Veg Weekly Update 9/25/2024

All/multiple crops:

It’s certainly felt like summer in the last couple of weeks and growers have had to continue irrigating in the absence of rain. On the plus side, the dry weather helps keep many diseases at bay, has pushed along growth of late season crops, and allowed for good harvesting conditions out in the field.

 Consider this your annual reminder to test your soil! We recommend testing your high tunnel soil every year and field soil at least every three years. Reach out to one of the ENYCHP specialists for assistance, and check out resources offered by your county’s Soil and Water Conservation District, as some counties offer financial assistance for soil testing. Fall is a great time to apply lime or sulfur to correct soil pH issues before the next season, as indicated by soil test results.

Farms around the region are seeding late season cover crops now as harvests wrap up for the season. How late can you seed winter rye and other cover crops? Cornell’s Climate Smart Farming program has a handy online tool that provides the probability of establishing a cover crop before the end of the season depending on seeding date and where you are located. For the northern Lake Champlain Valley, it’s recommended to seed winter rye before Oct. 1, and probability of establishment drops quickly after this date. Check out the tool here.

Alliums: 

The fall flight of allium leafminer (ALM) has been active for over two weeks now in the mid-Hudson Valley. Growers planning to use insecticides to manage the pest should make their first application between now and October 1 for best results. More information on ALM management can be found here.

Brassicas:

Cabbage aphids are an issue in Brussels sprouts and other fall brassicas this time of year. Aphid populations often start in “hot spots” in the field before spreading, so regular scouting is recommended. These gray aphids are often visible at the top main growing point of Brussels sprouts plants and then move into the sprouts, where they are difficult to remove or clean off after harvest. Several insecticide products are labeled for cabbage aphids on brassicas, including Actara, Admire Pro, Assail, Beleaf, Exirel, Fulfill, Leverage 360, Movento, Senstar, Sivanto HL/Prime, and Versys Inscalis. Organic growers may use insecticidal soap plus neem or horticultural oil.

Cucurbits: 

Nothing new to report this week: Pumpkin and winter squash harvests are ongoing throughout the region. Stay tuned for tips on storage in our next vegetable notes.

 Nightshades: 

Harvests of field tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers are still holding strong throughout much of the region, while some growers are terminating high tunnel tomatoes to make room for winter greens. Pepper anthracnose has been seen on a number of farms recently, a disease that causes lesions on the fruit and rot causing yield loss. To learn more about pepper anthracnose, see the longer article by vegetable specialist Elizabeth Buck at the end of our scouting report below.

Corn: 

As mentioned in our last scouting report, corn earworm and fall armyworm are still active in the region. Despite few to no fall armyworm moths captured in traps, we have been seeing caterpillars in the field. With cooler temperatures now, growers may opt for another day or two between sprays for these pests.

Miscellaneous:

Many growers still have sweet potatoes in their fields and questions have been coming in about when to harvest. Check out this article by Chuck Bornt with tips for sweet potato harvest, curing, and storage.

Important information from NYS Department of Health regarding status of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

New York’s first human case of EEE Since 2015 reported in Ulster County. The State issues Declaration of Imminent Threat to Public Health and urges New Yorkers to follow recommendations to reduce risk of mosquito-borne illness. Governor Hochul has activated multiple agencies and increased coordination between state and local health officials. Measures include mosquito spraying, more insect repellent for visitors at state parks and campgrounds, and greater outreach to residents. Avoid working outdoors at dawn or dusk when possible, wear protective clothing and bug spray, and share information with farm workers about protection against mosquito-borne illnesses.

Traducción al español

More information can be found by clicking on links below.

NYS IPM Mosquito ID, Biology and Management

NYS DEC: Mosquito Control

Univeristy of New Hampshire: Reducing the Risk of Mosquito Breeding on Farms

Pepper Anthracnose
Elizabeth Buck, CCE Cornell Vegetable Program
Click here for photos of this disease.

Pepper anthracnose is widespread this year. Unchecked, this disease can cause appreciable losses.

Pepper anthracnose is typically a late season disease that needs cooler weather and increased moisture (nightly dew). It strikes ripe fruit and attacks both bells and hots. Anthracnose is worse on colored peppers, which are more physiologically mature and susceptible than green ones. Usually, you’ll see one to a few sunken blackish marks near the shoulders and on areas weakened by sunscald or other injury. In typical years, a small percentage of peppers have anthracnose.

Conditions are highly favorable this year. As a result, anthracnose is not a background problem and is requiring active treatment on many farms. This year we’re seeing:

• Dark black, sunken, roundish lesions up to an inch across.
• Lesions mostly on the shoulders, some on the sides and tips, especially if in contact with another infected/wounded fruit.
• Usually only a few lesions per fruit that occasionally grow into each other.
• Lots of black spores produced. Occasionally some pink colored spores.
• Only infecting ripe fruit.
• More than 10% of fruit infected, rarely over 30%.

Treatment is often necessary in high pressure years. A shift in weather certainly helps, but we’re going to keep having cool, dewy nights. Improving airflow by knocking down weeds helps, too. Timely picking helps protect fruit by removing them and limiting the number of ripe, susceptible fruit in the field to fuel the outbreak. Fruit will continue to sporulate for a long time after they are dropped between rows, so be mindful of your discarded fruit practices. In bad fields, you may have to sacrifice picking reds and take more green fruit. Reds are worth more, but only if you can sell them.

Copper is the organic treatment. It isn’t strong, so you’ll need excellent airflow and good picking management. Group 11 and 3 fungicides perform well against anthracnose.

• Cabrio, Quadris, Quadris Top, Mettle and Rhyme are 0-day PHI and don’t require pesticide applicator certification to use. Note that Rhyme is not for use on Long Island.
• Cevya, Aprovia Top, and Priaxor are 0-day PHI and require pesticide applicator certification to use. Note that Priaxor is not for use on Long Island.
• Bravo is the better protectant than copper but has a 3-day PHI.
• Luna Sensation (applicator certification required and not for use on Long Island) and Flint Extra are 3-day PHI materials.
• After an anthracnose outbreak, don’t reuse any pepper stakes, and rotate that field out of peppers for three to four years. In the future, consider hot water treating your seeds to prevent anthracnose (and bacterial) issues. Plastic mulch or other practices that reduce soil splash can help in the future.

A final note:  There is a small chance that a less common, new-to-NY anthracnose could be causing your pepper losses. Green Fruit Anthracnose is extremely aggressive. It is recognized by the many lesions it causes per fruit and the high proportion of pink spores. It attacks immature fruit and ripe fruit can cause upwards of 80-100% loss. Green fruit anthracnose can be managed, but it requires a more nuanced approach. Please reach out to CCE if you suspect Green Fruit Anthracnose.