- Cucurbit downy mildew was been reported on pumpkin in Warren County this week. All cucurbit growers are encouraged to scout their fields on a regular basis and to initiate a downy mildew specific fungicide program. This is the first report of CDM on pumpkin in New Jersey this growing season. Fungicides that are specific to CDM should be included in weekly fungicide maintenance programs for cucurbit powdery mildew control. To track the progress of CDM in the US please visit the CDMpipe forecasting website here.
- There have been a few reports of Southern blight (Sclerotinia rolfsii) on tomato and pepper. 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, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, it can survive in the soil for many years. Symptoms of Southern blight include infection at the base of the stem at the soil-line. The resulting infection will girdle the plant causing wilt and death. The fungus will produce white, cottony mycelium and very small, spherical sclerotia which are often have a tannish, brown color.
- Cercospora leaf blight has been reported in a newly planted asparagus field.
- Corn leaf rust has been reported in northern New Jersey.
- Basil downy mildew has been reported in New Jersey on BDM susceptible sweet basil lines. All basil growers are encouraged to initiate a BDM specific fungicide program even when using DMR varieties. To track the progress of BDM in the US please visit here.
- Phytophthora blight has been reported in pepper and other crops.
- Bacterial leaf spot has been widely reported in pepper plantings.
- The 2019 Fungicide Resistance Management Guide for Vegetable Crops in the mid-Atlantic Region is now available for FREE online.
- For more information on controlling these and other important diseases please see the 2019 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Guide. The guide is available for FREE online by following the links on the Plant and Pest Advisory website. Hardcopies of the 2019 guide can be purchased through your local county Extension office.
