Rutgers Cooperative Extension
The Plant & Pest Advisory serves NJ growers by reporting on important pests and recommending responses that are grounded in reproducible trials.
Articles in this section contain information helpful to the NJ commercial organic grower.
Sharing organic practice trial results between land-grant universities is a cost effective way to create a common knowledge base built on the strengths of individual programs. In the sidebar, find institutions with programs in organic agriculture which augment knowledge developed at the Rutgers New Jersey Ag Experiment Station.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension Field Guides: These concise guides help with decision making from pre-planting to harvest. For each crop listed, learn what pests to proactively look for as the season progresses, how to look for them, and when to take action.
Canada thistle can be difficult to manage because of its deep taproot, perennial growth, and ability to reproduce through both seed dispersal and root shoots. Learn more about non-herbicide life cycle disruptions that can be used in the development of a short and long term management plan through the Canda thistle decision tool fact sheet and an informational video. These resources are one of a five-part weed management series funded by USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant AM190100.
Attention: There have been significant increases in CEW moth catches in pheromone traps in parts of the state during the past 2 days. At this time, these increases are largely in southwestern NJ, although elevated catches have occurred as far north as Warren County.
Noteworthy Sweet Corn catches include:
Eldora (Cape May)- 187/night
Green Creek (Cape May) – 183/night
Jones Island (Cumberland)- 133/night
Allamuchy (Warren) – 64/night
Peppers:
E. Vineland – 33/night
Blacklight and pheromone networks are indicating a 3-day silk spray schedule in much of the state. All growers in south and central counties should be on 3-day silk spray schedules for sweet corn. Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic and Salem County growers are especially at risk of infestation if strict spray schedules are not observed. Growers in the northern counties should be on 3-4 day schedules, as recommended by local traps. The current population continues to be a serious economic threat. It is important to use effective materials to manage this pest on silking corn. Insecticides in the IRAC 28 class (Coragen, Besiege, Exirel) and IRAC 5 (Radiant, Blackhawk, Entrust (OMRI approved)) remain among the most useful insecticides against CEW.
Silking Spray Schedules*:
South – 3 days
Central – 3 days
North – 3-4 days
*These recommendations are based on regional catches. Adhere to tighter spray schedules if indicated by local trap catches. Synthetic pyrethroids alone should NOT be used for corn earworm (CEW) protection on silking corn, or for fall armyworm (FAW) management at any stage. Control with these materials is very inconsistent.
Sweet Corn
European corn borer (ECB) moth catches remain stable at low levels throughout the state. ECB population maps will resume if second flight catches rise to high enough numbers. Only occasional feeding in sweet corn has been detected by field personnel.
The highest nightly trap catches of ECB for the week ending 08/10/22 are as follows:
| Blairstown 1 | Downer 1 | Milltown 1 |
| Califon 1 | Farmingdale 1 | New Egypt 1 |
| Cinnaminson 1 | long Valley 1 | Oldwick 1 |
| Dayton 1 | Matawan 1 | Sergeantsville 1 |
Listen to Wes Kline discuss how to build a one-way street for water in produce packinghouses. The fundamentals of water distribution, the FSMA PSR, and practical ways of implementing backflow prevention are covered. Click on the image below to access the YouTube video.
Learn more about the weed nutsedge and appropriate management strategies based on the plants growth preferences and dislikes. These resources can be used to develop a short and long term management plan for nutsedge control. Visit the NJAES Weed Management YouTube playlist for a video presentation or download our nutsedge decision tool fact sheet. These resources are one of a five-part weed management series funded by USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant AM190100.
Sweet Corn
European corn borer (ECB) moth catches are increasing slightly in parts of the state. Overall numbers remain quite low, however. ECB population maps will resume if second flight catches rise to high enough numbers.
The highest nightly trap catches of ECB for the week ending 08/03/22 are as follows:
| Centerton 1 | Farmingdale 1 | New Egypt 1 |
| Cinnaminson 1 | Georgetown 1 | Old Bridge 1 |
| Crosswicks 1 | Matawan 1 | Sergeantsville 1 |
| Downer 1 | Medford 1 | Springdale 1 |
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