In 2004, cucurbit downy mildew re-emerged in the US with a vengeance causing significant losses in cucurbit production. In most years prior to this, concern for CDM control was minimal, since the pathogen arrived late in the growing season (in more northern regions), or the pathogen caused little damage, or never appeared. After 2004, with significant losses at stake, and with very few fungicides labeled for its proper control, CDM became a serious threat to cucurbit production. Importantly, at the time, cucumber varieties with very good levels of CDM resistance were no longer resistant, suggesting a major shift in the pathogen population. Research done over the past 19 years has led to a better understanding of the pathogen. Recent research has determined that the CDM falls into two separate clades: Clade I and Clade II. [Read more…]
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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Bacterial leaf spot control and copper resistance survey in 2023
Copper resistance in bacterial leaf spot of tomato and pepper crops has been detected at a high level in New Jersey the past few summers. While not surprising, copper resistance has been known to develop for decades now. Copper applications for the control of bacterial diseases in many crops has been a mainstay for decades now and is often applied in weekly protectant fungicide programs. With help from Dr. Nrupali Patel and Dr. Don Kobayashi, bacteriologists in the Department of Plant Biology located on the New Brunswick campus, a (NJ-VGA funded) survey was initiated to determine which species of bacterial leaf spot are most prevalent in New Jersey tomato and pepper crops. Bacterial leaf spot can be caused by four species of Xanthomonas: X. euvesicatoria, X. vesicatoria, X. perforans, and X. gardneri. Currently, there are four races of BLS found in tomato (T1-T4; one for each of the 4 species stated above) and eleven races found in pepper (0-10). Differential tests in southern New Jersey using various bell pepper lines over the past 15 years has suggested that the number of races of BLS in pepper has increased over time; with all races present in the State to date. Lab testing results from samples collected from the small number of NJ vegetable farms the last three summers has shown the presence of X. euvesicatoria in pepper, as well as X. euvesicatoria and X. perforans in both tomato and pepper in the state, with ~60% of all samples testing positive for copper resistance.
Phytophthora blight control in pepper in 2023
Phytophthora blight typically develops in low-lying areas after a heavy rain and can spread quickly throughout the entire field. Fortunately, New Jersey has been really dry this summer, but that does not need you don’t need to prepare for potential Phytophthora issues down the road. This is particularly important if are in fields with a known history of Phytophthora blight. Although the extended period of dry weather works against Phytophthora development, it does not mean it will not show up eventually. [Read more…]
Vegetable IPM Update 6/22/22
Sweet Corn
Low numbers of European corn borer (ECB) moths continue to be captured at levels similar to last week, and feeding in whorl and pre-tassel stage corn more common. The highest adult activity remains in Hunterdon County (see map below at right). ECB injury over the threshold of 12% of plants infested has been found in many areas this week. It is typical for feeding percentages to rise as the moth catch declines. We expect feeding to increase for the next week or so before peaking.
Look for the characteristic “shot-hole” type of feeding (photo below at right) and consider treating when infested plants exceed 12% in a 50 plant sample. As plantings proceed to the pre-tassel stage, ECB larvae may be found in emerging tassels (see photo at left). It is a good idea to treat individual plantings as they move into the full tassel/first silk stage one time. This eliminates any ECB larvae that have emerged with the tassels as they begin to move down the stalk to re-enter near developing ears.
Useful insecticides for this particular application include synthetic 
pyrethroids (IRAC Grp 3), spinosyns (including OMRI approved Entrust) IRAC Grp 5), and diamides such as Coragen or Vantacor (IRAC Grp 28) or materials such as Besiege which include the active ingredient in Coragen. Synthetic pyrethroids alone should NOT be used for corn earworm (CEW) protection on silking corn. Control with these materials is very inconsistent.
The highest nightly trap catches of ECB for the week ending 6/22/22 are as follows:
| Sergeantsville 2 | Califon 1 | Old Bridge 1 |
| Allentown 1 | Clinton 1 | Pedricktown 1 |
| Asbury 1 | Dayton 1 | Princeton 1 |
| Bellemeade 1 | Hillsborough 1 | South Branch 1 |
Identifying and controlling common leaf spot in strawberry
Strawberry leaf spot, caused by the soil-borne fungal pathogen, Mycosphaerella fragariae, can infect leaves, petioles, runners, fruit stalks (pedicels), and berry caps or calyxes. Small, dark purple to reddish-purple, round spots, 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter (3 to 6 millimeters), appear on the upper leaf surfaces. The center of the spots soon become tan or gray and eventually almost white, while the broad margins remain dark purple. Later in the season, dark specks (sclerotia and/or perithecia) may be seen in the older lesions. Tannish areas form on the undersides of infected leaves. The symptoms on the other plant parts, except the fruit, are almost identical to those that develop on the upper leaf surface. [Read more…]
USDA Announces Assistance for On-Farm Food Safety Expenses for Specialty Crop Growers
Program Details
The Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC) will assist specialty crop operations that incurred eligible on-farm food safety certification and related expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in calendar years 2022 and 2023. For each year, FSCSC covers a percentage of the specialty crop operation’s cost of obtaining or renewing their certification, as well as a portion of their related expenses.
To be eligible for FSCSC, the applicant must be a specialty crop operation; meet the definition of a small business or very small business; and have paid eligible expenses related to the 2022 (issued on or after June 21, 2022) or 2023 certification.
Specialty crop operations may receive assistance for the following costs:
- Developing a food safety plan for first-time food safety certification.
- Maintaining or updating an existing food safety plan.
- Food safety certification.
- Certification upload fees.
- Microbiological testing for products, soil amendments and water.
- Training
FSCSC payments are calculated separately for each category of eligible costs. A higher payment rate has been set for socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning and veteran farmers and ranchers. Details about the payment rates and limitations can be found at farmers.gov/food-safety.
Very small ($250,000) and small farms (less than 500,000) average monetary value of specialty crops sold during the 3-year period preceding the program are eligible.
| Payment Amount of Eligible Costs | ||
| Category of Eligible Expenses | Historically Underserved Farmer or Rancher | All Other Applicants |
| Development of a food safety plan for first-time certification | 75 percent (no maximum)
|
50 percent (no maximum)
|
| Maintaining or updating a food safety plan
|
75 percent, up to a maximum of $375
|
50 percent, up to a maximum of $250
|
| Food safety certification
|
75 percent, up to a maximum of $2,000
|
50 percent, up to a maximum of $2,000
|
| Certification upload fees
|
75 percent, up to a maximum of $375
|
50 percent, up to a maximum of $250
|
| Microbiological testing – products
|
75 percent, up to 5 tests
|
50 percent, up to 5 tests
|
| Microbiological testing – soil amendments
|
75 percent, up to 5 tests
|
50 percent, up to 5 tests
|
| Microbiological testing – water
|
75 percent, up to 5 tests
|
50 percent, up to 5 tests
|
| Training
|
100 percent, up to a maximum of $300
|
100 percent, up to a maximum of $200
|
Applying for Assistance
The FSCSC application period for 2022 is June 27, 2022, through January 31, 2023, and the application period for 2023 will be announced at a later date. FSA will issue payments at the time of application approval for 2022 and after the application period ends for 2023. If calculated payments exceed the amount of available funding, payments will be prorated.
Interested specialty crop producers can apply by completing the FSA-888, Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC) application. The application, along with other required documents, can be submitted to the FSA office at any USDA Service Center nationwide by mail, fax, hand delivery or via electronic means. Producers can visit farmers.gov/service-locator to find their local FSA office. Specialty crop producers can also call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to assist.
Producers can visit farmers.gov/food-safety for additional program details, eligibility information and forms needed to apply.
