Sweet Corn 

European corn borer (ECB) moth activity is slowly increasing and spreading northward (see ECB map) .  This is the early part of the second flight.  Very few larval infestations have been detected.  Be sure to begin monitoring plantings for ECB feeding while they are still in the whorl stage.  Consider treating when the number of infested plants in a 50 plant sample exceeds 12%.  Feeding in the whorl stage will appear as numerous small holes (called “shot-hole”) on leaves, with damage present on consecutively younger leaves. As plants progress to pre-tassel and beyond, droppings and  larvae may be found in or on the emerging tassels.  Any planting remaining at or above threshold as it proceeds to full tassel should be treated, as this is the last stage at which ECB larvae will be exposed and vulnerable to insecticidal sprays.    [Read more…]

• Asparagus rust has been reported. All growers with nursery, 1-, or 2 yr-old plantings should scout regularly and apply a protectant fungicide if one hasn’t initiated fungicide program to date.
• Bacterial leaf spot in pepper has been reported in southern New Jersey.
• Cucurbit downy mildew has been confirmed on cucumber in New Jersey. All cucurbit growers need to scout on a regular basis. All cucumber growers need to add a downy mildew-specific fungicide to their weekly fungicide programs. There have been no reports of downy mildew in other cucurbit crops in New Jersey to date.
• Reports of Dickeya dianthicola in additional potato varieties continue across the east coast. Dickeya dianthicola has been confirmed in 11 states to date on potato seed originating from Maine and New Brunswick, Canada this growing season. All potato growers are encouraged to scout fields and report any suspect plants/tubers. The best method for keeping your potato operation Dickeya-free is to adopt your own 0% Dickeya-tolerance policy.

Dickeya dianthicola has been reported in potato in Rhode Island this summer. This makes it the 11th state this summer to report the pathogen in potato. The pathogen has also been detected in NJ, MA, DE, PA, MD, VA, NC, WV, and FL this year. All potato growers, crop consultants, scouts, industry representatives, and Extension personnel in states which grow potatoes should remain vigilant by scouting their fields for Dickeya symptoms on a regular basis and by submitting any suspect samples for diagnostic testing. Additionally, in recent days and weeks there has been a lot of misinformation circulating (both written and in person) about the pathogen – Dickeya, its biology, potential sources of the inoculum, and much more. All potato growers when deciding on where and from whom to buy their seed from next year need to do their own due diligence, talk with other growers [(especially those who have had the unfortunate experience with Dickeya and have received infested lot(s)] and to speak with their local Extension Service to find out the facts to help them make the appropriate decisions to avoid problems. The best method for keeping Dickeya off of your potato farm and to avoid potential loses is to adopt your own zero-tolerance policy for the disease.

For more information on Dickeya please see the following articles posted online – source(s) of information:

Dickeya: A new potato disease – Growing Produce

Blackleg is Once Again Being Observed in Potato Fields Across the Mid-Atlantic Region – Penn State University

Update on Dickeya detections in potato – University of Delaware

Dickeya Blackleg: New potato disease causing major impact. – Cornell University

Watch for Dickeya – a new potato disease – The Ohio State University

High security Aroostook farm advances tater technology. – Maine Potato Board

Slowing Dickeya, other pathogens in Canada. – North Dakota State University

Dickeya: A new threat to potato production in North America. – SPUDsmart

Dickeya is coming. – University of Wisconsin/North Dakota State University

Maine ‘Ground Zero’ for new potato disease. – Maine Department of Ag.

Maine seed potato growers looking to protect brand against disease. Maine Department of Ag./Maine

Sweet Corn 

 European corn borer (ECB) moth activity is now increasing in a few areas of the state (see ECB map) .  Larval infestations have yet to appear.  Be sure to begin monitoring plantings for ECB feeding while they are still in the whorl stage.  Consider treating when the number of infested plants in a 50 plant sample exceeds 12%.  Feeding in the whorl stage will appear as numerous small holes (called “shot-hole”) on leaves, with damage present on consecutively younger leaves. As plants progress to pre-tassel and beyond, droppings and  larvae may be found in or on the emerging tassels.  Any planting remaining at or above threshold as it proceeds to full tassel should be treated, as this is the last stage at which ECB larvae will be exposed and vulnerable to insecticidal sprays.    [Read more…]