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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August 29, 2018

IPM Update 08/29/18

Sweet Corn

European corn borer (ECB) moth catches are extremely low.  The second flight has been very weak.  Feeding signs in whorl corn remain low.  There will be no map in this edition.  Second generation feeding is often obscured by fall armyworm (FAW) feeding.  Once plants hit full tassel, any ECB larvae present will move downward on the stalk and re-enter the plant near the area where ears are forming.  This can result in direct injury to the ear.  Growers should consider an insecticide application at the full tassel stage to target ECB larvae as they migrate downward.  This application can eliminate larvae that have escaped any earlier insecticide applications. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Organic Production, Vegetable Crops
August 22, 2018

IPM Update 08/22/18

Sweet Corn

European corn borer (ECB) moth catches remain unchanged.  The second flight is weak, with many traps catching no individuals.  Feeding signs in whorl corn have been exceptionally low.  There will be no map in this edition.  Second generation feeding is often obscured by fall armyworm (FAW) feeding.  Once plants hit full tassel, any ECB larvae present will move downward on the stalk and re-enter the plant near the area where ears are forming.  This can result in direct injury to the ear.  Growers should consider an insecticide application at the full tassel stage to target ECB larvae as they migrate downward.  This application can eliminate larvae that have escaped any earlier insecticide applications. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Organic Production, Vegetable Crops
August 18, 2018

Monitoring for SLF Egg Masses

Spotted lanternfly egg mass

Spotted lanternfly egg mass – photo by A.L. Nielsen

Spotted lanternfly is a new invasive species in NJ. Egg masses are brownish grey and generally laid on bark in early fall and appear like a smudge of mud. Adults are expected to start egg laying in August and continue through November or the first hard frost.

SLF eggs overwinter and can be laid on multiple hard surfaces, including fence posts, trees, patio furniture, fruit bins, landscaping stones, railway cars, etc. Due to this they can be easily transported and represent a significant risk to SLF populations spreading. Vehicles, stones, agricultural equipment, and fruit bins coming from PA or VA should be inspected for egg masses beginning in August. Within state movement is also of concern to prevent new populations. If found, egg masses can be scraped into a plastic bag and frozen to limit spread and future impact of this pest.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , ,
August 15, 2018

IPM Update 08/15/18

Sweet Corn

European corn borer (ECB) moth catches in black light traps remain very low.  The second flight is weak, with many traps catching no individuals.  Feeding signs in whorl corn have been exceptionally low.  There will be no map in this edition.  Second generation feeding is often obscured by fall armyworm (FAW) feeding.  Once plants hit full tassel, any ECB larvae present will move downward on the stalk and re-enter the plant near the area where ears are forming.  This can result in direct injury to the ear.  Growers should consider an insecticide application at the full tassel stage to target ECB larvae as they migrate downward.  This application can eliminate larvae that have escaped any earlier insecticide applications. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Organic Production, Vegetable Crops
August 13, 2018

Vegetable Disease Update – 8/13/18

  • Cucurbit downy mildew has been confirmed on cucumber, butternut squash, and pumpkin in NJ this growing season. Recent weather has been ideal for its development. All cucurbit growers should scout their fields on a regular basis and consider adding a downy mildew specific fungicide to their weekly maintenance sprays.
  • CDM has been reported in giant pumpkin and cantaloupe in MD this past week, and in acorn, summer squash, watermelon and butternut squash as far north as North Carolina to date.
  • Cucurbit powdery mildew is being reported.
  • The 2018 FRAC Table for Cucurbit Downy and Powdery Mildew Control in the mid-Atlantic Region can be found and downloaded for FREE here and is essential for developing control strategies for both diseases.
  • There have been no new reports of late blight in the region.
  • 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
  • Bacterial leaf spot and Phytophthora blight have been reported in pepper and cucurbit crops.
  • Remember, copper applications on hot days with high relative humidity can cause phytotoxicity on a number of crops.
  • Cercospora leaf spot has been reported on swiss chard and beets.
Filed Under: Vegetable Crops
August 10, 2018

Corn Earworm Control in Sweet Corn

In the past, pyrethroid insecticides did very well against corn earworm. But in recent years we have seen the decline in the effectiveness of pyrethroids due to the development of resistance in the earworm population.  Farmers who rely heavily on these insecticides run the risk of crop loss.

Pyrethroids (IRAC group 3A) can still be used but must be in rotation with materials from other chemical groups, especially groups 5 and 28.  Examples of some of these other insecticides include Lannate LV (group 1), Besiege (groups 3A, 28), Blackhawk 36 WG (group 5), Radiant SC (group 5) and Coragen 1.67 SC (group 28).

To prevent the development of insecticide resistance and provide for the best pest control, rotate the insecticide groups in your spray program.  Do not rely on a single chemistry (mode of action) otherwise crop loss may occur.

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops