The following images consist of important diseases in tomato. These images can be used as a quick reference for diagnosing important fungal and bacterial pathogens. For best results, please turn your device (i.e., cell phone) sideways. For information on commercial control recommendations, please visit the tomato section of the 2022/2023 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Guide. […]
Continue reading...What Can Summer Cover Crops Do for Soil Health and Future Crops?

Now 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 […]
Continue reading...Diagnosing important diseases in Pepper – Reference Guide
Phytophthora blight causing plants to wilt and die Phytophthora blight – crown rot Phytophthora crown rot. Note the blackish-brown necrotic tissue at base of the stem Phytophthora sporulating on infected bell pepper fruit. Phytophthora fruit rot (L) and Pythium blight (R) Symptoms of Phytophthora blight on infected leaves. Under ideal conditions leaf infections can occur. […]
Continue reading...Avoiding Plectosporium blight in cucurbit fields in 2023
Plectosporium blight, also known as Microdochium blight or White speck, caused significant problems in some pumpkin fields the last few summers in New Jersey. The soil-borne fungal pathogen, although somewhat uncommon, can unexpectedly show up in some years and cause significant losses if left uncontrolled. The fungus survives in the soil on decaying plant debris […]
Continue reading...Diagnosing Southern blight and White mold in tomato and pepper
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...Vegetable IPM Update 7/12/23

Sweet Corn European corn borer (ECB) moth activity remains extremely low in areas where blacklight traps are operating in the northern and central counties. Feeding in whorl and pre-tassel stage corn has decreased over the past week. Many plantings exhibiting no ECB injury at all. While ECB has become something of a local phenomenon […]
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