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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Pepper Weevil Trap Counts

The map shows the general location of traps and the number of weevils caught between April 17 and 28

The map shows the general location of traps and the number of weevils caught between April 17 and 28

Adult pepper weevils have been caught in some of the traps that are set at or near produce handling facilities in southern New Jersey.   Since Florida vegetable crops newsletters indicate severe populations of pepper weevils in some regions of that state, this is not surprising.  Pepper weevils escaping into the environs around these facilities may be a problem if they are able to find solanaceous weeds before crops like peppers, tomatoes and eggplant are transplanted.

We will report weekly the numbers of weevils caught in the area and their general location in a map like the one here.  Between April 17 and April 28, 5 weevils have been caught.  Pepper farmers near these areas should consider monitoring for the presence of weevil once they have transplanted their peppers to the field.  For more information contact Joe Ingerson-Mahar at mahar@njaes.rutgers.edu

BMSB Survey

“Are you a grower? Got stink bugs? We need your help! We’re surveying growers to assess the impact of BMSB on crops and gathering information that will help us defeat this pest.

Receive a free Guide to Stink Bugs* if you complete the 10-minute BMSB survey”
https://cornell.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_5ssnjXLNhvp6v1H
Thanks in advance! – From the Northeast IPM Center

The BMSB Working Group, through NE IPM Center and Cornell University, is collecting information from farmers on BMSB impact and management. If you have time, please fill out this short survey. It will help to gather information that we can use to identify what’s working and what we still need to do.

Understanding Fungicide Resistance

Efforts have been made in recent years in New Jersey and the surrounding mid-Atlantic region to help vegetable growers understand and manage potential fungicide resistance development on their farm.

fungicide guidelinesSince 2007, Fungicide Resistance Management Guidelines have been available and distributed to vegetable growers throughout the region. Over, 20,000 FRAC guides have been distributed over the past 8 years at local, state, and regional vegetable meetings and conferences. Much of this work has been funded by the Northeast IPM Center.
The 2014 Fungicide Resistance Management Guide can be found on the right sidebar of the Vegetable Crops Online Resource Center and downloaded FREE. In order to understand and use fungicide resistance management strategies effectively one must first understand how and why fungicide resistance may develop. A series of articles is available on this website by clicking the links below.
Growers guide to understanding protectant fungicides (M1-M9)
Growers guide to understanding DMI fungicides (FRAC group 3)
Growers guide to understanding Strobilurin fungicides (FRAC group 11)

Controlling White Mold

White mold, or lettuce drop, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, has been reported. White mold can cause serious losses in lettuce and other susceptible crops if left uncontrolled.

WhiteMold

White mold on lettuce. Notice the white fungal growth and black sclerotia developing on the base of the stem. The sclorotia can survive in the soil for up to 10 years.

[Read more…]

Pesticide Storage Inventory Due May 1

All NJ licensed pesticide applicators, as well as dealers, who store pesticides are required by law to send a copy of their storage inventories with an explanatory cover letter to the local fire company by May 1st each year. [Read more…]

Spear Damage in Asparagus

Spear damage in asparagus can be caused by diseases such as Phytophthora spear and crown rot and purple spot. However, other environmental factors during the spring can damage spears as they emerge from the soil.

Fig. 1. Wind damage of asparagus spears. Notice how all spears are pointed in the same direction

Wind – Periods of heavy winds during emergence will cause spears to bend.

Winds can cause one side of the spear to dry out quicker than the other causing the spear to bend and point in the direction of the prevailing wind. An asparagus planting is suffering from wind damage if most of the bent spear heads in the bed are pointing in the same direction (Fig.1).

[Read more…]