VegNet Vol. 12, No. 13. July 14, 2005
Ohio State University Extension Vegetable Crops
On the WEB at:  http://vegnet.osu.edu
If experiencing problems receiving this fax, Call 614-292-3857

 

In This Issue
1. Powdery Mildew

2. Pumpkin Field Day, 2005

3. Crop Reports

 

Powdery Mildew Spotted on Vine Crops Ron Becker and Bob Precheur

Powdery Mildew lesions were found on vine crops in Wayne county on Wednesday. Now is the time to scout for this disease and think about putting on protecting sprays. While PM usually shows up the last week of July, it looks like it is coming in early this year. The first signs are pale yellow spots on leaves, vines or petioles. These spots enlarge and become covered with white spores that appear powdery. Make the first application when powdery mildew is detected in the area or is detected by scouting (one lesion on the underside of 45 old leaves). Scout your fields by looking at the older leaves first although these symptoms can be found on younger leaves. Fields in low lying areas where mist forms and remains for long periods during the night are usually affected first. Last week, Dr. Miller wrote: Once powdery mildew shows up, a good powdery mildew product should be included such as Amistar, Procure or others. Nova is also recommended for control and rotation. Consult the OH Vegetable Production Guide, Bull. 672 for recommended fungicides for pumpkins and other vine crops.

See; “Problem of the Week” for pictures of symptom of Powdery Mildew from past years

 

Pumpkin Field Day 2005 by Jin Jasinski
The Ohio State University Extension and Vegetable crops team would like to invite you to attend their Pumpkin Field Day, Thursday August 11, 2005, 3-7:30 p.m., at the OARDC Western Agriculture Research Station (WARS). The station is located on S.R. 41,between I-70 and the town of South Charleston.
 
This year the station has over 6 acres devoted to pumpkin, zucchini, and cucumber research. The field day will be divided into two segments covering both basic and in depth current research topics.
 
The early segment, lasting from 3 until 5 p.m., will focus on fundamental issues in pumpkin/cucurbit production. These include insect management, weed control, disease recognition, fungicide selection, general horticultural information, and fertility recommendations.  There will then be a one hour break before the evening session.
 
During the evening segment, lasting from 6 until 7:30 p.m., researchers will discuss a 20+ entry variety trial, fungicide efficacy trial, precision insecticide banding trials, and an ornamental corn trial.  An update on Microdochium / Plectorsporium (whitespeck) research will also be given. Speaking at the field day will be Brad Bergefurd, Matt Darr, Jim Jasinski, Bob Precheur, Lanny Rhodes, Mac Riedel, and Celeste Welty.
 
No pre-registration is necessary.  Field day attendees will be transported between research plots on wagons.  Refreshments will be provided. There will be a $5 registration fee per person to attend the field day.  $15 for those registrants who want PAT and CCA credit. Handouts of the research projects and topics will be available.
 
For more information, contact Jim Jasinski at 937-484-1526, 937-462-8016 (research station), or Jasinski.4@osu.edu. A field day flyer is also available at http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~swest/ipm/Documents/Pumpkin_20052.pdf

Crop Reports

Wayne County Report by Ron Becker 7/13/05

Sweet corn is just now starting to be harvested in  Wayne and surrounding counties.  Corn started under plastic started coming off last Friday, conventionally grown corn should start coming off this Friday.  The area is generally dry with a few pockets where welcome (though sometimes heavy) rains have fallen.  Two spotted spider mites and aphids continue to be the main insects of concern in most crops.  Flea beetles are also increasing in numbers in sweet corn and cole crops.  Though we are currently not finding any corn borer or earworm moths in the traps, we are still finding all stages of corn borer (eggs, small larvae, large larvae and pupae) in the fields.  For this reason, we are recommending 5-7 day spray schedules for silking sweet corn and peppers.  We have started finding several diseases during the past two weeks including bacterial spot in peppers, early blight, septoria, white mold and bacterial spot in tomatoes, rust in sweet corn and bacterial wilt, angular leaf spot, anthracnose and phytophthora fruit rot in vine crops.

 

Southeast Ohio 7/05/05 by Hal Kneen

Insect report for week of June 27- July 4th,  Checked helio traps and caught only one corn earworm and no European Corn Borer.  Did see small corn earworm larvae in the tips of some sweet corn.  Reminded growers to check the sweet corn even if they spray on a timely basis.  Insecticide resistance has been known to occur. Change not only the insecticide but the family of insecticides (i.e. organophosphate to carbamate or pyrethroid). Added a helio trap with New York Strain of phermone for European corn borer. Caught one Beet army worm for the week.

 

Still extremely dry, some growers received one half inch of rainfall on Thursday June 30- Friday July 1st. however, we are over three inches under normal June rainfall and May was dry. Irrigation has helped.  Will wholesale prices increase to offset higher production costs ?  Irrigated crops look well even if late this year.  Tomatoes and sweet corn are beginning to be harvested.  Green beans, squash, eggplant , cucumbers and cabbage are also being harvested.  Watermelons and cantaloups are still a week or so away from harvest in Meigs county.