- Pythium root rot has been reported in multiple crops across the state. Unfortunately, the prolonged, wet weather across most of New Jersey has been ideal for its development. There are a number of options for early-season control of pre- and post emergent damping-off pathogens. For more information click here.
- Downy mildew has been reported as far north as Northern Florida on multiple cucurbit crops and on cucumber in South Carolina and North Carolina on 6/6/17.
- There have been no new reports of Late blight in the Southeast.
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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June 7, 2017 Andy Wyenandt
Vegetable Disease Update – 6/7/17
May 31, 2017 Kris Holmstrom and Joe Ingerson-Mahar
Veg IPM Update: Week Ending 5/31/17
Sweet Corn
There has been little change in European corn borer (ECB) catches over the past week. We would have expected some increase throughout the state, but prolonged wet weather has likely slowed their activity. The highest catches remain in southern Hunterdon County (see map at left), although there have been low, but steady catches elsewhere, including northern Cumberland and central Morris counties. Feeding continues to be very limited, but should increase with drier conditions later this week. Check 5 plants each in 10 random locations for a 50 plant sample. Look for “shot-hole” injury (see photo at right), and consider treating when the number of infested plants in a 50 plant sample exceeds 12%. [Read more…]
May 24, 2017 Kris Holmstrom and Joe Ingerson-Mahar
Veg IPM Update: Week Ending 5/24/17
Sweet Corn
Warmer weather has resulted in the first consistent European corn borer (ECB) catches. The highest catches have occurred in southern Hunterdon County (see map at 
left), although there have been low, but steady catches elsewhere, including northern Cumberland and central Morris counties. As yet, feeding has been very limited, with only single-digit infestation rates on whorl corn found in Mercer County. With continued moderate temperatures, expect feeding in whorl stage corn to increase significantly over the next week. Check 5 plants each in 10 random locations for a 50 plant sample. Look for “shot-hole” injury (see photo at right), and consider treating when the number of infested plants in a 50 plant sample exceeds 12%.
The highest nightly ECB catches for the previous week are as follows:
| Sergeantsville 4 | Denville 1 |
| South Branch 3 | East Vineland 1 |
| Allentown 1 | Eldora 1 |
A few corn earworm (CEW) continue to appear in blacklights throughout the state. These individuals indicate that there was limited overwintering of this pest in NJ, but are of little concern in the absence of silking sweet corn.
Cole Crops
IPM personnel continue to observe infestations of crucifer flea beetle. These beetles can build to high populations quickly, especially where wild mustard and related cruciferous weeds are common. Extreme feeding on small transplants can cause irreversible damage if not controlled promptly. [Read more…]
May 20, 2017 Andy Wyenandt
Vegetable Disease Update – 5/20/17
- Sunscald injury is being reported on newly transplanted crops with the excess heat this past week.
- Downy mildew has been reported as far north as Northern Florida on multiple cucurbit crops.
- Dickeya dianthicola has been confirmed in Dark Red Norland potato seed in New Jersey. This is the first report of Dickeya in NJ this growing season. Dickeya diathicola has also been reported in potato in VA and FL this year.
- Pectobacterium wasabiae (soft rot or Blackleg) has been confirmed in ‘Red Pontiac’, ‘Kennebec’, and ‘Adirondack Blue’ potato seed in New Jersey this spring.
May 17, 2017 Kris Holmstrom and Joe Ingerson-Mahar
Veg IPM Update: Week Ending 5/17/17
Sweet Corn
The arrival of warmer temperatures should improve corn growth considerably. This same weather could bring on the first consistent European corn borer (ECB) catches, although this has not yet happened. No ECB were captured in blacklight traps this week. As the population develops, look for maps to be published in the weekly IPM Update. There were several corn earworm (CEW) captured in blacklights located in New Egypt, Folsom and Woodstown this past week, however these individuals are of little concern in the absence of silking sweet corn.
Cole Crops
IPM personnel continue to observe infestations of crucifer flea beetle. These beetles can build to high populations quickly, especially where wild mustard and related cruciferous weeds are common. Extreme feeding on small transplants can cause irreversible damage if not controlled promptly. [Read more…]
May 12, 2017 Andy Wyenandt
Vegetable Disease Update – 5/12/17
- Cucurbit downy mildew has been found as far north as central Florida on cucumber, watermelon, summer and winter squash.
- Pythium has been reported in a number of newly transplanted crops.
- With the cooler nights the past few days, cold injury may begin to appear in newly transplanted crops. In pepper, symptoms of cold injury will appear in new growth and look similarly to a mosaic virus infection.
- Best management practices for Dickeya dianthicola in potato have been updated and can be found on the University of Maine’s Extension website located here.
- An article on by Dr. Amy Charkowski (Colorado State University) on managing Dickeya dianthicola in potato on the University of Wisconsin’s Vegetable Crop Update (May 3, 2017) can be found here.
- There will be a Dickaya and Pectobacterium Summit in Bangor, Maine this November. Information can be found here.
