By Heather Cooper •
Kate Brown, Chair of Farm Health and Safety Working Group for RutgersCooperative Extension, informed us that an OSHA inspector conducteda 3.5-hour inspection which included worker interviews, wet bulb globetemperature recordings, and a complete evaluation of heat stress preventionpractices in the Hammonton area last week. Every grower should be awareon how to protect your workers from […]
Plant & Pest Advisory- May 19, 2024- Andy Wyenandt
By Heather Cooper •
Botrytis, or gray mold, caused by the fungus, Botrytis cinerea, can cause significant losses in high tunnel and greenhouse tomato production if not controlled properly. The pathogen can rapidly spread during periods when structures are closed and when relative humidity remains high for long periods of time. This often occurs when outside weather remains cool […]
Plant & Pest Advisory- May 22, 2024- Andy Wyenandt
By Heather Cooper •
Often considered a minor pathogen, angular leaf spot caused by the bacterium, Xanthomonas fragariae, can cause serious leaf and calyx infections ruining the market ability of fruit if left uncontrolled. Like all bacterium, the pathogen will infect leaves and the calyx through natural openings or wounds. Primary infections of new growth in the spring originate […]
Plant & Pest Advisory- May 12, 2024- Andy Wyenandt
By Heather Cooper •
Protectant (contact) fungicides, such as the in organics (copper, FRAC group M01) and sulfur (FRAC code M02); the dithiocarbamates (mancozeb, M03), phthalimides (Captan, M04), and chloronitriles (chlorothalonil, M05) are fungicides which have a low chance for fungicide resistance to develop. Protectant fungicides typically offer broad spectrum control for many different pathogens.Why wouldn’t fungi develop resistance […]
Plant & Pest Advisory- May 23, 2024- Andy Wyenandt
By Heather Cooper •
Most of New Jersey has been wet making current conditions ideal for pathogens such as Phytophthora and Pythium. Unfortunately, Pythium cottony leak and Phytophthora 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 pathogen has an increasing host […]
Plant & Pest Advisory- May 20, 2024- Andy Wyenandt
By Heather Cooper •
Since 2011 the vegetable working group has teamed up with Cornell University’s NEWA to bring tomato and potato late blight and early blight forecasting to vegetable growers through out New Jersey. Over 50 weather stations from Sussex to Cape May County now offer disease as well as insect forecasting services for numerous important pests. The […]
Plant & Pest Advisory- May 9, 2024- Andy Wyenandt
By Heather Cooper •
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 […]
Plant & Pest Advisory- May 15, 2024- Andy Wyenandt
By Heather Cooper •
Collar rot (Alternaria linariae) or Alternaria stem rot (Alternaria alternata f. sp. lycopersici) of tomato are common in young tomato plants. Either can be particularly troublesome in seedlings that have been held in transplant flats for an extended period of time before transplanting in hot, humid greenhouses. Collar rot infections often start where a leaflet […]
Plant & Pest Advisory- May 6, 2024- Kate Brown
By Heather Cooper •
As the weather warms up, prepare yourself to evaluate the heat risk for outdoor tasks. We often use a weather application on our phone to check the daily high and low temperature, but air temperature alone is not sufficient to evaluate heat risk. Heat index is a more appropriate measurement because it combines the effects […]
Plant & Pest Advisory- May 13, 2024- Kate Brown
By Heather Cooper •
The body uses water to help dissipate heat through sweat and evaporation of sweat. Water lost as sweat must be replaced through water consumption to help the body maintain temperature regulation. During moderate activity, the CDC recommends drinking at least 1cup of water every 15-20 minutes to replace water lost through sweat. Sports drinks are […]