Pathogens such as Fusarium, Pythium, Phytophthora, Thielaviopsis and Rhizoctonia that cause pre- and post-emergent damping-off can cause serious problems in organic (and conventional) transplant production.
The key to controlling and/or suppressing damping-off pathogens with biological controls is keeping the biological populations high and continually present on root surfaces of the host, and by following good cultural practices. [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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NJ Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations
Rutgers Weather Forecasting - Meteorological Information important to commercial agriculture.
June 10, 2021 Andy Wyenandt
Organic Production: Suppressing Soil-borne Pathogens
June 9, 2021 Kris Holmstrom and Joe Ingerson-Mahar
Vegetable IPM Update 6/09/21
2021 Vegetable IPM Program Personnel
Kris Holmstrom and Joe Ingerson-Mahar would like to acknowledge the IPM Field Technicians for this season:
Rhea Bolar
Claire Chapeau
Jeff Kane
Jake Newcombe
Gabriel Torres
Without the assistance of these individuals, much of the information presented in this publication would be unobtainable. We are grateful for all their help and hard work.
Sweet Corn
Low numbers of European corn borer (ECB) moths continue to be captured in parts of the state. Hot weather over the past week has not increased catches, indicating that this initial flight may be nearing its’ end. The highest adult activity is currently Gloucester and western Burlington counties (see map at right). Whorl corn is the primary target for egg laying, and injury as high as 18% of plants infested has been found in Hunterdon County this week. It is typical for feeding percentages to rise as the moth catch declines. We expect feeding to increase for the next 1-2 weeks 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 6/09/21 are as follows:
| Cinnaminson 2 | Centerton 1 | Green Creek 1 |
| Downer 2 | Crosswicks 1 | Milford 1 |
| Asbury 1 | East Vineland 1 | Oldwick 1 |
| Califon 1 | Eldora 1 | Sergeantsville 1 |
June 9, 2021 Andy Wyenandt
Destroying cucurbit plantings after harvesting is a must to help mitigate downy mildew
It’s a little early in the season but now is a good time to start thinking about ways to help mitigate cucurbit downy mildew pressure later on. All cucurbit fields, especially cucumber and other summer squash fields should be destroyed immediately after the last harvest to help limit potential inoculum sources for cucurbit downy mildew, especially in later plantings.
For a review of CDM control please click here.
To track the progress of CDM on your phone or PC please visit the CDM forecasting website.
June 8, 2021 William Errickson
Needs Assessment Survey for RU Ready to Farm Beginner Farm Training Program
The Rutgers Cooperative Extension Training Program-RU Ready to Farm is looking for input from beginner farmers on what types of subjects they would like to see covered. The 2022 season of RU Ready to Farm will feature in person workshops that are open to the general beginner farmer community, and the focus and content of these workshops will be designed according to community need and interest. If you have been farming for fewer than 10 years and would like to contribute to the development of this workshop series, the survey can be found here: RU Ready to Farm Needs Assessment.
For more information about the RU Ready to Farm program, visit: https://rubeginnerfarmer.rutgers.edu/
June 8, 2021 Andy Wyenandt
Basil downy mildew found in southern New Jersey – ALERT 6/8/21
Basil downy mildew has been confirmed in potted sweet basil being sold by a box-store in Cumberland County in southern New Jersey. This is the second report of BDM in the state and region this growing season. All basil growers are encouraged to scout their fields or greenhouses on a daily basis and should consider initiating a preventative fungicide program. [Read more…]
June 8, 2021 Andy Wyenandt
Recognizing Angular Leaf Spot in Cucurbits
Angular leaf spot is common in New Jersey and the region. It often shows up during cooler, wet weather and isolated rain.
Symptoms of angular leaf spot in cucurbit.
Angular leaf spot of pumpkin. Note leaf ‘shot holes’.
Angular leaf spot will first appear as, small water-soaked lesions which will expand until they reach a larger leaf vein resulting in the angular looking symptoms on leaves. Under heavy disease pressure, the bacteria will infect fruit causing small, water-soaked circular spots. In many cases once weather conditions become dry again, infected tissue in leaves will die and fall out leaving the characteristic ‘shot hole’ symptoms. Control of angular leaf spot begins with the application of labeled rates of fixed copper plus mancozeb to help suppress the spread of the disease until hot, dry weather returns.
