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…]
Organic Farm Advisory
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.
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 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 2, 2021 Kris Holmstrom and Joe Ingerson-Mahar
Vegetable IPM Update 6/02/21
Sweet Corn
Attention sweet corn growers! Please take a few moments to complete this survey. Rutgers IPM personnel expect to participate in grant funded research guided by grower responses. See the brief description below. Thank you for your help!
Corn Earworm Management in Sweet Corn Needs Assessment Survey
Dr. Kelly Hamby, Associate Professor/Extension Specialist with the Department of Entomology at University of Maryland, is leading a team of researchers, including Rutgers IPM staff, who have developed a survey to prioritize research and extension efforts for improving corn earworm management in sweet corn throughout the Northeast. We appreciate your participation in this survey and will use results to develop a grant proposal to try to get federal funding to address these needs.
Survey link: https://ume.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9vRh1xHnDp4KEaa
Low numbers of European corn borer (ECB) moths continue to be captured in parts of the state. Cool temperatures over the past weekend have likely suppressed activity, and warmer weather in the upcoming week may trigger a modest rebound. The highest adult activity is currently around the Atlantic-Camden County border (see map at right). Whorl corn is the primary target for egg laying, and injury as high as 16% of plants infested has been found up to northern Monmouth County this week. Feeding levels should rise over the next 3 weeks.
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 6/02/21 are as follows:
| Elm 2 | Denville 1 | Pedricktown 1 |
| Asbury 1 | Medford 1 | Sergeantsville 1 |
| Clinton 1 | Milford 1 | Tabernacle 1 |
| Dayton 1 | New Egypt 1 | Woodstown 1 |
June 2, 2021 Andy Wyenandt
Basil downy mildew confirmed in southern New Jersey – ALERT 6/2/21
Basil downy mildew has been confirmed in a home owners garden in Atlantic County in southern New Jersey. This is the first report of BDM in the state and region this growing season and about three weeks earlier than last year. All basil growers are encouraged to scout their fields or greenhouses on a daily basis. [Read more…]
June 1, 2021 Andy Wyenandt
Controlling basil downy mildew in the field
For over a decade, basil downy mildew (BDM) has caused significant losses in basil grown in organic and conventional field and greenhouse production across the United States. At the time of its introduction, there were very few fungicides labeled for its control making it nearly impossible to grow a successful crop in many areas of the country. [Read more…]
