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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Vegetable IPM Update 8/30/23
Sweet Corn
Fall armyworm (FAW) infestations in whorl stage plantings remain a presence, although in many scouted fields in northern and central counties, the incidence of FAW has declined. Re-infestation rates are fairly low, even in coastal areas. This may not be the case in southern counties. Growers are advised to check whorl and seedling stage corn plantings weekly for signs of FAW. Consider treating if infestation rates exceed 10%. This pest is capable of significant injury to sweet corn plants, resulting in severe stunting and failure to produce viable ears. Note that growers of Attribute II type genetically engineered corn are unlikely to see damage from FAW.
Newly hatched FAW larvae cause holes and scratches on leaves that are similar to European corn borer (ECB) feeding, except that they tend to be more concentrated and always lead down into the whorl (see photos at left). As the larvae grow, the feeding becomes more destructive, with large ragged holes and obvious droppings deposited in the whorl (see photo at right).
We will provide updates on new FAW appearances and severity as reports come in. FAW are resistant to synthetic pyrethroids. Effective sprays should include IRAC grp. 5 (spinosyns) or IRAC grp. 28 (diamides). The carbamate (IRAC grp. 1A) Lannate is also still effective. Sufficient water should be used in the applications to allow the solution to penetrate the layer of droppings that may have formed above the caterpillar.
Vegetable Disease Update: 08-24-23
- Cucurbit downy mildew has been reported on pumpkin, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, cucumber, and cantaloupe in New Jersey. For more information on CDM control please click here.
- Pepper anthracnose is being reported in New Jersey. For more information on controlling anthracnose fruit rot please click here.
- Basil downy mildew has been reported in New Jersey.
- There have been no reports of Late blight in potato or tomato in the region to date. To follow the progress of Late blight in the US please click here.
- Bacterial leaf spot has been reported in pepper. More more information on BLS control please click here. Rutgers is surveying tomato and pepper fields throughout the state this summer to help determine the makeup of the bacterial population and for copper resistance development.
- Powdery mildew has been reported in cucurbit crops. For more information on the control of CPM please click here.
- For information on diagnosing important diseases in pepper, tomato, and cucurbit crops please click on links.
- The 2022/2023 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide is available for free online or for sale in hardcopy form at many County offices.
- For a quick review on managing fungicide resistance development using tank mixes and fungicide rotations, and information on FRAC group 4, FRAC group 7, and FRAC group 3 and FRAC group 11 fungicides please click on hyperlinks.
Cucurbit Downy Mildew Alert – Pumpkin, Butternut, Spaghetti Squash – 8/24/23
Cucurbit downy mildew has been confirmed on pumpkin, butternut, and spaghetti squash in Northern New Jersey (Morris County). This is the first report of CDM on pumpkin, butternut and spaghetti squash in New Jersey this growing season. CDM has previously been reported on cantaloupe in Salem County on July 7th and on cucumber in Gloucester County (7/1) and in Atlantic County (6/13) in southern New Jersey. All cucurbit growers should scout on a daily basis and initiate a preventative fungicide program immediately. Remember, some CDM isolates fall into Clade I which predominately infect watermelon, pumpkin, and squash, where CDM isolates in Clade II predominately infect cucumber and cantaloupe. We now have both Clades present in New Jersey!
For more information on CDM, the clades, and CDM control please click here.
Vegetable IPM Update 8/23/23
Sweet Corn
Fall armyworm (FAW) infestations in whorl stage plantings remain a presence, although in many scouted fields in northern and central counties, the incidence of FAW has declined. Treated fields are not typically experiencing re-infestation. This may not be the case in southern counties. Growers are advised to check whorl and seedling stage corn plantings weekly for signs of FAW. Consider treating if infestation rates exceed 10%. This pest is capable of significant injury to sweet corn plants, resulting in severe stunting and failure to produce viable ears. Note that growers of Attribute II type genetically engineered corn are unlikely to see damage from FAW.
Newly hatched FAW larvae cause holes and scratches on leaves that are similar to European corn borer (ECB) feeding, except that they tend to be more concentrated and always lead down into the whorl (see photos at left). As the larvae grow, the feeding becomes more destructive, with large ragged holes and obvious droppings deposited in the whorl (see photo at right).
We will provide updates on new FAW appearances and severity as reports come in. FAW are resistant to synthetic pyrethroids. Effective sprays should include IRAC grp. 5 (spinosyns) or IRAC grp. 28 (diamides). The carbamate (IRAC grp. 1A) Lannate is also still effective. Sufficient water should be used in the applications to allow the solution to penetrate the layer of droppings that may have formed above the caterpillar.
Snyder Farm Twilight Tour & Meeting, Wed. August 23, 2023
Twilight Tour and Meeting*
Fiber Hemp Production
Drones in Agriculture
Agrivoltaics Research
Date/Time:
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location:
Snyder Research and Extension Farm
140 Locust Grove Rd.
Pittstown, NJ 08867
This program is offered to assist producers, and anyone interested in learning more about Fiber Hemp Production and current Agrivoltaics research in NJ.
Topics Include:
- Tour of Rutgers Fiber Hemp Plots
See what the hemp is going on with production and management. Is hemp viable in NJ? - Drone sprayers and ground driven sprayers in agriculture
Learn how drones can be used in agricultural production. Learn the requirements for applying pesticides using drones. - Tour of Rutgers Agrivoltaics Research Plot
Learn about current and planned agrivoltaics research at Rutgers. Are agriculture and solar energy production compatible?
For more information contact: RCE, Sussex County 973-948-3040
*Pesticide credits pending