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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April 17, 2020

Take-Home Extension Talk: Updates on important vegetable diseases.

The following video includes a review and update on important diseases for vegetable farmers in New Jersey.

Covered in this presentation are:

  • Bacterial leaf spot in pepper and tomato
  • Phytophthora blight
  • Cucurbit downy mildew
  • Pepper Anthracnose
  • Cucurbit powdery mildew

Take-Home Extension Talk: Updates on important vegetable diseases.

Please click here: Take Home – PPA 4-17-20

For commercial growers, fungicide recommendations can be found in the 2020/2021 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide. The new guide available FREE on-line or can be purchased in hardcopy form through your county agricultural office in New Jersey. The complete 2020/2021 Vegetable Production Recommendations guide or specific sections can be downloaded depending on your production needs.

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops
April 17, 2020

Vegetable Disease Update – 4/17/20

  • Bacterial leaf blight in Cilantro was reported this week in southern New Jersey.
  • Common leaf spot was reported in strawberry this past week. For more information click here.
  • White rust and anthracnose have been reported in spinach over the past few weeks. For more information click here.
  • Damping-off has been reported in pepper transplants this past week. For more information click here.
Filed Under: Vegetable Crops
April 17, 2020

Verticillium Wilt in Eggplant

Verticillium wilt is a common soil-borne fungal pathogen that once it has infested soil can remain for a very long time. Verticillium wilt is caused by either Verticillium albo-atrium or Verticillium dahlia and has a wide host range (over 200 plant species). Both pathogens can survive (overwinter) as microsclerotia in the soil. Verticillium wilt prefers cooler weather and drier soils and can be more severe in neutral to alkaline soils. Solanaceous weeds such as Nightshade may harbor the pathogen.

Diagnostic symptoms of Verticillium wilt in eggplant.

Diagnostic symptoms of Verticillium wilt in eggplant
Photo by Kris Holmstrom

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With: ,
April 16, 2020

Identifying and controlling common leaf spot in strawberry

Strawberry leaf spot, caused by the soil-borne fungal pathogen, Mycosphaerella fragariae, has been found in some strawberry fields on some cultivars this past week in southern New Jersey. Leaf spot can infect leaves, petioles, runners, fruit stalks (pedicels), and berry caps or calyxes. Small, dark purple to reddish-purple, round spots, 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter (3 to 6 millimeters), appear on the upper leaf surfaces. The center of the spots soon become tan or gray and eventually almost white, while the broad margins remain dark purple. Later in the season, dark specks (sclerotia and/or perithecia) may be seen in the older lesions. Tannish areas form on the underleaf surface. The symptoms on the other plant parts, except the fruit, are almost identical to those that develop on the upper leaf surface.

Strawberry leaf spot on infected leaves

Strawberry leaf spot on infected leaves.

Symptoms of strawberry leaf spot on infected leaf petioles

Symptoms of strawberry leaf spot on infected leaf petioles.

Microsclerotia and conidia from infected leaves that survive the winter can lead to infections of new growth in the spring. The period between infection and the appearance of lesions on the upper leaf surface can range from 10 to 14 days depending on weather conditions. Large numbers of conidia can cause secondary infections during prolonged periods of damp to wet, moderately warm weather. Temperatures between 65 and 75 F (18 to 24 C) are optimal for the growth of fungus and for lesion development. Infections can continue to occur throughout the growing season. Young, expanding leaves are much more susceptible to infection than mature leaves. If frequent rains occur during early- and mid-spring, a few infection sites can start an epidemic.

 

Control of strawberry leaf spot begins with recognizing symptoms and preventative fungicide applications. All strawberry fields need to be scouted on a regular basis. Especially, during periods of wet weather or during heavy use of overhead irrigation. Weekly applications rotating the following should be done as long as symptoms are present and weather conducive for disease development persists. For more information please see the 2020/2021 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide. Fungicide applications for strawberry leaf spot will be effective for strawberry leaf scrorch and strawberry leaf blight.

Code Product Name Product Rate Active Ingredient(s)

(*=Restricted Use)

 PHI

(d)

 REI

(h)

 Bee

TR
M04 Captan 50W 6.0 lb/A captan 0 24 N
M04 Captan 80WDG 3.7 lb/A captan 0 24 N
M04 Captan 4L 3.0 qt/A captan 0 24 N
M04+17 Captevate 68WDG1 3.5 to 5.25 lb/A captan + fenhexamid 0 24 N
Do not apply the same FRAC code more than twice in a row or in a season.
1 Topsin M 1.0 lb/A thiophanate-methyl 1 24 N
2 Meteor2 1.5 to 2.0 pt/A iprodione n/a 24 N
2 Nevado 4F2 1.5 to 2.0 pt/A iprodione n/a 24 N
2 Rovral 4F2 1.5 to 2.0 pt/A iprodione n/a 24 N
3 Rally 40WSP 2.5 to 5.0 oz/A myclobutanil 0 24 N
11 Cabrio 20EG 12 to 14 oz/A pyraclostrobin 0 12 N
3 + 11 Quadris Top 1.67SC 12 to 14 fl oz/A difenoconazole + azoxystrobin 0 12 —
3 + 11 Quilt Xcel 2.2SE 14 fl oz/A propiconazole + azoxystrobin 0 12 N
7 + 11 Merivon 2.09SC 4 to 7 fl oz/A fluxapyroxad + pyraclostrobin 0 12 N
7 + 11 Pristine 38WG 18.5 to 23.0 oz/A boscalid + pyraclostrobin 0 12 —

 

For organic strawberry growers, weekly applications of an OMRI-approved copper or potassium bicarbonate have been shown to be effective in mitigating strawberry leaf spot. Please see link to MSU’s fungicide efficacy table for organic and conventional fungicide use.

For information on controlling angular leaf spot in strawberry please click here.

For information on controlling fruit rots in strawberry please click here.

For more information on strawberry leaf spot please see the following:

University of Illinois – http://ipm.illinois.edu/diseases/series700/rpd702/index.html

University of Wisconsin – https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/common-leaf-spot-of-strawberry/

Michigan State University, 2015 – Information on diseases and fungicide efficacy – https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/protect_strawberries_from_foliar_diseases_after_renovation

Cornell University, 2013 – Information on diseases and fungicide efficacy – https://cpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/blogs.cornell.edu/dist/0/7265/files/2017/01/strleafdisidmgmt-yjcu5n.pdf

Please remember, the label is the law!

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , ,
April 16, 2020

COVID-19: PESTICIDE EXAMS CANCELLED **NJDEP ALERTS **

Rutgers is providing you this courtesy announcement regarding pesticide certification exams from the Bureau of Licensing and Registration of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Bureau of Licensing & Registrations. Posted by NJDEP to https://www.state.nj.us/dep/enforcement/pcp/bpo-examschedule.htm. **REVISED ALERT (issued April 14, 2020)** All Pesticide Certification Exams have been CANCELLED due to the ongoing COVID-19 emergency. Applicants […]
Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With:
April 15, 2020

INSECTICIDES FOR MANAGING PEPPER WEEVIL

In light of the review of the neonicotinoid insecticides by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it is worthwhile to review insecticidal options if the EPA follows through with its interim recommendations for the neonicotinoid insecticides thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, and dinetofuran.

The proposed recommendation is that these materials may not be used on fruiting vegetables after 5 days post transplanting until the end of blooming.  If this recommendation is finalized then the use of Actara, Admire Pro, and Scorpion will not be allowed during crucial growth stages for protecting against, or, suppressing pepper weevil populations.

In recent years, insecticide trials conducted in Florida and California have shown that the products Harvanta, Rimon, Torac, and Vydate L provide the best management of pepper weevil aside from the neonicotinoids.  Generally, pyrethroids ((Warrior, Tombstone, etc.) IRAC # 3A) are not recommended unless they are used in rotation with other IRAC group insecticides.  It should be noted that under heavy pressure no insecticide will be effective in reducing the weevil population.

Especially for those pepper fields in high-risk areas near processing plants or landfills that accept vegetable waste, an insecticide should be applied to transplants as soon as they begin to bloom and set fruit.

The following is a partial list of registered materials in New Jersey labeled for pepper weevil:

Active ingredient            IRAC #                   Product

oxamyl                              1A                           Vydate L

acetamiprid                      4A                           Assail

novaluron                         15                           Rimon

tolfenpyrad                       21A                        Torac

cyantraniliprole                28                           Exirel

cyclaniliprole                    28                           Harvanta

 

For a complete list of insecticides that are registered for managing pepper weevil in New Jersey go to http://www.kellysolutions.com/NJ/pesticideindex.asp

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops