Grape berry moth is one of the key direct pests of grapes in NJ. Females lay their eggs on the berry and the larvae makes a small entry hole and then feeds inside the berry. Webbing may be observed as the larvae move between berries. A threshold of 10% webbing has been used in NY […]
Continue reading...Phytophthora Control During Wet Weather
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 (P. capsici) on pepper, eggplant, tomato, and cucurbit crops. Unfortunately, Phytophthora blight can be found on most farms in the southern part of the state. Poor crop rotations with susceptible hosts only […]
Continue reading...Preparing for Pepper Anthracnose
Heavy rain and wind can cause pepper anthracnose to flare up quickly! Growers with peppers in fields with a history of pepper anthracnose should scout on a daily basis and initiate a fungicide program as soon as small fruit begin to develop. Pepper anthracnose can be very difficult to control once established. All bell and non-bell peppers are […]
Continue reading...Vegetable Disease Briefs – 6/28/15
Phytophthora blight on pepper and cucurbit crops have been reported. The heavy rains that have been around lately have been ideal for P. capsici development. All growers need to scout on a regular basis and applied preventative fungicides on a regular basis as well as remain proactive by removing infected plants from field, making sure water is able […]
Continue reading...Audit Ready: Heads Up on Handwashing Stations, Well Water Sampling, & Traceability
Handwashing Stations Auditors have noted that on handwashing stations some have a label which says “Not potable water.” If a grower is doing the USDA GAP or Harmonized audits, the water in handwashing stations must meet the “Microbial standard for drinking water.” If a label is on the wash station marked not potable, the grower […]
Continue reading...Fruit IPM Report 6-24-2015
Peach Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM): Second generation flights are very low in most areas. By all indications this generation should produce much lower pressure than the 1st generation. Any insecticides which are applied now should target this generation. Growers who have trap counts that are less than 6 moths per trap can skip insecticides that are […]
Continue reading...