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Vegetable Crops Edition

Seasonal updates and alerts on insects, diseases, and weeds impacting vegetable crops. New Jersey Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations updates between annual publication issues are included.
 
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October 7, 2020

Vegetable IPM Update 10/07/20

Note:  This will be the final regular edition of the Vegetable IPM Update for 2020.  We will post alerts should special pest situations arise.

Sweet Corn

Corn earworm (CEW) moth captures continue to decline, although with temporary increases on warm nights.    Growers should consider this pest to still be at moderate population levels in the state, with higher risk during stretches of warmer nights.   The current population poses a threat to silking corn.  Blue areas on this map (see map at left)   represent a 4-5-day spray schedule.  The low catches in the southern county blacklight traps are contradicted somewhat by the pheromone trap network.   For further information on CEW activity, see pheromone trap information below.

 

The highest nightly trap catches of CEW in black light traps for the week ending 10/07/20 are as follows:

Crosswicks   3 Califon   1 Green Creek   1
Hackettstown   2 Clinton   1 Milford   1
Sergeantsville   2 Eldora   1 Milltown   1
Bellemeade   1 Georgetown   1 Oldwick   1

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Organic Production, Vegetable Crops
September 30, 2020

Vegetable IPM Update 9/30/20 -New CEW Map

Attention:  Please refer to this updated CEW pheromone map for the weekending 9/30/20.  We were able to procure some late data from traps in the southwestern portion of the state.  These indicate a significant influx of CEW moths on the recent storm system.  At this time, these migratory individuals appear to be limited to southwestern NJ (see CEW pheromone map at left).  The blacklight network is still indicating a 3-day silk spray schedule in the northern counties, while the pheromone network is at 5-6 day.  In the south, the pheromone map is now indicating a 3 day spray schedule.  Under cold night conditions, it is possible to adhere to a more relaxed schedule, but growers should tighten up by a day if we return to warmer nights.   The number of pheromone traps deployed is much lower, resulting in much broader color bands on the map.    Additionally, several of the northern pheromone trap sites no longer have silking corn nearby.  This influences the catch, resulting in fewer moths captured.   The current population continues to be an economic threat.  It is important to use effective materials to manage this pest on silking corn.  Insecticides in the IRAC 28 class (Coragen, Besiege, Exirel) and IRAC 5 (Radiant, Blackhawk, Entrust (OMRI approved)) remain among the most useful insecticides against CEW.

 

The highest nightly trap catches of CEW in pheromone traps for the week ending 9/30/20 are as follows:

Monroeville   180 Pedricktown   20 Springdale   7
Woodstown   150 Eldora   12 South Branch   2
Green Creek   31 Berlin   10 Allamuchy   1

Silking Spray Schedules*:
South – 3 days

Central – 3-4  days

North – 4-5 days

*These recommendations are based on regional catches.  Adhere to tighter spray schedules if indicated by local trap catches.  Synthetic pyrethroids alone should NOT be used for corn earworm (CEW) protection on silking corn, or for fall armyworm (FAW) management at any stage.  Control with these materials is very inconsistent.

 

 

Filed Under: Organic Production, Vegetable Crops
September 30, 2020

Tips for Renewal of NJDEP Private Pesticide Applicators Licenses

RecieptRutgers Cooperative Extension Agricultural Agents have been receiving questions from farmers on what to do with the renewal applications they recently received from NJDEP Pesticide Control Program. The invoice may be somewhat confusing. So here are a few tips to help.

1. The $0.00 Amount Due is correct on the invoice. Farmers with a “Private” applicator licenses do not pay for licenses and renewals. So you do not need to send any payment and in the box where it says “enter the amount of your payment” enter $0.00.

2. The best way to complete this renewal is not to mail in the form, but instead renew online. CLICK HERE to renew your license online. YOU WILL NEED YOUR PAPERWORK WITH YOUR “INVOICE NUMBER”. Do not use the NJEMS Bill ID number, instead find the invoice number above.

It would be a good idea to print the screen with the confirmation that you renewed online, since the system does not send you an email confirmation. The screen also states, “License generation may take a few weeks”. So, please be patient and if you need to use your license number, continue to use the same number on your expired license for recertification credits, as your license number will not change. It also says to not send the paper forms once you did your online submission. See photo to the below for an example of the confirmation screen you will see when renewing online.Website

3. If you must mail the renewal, here are some TIPS:

a. You will need to provide your own envelope and a stamp when mailing back the forms.

b. Also, the form may be confusing since the bottom tab to return says to mail to Treasurer-State of New Jersey, while the “Reminder” section says to mail forms/letters to NJDEP Licensing and Registrations.

c. Do not mail the bottom tab and other information for renewal of your Private Pesticide license to NJDEP. It is to be mailed to the NJ Department of Treasury – as stated on the return portion at the bottom of the first page.

d. Fill out page 2 and check to see if all your information is correct on page 2. Do not forget to sign and date the bottom of page 2 before mailing with your “payment” tab from page 1.

e. It may be best to send these forms in using USPS “Certified Mail” or UPS or FEDEX to track that it was received. Your pesticide license is very important for your business and you would want to verify it was received.

If you need more assistance with pesticide licenses, contact the NJDEP. Contact information in the photo below.Zoom in of a reciept

Best wishes and we hope this information is helpful in renewing your NJDEP Private Pesticide Applicators License.

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: ,
September 30, 2020

Vegetable Disease Update – 9/30/20

  • Rhizoctonia root rot and leaf spots have been reported in fall transplanted strawberry. All growers are encouraged to be proactive in controlling these diseases as fall approaches. For more information on controlling important diseases in strawberry please click here.
  • Sand blasting has been reported on a number of leafy green and other crops these past few weeks. Injury from sand blasting predisposes plants to bacterial infections. Remember, all bacteria need a wound or a natural opening, such as a stomata, to gain entry into the plant. Fields with extensive injury need to be scouted regularly, and most likely will need to be sprayed regularly with a copper fungicide or disinfectant-type product to help mitigate infection and spread.
  • With the extremely wet weather coming across New Jersey on a regular basis, all growers are encouraged to scout fields on a regular basis and remain proactive in mitigating foliar diseases in leafy green and other fall planted crops.
  • Downy mildew has been reported on collards and kale.
  • Black rot has been reported on cabbage and broccoli.
  • Cercospora leaf blight has been reported on beet.
  • Alternaria and Cercospora have been reported on spinach.
  • For more information on the control of the diseases mentioned above please see The 2020/2021 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide which is available for free online! With many county offices running reduced hours or being closed this is the easiest way to obtain the newest recommendations.
Filed Under: Vegetable Crops
September 30, 2020

Understanding root rots in fall-seeded and transplanted crops

Damping-off is caused by a number of important vegetable pathogens and is very common at seeding and transplanting in spring and fall. Damping-off can kill seedlings before they break the soil line (pre-emergent damping-off) or kill seedlings soon after they emerge (post-emergent damping-off) or soon after transplanting. Common pathogens that cause damping-off include Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium spp.

It is extremely important to know which pathogen is causing the damping-off problem and which fungicide to properly apply.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With:
September 30, 2020

Vegetable IPM Update 9/30/20

Note:  Next week (10/07/20) will be the final regular edition of the Vegetable IPM Update for 2020.  We will post alerts should special pest situations arise.

Sweet Corn

Corn earworm (CEW) moth captures continue to decline, although with temporary increases on warm nights.    Growers should consider this pest to still be at moderate population levels in the state, with higher risk during stretches of warmer nights.   The current population poses a significant risk to silking corn.  Green areas on this map (see map at left)   represent a 3-day spray schedule.  However, night temperatures in the 40 to low 50 F range, may permit the extension of that spray interval by a day.  For further information on CEW activity, see pheromone trap information below.

 

The highest nightly trap catches of CEW in black light traps for the week ending 9/30/20 are as follows:

Hackettstown   3 Eldora   2 Matawan   1
Allamuchy   2 Sergeantsville   2 Medford   1
Bellemeade   2 Califon   1 Oldwick   1
Clinton   2 Downer   1 South Branch   1

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Organic Production, Vegetable Crops