About nuturing the Jersey tomato

Words to the wise from blogging co-conspirator and "Rutgers expert on sustainable agriculture", Jack Rabin, on growing Jersey tomatoes:

“If you are not doing this intelligently, it’s a path to misery.”

Full story and nice article on a Jersey tomato value-added success story here.
Rick VanVranken

National US Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee needs your input

Don't let California set all the rules! From the Imperial Valley News (July 11, 2011),

California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross is encouraging members of the California agricultural community to nominate representatives of the state’s fruit and vegetable industry to serve on the nation’s Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee for the 2011-2013 term.

pepper weevil found at farm in Hammonton area

A single adult pepper weevil was found on a pheromone trap at a Hammonton area farm on Friday, July 8th.  This is a reminder to all pepper growers to be vigilant for pepper weevil.  Pepper weevil is an occasional pest in New Jersey that has caused severe yield reduction in peppers.  In 2005, one farm suffered severe loss and since 2007 at least one farm per summer has been infested in southern New Jersey.

Pepper weevil is not a migratory pest nor can it over-winter in New Jersey.  The weevil is incapable of diapausing (non-feeding, quiescent period) so it needs a constant food supply.  The weevils have to be transported into the state from other locations.  It is still not clear how these infestations occur so frequently in the Hammonton area.

The weevils can be monitored using pheromone traps or scouted for by looking for aborted blossoms and small fruit.  Adult females lay one or more eggs in the flowers or developing fruit which the plant aborts.  These flowers and fruit can be cut open to determine whether weevil grubs are inside.  Egg scars are visible on developing fruit as small dimples with a dark center.

The earlier in the growing season the weevils are found, the greater the potential loss will be and should be aggressively managed.  Late season infestations may cause little marketable yield loss and there may be less need for insecticide applications.

Joe Ingerson-Mahar

Cucurbit downy mildew reported in PA.

Cucurbit downy mildew has been reported on cucumber in Wyoming Co., PA. Wyoming County is located near the northeast corner of the state. All cucurbit growers in NJ (and the region) should include downy mildew specific fungicides to their weekly fungicide programs.

Pepper anthracnose has been reported in pepper in South Jersey. Pepper anthracnose is an extremely destructive disease if left uncontrolled. All developing fruit are susceptible. Daily scouting and preventative fungicide applications are needed, especially in fields with a history of the pathogen. For more information please see the 2011 Commercial Vegetable Production Guide. 

Downy mildew on cukes in Ohio

Downy Mildew Found in Ohio Cucumbers, July 6, 2011
Sally Miller, Melanie Lewis Ivey and Fulya Baysal-Gurel, The Ohio State University Dept of Plant Pathology


Downy mildew was confirmed on cucumber samples from Wayne and Ashland counties in Ohio on July 6. This follows closely on the July 5 report of downy mildew in cucumbers Chatham-Kent, Ontario, where initial symptoms were observed as early as June 30 (see http://cdm.ipmpipe.org). The spread of downy mildew in Ohio is dependent on the weather - bright sunny days are detrimental to spore survival and transport, while overcast days promote spore survival and rainfall results in spore deposition.

--Rick VanVranken              For Ohio's management recommendations...

2nd case of cucurbit downy mildew reported in cucumber in NJ.

Cucurbit downy mildew has been reported in cucumber near Bridgeton, NJ. This is the second case of cucurbit downy mildew reported in the state. All commercial cucurbit growers should include a downy mildew specific fungicide(s) in their weekly fungicide program. For more information on controlling cucurbit downy mildew please see the 2011 Commercial Vegetable Recommendations.

Homeowners who have cucurbits (pumpkin, squash, melon, cucumber, watermelon, gourd) in their garden and suspect cucurbit downy mildew (see photo from 6/24) should apply a fungicide that contains the active ingredient, chlorothalonil, on a weekly basis and as long as symptoms appear. Thorough coverage of the underside of leaves is critical for controlling downy mildew.