All/multiple crops

We continue to see more herbicide issues than average in vegetable crops due to drift and delayed activation of herbicides. Contact one of the ENYCHP Vegetable Specialists if you need assistance diagnosing/confirming herbicide issues in the field.

 Alliums

As we approach garlic harvest, folks may want to start thinking about eriophyid mite management. These tiny mites can cause big damage in storage. To learn more, click here.

Brassicas

Imported cabbageworm (ICW) pressure is high throughout the region. Make sure to scout for emergence and control larvae as they emerge. From Dan Gilrein, CCE Suffolk County:  ICW caterpillars are slightly fuzzy & dark green. Diamond Back Moth (DBM) caterpillars are generally very small (<1/2”) and wriggle violently, dropping off on a silk thread when disturbed. Bt materials (DiPel, Javelin, Deliver, Crymax, Biobit, Xen­tari, Agree) are quite effective for ICW and may control DBM as well if coverage under leaves is good – use higher pressure and finer nozzles with a sticker or wetting agent. If DBM levels aren’t dropping, immediately rotate to other materials (Avaunt, Radiant, Proclaim on most crops, Acephate/Orthene for sprouts or cauliflower only; organic growers use Entrust).

Cucurbits 

Cucurbit Downy Mildew was found and confirmed at a second location in New Jersey on Saturday, July 1, 2023 in cucumbers.  Growers throughout the region should pay close attention to cucumbers and melons and be at a minimum on a protective schedule using chlorothalonil (Bravo, Initiate etc.), mancozeb, copper or Gavel 75 DF (which contains mancozeb plus another active ingredient).  If you are harvesting, do NOT use any of the mancozeb containing products because they have a 5-day Pre-harvest interval.  For organic producers, copper or copper plus Regalia biofungicide are preferred fungicides for CDM.  Scout and look for classic bright yellow spots on the leaves with a purply gray cluster of spores on the underside of the spot – especially early the morning when it is dewy or humid.

Post emergent herbicides in cucurbits:  In many cases this Spring, pumpkins and winter squash were planted under dry conditions where pre-emergent herbicides were not fully activated resulting in a lot of weedy fields.  Now that it won’t stop raining, it’s difficult to get any cultivating or spraying done without making a mess in the field.  If you do have weeds like pigweed or very small velvetleaf or ragweed (less than 2” tall) and your crops have at least 3 true leaves and no female flowers (the flowers that have a tiny fruit behind them), you can use halosulfuron or products like Sandea, Profine or Stadia.  It will not control lambsquarter at any stage except pre-emergent, so make sure you know what you have out there!  The key for weeds it does control post, including yellow nutsedge, is to add a Non-Ionic Surfactant (NIS) to the mix to improve efficacy.  Halosulfuron at 0.5 ounces per acre plus a NIS usually at 0.25% v/v (1 quart per 100 gallons of water, always check NIS label rates) can be used – however, if you haven’t used Sandea or the generic formulations or even if you have, you will see the growing points of your treated plants turn yellow – this is temporary and usually will disappear within a week to 10 days.  This may not be possible everywhere, but if you have weeds like lambsquarter or ragweed that are taller than 3”, you might want to cultivate first and then follow up with a post application of halosulfuron – it will not control lambsquarter post emergent  at any size!  DO NOT MIX POST EMERGENT GRASS HERBICIDES WITH HALOSULFURON! It tells you not to do this on the label. This combination will NOT work due to an interaction between the products.  Additionally, depending on which grass herbicide you are using, the adjuvants may not be compatible.  Apply one and wait 3-4 days before applying the other material.  These include Select, Section or Select Max or other labeled formulations that contain the active ingredient clethodim or Poast/Poast Plus (sethoxydim) containing products.

Squash bug adults emerging and active in lower Hudson Valley.  From Dan Gilrein, CCE Suffolk County: Check cucurbits under leaves, on stems or fruit and soil around plants for brown squash bug adults and gray nymphs; feeding can cause leaves to turn brown and vines to die, esp. under hot, dry conditions. Small plants are very susceptible; critical to inspect plants at early flowering. Squash and pumpkins preferred but other cucurbits are also hosts. Look for metallic bronze eggs under leaves and signs of wilting. One threshold is 1 – 1.5 egg masses/plant in squash. Use Assail, a pyrethroid (Asana, Brigade 2EC, permethrin, Mustang Max, Warrior/generic), or Sevin as eggs start to hatch. Azadirachtin materials (e. g. Azatin O, Aza-Direct, Molt-X, AzaGuard, Ecozin, Azasol – most organic-compati­ble) can be used for small nymphs.

Nightshades 

Tomato– Blossom End Rot (BER) has been seen in high tunnel production. This disorder may occur due to water management issues however, other factors may be involved including low soil calcium (Ca) levels or high concentrations of nutrients that compete with calcium such as ammonium, potassium and magnesium cations. Also, over-fertilizing with nitrogen promotes excessive leaf growth and movement of Ca to the leaves instead of fruit. More information can be found here.

Corn

For more information go to  NY Sweet Corn Trap Network

Upcoming Events

Hemp Field Day to be held August 10, 2023, 8:30am- 4:30 pm at the Cornell AgriTech Campus, Geneva N.Y. Pre-registration is required,  click here for more information.