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Veg IPM Update: Week Ending 5/17/17

Sweet Corn

The arrival of warmer temperatures should improve corn growth considerably.  This same weather could bring on the first consistent European corn borer (ECB) catches, although this has not yet happened.  No ECB were captured in blacklight traps this week.  As the population develops, look for maps to be published in the weekly IPM Update.  There were several corn earworm (CEW) captured in blacklights located in New Egypt, Folsom and Woodstown this past week, however these individuals are of little concern in the absence of silking sweet corn.

Cole Crops

IPM personnel continue to observe infestations of crucifer flea beetle.  These beetles can build to high populations quickly, especially where wild mustard and related cruciferous weeds are common.  Extreme feeding on small transplants can cause irreversible damage if not controlled promptly. [Read more…]

Veg IPM Update: Week Ending 5/10/17

Sweet Corn

Cold temperatures are slowing corn growth considerably.  The same weather is also delaying the onset of pests like the European corn borer (ECB).  No ECB were captured in blacklight traps this week.  As the population develops, look for maps to be published in the weekly IPM Update.

Cole Crops

Although cold weather and heavy rains have suppressed them, IPM personnel continue to observe infestations of crucifer flea beetle.  These beetles can build to high populations quickly, especially where wild mustard and related cruciferous weeds are common.  Extreme feeding on small transplants can cause irreversible damage if not controlled promptly. [Read more…]

Veg IPM Update: Week Ending 5/03/17

Sweet Corn

The Vegetable IPM blacklight trap network is nearly complete.  With limited numbers of traps having been checked, only one European corn borer (Allentown, Mercer County) and one corn earworm (Old Bridge, Middlesex County) have been recorded.  As sweet corn is currently in the seedling stage, neither of these catches represent a threat.  As catches become more consistent, maps of the adult populations of these two pests will be published in the weekly IPM Update.

Cole Crops

With warm, sunny days, IPM personnel have discovered a number of heavy infestations of crucifer flea beetle.  These beetles can build to high populations quickly, especially where wild mustard and related cruciferous weeds are common.  Extreme feeding on small transplants can cause irreversible damage if not controlled promptly. [Read more…]

Veg IPM Update: Week Ending 7/06/16

Sweet Corn  16ecb0706a

European corn borer (ECB) moth catches remain very low now.  Only scattered individuals are now being captured, and growers are managing residual infestations.  At the present, the highest adult activity is in Salem county, although it is quite low even there (see ECB map).  Larval feeding ranges from single digits to above 20% in areas where IPM personnel are operating.  Be sure to begin monitoring plantings for ECB feeding while they are still in the whorl stage.  Consider treating when the number of infested plants in a 50 plant sample exceeds 12%.  [Read more…]

Veg IPM Update: Week Ending 6/29/16

Sweet Corn

European corn borer (ECB) moth catches remain very low now.  The first flight is over, and growers are now managing subsequent infestations, which are generally lower than normal.  Present adult activity is too low to generate a map image (<0.5 moths/night in all traps).  Larval feeding ranges from single digits to above 20% in areas where IPM personnel are operating, although many plantings still have no detectable feeding at all.  Be sure to begin monitoring plantings for ECB feeding while they are still in the whorl stage.  Consider treating when the number of infested plants in a 50 plant sample exceeds 12%.  Feeding in the whorl stage will appear as numerous small holes (called “shot-hole”) on leaves, with damage present on consecutively younger leaves. As plants progress to pre-tassel and beyond, droppings and  larvae may be found in or on the emerging tassels.  Any planting remaining at or above threshold as it proceeds to full tassel should be treated, as this is the last stage at which ECB larvae will be exposed and vulnerable to insecticidal sprays.    Insecticides that are acceptable in organic production include the spinosyn based material Entrust (IRAC-5) and Dipel (IRAC-11a).  The 10G formulation of Dipel is particularly useful when granules can be dropped or broadcast such that they get into the whorls of corn plants.  Other effective insecticides include Coragen (IRAC 28), and the synthetic pyrethroids (IRAC 3).  See the 2016 Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Guide for a more complete list of insecticides.

The highest nightly ECB catches for the previous week are as follows:

Denville   1 Matawan   1
Farmingdale   1 New Egypt   1
Lawrenceville   1 Old Bridge   1
Little York   1 Pennington   1

In addition, several low-level infestations of fall armyworm (FAW)  were discovered this week.  These were in Hunterdon and Middlesex counties, but it is likely that there are other light infestations throughout the state.  These infestations have not exceeded 4% in the whorl stage, and are likely the result of a few FAW moths arriving in advance of weather fronts.  This is somewhat early for FAW infestations in NJ, and we would expect to see little injury until mid-July.  FAW feeding is much more obvious than that of ECB larvae, with large ragged holes and conspicuous droppings found in the whorl.  FAW is resistant to synthetic pyrethroid insecticides (IRAC 3), and can be effectively managed with insecticides such as Radiant/Entrust/Blackhawk (IRAC 5) or Coragen/Besiege (IRAC 28).  Consider treating if damage from ECB and/or FAW reaches 12%.  [Read more…]

Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory adds Sulfur to Soil Fertility Analysis

Plant-available sulfur (sulfate) values have been added to Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory fertility reports in the micronutrient reporting line. There are four interpretive categories: Low, Medium-low, Sufficient, and High. An explanatory paragraph follows near the end of the report to help interpret the reported value.

Photo illustrating sulfur deficiency in sweet corn.

Symptoms of sulfur deficiency include yellowing or light green coloring on youngest tissue, thin stems and petioles, slow growth, and delayed maturity. Photo Credit: G. Brust, University of Maryland.

As the interpretative statements within the reports explain, sulfur analysis/interpretation is very complicated (similar to nitrogen) due to the many factors influencing it. Also, there is not full consensus among soil fertility experts on a best extraction method and critical values. Still, the sulfur value on the revised reports will provide an extra degree of information for understanding the soil & plant health. As with all micronutrient interpretations on the reports, the relevant RCE publication is referenced for further information; in the case of sulfur, RCE bulletin E365.

[Read more…]