Warmer days and cool nights, along with cool soils and the regular wet weather has made conditions ideal for disease development in some spring crops. Growers should consider applying preventative fungicide applications for early-season diseases, particularly root rots, either in the transplant water or shortly after transplanting or seeding to help mitigate potential issues. All fields should be scouted on a regular basis. White rust and anthracnose were reported on spinach this week, so leaf spot pathogens are already active.
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Controlling white mold in spring crops
White mold, or lettuce drop, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, can cause serious losses in lettuce and other susceptible crops if left uncontrolled. Disease development is favored by wet, humid conditions (especially in high tunnels and fields) with known histories of the disease.
![WhiteMold](https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/WhiteMold1-300x225.jpg)
White mold on lettuce. Notice the white fungal growth and black sclerotia developing on the base of the stem. The sclorotia can survive in the soil for up to 10 years.
Damping-off: Identifying and Controlling Early-Season Damping-off Pathogens
It is extremely important to know which pathogen is causing damping-off problems and which fungicide to properly apply. The key to controlling damping-off is being proactive instead of reactive. Always refer to the fungicide label for crop use, pathogens controlled, and application rates.
Damping-off is caused by a number of important vegetable pathogens and is very common during the spring. 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). Common pathogens that cause damping-off include Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium spp.
Control of damping-off depends on a number of factors. First, is recognizing the conditions which may be leading to the problem (i.e., weather/greenhouse growing conditions) and second, identifying the pathogen causing the problem.
Conditions Favoring Damping-off
Although all four pathogens are associated with damping-off, the conditions which favor their development are very different. In general, Phytophthora and Pythium are more likely to cause damping-off in cool, wet or overwatered soils that aren’t allowed to dry out due to cloudy weather or cooler temperatures. Conversely, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium are more likely to cause damping-off under warmer, drier conditions especially if plug trays are kept on the dry side to help reduce transplant growth. [Read more…]
Organic Transplant Production: Suppressing Soil-borne Pathogens – A reminder
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…]
Controlling Spring Diseases in Asparagus
Asparagus season is just around the corner and now is a good time to review important diseases.
Wet 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 Orondis Gold (oxathiapiprolin + mefenoxam (FRAC groups 49 + 4) at 4.8 to 9.6 fl oz/A, 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 first harvest. For new plantings, apply the same after planting or after crown covering. Do not apply Orondis Gold, Ridomil, Ultra Flourish, or MetaStar one day prior to harvest or illegal residues may result. [Read more…]
Coronavirus Education Materials In Indigenous Languages, Dialects and Spanish
Our colleague, Gene McAvoy of Florida Cooperative Extension (a Rutgers grad and currently president of our National Assoc of County Ag Agents) shared this reference that you might find useful.
These resources were gathered by the Rural Women’s Health Project, with thanks to
Evelyn Moraga in Guatemala, Dr. Laura Gonzalez at the University of Florida, her
colleagues at CEPIADET in Oaxaca Mexico and CIELO in Los Angeles. They are committed to getting these materials out to all of those residing in the U.S., no matter their country of origin or mother language. If ou have materials to be added to this list, please contact us at: rwhp@cafl.com.
Together, we will get through this.
- (Coronavirus_COVID-19) Informacion en Lenguas Originarias_Lenguas Indigenas – Resources in Indigenous Languages CIELO
- COVID Videos Multiple Languages
- AFICHES guamineduc
- POSTER – Q’ANJOB’AL
- POSTER – CORONAVIRUS
- POSTER – K’ICHE’
- POSTER – KAQCHIKEL
- POSTER – XINKA
- Audio Files
- Video Files