM program are currently trapping. This map is based on the following thresholds: 0 moths = 6-7 day schedule, 1 moth = 5 day spray schedule, 2-20 moths = 4 day spray schedule, 20+ moths = 3 day spray schedule.

Allium Leafminer Alert

Allium leafminer adults and oviposition scars have been detected across various plantings throughout the state, indicating that the second generation of the pest is active. ALM can cause injury to chives, scallions, garlic, onions and leeks, but leeks and scallions seem to be the most affected. Look for neat rows of white spots descending from the upper tips of allium leaves (see photos below). If ALM is a threat to your alliums, we recommend treating now, with subsequent sprays being made in 1-2 week intervals. Approved materials for controls include spinosyns (Radiant, Entrust (OMRI approved)), pyrethroids (Mustang Maxx, Warrior), neonicotinoids (Scorpion, Venom), and the insect growth regulator Trigard. Two or three sprays should provide adequate control.

The picture on the left shows a small fly with a yellow head leaving a row of oviposition scars in a scallion leaf as it lays eggs. The picture on the right shows alliums planted on black plastic, with some of the leaves showing rows of pale, triangle-shaped oviposition scars.

An allium leafminer adult (A) and oviposition scars (B). Photos by Maria Cramer (A) and Amanda Quadrel (B).

Tomatoes

Thrips and caterpillar pests have significantly decreased in most tomato plantings. We are still seeing a lot of spider mites, although spraying for them this late in the season is unlikely to be worthwhile. When sampling spider mites, check 10 upper leaflets in at least 5 sites per field. Typically, the treatment threshold is 2 mites per leaflet on average (one of the individual leaves that makes up the compound tomato leaf).

Tomato leaves that are covered in yellow colored stippling and webbing being held up for the camera.

Severe spider mite infestation showing extensive stippling and webbing. Photo by Maria Cramer.

Cole Crops 

We are seeing many different kinds of caterpillars in fall cole crop plantings, including diamondback moth, imported cabbage worm, cabbage looper, cross-striped cabbageworm, and yellow striped armyworm. All cole crop seedlings can tolerate up to 10% infestation for these caterpillar. For heading cole crops between early vegetative and cupping, the treatment threshold is 30%. As heads form, the treatment threshold goes down to just 5% infestation. Sprayable Bt products (IRAC 11A) such as Dipel, Xentari, or Javelin can be effective on young imported cabbage worm, cross-striped cabbageworm, and yellow-striped armyworm caterpillars. Diamondback moth has resistance to many insecticide groups, and pyrethroids (IRAC 3A) and Bt products (IRAC 11A) are not effective for their management. Besides Bt, materials approved for caterpillar control include Entrust/Radiant (IRAC 5), Proclaim (IRAC 6), Torac (IRAC 21A), and Exirel (IRAC 28).  For Bt products and contact insecticides, coverage on the undersides the leaves is essential.

Caterpillar pests of cole crops. A) Diamondback moth — smooth and tapered at each end. B) Imported cabbageworm — fuzzy and not tapered. C) Cabbage looper — characteristic looping behavior. D) Cross-striped cabbage worm — distinctive stripes, usually occurs in groups. Photos A-C by Maria Cramer, photo D from iNaturalist COO.

Besides downy mildew in cole crops, the main diseases that are common are alternaria leaf spot, which is a fungal disease, and black rot, which is a bacterial disease. Alternaria leaf spot develops in cool wet weather and is favored by overhead irrigation. Fungicide programs that incorporate multiple modes of action (see the Mid-Atlantic Veg Guide) are needed to prevent leaf spot development. Black rot and other bacterial diseases of cole crops are hard to manage chemically. The best way to prevent their development is through selection of resistant varieties, hot water seed treatment, and rotation (2+ years between planting a brassica crop). Copper treatments provide some control.

Top picture shows a brassica leaf with two large bulls-eye brown spots on either side of the mid rib. Bottom picture shows two cabbage plants where outer leaves have triangle shaped brown lesions radiating out to the leaf edge.

A) Alternaria: characteristic water-soaked bulls eye lesions. B) Black rot: triangle-shaped lesions on the leaf edges. Pictures by Renee Carter.

Lettuce
We have been scouting lettuce on an as-requested basis, and have seen some severe thrips feeding in lettuce. This feeding starts as piercing-sucking damage on the lower leaves and progresses until leaves completely dry out and die. While the damage is worst in the bottom leaves, we have seen thrips throughout the head of lettuce. In situations where thrips on the farm are Radiant-resistant (this will be evident from thrips management on earlier crops like tomatoes), Exirel (IRAC 28) can provide some control. Simply removing the dried up bottom leaves at harvest may be an option, depending on your market.

Top picture shows close up on a single leaf which is covered with stippling damage. Bottom picture shows whole plant with browned drying up bottom leaves.

Thrips damage in lettuce, progressing from stippling damage to drying up and dying leaves. Pictures by Maria Cramer.

Pumpkins and Other Cucurbits

Pumpkin harvests are underway, and few issues have been seen in fields. Downy mildew of pumpkins and squash still has not been detected in the area and is unlikely to be a threat for this year. Powdery mildew is still active; continue treating if your fruit will be in the field for the next several weeks. Leaves will serve as protection against sunscalding of the fruits.

As always, please consult the Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Guide for a comprehensive list of materials that are labeled for specific crops and pests. As always, be sure to follow label rates and application instructions.

The Vegetable IPM Program wishes to thank the following Field Technicians, without whom much of the information presented weekly here would not be available.

Southern team: Renee Carter and Kris Szymanski

Northern team: Martina Lavender, Coco Lin, and Cassandra Dougherty

Filed Under: Organic Production, vegetable, Vegetable Crops
October 8, 2025

Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education – Farmer Grant Applications Available – Due December 9, 2025

The Call for 2026 Northeast SARE Farmer Grant applications is now available. Awards of up to $30,000 are available, depending on the complexity of a project. Proposals are due no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on December 9, 2025. The NJ SARE Coordinator is Stephen Komar, Agricultural Agent in Sussex County and Michelle Infante-Casella is the Assistant Coordinator for SARE in NJ. If you have questions you can send an email to Steve or Michelle, or contact your local county Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agricultural Agents who can assist and also provide technical assistance.


Northeast SARE Farmer Grants provide the resources farmers need to explore new concepts agriculture conducted through experiments, surveys, prototypes, on-farm demonstrations or other research and education techniques. Projects address issues that affect farming with long-term practical impacts in mind.
Farmer Grants are designed to be a strong starting point for farmers interested in pursuing grant funding of projects. Before starting their proposals, potential candidates identify a Technical Advisor who can provide non-farming expertise in areas such as research design, troubleshooting, and promotion. The Technical Advisor acts as a go-to support person throughout the grant project, making it easier on first time grantees and forging new relationships in agricultural communities across the Northeast.


Northeast SARE funds projects in a wide variety of topics, including marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, hydroponics, silvopasture, and more.


Northeast SARE covers the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.


The Farmer Grant program is specifically for farmers. Northeast SARE will be releasing calls for proposals for other grant programs in the coming months.

For applications, tutorials on farmer grants, and other important information about this grant program see the NESARE Farmer Grants Webpage.

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Nursery, Organic Production, Turf, vegetable, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: