APHIS Establishes Quarantines for Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Ohio, Expands Quarantines in Michigan and New York, and Establishes Conditions for the Interstate Movement of Regulated Articles of Buxus species. To: State, Tribal, and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in […]
Continue reading...Controlling Septoria Leaf Spot and Bacterial Leaf Blight in Parsley
Septoria leaf spot (SLS) in Parsley can cause significant losses in fields where it has become established. Like other Septoria’s, the leaf spots produced on parsley look much like the leaf spots produced on tomatoes and other crops. Septoria leaf spot overwinters from year to year on infected debris so long crop rotations of 2 […]
Continue reading...Beat the Heat: Building a Heat Tolerance Takes Time

New workers are vulnerable to heat-related illness because they have not acclimatized to working in the heat. Acclimatization is a physiological process that occurs when exposure to heat takes place gradually over an extended period. Once acclimatization is achieved, working in the heat results in production of a more dilute sweat (lower salt content) and […]
Continue reading...Diagnosing Verticillium Wilt in Eggplant
Verticillium wilt has been reported in eggplant this summer. It is a common soil-borne fungal pathogen that once it has infested soil can remain for a very long time. Verticillium wilt is caused by either Verticillium albo-atrium or Verticillium dahlia and has a wide host range (over 200 plant species). Both pathogens can survive (overwinter) […]
Continue reading...Phomopsis fruit rot in eggplant
Phomopsis blight is caused by the fungal pathogen, Phomopsis vexans. It survives between seasons in the soil on infested plant debris. Although the pathogen can infect stems and older leaves, fruit infections are most prominent. Cankers that develop on stems and branches can cause the entire plant to collapse and die. Circular, grayish spots may […]
Continue reading...Controlling Phytophthora blight in eggplant
Phytophthora blight, caused by Phytophthora capsici, can cause crown and fruit rot in eggplant. Unfortunately, most of New Jersey has been plagued by heavy rains and pop-up thunderstorms these past few weeks making conditions ideal for pathogens such as Phytophthora blight on pepper, eggplant, tomato, and cucurbit crops. Control of Phytophthora blight is extremely difficult […]
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