Potato and Tomato Disease Forecasting

Growers who are interested in using disease forecasting models should chose the location from the report that is closest in proximity to their farming operation.
 
In addition, regularly check the Cornell NEWA website @http://newa.cornell.edu/ where this information is compiled from. From the NEWA site menu click on Pests Forecasts, select your weather station, and click on the specific disease, set accumulation start date, and a table of daily and total DSVs will be generated.

 

Related Websites

NEWA

Cucurbit Downy Mildew Forecasting

October 1, 2026

2027 Rutgers Educational Sessions at NE Agricultural Expo in Atlantic City

Everyone should be very excited for this event in 2027. The NE Agriculture Expo and Rutgers Educational Sessions will begin on Tuesday, January 19, 2027 at Harrah’s in Atlantic City, 777 Harrahs Boulevard. The final day of educational sessions and trade show ends on Thursday, January 21, 2027. The trade show already has an abundance of vendors signed up for booths in 2027.

The planning committee for the expo is looking forward to providing many new opportunities, and Rutgers has confirmed many new speakers to offer excellent information, covering various topics from the 2026 growing season and research results to help farmers improve their practices. The Harrah’s conference center offers the best layout in Atlantic City for this convention. Come for the opportunity to network with others in the industry, to learn from over 72 presenters on a diversity of topics, and to gain pesticide recertification credits to keep your applicator’s license current. To register and for more information from the organizing association, go to the Vegetable Growers Association of NJ’s website at https://vganj.com.

Please see the DRAFT Rutgers Educational Program below. Pesticide credits have been applied for with NJ DEP. When the credits are assigned this program will be republished and promoted with credits.

 

Filed Under: Agrivoltaics, Blueberry, Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Disease Forecasting, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, pesticide credits, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Strawberry, training, Tree Fruit, Turf, Uncategorized, vegetable, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape, work shop Tagged With: , , , ,
September 22, 2026

Managing Alternaria in Brassicas

Managing Alternaria in Brassicas

Alternaria leaf blight, head rot, or black spot are primarily caused by the fungus Alternaria brassicicola. This disease primarily develops in cool, wet weather.

On leaves, symptoms start with round brown spots that develop concentric circles. A yellow halo often extends around the outside of the lesion. More lesions will develop across the leaf surface. Black, sooty rot can develop on broccoli and cauliflower heads and can progress quickly.

Alternaria can be seedborne, so always buy seed from a reputable source. If not already treated by the supplier, seed can be heat treated to kill pathogens (See Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Recommendations 2026/2027 pg 220 for details). Choose resistant cultivars whenever possible.

Remove or bury diseased crop residue at the end of the season. Use a 3-year crop rotation before planting another Brassica crop in the same location to allow overwintering spore populations to decrease. This includes cover crops in the Brassica family that can also serve as hosts. Control weed species in the Brassica family such as mustards and shepherd’s purse.

Fungicide applications should begin prior to the onset of disease development and continue under environmental conditions favorable for disease. Because this pathogen infects the heads, pay particular attention to PHIs when sprays are needed near the harvest window. Rotate FRAC groups to reduce the chance of resistance development. Resistance to azoxystrobin, QoI group 11 fungicide, and boscalid and penthiopyrad, SDHI group 7 fungicides, has been reported in some regions. If applications seem to be ineffective, contact your Extension agent, and use a different FRAC group.

Research trials at the University of Georgia by Kaur et al. (2025) evaluated two conventional spray programs on ‘Emerald Crown’ broccoli to control Alternaria leaf blight and found both to significantly reduce disease severity compared to non-treated plots.

Program 1: Luna Sensation 7.6 fl oz/A, Inspire Super 20 fl oz/A, Aprovia Top 13.5 fl oz/A, Bravo Weather Stik 1.5 pts/A, and Priaxor 8 fl oz/A.

Program 2: Bravo Weather Stik 1.5 pts/A, Luna Sensation 7.6 fl oz/A, Inspire Super 20 fl oz/A, Aprovia Top 13.5 fl oz/A, and Priaxor 8 fl oz/A.

Additional fungicide recommendations can be found in the Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Cole Crops: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collards, Kale, and Kohlrabi – 2026/2027 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations

*Product labels supersede all recommendations provided in this article. The label is the law. Follow all instructions and ensure the product is labeled for your location.

References:

Hoidal, N. Alternaria leaf spot and head rot of Brassica crops. 2023. University of Minnesota Extension. https://extension.umn.edu/agriculture/specialty-crops/vegetable-farming/disease-management/alternaria-leaf-blight#cultural-controls-3119561

Humpherson-Jones, F. M., Phelps, K. 1989. Climatic factors influencing spore production in Alternaria brassicae and Alternaria brassicicola. Ann. Appl. Biol. 114:449-458.

Kaur, N., Foster, M. J., Donahoo, W. M., and Dutta, B. 2025. Evaluation of fungicide programs for the management of Alternaria leaf blight and head rot in broccoli in Tift County, Georgia, 2024 to 2025. Plant Health Progress 26(4):757. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-06-25-0173-PDMR.

Kaur, N., Malik, A. A., Cerritos-Garcia, D. G., Koch Bach, R. A., Everhart, S., and Dutta, B. 2025. Cross-resistance in Alternaria brassicicola from naturally infested broccoli seeds against two succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicides ed. Gladys Alexandre. Appl Environ Microbiol 91(10). https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.01083-25.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Disease Forecasting, vegetable, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , ,
September 1, 2026

October Farming Twilight Meeting – October 22, 2026

Pesticide recertification credits will be given to those attending this Twilight Meeting. See details below:

October Farming Twilight Meeting October 22, 2026 6:00PM – 8:30 PM Location: Seahorse Farm Winery 1076 Seashore Road Cape May, NJ 08204

Please RSVP  by October 20, 2026

Contact Jocelyn Shillingford at (609) 465 5115 ext. 3607 or capemayag@njaes.rutgers.edu

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Disease Forecasting, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, pesticide credits, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , ,
August 25, 2026

Soybeans at Full Pod (R4) Growth Stage: What Farmers Need to Know Now to Protect Yield Potential

With the New Jersey soybeans reaching the R4 (full pod) growth stage, the crop is entering a crucial period for yield development. The plants shown below are at around R4 growth stage. For farmers in Southern New Jersey, this is a crucial time to scout fields closely and minimize stresses that can affect pod and seed development.

         

(Photo Credit: Ramandeep Kumar Sharma; Aug 24 2026)

How to identify R4 stage in soybeans?

Soybean is reached at the R4 (full pod) growth stage when a plant has a pod at least 3/4 of a inch long at one of the four uppermost nodes on the main stem, with a fully developed leaf at that node. To determine whether the crop has reached R5 (beginning seed), open a pod at one of these upper nodes. R5 begins when the seed inside the pod is at least 1/8 inch long.

Why R4 is so important for soybeans?

R4 marks the starting of one of the most critical periods for soybean yield determination. At R4 stage, pod growth is fast, and seed development is starting. From R4 through early seed filling, stresses such as moisture/nutrient deficiency, disease, insect injury, and excessive defoliation can reduce yield by increasing the abortion of flowers, pods, and developing seeds. The crop has some ability to compensate later through seed growth, but that compensation is limited.

What should soybean farmers do now?

  • Monitor soil moisture: Adequate moisture is particularly important from R4 through early seed development. This deserves close attention in Southern New Jersey’s sandy and coarse-textured soils, which can dry rapidly during hot, dry periods. Where irrigation is available, monitor soil and crop conditions and irrigate when needed.
  • Keep scouting for insects and diseases: Continue checking the canopy for defoliation, pod-feeding insects, and disease symptoms. Make pesticide decisions based on scouting, pest or disease pressure, crop stage, economic considerations where applicable, and the current product label but not simply because the crop has reached R4.
  • Check for nutrient stress: Continue watching for nutrient deficiency, especially in fields with low soil fertility or a history of nutrient loss. Rutgers recommends that soybean fertility management be based on recent soil tests and realistic yield goals. Rutgers also identifies potassium and sulfur as important considerations in New Jersey soybean production and notes that nutrient stress can occur in Southern New Jersey soils because of nutrient leaching.
  • Don’t stop scouting weeds: A closed soybean canopy suppresses many weeds, but late-season escapes can still produce seed and interfere with harvest. Any herbicide application must follow the current product label, including crops, weed, timing, rate, and preharvest restrictions.

Summary

R4 is not the time to stop scouting, it is the time to pay closer attention. Protecting adequate soil moisture, healthy foliage, developing pods, and seed formation during R4–R6 can help protect soybean yield potential. On checking pods, if a seed (at least 1/8 inch long) is found inside a pod at one of the upper four nodes, it means the plant has reached R5 (beginning seed).

References

  • Sharma, R. K., & Heckman, J. 2026. Nutrient and Management Tips for New Jersey Soybean Production. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Plant & Pest Advisory, June 26, 2026.
  • Heckman, J. R. 2009. Soil Fertility Recommendations for Soybean. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Fact Sheet E323.
  • Bravo, M. 2021. Soybean insect vectored, internal stem, root disease monitoring now through pod fill. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Plant & Pest Advisory, July 9, 2021.
  • Bravo, M. 2021. Field crop progress mid-July, Salem County. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Plant & Pest Advisory, July 17, 2021.
Filed Under: Agrivoltaics, Commercial Ag Updates, Disease Forecasting, Field, Forage & Livestock, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Uncategorized
August 17, 2026 , and

Pesticide Recertification Credits Approved for: Agri-Technology, Nursery, Agronomy, Fruit and Vegetable Research Twilight Meeting at RAREC: Wednesday August 26, 2026

NJDEP pesticide recertification credits approved for this meeting are: CORE (1), PP2 (4), 1A (4), and Category 10 (4). 

 

Agri-Technology, Nursery, Agronomy, Fruit and Vegetable Research Twilight Meeting at RAREC

Wednesday August 26th, 2026 (4 pm until dark)

Location: Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC), 121 Northville Road, Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302

Hosted by: Ramandeep Kumar Sharma, Patrick McMullen, and Andy Wyenandt

Questions? Contact: Andy Wyenandt (wyenandt@njaes.rutgers.edu)

This year’s twilight meeting at RAREC will showcase advances in crop production, integrated pest management, soil fertility, weed management, and innovative agricultural technologies for growers and stakeholders across the state.

  • Dan Ward, Director, RAREC. Welcome to RAREC
  • Wesley Kline, Cumberland County Agricultural Agent
    • ‘Impact of Cyclospora on fruit and vegetable production’ CORE: 30 minutes
  • Tim Waller, Cumberland County RCE Nursery Agent.
    • ‘Useful Nursery and Ornamental Crops and Considerations’
  • Raul Cabrera, Extension Specialist in Nursery Production and Management.
    • ‘Recent developments on substrates (for container-grown crops)’
  • Dan Ward, Director, RAREC; Rutgers Agrivoltiacs Program.
    • ‘Update on the agrivoltaics research program at Rutgers’
  • Ann Nielsen, Extension Specialist in Entomology
    • Emma Waltman, PhD candidate, ‘Land-use around farms impacts stink bug biological control’
    • Amanda Furuya, Post-Doctoral Associate, ‘Tackling Spotted Lanternfly in South Jersey Vineyards’
    • Octavio Menocal Sandoval, Post-Doctoral Associate, ‘Updating Monitoring and Management for Codling Moth in Apple’
  • Thierry Besancon, Extension Weed Specialist for Specialty Crops.
    • ‘Update on new technologies for weed management in vegetable crops’
  • Ramandeep Kumar Sharma, Salem County Agricultural Agent.
    • ‘Optimizing Nitrogen Rate and Application Timing for Corn Yield and Quality’
    • ‘Evaluation of Sulfur Fertilizer Sources and Application Rates for Optimizing Soybean Growth and Yield in Southern New Jersey’
  • Maria Cramer, Senior Program Coordinator, Vegetable IPM,
    • ‘Thrips management in tomatoes’
  • Patrick McMullen, Atlantic County Agricultural Agent.
    • ‘Wilts of cucurbits: Identification and management’
  • Andy Wyenandt, Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology.
    • ‘Updates on vegetable disease control’

NJDEP pesticide recertification credits approved: CORE (1), PP2 (4), 1A (4), and Category 10 (4).

Filed Under: Agrivoltaics, Commercial Ag Updates, Disease Forecasting, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, pesticide credits, training, Tree Fruit, vegetable, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape, work shop
August 3, 2026 and

Save the Date for Salem County Agronomy Twilight Meeting-2

Salem County Agronomy Twilight Meeting- 2 

Monday, August 31, 2026

 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm 

Rutgers Cooperative Extension

51 Cheney Rd, Woodstown, NJ 

(program starts at 6 pm; please arrive earlier) 

Please Save the Date!  

To register

 856-769-0090

  e_dehart@salemcountynj.gov

      Schedule & Topics to be Covered

6:00 pm     Welcome & Introduction

– Salvatore Mangiafico and Ramandeep Sharma, Rutgers Cooperative Extension (Salem County)

6:15 pm       Planting Timing and Nutrient Availability in Corn and Soybean Systems

– Jarrod Miller, University of Delaware

6:45 pm       Sweet Corn Pest Management Updates: Scouting, IPM Strategies, and Responsible Pesticide Use

– Amanda Quadrel, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

7:15 pm        Assessment of Agricultural Crop Damage by Black Bear in New Jersey

– Salvatore Mangiafico, Rutgers Cooperative Extension (Salem County)

7:45 pm       Corn Lodging Insights and Agronomic Research Updates

– Ramandeep Sharma, Rutgers Cooperative Extension (Salem County)

8:15 pm        Wrap-Up, Evaluations, & Pesticide Credit Submissions

– Salvatore Mangiafico and Ramandeep Sharma, Rutgers Cooperative Extension (Salem County)

Pesticide Recertification Credits Applied for:

CORE (1), 1A (2), PP2 (2), and 10 (1). Credits are pending NJDEP approval.

  

 

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Disease Forecasting, Field, Forage & Livestock, pesticide credits, training, work shop