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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January 15, 2019

2019 NJ State Agricultural Convention & Trade Show – Feb 5, 6, 7

Harrah’s Resort & Waterfront Conference Center – Atlantic City

  • Rutgers Cooperative Extension agents and specialists have finished the educational sessions with topics covering a wide range of topics.
  • The Vegetable Growers Association says the trade show is just about sold out with industry vendors from near and far.
  • The NJ Dept of Agriculture has shared the preliminary schedule for the State Board of Agriculture’s policy sessions.

The only thing left is for you to register and join us in Atlantic City. Registration/membership details and hotel reservations can be found on the VGANJ convention website.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
January 2, 2019

RU Ready to Farm – Beginner Farmer Workshop at NJ Ag Convention

Rutgers Cooperative Extension is hosting the RU Ready to Farm Beginner Farmer Workshop during the New Jersey Agricultural Convention & Trade Show at Harrah’s Resort & Waterfront Conference Center in Atlantic City on Thursday, February 7, 2019 from 8:30 am – 4 pm. Please share this with anyone interested in starting a farm, those new to farming, or established farmers looking for new opportunities. All are welcome to attend.

Topics covered in this workshop include:

  • Resources on land availability in the state
  • Tips on where to access capital
  • Shared experiences from successful farmers
  • Insight on what to look for when assessing potential farm properties
  • Methods of effective marketing and promotion of farm products
  • Current organic and conventional agricultural regulations

For the program agenda and to register for this workshop, click here.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Vegetable Crops
October 4, 2018

IPM Update – Hawaiian beet webworm 10/04/18

Hawaiian Beet Webworm infestations now present in southern and central NJ counties.

Hawaiian beet webworm moth on spinach

Hawaiian beet webworm moth on spinach

Infestations of Hawaiian beet webworm were reported on in last weeks’ IPM Update as occurring in southern NJ counties.  As of Tuesday of this week, similar infestations were discovered as far north as Mercer County.  As of Thursday, none were discovered in Morris or Hunterdon counties, although sampling has  been minimal there.

The moths of this pest are easily found in weed patches; especially those containing galinsoga or pigweed.  Moths hide beneath leaves, but readily fly when the weeds are disturbed.  As mentioned last week, this pest attacks spinach, chard, and the foliage of beets and sugar beets as well as crops in the amaranth family.  In processing spinach, the larvae (photo below) may be a contaminant issue.  At this time, it is advised that growers of these crops in the southern and central counties inspect fields for the presence of adults and larval infestations.  Should these be found, follow the 2018 Commercial Vegetable Production Guide for suggested materials to control webworm on these crops.  In many cases, insecticides in the groups 28 (Coragen) or 5 (Radiant, Entrust (OMRI approved)) are permissible, effective and have short harvest intervals.

Should this pest spread northward, further updates will be published on this site.

Hawaiian Beet Webworm infestations

Hawaiian beet webworm larva on Swiss chard

 

 

 

Filed Under: Organic Production, Vegetable Crops
October 3, 2018

IPM Update 10/03/18

Note:  This is the final weekly edition of the Vegetable IPM Update for 2018.  Further updates may be published in response to specific pest threats. 

Sweet Corn

European corn borer (ECB) moth catches remain low.     There will be no map in this edition.   [Read more…]

Filed Under: Organic Production, Vegetable Crops
October 2, 2018

An Introduction To Rutgers Downy Mildew Resistant Sweet Basils

After nearly a decade’s worth of research and breeding efforts Rutgers Downy Mildew Resistant (DMR) sweet basils are now available to commercial growers with seed for homeowners and gardeners becoming available in 2019. Since 2007, when basil downy mildew (BDM) was first identified in FL, the disease has caused significant economic losses to commercial basil growers throughout the United States, and has made growing sweet basil in the backyard garden nearly impossible. Since 2009, Rutgers has been working diligently to identify and breed downy mildew resistance into commercially-acceptable sweet basils that have the correct aromas, essential oils, and flavors. The first of these three new DMR sweet basils are now available through VanDrunen Farm Specialty Seed (VDFSS) located in Thermal, CA and Momence, IL. Each of the new Rutgers DMR sweet basils have their own unique characteristics which can be matched to meet grower needs.

Rutgers Obsession DMR: An excellent sweet basil for field or potted plant production; will also make an excellent edible landscape plant; more compact, slower growth than Devotion DMR and Thunderstruck DMR, high leaf-to-stem ratio – good for small bunches or small size clam shells, dark green, thick, glossy leaves, flowers form late; and highly resistant to Fusarium wilt.

Rutgers Devotion DMR: An excellent Genovese-type sweet basil for field production for fresh markets; establishes quicker than Obsession DMR with uniform, upright growth, dark, green color with flat to cup-shaped leaves.

Rutgers Thunderstruck DMR: An excellent sweet basil with high yields needed for processing- and fresh-market production; quick establishment and fast, upright growth with medium-sized, ruffled leaves with a bright green color.

Rutgers Obsession DMRRutgers Devotion DMRRutgers Thunderstruck DMR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on Rutgers DMR sweet basils please contact VanDrunen Specialty Seeds in the link above. For more information on basil downy mildew, our research, and our new DMR sweet basils follow us on Instagram at #RutgersBasil.

 

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With: ,
October 1, 2018

Vegetable Disease Update – 10/01/18

  • Anthracnose fruit rot has been found on pumpkin.
  • Bacterial stalk rot in sweet corn has been reported.
  • Downy mildew has been reported in bok choy. Cole crops, as well as leafy greens, need to be scouted on a regular basis and preventative sprays applied as long as wet weather continues.
  • Pepper anthracnose has been reported. If found in field, weekly fungicide maintenance sprays are needed. Abandoned fields should be mowed down immediately.
  • Bacterial leaf spot and Phytophthora blight and fruit rot remain active in pepper and cucurbit crops.
  • Alternaria leaf spot has been reported on broccoli.
  • Anthracnose has been reported in turnip.
  • Cercospora leaf spot has been reported on swiss chard and beets.
  • Basil downy mildew is being reported. Recent weather has been ideal for its development. For more information on Rutgers newly-released DMR sweet basils Obsession, Devotion, and Thunderstruck please click here. Follow the Rutgers Basil Downy Mildew Breeding Program on Instagram at #RutgersBasil
Filed Under: Vegetable Crops