Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, and Turf Edition

Seasonal updates on ornamental, nursery, and turf pests.
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Rutgers Turf Blog - Articles on turfgrass diseases and cultural practices for the commercial turfgrass industry. Subscription available via RSS.

 

Rutgers Weather Forecasting - Meteorological Information important to commercial agriculture.

Recorded Webinar Posted – COVID-19 Guidance for Ag Workers/Employers

Cover 5-20-2020 NJ DOH Interim Guidance for Migrant-Seasonal Farmworkers
The webinar for Ag Employers regarding Understanding & Implementing NJ’s COVID-19 Guidance For Migrant & Seasonal Farmworkers, Employers & Housing Providers* held on Tue June 16, 2020 has been posted on the Rutgers NJAES On-Farm Food Safety team’s YouTube page.
 
All NJ agricultural employers are invited to learn directly from NJ Departments of Health, Labor and Agriculture who discussed expectations for implementation of the “NJ COVID-19 Guidance for Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers, Their Employers & Housing Providers” document in a Webex webinar hosted by Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
The agenda included introductory remarks by Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher, followed by a detailed overview of the guidance document by Amanda Medina-Forrester, Executive Director of the Office of Minority & Multicultural Health, and Siobhan Pappas, Coordinator of the Childhood Lead Program of the NJ Dept. of Health; Christine Blumauer, Policy Advisor in the Office of the Commissioner of the NJ Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development; along with comments from Michelle Blanchfield, MPH, Zufall Health, and Bridget Hogan, Ocean Health Initiatives representing  Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) charged with assisting farmers with testing and education of farmworkers. Pete Furey and Ben Cassella of NJ Farm Bureau provided follow-up comments after a few questions were discussed.
  • There have been no changes to the document since it was published, but one major point of discussion that you will hear in the recording was a comment made by a presenter that temperature monitoring should use a 99oF threshold instead of the 100.4oF threshold that was published in the guideline. Monique Purcell, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, who had worked closely with the NJDOH and NJDOL reps in development of the guidance document received clarification from them the next day that confirmed that the threshold remains 100.4oF.
  • The other point addressed by several speakers was the need to work with and invite the FQHCs to your farm. They are charged with helping to educate your farm workers to understand this disease, how it spreads, and how to protect themselves (the importance of physical distancing and wearing face masks), as well as to provide testing for all employees on your farm, including the owner and family members working on the farm, free of charge.

*The NJDOH partnered with the NJDA and the NJDOL to create this guidance for agricultural employers focusing on precautions to help protect farm employees from COVID-19 on New Jersey farms and in farm labor housing. This webinar reviews these guidelines.

Boxwood blight update for 6/22-6/26/20

There are consistently high infection potentials this week for boxwood blight.

Protective fungicide applications should remain in effect or be initiated immediately. 

Boxwood Blight Risk Model
Date Upper Deerfield (NJ50) Howell (NJ10) Pequest (NJ58)
6/20/20 S Low risk Very low risk Infection potential
6/21/20 Sun Low risk Infection potential Infection potential
6/22/20 M Infection potential Infection potential Infection potential
6/23/20 T Infection potential Infection potential High Inf. potential
6/24/20 W High Inf. potential High Inf. potential High Inf. potential
6/25/20 Th Infection potential Infection potential Low risk
6/26/20 F Very low risk Very low risk Low risk
^Risk of infection^
adapted from: uspest.org/risk/boxwood_app 

The weather: Don’t let these beautiful early summer days fool you, we all know that violent thunderstorms can appear out of nowhere, bringing with them high winds and rain (wind driven rain) causing high persistent humidity. I.e. the perfect storm for fungal pathogens to spread and successfully infect. Accordingly, many other fungal pathogens are equally active under these conditions and should be managed accordingly. Prevention is always easier than a cure. 

These advisories are general in nature so someone from your business should be using this risk model if boxwood is important to your financial stability. In 30 seconds you can have a better idea of boxwood blight (and other pathogen) activity in your immediate area!

 

Boxwood blight information:

The disease may be sporulating and spreading amongst plantings if present (or may come into your nursery or landscapes via shipments) within the next few days. The pathogen, Calonectria pseudonaviculata, (aka Cylindrocladium buxicola) can also infect other hosts within the boxwood family (Buxaceae). These include common landscape plants such as Pachysandra and Sweetbox, so treatments should be directed towards these hosts as well. Leaf-litter suspected of boxwood blight should only be removed carefully under dry conditions (i.e. do not use a leaf blower to remove leaf-litter in Pachysandra or Boxwood plantings this week!). Additionally, please refrain from touching the plants at all during wet conditions as boxwood blight spores are sticky and can be transferred from plant-to-plant or site-to-site. Please follow proper sanitization and sterilization practices in addition to a preventative spray program. Tools, clothing, and transportation equipment should be routinely cleaned with alcohol or bleach to prevent the spread of this disease. Additionally, this pathogen forms small (yet bomb-proof) survival structures (Microsclerotia) that can remain as a source of infections for 7-10 years within the soil and leaf-litter (part of why you do not want to use a leaf blower to clean out leaf-litter!).

See the following for what to do in multiple boxwood blight scenarios. 

Boxwood blight key symptoms:

  • Straw-yellow to bronzing leaves that have a characteristic halo of lighter brown and yellow around the infection point.
  • LEAVES FALL OFF, TYPICALLY STARTING AT THE BOTTOM. These leaves then act as a source for new infections.
  • Twigs will have long brown lesions

Look-a-likes: NOT ALL FOLIAR DISEASES are Boxwood blight:

  • Volutella Blight (straw-yellow or golden leaves with pink spores, branches have loose bark).
  • Macrophoma leaf spot (straw-yellow leaves with black fungal structures (black spots))

 

Fungicides; 

ROTATE between Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC codes)

Format: [FRAC code]: Chemical name (Trade names)

  • [M05]: Chlorothalonil (Daconil WS)
  • [M05 + 1] Chlorothalonil + Thiophanate methyl (Spectro 90WDG)
  • [11] Trifloxystrobin + [7] Fluopyram  (Broadform)
  • [11] Trifloxystrobin + [3] Triadimefon (Armada 50WDG)
  • [M03] Mancozeb
  • [12] Fludioxonil (Medallion WDG)
  • [3] Tebuconazole (Torque)

 

Always refer to the label for allowable host crops, use-restrictions, application rates, reapplication intervals, re-entry intervals (REI), and mix compatibility information.

DISCLAIMER: Production and pesticide information on this site are for commercial operators only and are NOT for home gardener use. Provided materials represent examples and do not cover all possible control scenarios. Please contact your local agent or chemical sales representative for more information.   

 

Previous Boxwood Blight Plant and Pest Advisory Posts;

Additional resources on boxwood blight;

Contact: Timothy J. Waller, Ph.D.  (twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu)

 

Nursery update; focus on warm season spider mites

This advisory provides; (1) warm season spider mite biology and control options, (2) current growing degree-day information, and (3) a boxwood blight risk update.

Note: Previous spider mite advisories

Steve Rettke, Rutgers IPM, wrote two very good advisory posts pertaining to the different seasonal mites, in addition to symptomology and images of the different mites. He is a wealth of information and has contributed photos and will be assisting in future fact-sheets pertaining to common pests and their control. In light of these advisory posts (below) this current advisory will only cover the basics as it applies to pest control. Contact: rettke@njaes.rutgers.edu

Please review his very informative advisories:

Cool season mites: https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/cool-season-mites-wax-as-the-warm-season-mites-wane/

Warm season mites: https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/cool-season-mites-have-faded-but-warm-season-mites-now-surge/

Spider mite damaged tree

Cool season: Spruce spider mite damage on an Aberta Dwarf Spruce. Photo: Steven Rettke, RCE.

Plant covered in webs

Warm season: Two spotted spider mite webbing and damage. Photo: Steven Rettke, RCE.

(2) Basic spider mite biology and control options

Cool season mites: The mites affecting horticulture crop production can be broken into two functional groups; cool season and warm season. Cool season mites feed and lay eggs, as the name suggests, in cooler times of the year (late winter-early spring and then again fall-early winter depending on the year). The two most common cool season mites are the Spruce and Southern red spider mites that feed on conifers and broadleaf evergreens, respectively. In many cases the damages caused by these mites are not noticed until well into the growing season. Meaning that if damages are observed mid-season you would be better off waiting until the fall to control cool season mites, i.e. targeting late season egg hatches and developing mites.

Warm season mites: As the season progresses towards summer, the warm season mites including Two-spotted, Maple, Oak, Honey locust, European, and other host specific spider mites become active (typically June – September). The Two-spotted spider mite is known as a “cosmopolitan” pest because of its ability to colonize, and damage, a wide variety of horticulture crops (but are rarely observed on conifers). Sentinel plants would include rose, euonymus, and forsythia, as they are favorites of these mites. In contrast to the cool season mites, warm season mite damages are often visible while the pest is actively feeding and multiplying, as up to 10-15 generations per growing season can impact your crop. Warm season mites evade suffocation by dormant oil sprays and other miticide applications by leaving their feeding locations on plants once temperatures begin to drop, and overwinter in the soil horizon or leaf litter under the host plant. As warm season mites are preparing to go into dormancy they begin to change their color to an orange hue, meaning they are not feeding as readily and will not be as affected by miticides because of this.

Two spotted spider mites

Multiple life stages of Two spotted spider mites. Photo: Steven Rettke, RCE.

Two spotted spider mites

Two spotted spider mite females going into dormancy (orange coloration). Photo: Steven Rettke, RCE.

Conditions favoring spider mites: Full sun and dry, dusty conditions are often associated with increasing mite populations as low relative humidity often stimulates mite reproduction. Additionally, during periods of rain (and resulting leaf wetness-periods), certain fungi are able to attack and reduce mite populations (called entomopathogenic fungi). Meaning in frequently wet seasons mite numbers, damage, and miticide applications should be lowered due to increased fungal activity. However, this situation can certainly lead to increased plant pathogenic fungi activity as well, therefor a balance between the two is most desirable. Excessive nitrogen fertilizer has also been linked to explosive mite populations; therefor a well-planned nutritional regiment should be strictly followed.

IPM is important when suppressing spider mite populations!

Beneficials: In addition to entomopathogenic fungi (like Beauveria bassiana), numerous beneficial organisms can also manage mite populations including predacious mites (Phytoseiidae family), spider mite destroyer (Stethorus punctillim), ladybug larvae, midge larvae (Feltiella acarisuga), and minute pirate bugs. Given this complex, and many times free, natural defense system, applications of certain insecticides can actually cause mite populations to resurge by killing the mite-feeding beneficials (see note below). Therefor, all applications should be thoughtfully considered with economic (or cosmetic) thresholds in mind.

Compounds that can cause spider mite resurgence:

  • Carbaryl (Sevin)
  • Cyfluthrin containing compounds (Tempo, Decathalon, Scimitar)
  • Permethrin (Astro)
  • Imdacloprid (Merit, Marathon)

Warm season spider mite treatment options:

ROTATE between Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC #)

Format: [IRAC Group #]: Chemical name (Trade names)

  • [3A]: Pyrethrins (Tersus)
  • [5]: Spinosad (Conserve, Entrust)
  • [6]: Abamectin (Avid, Lucid, Aracinate TM)
  • [20D]: Bifenazate (Floramite SC)
  • [10A]: Hexythiazox (Hexygon)
  • [21A]: Pyridaben (Sanmite, Sanmite SC)
  • [21A]: Fenazaquin (Magus)
  • [23]: Spiromesifen (Forbid 4F, Judo)

“Softer” spider mite materials

  • Agitator (forces mites out of hiding): Captiva
  • Azadirachtin from the Neem plant: (Azatrol EC)
  • Beauveria bassiana: (Naturalis-L)
  • Horticulture oil: (@ 1-2% vol:vol summer applications)
  • Insecticidal soaps: (M-Pede)

Always refer to the label for allowable host crops, use-restrictions, application rates, reapplication intervals, REI times, and mix compatibility information.

NOTE: Production and pesticide information on this site are for commercial operators only and are NOT for home gardener use. Provided materials represent examples and do not cover all possible control scenarios. Please contact your local agent or chemical sales representative for more information.   

(2) Growing Degree-days as of 6/16/2020 (if you need help please contact me at twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu)

Upper Deerfield (NJ50)= 809 GDD50 Howell/Freehold (NJ10) = 628 GDD50 Pequest (NJ58) = 525 GDD50

Growing degree day map for our area: (courtesy of Cornell University; Fore Cast)

Growing degree-day map for Northeastern US

Growing degree-day map for our area. Cornell, Fore Cast.

(3) Boxwood blight risk update

Boxwood Blight Risk Model
Date Upper Deerfield (NJ50) Howell (NJ10) Pequest (NJ58)
6/14/20 Sun Very low risk Very low risk Very low risk
6/15/20 M Very low risk Very low risk Very low risk
6/16/20 T Very low risk Very low risk Very low risk
6/17/20 W Very low risk Very low risk Very low risk
6/18/20 Th Low risk Low risk Low risk
6/19/20 F Infection potential Infection potential Low risk
6/20/20 S Low risk Infection potential Low risk
6/21/20 Sun Very low risk Low risk Very low risk
Risk of infection
adapted from: https://uspest.org/risk/boxwood_app

Please visit this website (there is a mobile app as well): https://uspest.org/risk/boxwood_app

Protective fungicide applications should remain in effect or be initiated immediately for Boxwood Blight. The disease may be sporulating and spreading amongst plantings if present (or may come into your nursery via shipments) within the next few days. Please continue preventative/protectant fungicide applications utilizing; chlorothalonil (FRAC Group M05), mancozeb (FRAC Group M03), and QoI-fungicides (FRAC Group 11) in a rotation (other materials available as well).

NJAES; Plant Diagnostic Lab https://njaes.rutgers.edu/plant-diagnostic-lab/

 

*Additional links and resources*

Please take the 2020 Nursery Industry Survey: https://forms.gle/dUjLxaiu6qDQYYsRA

Ask the Agent (every Wednesday @ 7:00pm): : https://go.rutgers.edu/t7wjkit1

NJNLA- Wine Down Wednesdays (every first and third Wednesday @ 7:00pm-8:00pm).

Email: Lori Jenssen @ njnla.director@gmail.com

Subscribe to the NJAES YouTube webpage: https://www.youtube.com/user/RutgersNJAES/

RU Sustainable Nursery Production website: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/nursery/

March meeting PDF: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/nursery/documents/2020%20SJ%20Nursery%20Meeting%20Proceedings.pdf

How to use growing degree-day resources: https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/using-growing-degree-day-calculators-nursery-pest-and-pathogen-updates-important-resource-links/

2017 Southeastern U.S. Pest Control Guide for Nursery Crops and Landscape Plantings: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/southeastern-us-pest-control-guide-for-nursery-crops-and-landscape-plantings 

Rutgers Insect Control Recs. for Shade Trees and Commercial Nursery Crops: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.php?pid=E334

NJAES; Soil Testing Lab: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/soil-testing-lab/

 

Thank you,
Cumberland County Extension: Timothy J. Waller, Ph.D. @ twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu

Tonight’s Webinar for Ag Employers – Updated Agenda

Understanding & Implementing NJ’s COVID-19 Guidance For Migrant & Seasonal Farmworkers, Employers & Housing Providers
Tue June 16, 2020
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
All NJ agricultural employers are invited to learn directly from NJ Departments of Health, Labor and Agriculture who will discuss expectations for implementation of the “NJ COVID-19 Guidance for Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers, Their Employers & Housing Providers” document in a Webex webinar hosted by Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

This event requires registration and there will be a follow-up survey.

Agenda (Updated)
Welcome
  • Rick VanVranken & Wes Kline, Agricultural Agents, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Introductory Remarks
  • Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher, NJ Dept. of Agriculture
Introduction of Speakers
  • Asst. Secretary of Agriculture Monique Purcell, NJDA
Overview and Expectations for Implementing COVID-19 Guidance for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, Agriculture Employers and Housing Providers.
  • NJ Dept. of Health
    • Amanda Medina-Forrester, MA, MPH, Executive Director, Office of Minority & Multicultural Health &
    • Siobhan Pappas, Ph.D., Coordinator, Childhood Lead Program
  • NJ Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development
    • Christine Blumauer, Policy Advisor, Office of the Commissioner
  • Comments from Federally Qualified Health Center representatives
    • Michelle Blanchfield, MPH, Zufall Health
    • Bridget Hogan, Ocean Health Initiatives
Moderated Questions & Discussion between each presentation
Reaction & Summary
  • Pete Furey, Exec. Director, NJ Farm Bureau
The webinar will end with a quick follow-up survey to assess your understanding and implementation of these guidelines. It will be completely anonymous.

The NJDOH partnered with the NJDA and the NJDOL to create this guidance for agricultural employers focusing on precautions to help protect farm employees from COVID-19 on New Jersey farms and in farm labor housing. This webinar will review these guidelines. Questions from participants will be taken and addressed during the webinar.

Register

Scale insect crawler activity and summer treatment options

Basic Scale Biology

There are two types of scale insects; armored and soft scales. Scale insects hatch from eggs and typically develop through 2 nymphal instar growth stages known as “crawlers”. During this “crawler stage” (many cases mid-May through July) the insects are vulnerable to insecticides and other biological enemies. Once the “crawlers” settle on a feeding location and begin to develop waxy or hard outer coverings, the insects are no longer susceptible to most insecticides.

Targeting the “crawler” stage is imperative to successful pest management.

One slight difference between armored and soft scales is how many generations they can have per year; armored (several), soft (typically only 1). Also, once settled armored scales are stationary whereas soft scales can move (albeit slowly). Many scale insect “crawlers” head towards growing vegetative tips, making this location suitable for scouting. Various sticky traps, including double sided tape wrapped around branches are utilized to determine the presence of scale “crawlers”. As noted prior, the presence of “crawlers” should be first visually confirmed if at all possible as pesticide applications made too early are not effective. Programs that utilized cool season dormant/horticultural oils, proper pruning, and the use of summertime contact or systemic insecticides are most successful.(A detailed scale insect fact-sheet is forthcoming!)  

Armored and soft scales can be controlled using the same chemicals if targeting “crawlers”.

 

Growing Degree-days as of 6/10/2020 (Weather station selected for each location. Ex: NJ50 = Upper Deerfield)

Upper Deerfield (NJ50)= 686 GDD50 Howell/Freehold (NJ10) = 536 GDD50 Pequest (NJ58) = 441 GDD50

Scale insects target growing degree-days

(Egg hatch + crawler emergence = scout and treat as needed)

Pine needle scale – (448)

Maskell scale – (470)

Oystershell scale – (486)

Cottony camellia/taxus scale – (520)

Euonymus scale – (522)

European elm scale – (542)

White prunicola (Peach) scale – (594)

Cryptomeria scale – (600-800)

Golden oak scale (680)

Juniper scale – (694)

Hemlock ‘fioriniae’ scale – (300-799)

Spruce bud scale – (700)

Fletcher Scale – (730)

Azalea bark scale – (737)

Oak lecanium scale – (789)

Beech scale – (800)

Japanese maple scale – (829)

Calico scale – (834)

Cottony maple scale – (850)

European fruit lecanium scale – (940 DD)

 

Summertime scale treatment options

ROTATE between Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC #)

Format: [IRAC Group #]: Chemical name (Trade names)

  • [1A]: Carbaryl (Sevin SL)
  • [1B]: Acephate (Orthene, Leptitect, Precise GN)
  • [1B]: Chlorpyrifos (Dursban 50W, DuraGuard ME)
  • [1B]: Malathion (Malathion 5 EC)
  • [3A]: Cyfluthrin (Decathlon)
  • [3A]: Bifenthrin (Talstar S Select, Onyx)
  • [3A]: lambda-cyhalothrin (Scimitar GC)
  • [3A + 4A] Imidacloprid + Bifenthrin (Allectus SC)
  • [3A + 4A] Imidaclopird + cyfluthrin (Discuss NG)
  • [4A]: Acetamiprid (TriStar 8.5 SL)
  • [16]: Buprofezin (Talus 70DF)
  • [7C]: Pyriproxifen (Distance IGR)
  • Insecticidal soaps (M-Pede)
  • Azadirachtin from the Neem plant: (Aza-Direct, Azatin O or XL, Azatrol EC)

Please read the label. The label will provide allowable plant species, use rates, restrictions (phytotoxicity or pollinator concerns), and re-application intervals.

Some useful scale resources: (bare in mind there is variability amongst models and GDD depending on the source, but generally the information will help you make better pest management choices)

 

Southeastern U.S. Pest Control Guide for Nursery Crops and Landscape Plantings: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/southeastern-us-pest-control-guide-for-nursery-crops-and-landscape-plantings

Rutgers Insect Control Recommendations for Shade Trees and Commercial Nursery Crops: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.php?pid=E334

 

Online events and Rutgers Resources:

Ask the Agent (every Wednesday @ 7:00pm): Join: https://go.rutgers.edu/t7wjkit1

NJNLA- Wine Down Wednesdays (every first and third Wednesday @ 7:00pm-8:00pm). Email: Lori Jenssen @ njnla.director@gmail.com

Please take the 2020 Nursery Industry Survey: https://forms.gle/dUjLxaiu6qDQYYsRA

Subscribe to the NJAES YouTube webpage: https://www.youtube.com/user/RutgersNJAES/

RU Sustainable Nursery Production website: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/nursery/

How to use growing degree-day resources: https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/using-growing-degree-day-calculators-nursery-pest-and-pathogen-updates-important-resource-links/

NJAES; Plant Diagnostic Lab: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/plant-diagnostic-lab/

NJAES; Soil Testing Lab: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/soil-testing-lab/

 

Contact: Timothy Waller, Ph.D. at:      twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu

Webinar Scheduled for Ag Employers – Understanding & Implementing NJ’s COVID-19 Guidance For Migrant & Seasonal Farmworkers, Employers & Housing Providers

Cover 5-20-2020 NJ DOH Interim Guidance for Migrant-Seasonal Farmworkers
Tue June 16, 2020
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
All NJ agricultural employers are invited to learn directly from NJ Departments of Health, Labor and Agriculture who will discuss expectations for implementation of the “NJ COVID-19 Guidance for Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers, Their Employers & Housing Providers” document in a Webex webinar hosted by Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

This event requires registration and there will be a follow-up survey.

Agenda
Welcome
  • Rick VanVranken & Wes Kline, Agricultural Agents, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Introductory Remarks
  • Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher, NJ Dept. of Agriculture
Introduction of Speakers
  • Asst. Secretary of Agriculture Monique Purcell, NJDA
Overview and Expectations for Implementing COVID-19 Guidance for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, Agriculture Employers and Housing Providers.
  • Amanda Medina-Forrester, MA, MPH, Executive Director, Office of Minority & Multicultural Health, NJ Dept. of Health
  • Christine Blumauer, Policy Advisor, Office of the Commissioner, NJ Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development
Moderated Questions & Discusson
Reaction & Summary
  • Pete Furey, Exec. Director & Ben Cassella, Field Representative, NJ Farm Bureau
The webinar will end with a quick follow-up survey to assess your understanding and implementation of these guidelines. It will be completely anonymous.

The NJDOH partnered with the NJDA and the NJDOL to create this guidance for agricultural employers focusing on precautions to help protect farm employees from COVID-19 on New Jersey farms and in farm labor housing. This webinar will review these guidelines. Questions from participants will be taken and addressed during the webinar.

Register