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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July 23, 2025

Recognizing Angular Leaf Spot in Cucurbits

Angular leaf spot, caused by the bacterium (Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans), is common in New Jersey and the region. Although it often shows up during cooler, wet weather; it can show up almost anytime during the production season with favorable weather conditions for its development.

Symptoms of angular leaf spot in cucurbit.

Symptoms of angular leaf spot in cucurbit.

Angular leaf spot of pumpkin. Note the 'shot holes' in the leaf.

Angular leaf spot of pumpkin. Note leaf ‘shot holes’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angular leaf spot will first appear in ‘hot spots’ as, small water-soaked lesions which will expand until they reach a larger leaf vein resulting in the angular looking symptoms on leaves. Under heavy disease pressure, the bacteria will infect fruit causing small, water-soaked circular spots. In many cases once weather conditions become dry again, infected tissue in leaves will die and fall out leaving the characteristic ‘shot hole’ symptoms. Control of angular leaf spot begins scouting your fields, particularly in areas that may get shaded and remain wet after heavy rainfalls. Application of labeled rates of fixed copper plus mancozeb to help suppress the spread of the disease until hot, dry weather returns.

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With: ,
July 23, 2025

Important fungal diseases in Asparagus during the summer months

Asparagus growers should consider scouting their fields regularly during the summer months for  foliar disease development. Important pathogens that growers need to scout for on a regular basis include Purple spot, Cercospora, and Rust. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With: ,
July 22, 2025 and

Mid-July Nectarine Varieties for NJ – Silvergem, Silverglo, Easternglo, and Avalon

There are four excellent, yellow and white-fleshed nectarine varieties harvested during mid-July. These varieties were developed at the Rutgers Fruit Breeding program and evaluated over the years at multiple Southern New Jersey locations. The ripening days could be a few days later for central and northern New Jersey. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blueberry, Cranberry, Fruit, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , , ,
July 22, 2025 and

Mid-July Peach Varieties – Gala, PF 8 Ball, Summer Serenade, July Rose, and PF Lucky 13

GALA is a medium to medium-large, globose, 70-90% scarlet red over yellow-orange ground color, yellow-fleshed, semi-freestone peach ripening July 11-15, about a week after the Sentry. The flesh is firm, with a sweet and mildly tangy flavor. The tree is vigorous and moderately productive. Note that these varieties were evaluated in southern New Jersey; as a result, the harvest dates could be a few days later for the Central and Northern New Jersey orchards.

Challenges: Gala is a beautiful peach in a great season, but the size and yield could be highly variable. Split pits are a problem even in a normal year, and the first pick may have significant split pits. Fruit has medium susceptibility to bacterial spot.

FLAMIN FURY® PF#8 BALL is a large, globose, 70-90% crimson red over greenish-yellow ground color, yellow-fleshed semi-clingstone peach with prominent suture groove, ripening during July 13-18. The fruit is firm, with melting, sweet, juicy flesh, and has a sweet and tangy flavor. The tree is spreading, vigorous, and productive, with medium susceptibility to bacterial spots. A promising variety because of its color and size. A good option to replace Gala peach.

SUMMER SERENADE is a medium-large, globose to ovate, attractive, 50-70% crimson red over yellow-green ground color, yellow-fleshed, semi-clingstone peach ripening from July 13-16, approximately 11 days before Redhaven. The flesh is firm with fair to good flavor. The tree is moderately vigorous and productive, with low susceptibility to bacterial spot. Summer Serenade has a better size than Garnet Beauty and PF 7, with a significant suture groove and flavor like Garnet Beauty.

JULY ROSE is a popular white fleshed peach with excellent firmness, cling stone, and low fuzz. Fruit is large and attractive, and ripens between Sugar May and White Lady from 15-20 July. Fruit is always very sweet and sub-acid. It has good fruit and leaf resistance to bacterial leaf spot. Even poorly thinned trees tend to produce large-sized fruit. Moderate fruit or bloom thinning will be required to optimize size and quality. Fruit hangs well and has better cold-hardiness than other white varieties.

Snowbrite is a good white-fleshed peach that ripens a few days after July Rose but is highly susceptible to bacterial spots. Scarlet Pearl is another good white-fleshed peach. However, it is a cold, tender variety and produces split pits.

FLAMIN FURY PF LUCKY 13 is a large, globose to slightly ovate, heavy scarlet red over orange-yellow ground color, yellow-fleshed, freestone peach ripening near or earlier than Redhaven. The flesh is crunchy, firm, and sweet and tangy. The tree is vigorous and productive, with slight drop and inking tendencies and low to moderate susceptibility to bacterial spots. This very attractive peach has also shown good size and minimal splits.

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Filed Under: Blueberry, Cranberry, Fruit, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, vegetable, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , , ,
July 22, 2025

Identifying and controlling Botrytis in high tunnel and greenhouse tomato production

Botrytis, or gray mold, caused by the fungus, Botrytis cinerea, can cause significant losses in high tunnel and greenhouse tomato production if not controlled properly. The pathogen can rapidly spread during periods when structures are closed and when relative humidity remains high for long periods of time. This often occurs when outside weather remains cool and damp while heating is needed. Gray mold is favored by temperatures from 64° to 75°F and requires only high humidity (not leaf wetness) to become established. The pathogen has a large host range and once established in an enclosed structure it can be very difficult to control (UMASS). The fungus can survive/overwinter as mycelia or sclerotia in plant debris and in organic soil matter (NCSU).

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , ,
July 22, 2025

Controlling Anthracnose and Alternaria Leaf Blights in Cucurbit Crops

Anthracnose and Alternaria leaf blight can become problematic in cucurbit crops during long periods of wet, humid weather. Both can cause significant losses if not controlled properly. With the production season in full swing, now is a good time to review a few of these important diseases. [Read more…]

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