All/multiple crops
Flooded produce: Please remember that any edible plant portion that has contacted flood water is considered unmarketable, including underground plant parts. Plant parts which were above flood waters may be harvested. The longer plants remain in flooded/saturated soils, the higher the likelihood that these plants will die from exposure to anaerobic conditions.
Ponding in fields from heavy rain is considered different than flooding from moving water, and is not subject to the same rules. However, make sure to consider whether localized ponding may carry contaminants to produce.
For more information, here are a few factsheets:
From UVM: https://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/factsheets/Flooded_Produce_FAQ.pdf This factsheet is currently being re-written by UVM with more research based information about replanting.
From NECAFS: https://foodsafetyclearinghouse.org/resources/resources-flooding
Alliums:
Leek moths are flying in Northern NY but numbers seem to be low.
Onion thrips were getting bad before rains, though many may have been knocked off during storms. Resume scouting and spray when thrips reach threshold. Conventional management guidelines can be found here: https://rvpadmin.cce.cornell.edu/uploads/doc_1135.pdf
Hard rains have caused “rain check” injury on many onions. The damage left by driving rain can be easily confused with botrytis leaf blight. Regardless, the damaged leaf tissue is often colonized by plant pathogens after the rain injury; protectant fungicides like chlorothalonil can help reduce the spread of botrytis following rain injury.
Brassicas:
Swede Midge is being reported at low levels in NNY and the Capital District: Movento, Warrior, and Sunstar are alternatives to neonicitinoid options. Netting is still the most effective control for organic growers. ID using traps is tough–often have to work with state lab for molecular ID. Damage coming as first diagnostic is recommended. To learn more, see this factsheet: https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/70145
White mold of cabbages has been reported in areas with historical issues with this disease. Weather conditions are conductive to disease development.
Alternaria leaf spot and head rot are showing up in multiple brassica species. There are many effective conventional fungicides; consult the fungicide cheat sheet developed by Christy Hoepting for more information. Organic growers should consider integrating Oso (polyoxin D zinc salt) into a program targeting alternaria; find more information here.
Cucurbits:
Downy mildew pressure remains high. Maintain tight spray program.
Angular leaf spot is showing up in many pumpkin plantings. If copper isn’t part of the protectant package, adding it will help to keep this disease in check.
Bacterial leaf spot has also been observed in Western NY. Use similar control strategies to angular leaf spot.
Viruses are beginning to show up. Remember to control insect vectors to curb spread.
Cucumber beetle pressure continues to be very high in some areas. Remember to scout later plantings and flowering plants in particular, since damage can be very damaging to both and can occur quickly. Many growers are having to maintain weekly sprays for control longer than in previous years due to high pressure. Squash bugs are also increasing in number- try to target nymphs for control by flagging egg masses and timing sprays for shortly after emergence. Eggs are laid in clusters on the leaves and are copper colored.
Nightshades
Early blight is spreading quickly in many field tomatoes, especially those where lower leaves have compromised leaf tissue from magnesium deficiency. Conventional growers can use labeled FRAC 3, 7, 9, and 12 fungicides for management. There is some evidence that labeled Bacillus subtilis biofungicides may help reduce severity for organic growers.
