The National Plant Board will be holding their annual meeting in Wilmington, DE on July 31 to August 4th. The National Plant Board plays a significant leadership role in regulation and policy rules in agricultural production with each state having a representative member. One of the topics of discussion will be Dickeya dianthicola which has caused significant problems in potato production in NJ other states in the mid-Atlantic region. There will be presentations on Dickeya and seed potato production on the morning of Wednesday August 3rd starting at 8:15 AM. More information on the meeting and the schedule can be found here.
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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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July 28, 2016 Andy Wyenandt
Reminder: Dickeya discussion at National Plant Board meeting in Wilmington, DE on Weds. 8/3
July 27, 2016 Andy Wyenandt
Cucurbit downy mildew confirmed on cucumber in North Jersey 7-27-16
Cucurbit downy mildew has been confirmed on cucumber in Hunterdon County in Northern New Jersey. Downy mildew was found in cucumber in the southern part of the state a few weeks ago. To date, cucurbit downy mildew has only been reported in cucumber in the mid-Atlantic region. All cucumber growers who have not included a downy mildew-specific fungicide in their weekly spray program should do so. For more in formation on controlling cucurbit downy mildew please see the 2016 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide.
July 27, 2016 Kris Holmstrom and Joe Ingerson-Mahar
Veg IPM Update: Week Ending 7/27/16
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…]
July 27, 2016 Andy Wyenandt
Controlling Pepper Anthracnose
Pepper Anthracnose
In recent years, pepper anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. has become a significant problem on some farms in southern New Jersey.
Unlike in tomato, where symptoms are only present in mature (red) fruit, pepper anthracnose can infect pepper fruit at any growth stage. [Read more…]
July 25, 2016 Andy Wyenandt
‘Reba’ potato seed test positive for Dickeya dianthicola in New Jersey from Canada.
‘Reba’ potato seed (lot # 2015-3100460-022, Elite 3) certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Grand Falls office in New Brunswick has tested positive for Dickeya dianthicola in New Jersey this summer. The same lot of seed was also shipped to PA. This is the first report of potato testing positive for Dickeya dianthicola in NJ from a Canadian source. Importantly, Dickeya-infested ‘Reba’ seed has also been shipped from different sources in Maine to multiple states in the mid-Atlantic region this year. 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.
July 24, 2016 Andy Wyenandt
Vegetable Disease Briefs – 7/24/16
- 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.
