Growers Guide to Understanding DMI or SBI Fungicides

Recognizing if and when fungicide chemistries are failing and when fungicide resistance is developing is critical to producing successful crops.

In this week's Growers Guide, we discuss the DMIs (DeMethylation Inhibitors) or SBI Sterol Biosynthesis Inhibiting fungicides, that belong to FRAC code 3 - which include the triazoles and imidazoles.

Cucurbit powdery mildew found in South Carolina

Dr. Tony Keinath, Vegetable Pathologist at Clemson University has reported that cucurbit powdery mildew has been found on watermelon in South Carolina. The May 7th finding is the earliest that cucurbit powdery mildew has been seen on watermelon in South Carolina in 16 years. Cucurbit growers in New Jersey need to pay careful attention to local extension reports as the pathogen works it’s way into our region.

-Andy Wyenandt

Farm Food Safety: Plan Responsibility and Worker Education

Part 3 of Preparing Your Farm Food Safety Plan 

-Meredith Melendez and Wes Kline

The purpose of the General Questions portion of your farm food safety plan is to cover the broad details of your plan. Who is responsible and how to reach them, worker health and hygiene, pesticide usage, traceability and self auditing are the topics that should be covered. Below is an outline along with suggested wording that may work for your farm food safety plan for the first two sections, the introduction and farm worker health and hygiene.

• Food Safety Plan Responsibility - Personnel and Contact Information
• Farm Worker Health and Hygiene
• Pesticide Use

Cucurbit Downy Mildew in North Carolina

Cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) has been reported on cucumbers near Wilson, North Carolina.  To keep track of where downy mildew has been reported please visit the following website:  http://cdm.ipmpipe.org/

Growers guide to understanding the protectant fungicides (FRAC codes M1 – M9)

-Andy Wyenandt

Protectant fungicides offer broad spectrum control and are used often throughout the growing season. Why don't fungi develop resistance to protectant fungicides?

Cold Injury

COLD INJURY Injury was found this past week in some early season plantings due the most recent cold snap we had early this week. Injury was reported on lettuce and on potato (seen pictured). In some cases, such as pepper and tomato, cold temperatures can damage meristem tissue and injury won't be seen until those leaves flush out weeks later. Often in this type of damage resembles virus infection (especially in pepper) resulting in crimpled leaves and mosaic-like symptoms on leaves.

label: vegetable

European corn borer

The first European corn borer moth was found in one of the Vegetable IPM blacklights Monday, in Salem County.  Given the amount of heat accumulation, degree days, this is not surprising.  This first capture is about 2 weeks earlier than last year at this location.  However, this first flight of adults is not yet widespread.  Look for the ECB moth trap catch map in the upcoming issues of the Plant and Pest Advisory, Vegetable edition.

Joe Ingerson-Mahar