There have been a few reports of Southern blight (Sclerotinia rolfsii) and White mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) on tomato and pepper in New Jersey. Southern blight is much more common in vegetable areas south of the state where summer temperatures remain hotter (above 90°F) for longer periods of time. Like white mold, it can survive in […]
Continue reading...June 9, 2024 Kate Brown
Beat the Heat: Reinforce Training with Posters
The outdoor nature of crop and livestock production exposes farmers and farm workers to variable weather conditions. During the summer months, periods of high heat can increase the risk of heat stress and heat-related illness. Farm employers can proactively reduce the risk of heat stress in farmworkers by providing training to all employees on heat […]
Continue reading...June 9, 2024 Andy Wyenandt
Diagnosing pith necrosis in tomato
Symptoms usually begin to appear on random plants throughout the field as green fruit begins to mature. The bacterium (Pseudomonas corrugata) is ubiquitous to soils and develops when weather conditions (cooler nights/very hot, humid days) and cultural practices (i.e., excess heavy N use) lead to favorable conditions for disease development. Symptoms include the development of […]
Continue reading...June 8, 2024 Andy Wyenandt
Preparing for Pepper Anthracnose in 2024
Pepper anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. has become a significant problem on some farms in southern New Jersey. Unlike in tomato, where symptoms are only present in mature (red) fruit, pepper anthracnose can infect pepper fruit at any growth stage. Currently, there are no commercially-available bell or non-bell peppers with known resistance to anthracnose.
Continue reading...June 7, 2024 Andy Wyenandt
Controlling Anthracnose and Alternaria Leaf Blights in Cucurbit Crops
Anthracnose and Alternaria leaf blight can become problematic in cucurbit crops during long periods of wet, humid weather. Both can cause significant losses if not controlled properly. With the production season in full swing, now is a good time to review a few of these important diseases.
Continue reading...June 6, 2024 Andy Wyenandt
Preparing for cucurbit downy mildew in 2024
In 2004, cucurbit downy mildew re-emerged in the US with a vengeance causing significant losses in cucurbit production. In most years prior to this, concern for CDM control was minimal, since the pathogen arrived late in the growing season (in more northern regions), or the pathogen caused little damage, or never appeared. After 2004, with […]
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