Since 2011 the vegetable working group has teamed up with Cornell University’s NEWA to bring tomato and potato late blight and early blight forecasting to vegetable growers throughout New Jersey. Over 30 weather stations from Sussex to Cape May County now offer disease as well as insect forecasting services for 19 specific pests. [Read more…]

Skin blotch of garlic caused by the fungus, Embellisia allii, has been found in a homeowner’s garden. Symptoms on infected plants include the a diffuse coating of charcoal-colored flecks on the outer surfaces of infected stems. [Read more…]

Clopyralid, marketed under the trade name STINGER, was labeled for use in asparagus for years.  About eight years ago Dow removed asparagus from the Stinger label due to liability concerns.  A generic version of clopyralid called SPUR, produced by Albaugh Inc., is now available and includes asparagus on the label with a 48 hour PHI.

[Read more…]

Sweet Corn

By this time last year, we had already begun catching European corn borer (ECB) adults, as well as a few corn earworm (CEW) adults. Due to much cooler conditions this season, blacklight trap catches have very few insects of any type. As a result, there will be no maps published in this IPM Update. In general, sweet corn is well behind recent seasons in terms of development. As ECB numbers develop, their activity will be reported here.

Cole Crops

In many locations, imported cabbageworm butterflies (ICW) are active. These butterflies were seen laying eggs on kale in Hunterdon County this week. Egg deposition is undoubtedly occurring all over the state, during warm periods. Be sure to check the youngest portions of plants, as this is often where the ICW larvae go to feed. Feeding can damage the growing point of plants, if it is not detected in time. Check 5 consecutive plants each in 10 random locations throughout the field. Consider treating if caterpillars are found on 10% or more plants that are in the 0-9 true leaf stage. From 9-leaf to the early head stage (in broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage) infestations up to 20% may be tolerated. Once heads begin to form, a 5% threshold should be observed to protect the marketable portion of the plant. For leafy greens such as collards and kale, 10% plants infested is the threshold throughout.

Crucifer flea beetle is active on many plantings, particularly when conditions are warm. When scouting cole crops for caterpillar pests, check for the presence of flea beetles. Consider treating if flea beetles are present on 50% or more plants, and feeding injury is evident on the plants. Be sure to monitor newly emerged or transplanted fields for the presence of this pest. In general, plants like arugula and mustard (those with a “hotter” flavor) are more favorable to flea beetles.

Parsley

Septoria Leaf Spot – has been found in east Vineland this past week.

Leaf spots caused by Septoria blight are easily distinguished by small, angular to round leaf spots with grayish-brown centers with a definitive dark, brown margin. Numerous black fruiting bodies develop in the center of lesions (see VDOW). Septoria blight is spread by wind-driven rain and overhead irrigation.

Rotate applications of Quadris (azoxystrobin, 11) at 6.0 to 15.5 fl oz 2.08SC/A or Cabrio (pyraclostrobin, 11) at 12.0 to 16.0 20WG/A with Tilt (propiconazole, 3) at 3.0 to 4.0 fl oz. 3.6F/A every 7 days. A fixed copper at labeled rates can also be included if bacterial leaf spot is an issue.

Bacterial leaf spot (Pseudomonas syringae) of parsley can also show up at the same time as Septoria blight.  Leaf spots caused by Bacterial blight appear as small brown to black spots on the leaves.  The pathogen can be soil or seed borne and develops during cool, moist weather.  The disease spreads during cool, rainy weather or with overhead irrigation; and is exacerbated by high plant density.  The same control measures listed for Septoria will assist in preventing the spread of Bacterial leaf spot as long as the fixed copper is included with azoxystrobin and the fungicides are applied preventatively.  If Oxidate is used, follow the label carefully. [Read more…]