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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August 9, 2024

Agrivoltaic farmer trainings in New Jersey!

The Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program and the American Farmland Trust are excited to host our inaugural agrivoltaics farmer trainings in New Jersey! This Technical Assistance Program for Agrivoltaics (TAPAS) will introduce the dual-use of land for both agricultural and solar energy production, and explore the opportunities it may present for greater farm viability in New Jersey.

There are three training events, but due to limited capacity, we are encouraging participants to only register for one training session so we may train as many producers as possible. The in-person events have a capacity of 20 participants. Register today to secure your spot as soon as possible! While these trainings are exclusively held for farmers and ranchers, we will have other opportunities in the future for non-farmer participants to learn from our team of experts.

Training Opportunities

Session 1: Full-day training intended for specialty crop farmers on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 121 Northville Rd, Bridgeton, NJ 08302

Session 2: Half-day training intended for livestock producers or those who focus on grazing and forage on Tuesday, August 27 at the Round House next to 65 Sheepfold Lane, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Session 3: A virtual training for all types of producers on Tuesday, September 10 from 5-7:30 pm ET

For more information and to sign up for one of these training sessions please click here.

Filed Under: Blueberry, Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Organic Production, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape, work shop Tagged With: ,
August 7, 2024

Vegetable IPM Update 8/07/24

Sweet Corn

Fall armyworm (FAW)  infestations remain present, although in fields where growers responded with appropriate insecticides, control has been good.   Re-infestation is occurring rapidly in Cape May County fields, and is likely happening elsewhere in the southern part of the state.  Because FAW moths are highly mobile, it is important to monitor fields at least weekly for signs of infestation.   Whorl stage plants are prime targets for egg laying.  Delays in treating whorl stage infestations can lead to stunted plants and poor ear size.

Newly hatched FAW larvae cause holes and scratches on leaves that are similar to ECB feeding, except that they tend to be more concentrated and always lead down into the whorl  (see photo 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).  Infected plant

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.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Organic Production, Vegetable Crops
August 7, 2024

EPA Issues Final Cancellation and Termination of Uses Order for Several Chlorpyrifos Products

[EPA. August 7, 2024]. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a final order terminating food processing plant (food and non-food area) uses for Chemstarr’s chlorpyrifos product “Chlorpyrifos 61.5% MUP” and food uses for Tide International’s chlorpyrifos product “Chlorpyrifos 4 EC.” EPA is also cancelling two Central Garden & Pet chlorpyrifos products “Equil Chlorpyrifos […]
Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
August 6, 2024

EPA Issues Emergency Order to Stop Use of Pesticide Dacthal to Address Serious Health Risk

[US EPA. WASHINGTON ]– Today, Aug. 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the emergency suspension of all registrations ( i.e.,editorial note: IMMEDIATE CANCELLATION OF ALL DISTRIBUTION, SALE,  and USE) of the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This is the first time in almost […]
Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
July 31, 2024

Vegetable IPM Update 7/31/24

Sweet Corn

Fall armyworm (FAW)  infestations remain present, although in fields where growers responded with appropriate insecticides, control has been good.   Because FAW moths are highly mobile, it is important to monitor fields at least weekly for signs of infestation.   Whorl stage plants are prime targets for egg laying.

Newly hatched FAW larvae cause holes and scratches on leaves that are similar to ECB feeding, except that they tend to be more concentrated and always lead down into the whorl  (see photo 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).  Infected plant

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.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Organic Production, Vegetable Crops
July 24, 2024

Vegetable IPM Update 7/24/24

Sweet Corn

Fall Armyworm Alert!

Fall armyworm (FAW)  infestations are increasing in frequency and severity now.  While numbers are not extreme, field scouts are reporting infestation rates from 12-30% with some regularity in many parts of central and northern NJ.  Cooperating growers in Cape May County (where FAW is typically heaviest) report that FAW is now present in whorl and pre-tassel stage plantings.  Because FAW moths are highly mobile, and with southerly winds continuing to dominate, it is important to monitor fields at least weekly for signs of infestation.   Whorl stage plants are prime targets for egg laying.

Newly hatched FAW larvae cause holes and scratches on leaves that are similar to ECB feeding, except that they tend to be more concentrated and always lead down into the whorl  (see photo 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).  Infected plant

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.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Organic Production, Vegetable Crops