May 17, 2022

Management Recommendations SLF nymphs in 2022

By Katarzyna Madalinska and Anne Nielsen

New Jersey is currently in its 5th year of invasion from spotted lanternfly. Populations are now widespread throughout the state and have established in almost every county in NJ. SLF pressure is variable throughout NJ’s counties, and we do not currently have a threshold for management of nymphs.

1st instar SLF in NJ vineyard – photo by K. Madalinska

SLF nymphs are hatching throughout the state and will continue to do so in the coming weeks. Despite seeing nymphs within the vineyard, we do not recommend immediate treatment at this time. Hatch will occur over a multiple week period depending on the site of egg masses and exposure. The early instars feed on new growth, particularly the underside of leaves and shoots. At this point there is no evidence that early instar feeding results in plant injury or yield loss. Peak abundance of SLF nymphs in vineyards is during their 1st to 2nd instars approximately and 2-3 weeks after the first hatch. Management during their 2nd instar will target the highest number of individuals and prevent additional treatments against nymphs. This timing typically coincides with other key pests within the vineyard, such as grape berry moth and Japanese beetle. Many broad-spectrum insecticide options for grape berry moth or Japanese beetle will also effectively kill SLF nymphs (see table) and insecticides against SLF will not be needed until the adult stage.

Trade name Active ingredient Class Rate per acre Seasonal Allowance SLF* GBM JB
Brigade 2EC bifenthrin Pyrethroid 3.2-6.4 oz 6.4 oz E* E
Actara thiamethoxam Neonicotinoid 3.5 oz 7.0 oz E* G
Assail 30SG acetamiprid Neonicotinoid 2.5-5.3 oz 2 times G G F
Carbaryl 4L carbaryl Carbamate 1-2 qt 10 qt E G G
Avaunt indoxicarb Oxadiazine 6 oz 12 oz. E* G G
Danitol 2.4EC fenpropathrin Pyrethroid 16-21.33 oz 42.66 oz E* E E
Belay clothianidin Neonicotinoid 2.0–6.0 oz. 12 oz. G G G
BaythroidXL cyfluthrin Pyrethroid 1.6-3.2 oz 12.8 oz E E

Always consult the label for further instructions.

*2(ee) approved for SLF in NJ grapes

E = excellent control
G = good control
F = fair control

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Wine Grape Tagged With: ,
May 13, 2022

Ideal conditions for wheat quality. What does this mean?

Since last week, the critical period of fifteen to eighteen days for wheat crop grain quality and quantity has been underway in much of south-central New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This period occurs when heads begin to emerge from the flag leaf (flowering) followed by pollination through to dough stage. While we can’t rule out bacterial and pest damage going forward, we can anticipate how fungal pathogens might impair wheat yields by looking back at the weather since the flag leaf emerged and this week’s coming forecast as pollination completes.

Current predictions for the fungal grain pathogen of wheat known as fusariums as of May 13th are low for much of the region with just a few areas along the Delmarva Penninsula considered at high risk. The Fusarium Risk Tool developed by researchers at Ohio State, Penn State, and Kansas States can be found at https://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/

Fusarium’s are naturally occuring fungi in soil that can infect small grain seed heads when conditions are ideal for infection. For high yielding wheat, ideal weather includes humidity in the range of 50 to 60%. Ideal conditions for fusarium risk are when humidity levels rise to 100% and stay there during this critical period of grain development. While they may sporulate at lower temperatures and humidity levels, they rarely mature until humidity climbs above 85%.

Let’s take a look back and see how the weather has favored the winter wheat crop in our area using local conditions for Woodstown, NJ.

Weather May 1 to May 10. Coming into head emergence, the low humidity periods on May 1 (below 40%) for six hours, three hours on May 3 and five hours on May 5 were offset by the number of hours and days above 68% humidity but mostly below 89% humidity except for a high of 93% on May 4. Chances for diseases to sporulate were highest on May 6 through May 8, but humidity levels did not rise above 90% and temperatures were below 60F degrees even dropping into the low 40’s. Yellow rust Puccinia striiformis in particular if present might have sporulated under these conditions. Powdery mildew could also have sporulated as these conditions were in the lower end of it’s ideal range. The key consideration is that sporulating conditions did not remain so for a long period of time on May 9 and May 10 when humidity dropped into the mid to low 20% range and temperatures hovered in the low 70’s, less than ideal for most fungal pathogen development of concern.

To learn more about specific wheat diseases see USDA’s Guide to Wheat Diseases and Pests at https://wheat.pw.usda.gov/ggpages/wheatpests.html

Weather May 11 to May 13. Most fields in Salem County are nearly fully headed and shedding pollen with little signs of flag leaf disorders. Other than uneven canopy heights on some poorly drained heavy clay soils, much of the sandier loam fields are sporting a good rating at this time. The critical period for any required fungicide applications is now through the next few days. Humidity levels stayed well below 80% until 11 pm on the 12th but have remained above or near 90% for the last twelve hours.

What’s in store? Today with overcast skies and a steady light rainfall this morning in Woodstown, NJ, the humidity rose into the low 80’s and temperatures hovering around 75F degrees. The forecast for Saturday has humidity at 80 to 88% then dropping on Sunday to below 83% and below 76% on Monday, and below 54% for the rest of the week. All things considered, a good forecast this next week going into a critical period of wheat quality and grain fill.

Keep in mind these observations are under natural conditions and non-irrigated. Those who rely on irrigation and have been using irrigation on winter wheat during flag leaf development must pay particular attention to humidity levels in the wheat canopy, especially when cloud cover and higher air temperature persist for long periods of time.

 

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops
May 4, 2022

ALERT-Potential for new boxwood blight infections tomorrow in Southern NJ

There is a potential for new boxwood blight infections tomorrow in Southern NJ

  • Protective fungicide applications should remain in effect or be initiated immediately for Boxwood Blight in these areas
  • If your area is not listed (throughout all of NJ please visit the USPEST.ORG Boxwood Blight Risk Model – CLICK HERE TO CHECK YOUR LOCAL PREDICTIONS
  • BWB has been observed already this season just south of us in Maryland.

Boxwood Blight risk-model information, considerations, and links:

Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 5/4/2022
Region Location CODE 4-May 5-May 6-May 7-May 8-May 9-May
Southern Upper Deerfield NJ50 Low  Low  Very Low  Low  Low  Very Low 
Southern Vineland NJ73 Low  Low  Very Low  Low  Low  Very Low 
Southern Millville KMIV Very Low Low  Very Low  Low  Low  Very Low 
Southern Bridgeton D4116 Low Infection Risk- Sus. vars. Very Low  Low  Low  Very Low 
Please check your local boxwood blight risk at ___ CLICK HERE TO CHECK YOUR LOCAL PREDICTIONS
  • These advisories are general in nature and change rapidly over time and throughout the state! Someone from your business should be using this risk model daily 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!
    • (click on the link – input area code – select closest weather station – check 7-14 prediction – click on graph / table) 

Fungicides; 

  1. You very well may have these materials already applied as ‘cover-sprays’ – But – be mindful that protectant fungicides loose efficacy the more rain (or overhead irrigation) they are subjected to, and reapplication may be warranted.
  2. ROTATE between Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC codes) to avoid this pathogen becoming resistant to specific chemicals

Format: [FRAC code]: Chemical name (Trade names * no endorsement implied) 

  • [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)BW

DISCLAIMER: The label is the law, always refer to it for allowable host crops, use-restrictions, application rates, reapplication intervals, re-entry intervals (REI), and mix compatibility information. Production and pesticide information on this site are for private/commercial pesticide applicators and landscape professionals only, and are NOT for home gardener use. Provided materials represent examples and do not cover all possible control scenarios. Trade-names listed do not imply endorsement and are used as examples only. Please contact your local agent or chemical sales representative for more information or to discuss additional pest management options.

Resources 

Background on the pathogen: 

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
May 3, 2022

Tree Fruit IPM Report for May 3, 2022

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.

Peach Scab: In addition to Rusty Spot and Bacterial Spot, Peach Scab requires protective applications starting at petal fall. Peach scab cankers (Fig. 2) begin to expand at bloom and by shuck split begin to shed spores during wetting periods. Topsin, Topsin/Captan combinations, Flint Extra, Inspire Super, and especially Quadris Top applied at petal fall are the best materials for blocks that had scab last year. Quadris Top, Flint Extra or Topsin should be used at the high rate to suppress overwintering lesions on the wood. Quadris Top contains azoxystrobin which is phytotoxic to many apple varieties. Phytotoxic residues can remain in the tank for long periods after an application is made, even if a tank cleaner is used. Do not use Quadris Top or Abound in the same sprayer used for apples. Bravo (chlorothalonil) is also a good protectant that may be applied no later than shuck split. Captan is also helpful in cover sprays after shuck split where scab was troublesome last year.

Fig. 2 Peach Scab lesions on peach twig.

 

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/11 in southern counties, and on 4/14 in northern counties. The first insecticides for first generation Oriental Fruit Moth control should be applied at 170-200 degree days base 45 after biofix. This timing generally coincides with petal fall in peaches. Currently we have accumulated 87 Degree days from the biofix. The timing for the first insecticides for OFM will be on or about 4/26-4/28 in southern counties. In northern counties the timing will be about a week later.

OFM 1st Generation Timing
Insecticide Type
County/Region Degree Days by  4/27 base 45 Conventional

170-200, 350-375

 Diamide

100-150, 300-350
Gloucester – Southern 212 1st – past

2nd –5/18-5/21

 1st – past

2nd –5/11-5/18
Middlesex – Northern 154 1st – 5/3-5/5

2nd – too far off

 1st – 4/26-5/4

2nd –too far off

Green Peach Aphid: GPA colonies begin forming sometime during bloom. Examine trees for the presence of colonies from pink to shuck split. Count the number of colonies on ten trees and use a treatment threshold of 2 colonies/tree at petal fall for peach, and 1 colony/tree for nectarine. The best way to scout for aphids during bloom is with a beating tray. Blossoms may also be collected, opened, and examined for the presence of aphids using a hand lens. This is particularly important for nectarine blocks. Check 10 trees per block with the beating tray. Collect 50 blossoms per block and examine for the presence of aphids. If more than 1 colony of aphids are found in nectarines, or 2-3 colonies are found in peaches, an insecticide for aphids will be needed when all petals are off. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for recommended materials and rates. Aphid colonies are now visible in southern county orchards.

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. 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 starting activity but cause little damage at this time of the year. Catfacing insects will become more of an issue as temperatures warm and mowing and other ground cover activities become more common after bloom. Insecticides for catfacing insects are not recommended until after all petals are off.

Scale Insects: White peach scale (WPS) crawlers are close to emergence in southern counties, probably in about a week to 10 days. San Jose scale (SJS) crawlers usually begin emergence about a week or ten days later, usually late May/Early June. If you have scale infestations on your trees, it is important to note if crawlers are present, even if you treated with oil in the early spring. If crawlers are present then treatment options include Esteem, Movento, Centaur, Venerate, and Diazinon. Esteem, Centaur, Venerate and Movento should be applied at the beginning of crawler emergence. Venerate needs to be applied at the low rate of 1 qt/A and may need more than one application. Diazinon is labeled for only one post bloom or foliar application on stone fruit (Rec = max. of 2 lb/acre of the 50W). The apple label allows up to 2 foliar applications per year as long as a prebloom application was not made. Foliar applications may cause russet on apples, but has worked in the field for scale crawlers as long as applications are made 1-2 weeks after the start of crawler emergence and again 2 weeks later. Belay and Assail are also effective against scale crawlers but may need more than one application during the emergence which typically lasts about 4 weeks for WPS and 6 weeks for SJS.

Apples and Pears:

Diseases: Fire Blight, Apple Scab, Rust diseases, and Powdery Mildew are the main targets at this stage. The NEWA apple scab model is estimating about 98% ascospore maturity as of 4/26 in southern NJ with 98% of cumulative ascospores discharged. We are nearing the end of primary scab season in southern counties. Northern counties will have less ascospore maturity. Primary apple scab spores are released during any substantial infection period. More information can be found in this blogpost from Penn State. Between tight cluster and first cover include products effective  for powdery mildew and cedar apple rust. To manage Fire Blight in both apples and pears, consider using Kasumin at bloom. Kasumin is an antibiotic like Streptomycin and Oxytetratracycline. It contains Kasugamycin which is a different chemistry. Kasumin is only labeled for bloom and petal fall applications while strep and oxytet are labeled for post bloom use. Using 3 different chemistries in rotation allows for resistance management while extending the protection into the post bloom period when late blossoms typically appear which ever material you use, the addition of Actigard or other plant defense elicitors may improve control.

Rust Diseases: The two most common rust diseases that affect pome fruit are Quince Rust and Cedar Apple Rust. In some years these diseases can be troublesome in commercial orchards. Most disease control programs for scab will also control rust. In organically managed blocks in the east options are limited for approved materials that are effective for rust. Potassium Bicarbonate products have shown good efficacy for rust diseases in trials performed in Virginia. Organic growers should seek out and plant rust resistant cultivars. Cultural controls are not practicable due to the widespread presence of alternate host Junipers both wild and cultivated. Rust disease development on junipers should now be producing large spore releases during wetting periods. See this link for pictures of rust on pome fruit and juniper.

Codling Moth (CM): The first codling moth flight has started. A biofix was set for CM on April 25th in southern counties. No biofix has yet been set for northern 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) + 14-21 days later

 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 25 5/7 Too far off Too far off Too far off Too far off Too far off
Northern

Rosy Apple Aphid:  If a pre-bloom application was not made, monitor for colonies during bloom and use a treatment threshold of 1 colony/tree at petal fall. Some orchards have colonies that require treatment in southern counties.

Pear Psylla:  Dormant oil applications should have already been started to deter psylla egg laying. At the green cluster stage a pyrethroid is generally included with oil to knock down adults migrating into the orchard.  In lieu of oil, Surround may also be applied starting at swollen bud and continued through petal fall. If using Surround through the bloom period stop at petal fall and switch to applications of 1% summer oil @ 1gal/ac in no less than 150 gals/ac. these should be made at no more than 2 week intervals. At petal fall insecticide options for Psylla control include Actara, Assail, Belay, Movento, Sivanto Prime, and Agri-mek. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for recommended materials and rates.

Pear Diseases:  Include effective materials such as Ziram or EBDC formulations for Pear Scab and Rust diseases beginning at the cluster bud stage. At white bud use products effective for pear scab, rusts, and fabrea leaf spot. For both apples and pears, consider using Kasumin at bloom. Kasumin is an antibiotic like Streptomycin and Oxytetratracycline. It contains Kasugamycin which is a different chemistry. Kasumin is only labeled for bloom and petal fall applications while strep and oxytet are labeled for post bloom use. Using 3 different chemistries in rotation allows for resistance management while extending the protection into the post bloom period when late blossoms typically appear. which ever material you use, the addition of Actigard or other plant defense elicitors may improve control.

Grapes: Grapes are at the 1″-3″ stage of development in southern counties. The most important diseases to manage at this time are Phomopsis and Powdery Mildew. At 3″ growth start managing for Black Rot. Insect pests to monitor are Grape Flea Beetle, and Climbing Cutworms. Controls for these insects are rarely needed. If control is determined to be necessary, use one of the materials recommended in the New Jersey Commercial Grape Production Guide. Remember that Lorsban has lost all food tolerances and should not be used. It’s also not too late to scout for and destroy SLF egg masses on posts and trunks.

Tree  Fruit Trap Counts – Southern Counties

Weekending STLM TABM-A CM AM OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/9/2022 2 0 0
4/16/2022 0 2 3
4/23/2022 11 0 0 28 5 0 0
4/30/2022 5 0 1 31 4 0 0

 

Pest Event or Growth Stage Approximate Date 2022 Observed Date
 Bud Swell (Redhaven)  March 23 +/- 15 Days March 20
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious March 31 +/- 13 Days March 21
Pink Peach (Redhaven) April 4 +/- 15 Days March 31
Tight Cluster Red Delicious April 9 +/- 13 Days March 31
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven) April 9 +/- 14 Days April 10
Pink Apple (Red Delicious) April 14 +/- 12 Days April 14
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious) April 22 +/- 11 Days April 21
Petal Fall (Redhaven) April 22 +/- 10 Days April 14
Petal Fall (Red Delicious) April 27 +/- 13 Days May 3
Shuck Split (Redhaven) April 30 +/- 11 Days April 26
Pit Hardening June 15 +/- 9 Days

 

Filed Under: Tree Fruit, Uncategorized, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
April 29, 2022

The NJ Plastic Bag Ban and Your Retail Farm Market

The NJ plastic bag ban will impact retail farm markets starting May 4th.  Note that enforcement of this ban will vary based on your retail sales location.  Counties and municipalities may use their health or other departments for enforcement along with the DEP. Without specific guidance on how to enforce the ban in farm retail settings there will likely be variations based on location.

Some key pieces of information about the rule that may impact your market are detailed below:

Paper bags are banned only for stores that are identified as a “grocery store”.  If you are not considered a grocery store (see definition below) you may use paper bags.

Grocery stores are defined as “self-service retail establishment that occupies at least 2,500 square feet and that sells household foodstuffs for offsite consumption, including fresh produce, meat, poultry, deli products, dry foods, baked foods, prepared foods.”  We anticipate that enforcement will vary based on local jurisdiction with this definition.  If you are a retail farm market that is over 2,500 square feet, including your outdoor sales areas, it is suggested that you communicate with your municipality or county to determine if you can use paper bags or not.

The state does not define what types of plastic bags can be used for exempted items, and we have had varying guidance from DEP. Questions about the rule can be directed to singleuseplastics@dep.nj.gov Contact your municipality or county to determine how they plan to regulate exempted item bagging. DEP identifies the following items as exempt:

  • Loose items including: fruits, vegetables, nuts, coffee, grains, baked goods, candy, greeting cards, flowers, small hardware items
  • Uncooked meat, fish, or poultry
  • Food sliced or prepared to order, including soup and hot foods

You cannot sell single use bags at your store, except for pre-packaged bags such as bulk trash bags, pet waste bags, zip-lock bags, etc.

The regulation does not discuss biodegradable single-use bags  that can be decomposed by bacteria and other living organisms in a short period of time. The plastic bag ban is specific to single-use bags made from a synthetic materials. Many biodegradable bags are made from corn-based materials and have improved in their strength since they were first released a number of years ago. Should you plan on purchasing biodegradable bags make sure you can prove what materials they are made of in case of customer or regulatory questioning. The New Jersey Office of Innovation has a listing of companies that sell bags that are allowable under the ban.

Reusable bags ideally should be made of materials that can be easily cleaned and must have handles stitched onto them. Fabrics that can be washed and dried in a machine are preferred since the heat cycle in the dryer will kill any potential human pathogens that find their way onto the bags surface. If purchasing reusable bags to give to your customers be sure to look at the cleaning instructions and communicate proper handling of these bags to your customers. You are not required to provide reusable bags to your customers.

As we better understand this regulation, we will share that information with you.

*article updated on June 15, 2022

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops
April 19, 2022

Wine Grape Twilight – I

When: May 4 (Wed) @ 4 PM

Where: Tomasello Winery: 225 N White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037

Frank Salek Memorial Lecture, Sponsored by the Outer Coastal Plain Vineyard Association. Dennis Rak, owner of the Double A Vineyard Nursery will talk on ‘Grapevine Grafting: Fundamentals of Why and How’

Pesticide Recertification Credits: CORE (1 credit), PP2 (5 credit), 1 A (5 credit) [Read more…]

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