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Rutgers University Center for Vector Biology offers services to identify ticks found in New Jersey by species and to test the tick for common diseases they carry. In order to use this service: The current list of tick disease testing:
By Salvatore Mangiafico •
Rutgers University Center for Vector Biology offers services to identify ticks found in New Jersey by species and to test the tick for common diseases they carry. In order to use this service: The current list of tick disease testing:
By Karleen Wilford •
Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC)121 Northville Road, Room 146. Bridgeton, NJ 08302Wednesday August 16, 2023 5 PM until dark This meeting is free with no registration required. Refreshments and ice cream will be served. This year’s twilight meeting at RAREC will showcase new agricultural technologies including the newly installed agrivoltaics system established at […]
Andy Wyenandt, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
By Karleen Wilford •
For over a decade, basil downy mildew (BDM) has caused significant losses in basil grown in organic andconventional field and greenhouse production across the United States. At the time of its introduction,there were very few fungicides labeled for its control making it nearly impossible to grow a successfulcrop in many areas of the country. The […]
Andy Wyenandt, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
By Karleen Wilford •
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) […]
Andy Wyenandt, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
By Karleen Wilford •
Pepper anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. has become a significant problem on some farms insouthern New Jersey. Unlike in tomato, where symptoms are only present in mature (red) fruit, pepperanthracnose can infect pepper fruit at any growth stage. Currently, there are no commercially-available bell or non-bell peppers with known resistance to anthracnose. The pathogen over […]
Andy Wyenandt, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
By Karleen Wilford •
Most of New Jersey has finally gotten some significant rain after many weeks of dry weather makingcurrent conditions ideal for pathogens such as Phytophthora and Pythium. Unfortunately, Pythium andPhytophthora blight can be found on most farms in the southern part of the state. Poor crop rotations with susceptible hosts only make matters worse. The Phytophthora […]
Andy Wyenandt, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
By Karleen Wilford •
As the summer heats up in New Jersey, the control of Phytophthora blight in cucurbit plantings can beextremely difficult (even with the use of fungicides) as hot, wet weather finally sets in. Mitigating losses to Phytophthora blight in cucurbit crops begins with long crop rotations, where recommendations suggest crop rotations longer than 5 years if […]
Andy Wyenandt, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
By Karleen Wilford •
Strawberry leaf spot, caused by the soil-borne fungal pathogen, Mycosphaerella fragariae, can infectleaves, petioles, runners, fruit stalks (pedicels), and berry caps or calyxes. Small, dark purple to reddish purple, round spots, 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter (3 to 6 millimeters), appear on the upper leaf surfaces. The center of the spots soon become tan […]
Andy Wyenandt, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
By Karleen Wilford •
Cucurbit powdery mildew (CPM), caused by Podosphaera xanthii, is one the most important diseasesof cucurbit crops throughout the world. The pathogen is an obligate parasite, just like cucurbit downymildew, meaning it needs a living host in order to survive. In northern regions that have a killing frost inthe fall the pathogen will die out when […]
Michelle Infante-Casella, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
By Karleen Wilford •
Now that some of our spring planted crops have finished, rather than leaving fields fallow or replantingfields that may have had some issues with plant diseases or insect pests, consider replanting with asummer cover crop. It is not too late to take advantage of summer cover crop benefits. What do summercover crops do for soil […]
Andy Wyenandt, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
By Karleen Wilford •
There have been a few reports of Southern blight (Sclerotinia rolfsii) and White mold (Sclerotiniasclerotiorum) on tomato and pepper in New Jersey. Southern blight is much more common in vegetableareas south of the state where summer temperatures remain hotter (above 90°F) for longer periods of time. Like white mold, it can survive in the soil […]
Andy Wyenandt, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
By Karleen Wilford •
Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by Cercospora beticola, is an important and emerging disease in beetand swiss chard production in New Jersey. Efforts to control this disease has become more difficult in thepast few years in some areas of southern New Jersey. The soilborne fungal pathogen, once established infields, can survive in the soil for […]
Wes Kline, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
By Karleen Wilford •
The Produce Safety Alliance just released their new version of a training video for fi eld workers. This canbe used as part of your food safety training upon hiring. It is available in English and Spanish on YouTube. English: https://youtu.be/ndwHxQAJ6_cSpanish: https://youtu.be/Y44_0VyWS3o
Rick VanVranken
By Karleen Wilford •
One of the most frequent calls over the past few years has been, “I want to start a farm/business/value added product (etc.).” That is usually followed up with, “What grants/funding sources are available?” After rattling off a list of a few common sources of funding for new farmers there’s an added caveat thatI don’t know […]
Andy Wyenandt, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
By Karleen Wilford •
Anthracnose and Alternaria leaf blight can become problematic in cucurbit crops during long periods ofwet, humid weather. Both can cause significant losses if not controlled properly. With the production season in full swing, now is a good time to review a few of these important diseases. Anthracnose, caused by Collectotrichum orbiculare, and Alternaria leaf blight […]