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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Rutgers Weather Forecasting - Meteorological Information important to commercial agriculture.

September 16, 2015

Veg IPM Update: Week Ending 9/16/15

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Sweet Corn

Only a scattering of European corn borer (ECB) moths are being captured now, with somewhat more consistent catches in Mercer County (see ECB map). Damage from this pest is largely being overshadowed by that of the fall armyworm.

As always, consider treating when the number of infested plants in a 50 plant sample exceeds 12%. 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.

See the 2015 Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide for insecticide choices.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops
September 10, 2015

RAREC Variety Trials:
Disease-Resistant Hybrid Bell Pepper ‘Turnpike’

Phytophthora blight (P. capsici) and bacterial leaf spot (BLS) are the two greatest pathogen threats to pepper production in New Jersey. Articles in the Plant & Pest Advisory, such as Phytophthora Control During Wet Weather, Controlling Phytophthora Blight in Pepper, and Bacterial Leaf Spot Update, have talked about why growers are experiencing increasing crop losses due to P. capsici and BLS. Work on mitigating the impact of these pathogens has been on-going for decades at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Among the many pepper varieties evaluated at the farm, the new Seminis hybrid, Turnpike, has generated excitement for its fruit quality, yield potential, and resistance against both Phytophthora blight as well as bacterial leaf spot races 0-5 and 7-9.

Phytophthora blight and bacterial leaf spot are issues for growers; Turnpike has performed well and looked strong in the test field. [Read more in American Vegetable Grower/Growing Produce]

Seminis bell pepper breeder Bill McCarthy discusses disease-resistant pepper Turnpike at RAREC's Vegetable Twilight Meeting & Research Tour.

Boyd Carey, Ph.D. discusses disease-resistant pepper Turnpike
at RAREC’s Vegetable Twilight Meeting & Research Tour.

Seminis Bell Pepper 'Turnpike'

Seminis bell pepper breeder Bill McCarthy has worked for many years to develop Turnpike, seen here in the foreground.

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With: ,
September 9, 2015

Veg IPM Update: Week Ending 9/9/15

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Sweet Corn

The second European corn borer (ECB) generation is lingering at low levels, primarily in central counties (see ECB map).

As always, consider treating when the number of infested plants in a 50 plant sample exceeds 12%. 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.

See the 2015 Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide for insecticide choices.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops
September 3, 2015

Late Blight Found on Tomato: Morris County – 9/2/15

Late blight has been found in a small tomato planting near Chester in Morris County. This is the third late blight report this growing season in New Jersey and the first since mid-August. Although the weather around NJ has been hot and dry the past few weeks, morning dews and fogs are slowly starting to roll in with Autumn around the corner. All tomato growers should scout their fields on a regular basis. Early-season plantings that have been abandoned need to remain on your radar screen, especially if they haven’t been mowed off or hit with gramoxone to kill all living plant material. To track late blight in the US please visit http://usablight.org/

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops
September 2, 2015

Veg IPM Update: Week Ending 9/2/15

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Sweet Corn

The second European corn borer (ECB) generation continues to be weak. Catches are limited to scattered pockets registering more than one moth per week (see ECB map).

As always, consider treating when the number of infested plants in a 50 plant sample exceeds 12%. 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.

See the 2015 Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide for insecticide choices.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops
August 31, 2015

Audit Ready: Sanitizing Surfaces in Post Harvest

sanitation product contact surfacesSanitizing product contact surfaces is important in reducing cross contamination risks.  “Product contact surfaces” means anything that comes in contact with the product such as equipment, belts, rollers, brushes, tables, bins, sinks, tools, and reusable totes.  Writing a standard operating procedure describing the specific steps of your cleaning process will help ensure that the surfaces are properly cleaned.

Proper cleaning and sanitizing of contact surfaces includes these steps:

  1. Surface is rinsed to remove any visible debris
  2. Appropriate detergent is applied and the surface is scrubbed
  3. The surface is rinsed with water that is potable (drinkable)
  4. Appropriate sanitizer is applied, following the directions
  5. Let the surface air dry

An appropriate sanitizer for use in post harvest surface cleaning is one that has an EPA registration number, states that it is food grade, and gives specific instructions for the products use as a surface cleaner.  Remember the label is the law.

Filed Under: Blueberry, Food Safety, Fruit, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops