July 20, 2023 and

New Peach Varieties – ‘Felicia’, ‘Evelynn’ and ‘Anna Rose’

Felicia peach The Rutgers/NJAES stone fruit breeding program, led by Joe Goffreda, continues to create, and release exciting new peach varieties. We, in collaboration with growers, also continue to develop the varieties by evaluating their performance in plantings in commercial orchards and at Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center. During this key time of the season, historically Redhaven season, it is important for our area to capture a substantial market share with premium fresh peaches. We are glad to feature some new and improved peach options for this season.

Felicia is a recent release from Rutgers University. It is a very attractive freestone yellow-fleshed peach variety. It has attractive red to dark red skin, little pubescence, with traces of red in the flesh. It ripens a few days before Redhaven; however, unlike Redhaven, it retains firmness for longer while maintaining the balance of sweetness and acidity (Table 1). Fruit is large and firm-fleshed, which is essential for post-harvest handling. It has low susceptibility to bacterial spot.

Though Redhaven is still the standard, yellow-fleshed, traditional peach in this season, it has a few challenges. For example, fruit can ripen faster than it changes skin color. That means it requires experience to start picking. Felicia is a good choice if one is planning a replacement for Redhaven. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blueberry, Cranberry, Fruit, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , ,
July 14, 2023

What Can Summer Cover Crops Do for Soil Health and Future Crops?

Plants floweringNow that some of our spring planted crops have finished, rather than leaving fields fallow or replanting fields that may have had some issues with plant diseases or insect pests, consider replanting with a summer cover crop. It is not too late to take advantage of summer cover crop benefits. What do summer cover crops do for soil health or future crop improvements? See below:

1. Increase Soil Organic Matter– One of the best attributes of having organic matter in the soil is improvement in soil structure. Adding organic matter improves tilth, water infiltration, water holding capacity, nutrient holding capacity and reduction of soil crusting. Also, as important is the increase in beneficial soil microbes and earthworms. Beneficial microbes can compete with pathogens and help release nutrients. Earthworms can cycle nutrients and improve pore spaces in the soil.
2. Reduce Soil Erosion – Just like with winter cover crops, summer cover crops can also reduce wind and water erosion in fields, especially those with slopes. During summer rainfall events, that can be significant if resulting from tropical storms, runoff may not just include soil loss, but also fertilizer and chemical movement. Therefore, keeping cover on a field during non-production times in any season is an excellent practice.
3. Nitrogen Cycling in the Soil – Nitrogen is often the most limiting nutrient for crop production, since it is so readily lost through nitrification and leaching. Storing nitrogen through plant cycling is an excellent way to improve fertility management. Whether it is a grass or non-leguminous cover crops N is still kept in the mix by the cover crop taking up residual N that wouldPerson holding plant to show root system otherwise be lost. The cover crop plant takes up the nitrogen and after the crop is incorporated it decomposes, thus releasing the N for subsequent crops to use. If legume cover crops are planted, they have the ability to “fix” nitrogen from the atmosphere and through the same decomposition process will provide N for subsequent crops. Be sure to inoculate legume seed just prior to planting with Rhizobium bacteria in order to gain the maximum N fixation benefits.
4. Reduce Weeds – When fields are left fallow after crops are harvested, weed growth can occur. If left to produce seeds, these weeds will multiply in subsequent crops. Therefore, managing the field by planting cover crops between cash crops is a great weed management option. As the cover crop grows, it will suppress the germination and growth of weeds through competition and shading. Some cover crop species can also suppress weeds biochemically, either while they are growing or while they are decomposing, which may prevent the germination or growth of other plants (allelopathy). Research has shown some cover crops like wheat, barley, oats, rye, sorghum, and sudangrass may suppress weeds. In some cases, it has also been reported that residues and leachates from crimson clover, hairy vetch, and other legumes have shown weed suppression.
5. Impacts on Plant Diseases – Cover crop residues could possibly be beneficial when it comes to plant pathogens, or can in some cases increase plant disease organisms. Some cover crop species are in the same plant families as cash crops and may be susceptible to the same disease organisms. Therefore, carrying the pathogen to the next crop. This is why paying attention to crop rotations is so important. In other cases, the cover crop residue can improve soil health in order to produce a better environment for beneficial microbes. By improving soil health, water infiltration, air pore space and other positive attributes, some soil pathogens may not survive as well, as in the case of water molds and water fungi. Some cover crops, like sorghum-sudangrass and sunnhemp, have been reported to reduce nematodes in soils. There are multiple positive factors from cover crops that can combat plant diseases.
6. Impacts on Insects – Like with plant diseases, cover crops can be susceptible to the same insect pests as cash crops. However, they may also attract beneficial insects into an area. Insect pests should be monitored in cover crops, just like in cash crops in order to not let populations get out of control and then move into nearby fields after the cover crop is killed.

For more resources on the us e of cover crops check out these resources: Cover Crops for Sustainable Crop Rotations – SARE

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Organic Production, Strawberry, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , ,
June 29, 2023

Fourth of July Cookout Costs

According to the American Farm Bureau a Fourth of July Cookout will cost $67.73 for a party of 10, down 3% from last year’s record high. Cookout favorites include cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, among other products.  For more information: please see AFBF Fourth of July Cookouts.

As you prepare for your cookout, please remember food safety risks whenever preparing food, particularly for outdoor consumption.  Please see these Rutgers Factsheets:   Serving Food Safely and Handling Leftovers Safely.  (Authored by Sara Elnakib, PhD, MPH, RDN, Family & Community Health Sciences Educator, Rutgers Cooperative Extension and Don Schaffner, Rutgers Extension Specialist in Food Science).

sCooking temperature poster

 

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Uncategorized
June 13, 2023

Got leaves?

Have you taken a look at your sycamore lately? Seeing any leaves this spring? Looks like a little problem!

brown, angular leaf spots on plane tree leaves

Classic angular leaf spot and twig blight of sycamore anthracnose. Photo: Richard Buckley, Rutgers PDL

Samples of deciduous shade trees diagnosed with anthracnose have steadily found their way into Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory this spring. Anthracnose is a common fungal disease of shade trees that results in angular leaf spots, cupping or curling of leaves, and premature defoliation. Green stems and twigs can become infected, causing twigs to dieback and overwintering cankers to form. We’ve had samples of sycamore and London plane tree, but have also had ash, beech, maple and a bunch of oaks.

water-soaked, necrotic spots on distorted ash leaves

Ash anthracnose causes necrotic spots and distorted leaves. Photo: Richard Buckley, Rutgers PDL

The fungi responsible for anthracnose in shade trees are all unique. The fungus that attacks sycamore is not the same as the fungi that cause ash, beech, dogwood, maple, or oak anthracnose. Each tree species has a specific fungus causing its own anthracnose disease, so for example, the beech anthracnose fungus does not infect oaks and the oak anthracnose fungus does not infect maples and so on.

brown, angular spots on silver maple leaves

Marginal necrosis and irregularly-shaped, angular leaf spots on silver maple (Acer saccharinum). Photo: Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers PDL

Infections by anthracnose causing fungi are favored by cool, wet conditions during the budbreak period in the spring. When the weather favors one of these fungi, it generally favors all of them, so we see the disease to some degree on many different hosts. Anthracnose fungi survive winter in buds, small twig cankers, or fallen leaves depending on which types of trees and fungi are involved. In the spring, the spores are moved by wind and water to newly forming leaves. The longer the weather conditions remain cool and wet, the more damage one can expect. Once the weather becomes dry and the leaves mature, the disease cycle ends and the tree will replace lost leaves with new ones.

brown spots along beech leaf veins

Beech anthracnose. Photo: Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers PDL

Anthracnose can cause a very visible leaf lesion, and depending on the fungus/tree species dynamic, may defoliate the tree. Sycamore anthracnose causes a very significant defoliation, while beech anthracnose rarely does. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for the causal fungus to kill the buds before they open in the spring. It’s also not uncommon for the fungus to kill new green stems and twigs. Although these diseases often seem severe, they have little long-term impact on overall tree health. Leaves and buds damaged early in the season are often replaced by mid-summer.

distorted oak leaves with small spots

Small spots with yellow borders and distorted leaves, caused by oak anthracnose. Photo: Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers PDL

So, what do we do about anthracnose? Not much, really! Rake and remove fallen leaves. Improve plant vigor with fertilization and irrigation in times of drought, and prune all of the dead and dying limbs. Fungicides can be used to prevent the problem in high-value trees. Begin treatments at budbreak to protect the new growth and repeat the treatments 2-3 times at the label specified intervals. Proper timing and good coverage are essential, which will necessitate a licensed professional applicator to make the applications.

By the way, it is too late for fungicide protection this season!

Fungal diseases in most ornamental plants can be prevented with applications of one or a combination of the following active ingredients: FRAC M3 mancozeb; FRAC M5 chlorothalonil; FRAC 1 thiophanate-methyl; FRAC 3 metconazole, myclobutanil, propiconazole, tebuconazole, triademefon, triflumizole; FRAC 7 boscalid, flutolanil, oxycarboxin; FRAC 11 azoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin; FRAC 12 fludioxonil; and/or FRAC 19 polyoxin-D. Be sure to follow all label specifications for the host plant, the specific diseases controlled, as well as rates, dilution, and timing.

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,
June 9, 2023 and

Tree Fruit IPM Report for 06/09/23

Peach:

Bacterial Spot: Fruit symptoms from this set of infections have begun to appear in southern counties. So far fruit symptoms are very low and only in highly susceptible varieties. One of the few benefits of a dry spring dry spell is lower disease incidence. Peaches are close to pit hardening and at that point fruit will develop some resistance to bacterial spot. Infection s can still occur but will be less unsightly and may still make grade. Growers should continue to manage using Oxytetracyclene and lower rates of copper, especially around rainy periods and severe weather.

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/10 in both northern and southern counties.  All timings for first generation OFM have past.

OFM 2nd Generation Timing
Insecticide Type
County/Region Degree Days by  6/9 base 45 Conventional

1150-1200

 Diamide

1075-1150
Gloucester – Southern 888 1st –6/21-6/23

2nd – too far off

 1st –6/17-6/19

2nd – too far off
Middlesex – Northern 862 1st –6/22-24

2nd – too far off

 1st –6/18-6/20

2nd – too far off

Plum Curculio; Tarnished Plant Bugs; and Other Catfacing Insects: Plum Curculio start to move into orchards at about 88-100 degree days base 50 after January 1. Applications for PC should be initiated once all petals are off, with a second application made with ovicidal materials at 379-402 DD. Additional applications with effective materials may be made between 520 and 730 DD base 50. Currently we have accumulated about 702 DD base 50 in southern counties, and 630 DD base 50 in northern counties. Growers can monitor degree day development at their site by finding the nearest weather station and using the degree day development tool at NEWA. Catfacing insects are active, and activity is increasing with fry weather and summer temperatures. Very little recent fruit feeding has been observed.

Scale Insects: White peach scale crawlers should be at peak crawler emergence in southern counties. San jose scale crawlers began emergence about 5/31. SJS crawlers typically peak in mid-June and continue emergence for up to 6 weeks. Control options during crawler emergence include Neonicitiniods (suppression only), and the IGR’s Esteem and Centaur. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide and the product labels for more information.

Thrips: If the current dry spell continues Flower Thrips may become an issue in highly colored ripening fruit, especially in poorly managed ground covers that contain clover or other flowering weeds. Thrips damage appears as “silvering” and usually appears on fruit close to harvest.

Early Season Thrip Injury on Nectarine

Fig. 1. Early Season Thrips “silvering” on Nectarine.

If populations are high damage can be extensive. Presence of thrips may be scouted for using a beating tray to detect the presence of adults and nymphs in the tree. Flowering weeeds and shrubs on orchard edges may also be scouted by shaking flowers onto a beating tray or a sheet of paper. Delegate or Entrust at the highest labeled rate are the usual recommended materials for thrips in stone fruit. Lannate may be effective in some orchards but has not worked well in recent years. These materials all have short PHI’s and may be applied close to harvest when damage typically appears. Thrips have also been observed to mark cherries. Damage is different than peach and appears as a dark streak in a similar pattern as silvering. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information.

Apples and Pears:

Diseases: Now that primary scab has ended, the focus turns toward summer diseases such as fruit rots (esp. Bitter rot), and sooty blotch and fly speck. Bitter rot control has been difficult at best in recent years even where management programs have been rigorous. Research has suggested products such as Merivon, Luna Sensation and Inspire Super may be effective, and longtime reliable broad spectrum fungicides such as captan and ziram should provide control. Experience has suggested that the addition of phosphorous acid products such as Prophyt or Rampart to captan sprays may improve control. Observations are that these products improve control of other summer diseases such as sooty blotch and flyspeck, and may help suppress scab infections where present.

Fire Blight: Fire Blight symptoms began appearing in southern county apple and pear orchards the week of 5/1. Typically it is recommended to cut out infected limbs however this is a practical decision that must be made. This blog post from Michigan State may be helpful to decide whether it is worth cutting out infected tissue. Once the terminal buds set, typically in July, infected wood should be removed to prevent colonization by the bitter rot pathogen.

Codling Moth (CM): The first codling moth flight has started.  A biofix was set for CM on April 17th in both northern and southern counties. Trap captures began increasing again in southern counties this week. Timings are updated below.

Codling Moth Degree Day Timing
Application and Insecticide Type
County Area Biofix Rimon:

75-100DD + 14-17 days later

 

 Intrepid

150 + 450 DD

Diamides – Altacor, Voliam mixes: (150-200 DD)

 Cyd-X, Carpovirusine

250 DD + every 7-9 days during brood hatch (later if first spray is an IGR)

 Standard Insecticides –  Delegate, Avaunt, OP’s, carbamates, pyrethroids

250 DD + 550 DD

 
DD 75 100 150 450 250 250 550
Southern April 17 past past past 6/7 past past 6/11
Northern  April 17  past  past  past 6/8 past past 6/13

Tufted Apple Budmoth (TABM): A biofix for TABM was set in southern county orchards on 5/8. Nothing needs to be done for TABM at this point. The first alternate middle applications for TABM will be on or about 6/12 in southern counties. This has been considered a minor pest in recent years. Many materials used for Codling Moth will also control TABM.

Pear:  Second generation pear psylla began hatching about 5/15. Options for control include spynosyn products such as Delegate and Entrust, and the neocitinoids (IRAC group 4A). The addition of 0.25-1 gal of summer oil may improve control. Other options include Movento, the IGR’s Esteem and Centaur, and products containing abamectin. Be sure to read and follow the label instructions regarding the addition of penetrants for abamectin products. Pear Psylla are still actively laying eggs and nymphs continue to hatch.

Grape: Early blooming native grapes were at 50% bloom on 5/24, therefore we have set the the Grape Berry Moth biofix at 5/24 for southern counties. Typically we would use the bloom date for V. riparia to set the biofix date, however the usual locations we have used in the past did not have viable vines to look at, and it is difficult to scout new locations for V. riparia this year. Since V. riparia typically blooms with early natives we used Concord and Ives to set the biofix. The model works best when growers record their own bloom dates and use the Grape Berry Moth model at NEWA. Applications for GBM using Intrepid or Diamides should be made at 810 DD base 47. Other effective materials can be applied a few days later. Currently we are at 167 DD in southern counties. Applications have been historically made around the end of June in southern counties.

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Southern Counties

STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/15/2023 433 20 1
4/23/2023 423 1 13 8 4
4/30/2023 417 7 15 4 1 0
5/06/2023 9 2 3 1 0 0
5/13/2023 18 2 7 2 3 0 6 6
5/20/2023 5 18 6 0 51 0 13 67
5/27/2023 1 11 4 0 17 0 11 49
6/03/23 3 8 2 1 24 0 13 65

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Northern Counties

STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/8/2023 10
4/15/2023 20 3
4/30/2023 28 11 6
5/06/2023 22 2 19 9
5/13/2023 34 1 3 2 5 0
5/20/2023 31 6 7 1 6 0
5/27/23 16 18 4 1 17 3 11
6/03/23 12 26 2 0 17 2 12

Phenology Table: Based on annual observations made in Gloucester County.

Pest Event or Growth Stage Approximate Date 2023 Observed Date
 Bud Swell (Redhaven)  March 23 +/- 15 Days March 7
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious March 31 +/- 13 Days March 27
Pink Peach (Redhaven) April 4 +/- 15 Days March 24
Tight Cluster Red Delicious April 9 +/- 13 Days April 7
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven) April 9 +/- 14 Days April 4
Pink Apple (Red Delicious) April 14 +/- 12 Days April 11
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious) April 22 +/- 11 Days April 16
Petal Fall (Redhaven) April 22 +/- 10 Days April 15
Petal Fall (Red Delicious) April 27 +/- 13 Days  May 3
Shuck Split (Redhaven) April 30 +/- 11 Days April 21
Pit Hardening June 15 +/- 9 Days

 

 

Filed Under: Tree Fruit, Uncategorized, Wine Grape
May 24, 2023

Tree Fruit IPM Report for May 25, 2023

Peach:

Bacterial Spot: Generally we recommend starting at 0.5 ozs metallic copper and gradually lowering the rate as the season progresses. The rate applied will depend on the formulation. Dr. Lalancette published a chart listing common copper formulations and rates for peach and nectarine applications. Avoid combining copper with captan especially if it has been overcast for several days. Also avoid acidic spray solutions when applying copper. Dr. Lalancette has published a handy guide for copper applications in early covers. Antibiotics such as Mycoshield or Fireline may also be used and may offer slightly more residual activity during long wetting periods. Bacterial Spot leaf symptoms have began appearing in southern county orchard during the week of 5/8. These infections probably occurred mostly during the heavy rains that occurred on 4/30-5/1. Fruit symptoms from this set of infections have so far not appeared. This week no significant increase in symptoms was noted.

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/10 in both northern and southern counties.  All timings for first generation OFM have past.

OFM 2nd Generation Timing
Insecticide Type
County/Region Degree Days by  5/24 base 45 Conventional

1450-1500

 Diamide

1300-1400
Gloucester – Southern 603 1st –too far off

2nd – too far off

 1st –too far off

2nd – too far off
Middlesex – Northern 578 1st –too far off

2nd – too far off

 1st –too far off

2nd – too far off

Plum Curculio; Tarnished Plant Bugs; and Other Catfacing Insects: Plum Curculio start to move into orchards at about 88-100 degree days base 50 after January 1. Applications for PC should be initiated once all petals are off, with a second application made with ovicidal materials at 379-402 DD. Additional applications with effective materials may be made between 520 and 730 DD base 50. Currently we have accumulated about 498 DD base 50 in southern counties, and 426 DD base 50 in northern counties. Growers can monitor degree day development at their site by finding the nearest weather station and using the degree day development tool at NEWA. Catfacing insects are active, but will become more of an issue as temperatures warm and mowing and other ground cover activities become more common.

Scale Insects: White peach scale crawlers have begun emergence in southern counties and will continue emergence for the next few weeks. San jose scale crawlers typically begin emergence about late May or Early June and continue emergence for up to 6 weeks. Control options during crawler emergence include Neonicitiniods (suppression only), and the IGR’s Esteem and Centaur. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide and the product labels for more information.

Apples and Pears:

Diseases: Now that primary scab is nearing the end, or has ended, the focus turns toward summer diseases such as fruit rots (esp. Bitter rot), and sooty blotch and fly speck. Bitter rot control has been difficult at best in recent years even where management programs have been rigorous. Research has suggested Products such as Merivon, Luna Sensation and Inspire Super may be effective, and longtime reliable broad spectrum fungicides such as captan and ziram should provide control. Experience has suggested that the addition of phosphorous acid products such as Prophyt or Rampart to captan sprays may improve control. Observations are that these products improve control of other summer diseases such as sooty blotch and flyspeck, and may help suppress scab infections where present.

Fire Blight: Infections can still occur post bloom so covers with antibiotics when infection events are forecast using the NEWA fire blight model may be beneficial. Remember to rotate streptomycin and oxytetracycline products. Fire Blight symptoms began appearing in southern county apple and pear orchards the week of 5/1. Typically it is recommended to cut out infected limbs however this is a practical decision that must be made. This blog post from Michigan State may be helpful to decide whether it is worth cutting out infected tissue.

Codling Moth (CM): The first codling moth flight has started. A biofix was set for CM on April 17th in both northern and southern counties.

Codling Moth Degree Day Timing
Application and Insecticide Type
County Area Biofix Rimon:

75-100DD + 14-17 days later

 

 Intrepid

150 + 450 DD

Diamides – Altacor, Voliam mixes: (150-200 DD)

 Cyd-X, Carpovirusine

250 DD + every 7-9 days during brood hatch (later if first spray is an IGR)

 Standard Insecticides –  Delegate, Avaunt, OP’s, carbamates, pyrethroids

250 DD + 550 DD

 
DD 75 100 150 450 250 250 550
Southern April 17 past past past 6/4 5/21 5/21 6/7
Northern  past  past  past 6/6 5/23 5/23 6/11

Tufted Apple Budmoth (TABM): A biofix for TABM was set in southern county orchards on 5/8. Nothing needs to be done for TABM at this point. The first alternate middle applications for TABM will be on or about 6/3 in southern counties. This has been considered a minor pest in recent years. Many materials used for Codling Moth will also control TABM.

Pear:  Second generation pear psylla began hatching about 5/15. Options for control include spynosyn products such as Delegate and Entrust, and the neocitinoids (IRAC group 4A). The addition of 0.25-1 gal of summer oil may improve control. Other options include Movento, and products containing abamectin. Be sure to read and follow the label instructions regarding the addition of penetrants for these products.

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Southern Counties

STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/15/2023 433 20 1
4/23/2023 423 1 13 8 4
4/30/2023 417 7 15 4 1 0
5/06/2023 9 2 3 1 0 0
5/13/2023 18 2 7 2 3 0 6 6
5/20/2023 5 18 6 0 51 0 13 67

Tree Fruit Trap Captures – Northern Counties

STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/8/2023 10
4/15/2023 20 3
4/30/2023 28 11 6
5/06/2023 22 2 19 9
5/13/2023 34 1 3 2 5 0
5/20/2023 31 6 7 1 6 0

Phenology Table: Based on annual observations made in Gloucester County.

Pest Event or Growth Stage Approximate Date 2023 Observed Date
 Bud Swell (Redhaven)  March 23 +/- 15 Days March 7
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious March 31 +/- 13 Days March 27
Pink Peach (Redhaven) April 4 +/- 15 Days March 24
Tight Cluster Red Delicious April 9 +/- 13 Days April 7
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven) April 9 +/- 14 Days April 4
Pink Apple (Red Delicious) April 14 +/- 12 Days April 11
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious) April 22 +/- 11 Days April 16
Petal Fall (Redhaven) April 22 +/- 10 Days April 15
Petal Fall (Red Delicious) April 27 +/- 13 Days  May 3
Shuck Split (Redhaven) April 30 +/- 11 Days April 21
Pit Hardening June 15 +/- 9 Days

 

 

 

Filed Under: Tree Fruit, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,