vegetables

Ohio State University Extension Specialty Crop Team Newsletter

Editors- Thomas Becker, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Lorain County and Frank Becker, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Wayne County. Contributions made from team members around the state of Ohio. 

Fruit Crops

As we are on the tail end of blueberry season and entering blackberry season (at least in northern Ohio) we’ve continued to see activity from spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) in our traps. Without traps, this is a pest we may not notice in our crop until our pickers or consumers notice soft berries or potentially even berries with live worms. Unless our customers are okay with a little extra protein in their fruit, this could be enough to keep folks from coming back to a farm for their berries. If you are a long-time reader of the Specialty Crop Newsletter, you may recall that one thing that sets these fruit flies apart from others is the fact that the females possess a serrated ovipositor that allows her to lay eggs in ripe fruit on the plant. Our more traditional fruit flies or vinegar flies must wait for fruit to be overripe or rotten before they infest it. Thus, the importance of a good integrated pest management program that utilizes trapping so growers can make timely decisions to manage this economically important pest. Trapping can be critical because the action threshold for spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is 1 fly. What can be tricky for growers is distinguishing between SWD and other fruit flies in the trap. In the Extension office, we have to make use of a microscope to ensure we are getting a proper ID. That is where growers might be able to work with their Extension educator to see if they can assist with trapping or go to the OSU South Centers web page to look at the specialty crops trapping data that is updated in-season. You can find that at this link: https://southcenters.osu.edu/horticulture/eplus/specialty-crops-insect-trapping. Another thing we can do in the field to see if our berries are infested is a saltwater test. Place a sampling of your fruit in a shallow container with some salt water. Smash the fruit a bit to allow the saltwater into the fruit and allow it to set for a few minutes. If the berries are infested with SWD larvae, the larvae will float to the top. If you are looking for a list of effective insecticides, Penn State University provides a list of products with efficacy ratings of good or excellent along with the IRAC codes and pre-harvest intervals for each product. Remember that a good pest management program rotates pesticides based on their group numbers to help prevent resistance building up in pest populations. Paying attention to pre-harvest intervals can be especially important for growers that have U-pick fields. This information can be found here: https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-wing-drosophila-part-4-management.  

Vegetable Crops

Numerous disease challenges have continued to be troublesome for growers all over the state.  

Cucurbit downy mildew has now been confirmed in Medina and Wayne counties. As shared by Vegetable Pathologist, Dr. Andres Sanabria-Velazquez , “Recent climatic conditions, including frequent overnight leaf wetness from dew, daytime temperatures in the mid-70s Fahrenheit, and intermittent rainfall, have created an ideal environment for pathogen development. Although current incidence and severity remain relatively low, the pathogen’s rapid disease progression under these conditions poses a significant threat to yield if left unmanaged. 

Immediate management should be with a protectant fungicide spray program targeting oomycete pathogens and subsequent applications planned at weekly intervals. Canopy thinning can be performed to improve air circulation and reduce leaf wetness. Fields will need to be scouted every three to five days to assess treatment efficacy and adjust application timing. Severely affected foliage can be removed and destroyed to limit inoculum, and equipment sanitation protocols should be reinforced to prevent spread to adjacent fields. 

Recommended active ingredients include chlorothalonil, mancozeb, cyazofamid (Ranman), the ametoctradin + dimethomorph combination (Zampro), and oxathiapiprolin (Orondis Opti). To reduce the likelihood of resistance, these fungicides should be rotated based on their modes of action. Moreover, preventive applications made before pathogen establishment are essential for the most effective disease control. 

Field diagnosis alone can be misleading. Many foliar symptoms overlap, and mixed infections are common. Accurate identification requires observation of the pathogen’s microscopic structures (conidia, sporangia, bacterial streaming, or hyphal morphology) under a compound microscope. Please consider submitting fresh or well-preserved samples to the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic 

Additionally, a grower submitted photo was shared with a county extension educator and while a sample has not yet been processed to confirm, the photo showed clear signs and symptoms typically associated with southern blight of tomatoes. This is a disease that thrives under hot, moist conditions – it is not common in northern Ohio, but we have seen it before in central and southern Ohio. An elongated brown lesion on the lower stem and root rot was accompanied by white mycelium, sometimes clearly in a fan shape, at the base of the stem. Small, round sclerotia eventually form on the surface and serve as overwintering structures. Sclerotia can survive many years in the soil, so it is important to remove diseased plants and accompanying sclerotia from the field. 

Crucifers have also had their fair share of disease challenges. Lab confirmed samples of bacterial head rot and Alternaria leaf blight has growers concerned about next steps to protect their cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. Alternaria causes round or oval bullseye lesions on leaves and stems of cole crops. Yellowing of tissues surrounding the lesions, as well as leaf drops, may also occur. While Alternaria lesions generally do not progress deeply into the head, they are unsightly and may render the heads unmarketable. Secondary soft rot infections can cause significantly more damage to the heads than the initial Alternaria infection. As for the bacterial head rot, symptoms start as water-soaked areas on small groups of unopened flowers on immature heads. These infected florets become necrotic and turn brown to black in color. The symptoms start to spread to surrounding florets and other areas of the head, eventually affecting larger areas of the head. Soft rot then develops in the infected tissues, meaning that the tissues turn soft and slimy. A bad odor is often associated with this rotting. After the initial infection, secondary bacterial and fungal pathogens can invade, causing further rotting of the tissue. 

Insect pests are also increasing in activity. There has been observed and reported pressure or damage from potato leafhoppers, corn earworm, European corn borer, aphids, spider mites, imported cabbage worm, flea beetles and Colorado potato beetles, among others. We have had ample southern winds and accompanying warm temperatures to allow for migratory pests to arrive in abundance and for all our insect pests to complete their generations and life cycles rather quickly. Frequent scouting or use of insect pest monitoring traps are the best ways to ensure that your crops are not facing economic levels of damage and that any management decisions or applications can be made at the most effective time.  

Ohio State University Extension Specialty Crop Team Newsletter

Editors- Thomas Becker, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Lorain County and Frank Becker, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Wayne County. Contributions made from team members around the state of Ohio. 

Warm and wet conditions across much of the state have continued to drive pest and disease activity in both fruit and vegetable crops. As we hit peak summer production, timely scouting and integrated pest management remain your best tools for maintaining crop health and quality.

Fruit Crops:
Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) remains a top concern for small fruit growers. This invasive fruit fly lays eggs inside ripening berries, with larvae feeding internally—causing soft fruit, collapse, and post-harvest losses.

To manage SWD, growers should monitor fields using baited traps placed within the fruiting zone. Traps should be checked regularly, ideally weekly, to assess fly presence. It’s important to harvest fruit frequently and remove any overripe or dropped berries to reduce egg-laying sites. At the first signs of fruit color change, apply protectant insecticides, rotating among different chemical classes such as spinosyns, pyrethroids, and organophosphates to delay resistance development. Post-harvest, rapid cooling of fruit and maintaining cold chain storage can significantly slow larval development and help protect product quality.

Sun Scald was reported in brambles following the extreme heat conditions. White or pale drupelets may appear on raspberry fruit due to intense sun exposure, a condition known as sun scald. While this disorder affects visual quality and salability, it has limited impact on flavor or nutritional value. To minimize sun scald, growers should maintain a healthy canopy by using proper pruning techniques that allow leaves to shield developing fruit. In extreme heat, consider deploying shade cloth or temporary row covers. Consistent irrigation is also critical to reduce plant stress and support recovery from heat damage.

Other pests in small fruit & orchards being reported are leafhoppers, aphids—including woolly apple, green, and rosy aphids—and spider mites (such as two-spotted and European red). These pests are showing up in scouting reports across the state. These pests often thrive during hot, dry spells and can cause significant foliage and fruit damage if left unchecked.

Regular field scouting is essential, especially on the undersides of leaves where many of these pests feed and reproduce. Growers should look for signs like stippling, curling, or honeydew. Maintaining beneficial insect populations such as lady beetles, lacewings, and predatory mites can provide natural pest control. Cultural practices such as avoiding excessive nitrogen applications can reduce lush growth that attracts pests. If pest thresholds are exceeded, selective insecticides or miticides may be used, always rotating products to reduce the risk of resistance.

Vegetable Crops
Phytophthora Root Rot has already been reported in several areas of the state, following some extremely saturated field conditions and heavy rain fall events. Persistently saturated soils have created ideal conditions for root rot diseases, particularly Phytophthora, which affects crops like peppers and cucurbits. This disease thrives in poorly drained soils and can quickly devastate fields if unmanaged. To reduce risk, improve field drainage by planting on raised beds or using plasticulture systems that shed excess water. Where appropriate, choose resistant or tolerant cultivars. Preventive fungicide applications can help protect plants during periods of prolonged soil saturation.

Powdery mildew has been confirmed in several squash plantings. Early symptoms include white, powdery patches on upper leaf surfaces and stems, which can reduce photosynthetic capacity and fruit yield. Management begins with early detection and protectant fungicide sprays.  Ensuring adequate airflow by properly spacing plants and minimizing leaf wetness also helps suppress disease development. After harvest, remove infected plant debris to reduce inoculum for future crops.

Squash bugs, stink bugs, and tarnished plant bugs have been observed feeding on vegetable crops statewide. These insects damage plants by piercing and sucking, which can lead to fruit deformities, discoloration, or aborted development.

For effective management, monitor plants closely for egg masses and early nymph stages, particularly on the undersides of leaves. When practical, remove egg masses by hand and destroy them. Cultural practices like eliminating crop debris and rotating host crops each season will reduce overwintering populations. Insecticide applications are most effective against young nymphs, as adults are often more difficult to control.

Cucumber beetles and Colorado potato beetles remain highly active and continue to pose serious challenges in cucurbit and solanaceous crops. Regular scouting is critical. Consider using sticky traps or direct plant inspections to detect rising populations early. Chemical options should be applied according to threshold guidelines, rotating among different IRAC classes to delay resistance development—especially important in managing Colorado potato beetle, which has a history of rapid resistance buildup.

In sweet corn fields, damage from European corn borer (ECB) has been reported. Monitoring ECB with pheromone traps can help time insecticide applications precisely. Applications are most effective when timed just after egg hatch, before larvae have a chance to bore into stalks and ears where they are protected from contact sprays. For growers planting sweet corn regularly, Bt hybrids are an effective tool for reducing ECB damage.

Ohio State University Extension Specialty Crop Team Newsletter

Editors- Thomas Becker, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Lorain County and Frank Becker, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Wayne County. Contributions made from team members around the state of Ohio. 

Fruit

Pest incidence in orchards has seemingly erupted as we received an abundance of heat unit accumulation and warm winds from the south. Potato leafhoppers have found their way into apple orchards, along with white apple leafhoppers. Both adults and nymphs can currently be found for both of these leafhopper species. White apple leafhopper damage shows up on apple leaves as whitish stippling, which is evidence of feeding via their piercing, sucking mouthparts. Potato leafhoppers feeding on apple leaves typically results in hopper burn with a bronzing of the leave edges and a “v” shaped chlorotic/necrotic region reaching inward toward the mid-vein. If there is not any evident feeding damage evident to determine the species, scouting for adults or nymphs can help differentiate the species. White apple leafhoppers are a very light yellow or pale white color, while the potato leaf hopper adults are a light green color. White apple leafhopper nymphs when startled move in a forward/backward direction. Potato leafhoppers nymphs commonly move in a sideways direction when startled. White apple leafhoppers can overwinter in Ohio while potato leafhoppers have to be blown up into Ohio out of the gulf states. Importantly, a critical time to scout for potato leafhoppers is during and immediately after hay cuttings, typically starting with 2nd cutting hay and each subsequent cutting through late summer. As the hay is harvested, they are flushed out of the fields and can quickly overwhelm and stress young, non-bearing fruit trees.

Wooly apple aphid clusters beginning to show up in apple orchards. F. Becker photo.

Other orchard pests that have been observed include spotted tentiform leaf miner, green apple aphids, wooly apple aphids, and apple sawfly.

Codling moth populations have been steady for quite some time now. Oriental fruit moth catches have shown some moderate activity as well, especially in southern Ohio. For both of these pests, we are at or approaching second generation depending on where you are in the state. Orchard managers should be prepared to scout for apple maggot, stink bugs, mites, and the second generations of oriental fruit moth and codling moth in the coming weeks.

Of note, this is also an opportune time to take an inventory of the beneficial insects present in your orchard. Beneficial natural enemies such as lacewings are currently active in orchards laying eggs and as those eggs hatch, the young of lacewings and lady beetles are prolific feeders on aphids and spider mites. Visual scouting can help to accomplish this observation as can passive approaches (sticky traps, pitfall traps). Another method to observe species that may be present is to use beat sheets to try to catch bugs that fall from shaken tree limbs.

Green lacewing found while scouting apple orchards. F. Becker photo.

Small fruit growers have reported slug damage in strawberries, which is not unexpected in a wet spring. Approved baits may be of interest to growers who are dealing with high levels of slug pressure. Remember, slugs are not insects, so they will not be impacted by insecticide applications. The molluscicides that are available for management of slugs are typically available in the aforementioned bait pellets.

The red raspberry season is just getting underway for some growers, and other brambles won’t be too far behind. As we transition out of strawberry season and into brambles and blueberries, we enter the window of activity for the spotted wing drosophila fruit fly.

Vegetable

One problem that we had confirmed in field vegetables was damping off. Damping off can be caused by several soil-borne pathogens

Symptoms of damping off. T. Becker photo.

including Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, and Phytophthora. Plants are most susceptible to damping off as young, tender seedlings. The cool, wet soil conditions that we experienced much of the spring tend to result in slow plant growth. The quicker a seedling grows out of that early seedling growth stage, the less likely it will become infected, but without the right conditions, it remains susceptible. The warming trend we are likely to see in the near future should help move plant development along, and the primary threat of damping off should pass. A common symptom of damping off in seedlings is compromised plant tissue right at the soil line. The stem can look constricted and rotten. This often leads to the death of the plant. Management of this disease can come down to promoting seedling vigor and doing your best to get plants in the field when the conditions are more favorable for plant growth. Moisture management can also be critical as soils that are too wet can be favorable for infection.

Heavy cucumber beetle pressure observed, and photos taken after treatment was applied. F. Becker photos.

As far as insect pests are concerned, this is a busy time of year with a lot to keep your eye on. Massive emergences of cucumber beetles have been reported. Remember, cucumber beetles vector the bacterial wilt disease, and your only chance at effectively limiting the impacts of bacterial wilt is through thorough cucumber management.

Other pests such as flea beetles, imported cabbage worm, Colorado potato beetle, aphids and leafhoppers are also in abundance.

High tunnel growers have reported recent outbreaks of aphids and spider mites, likely spurred on by warm temperatures and dry conditions

Colorado potato beetle larvae feeding on potato leaves. F. Becker photo.

in the tunnels. Keep in mind that when making management decisions, careful consideration should be had when selecting products, not only for approved use in a covered structure, but also for the different species of pests. Insecticides will not control mites, and use may actually result in mite flare ups as the insecticide application kills any predators feeding on the mites. Acaracides or miticides should be used to manage mite populations. Follow up applications may be necessary when dealing with these pests, depending on whether or not the applied products control both eggs and adults, or only one or the other.

General Note:

Cultivating tomatoes was a family affair for this grower. F. Becker photo.

If you suspect herbicide damage on your farm, please contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture as soon as possible after the drift event, either by phone at 614-728-6987 or via the online submission tool at agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/pesticides/online/use-complaint

OSU Extension Bi-Weekly Fruit & Vegetable Report – September 15th, 2023

The OSU Extension Fruit & Vegetable Report is written/published collectively by OSU Extension staff across the state. 

View a recording of the OSU Extension Bi-Weekly Fruit & Vegetable Report updates below:

Farm Science Review 2023

The Farm Science Review (FSR) is one of the nation’s premier farm shows and one of OSU Extension’s largest, most far-reaching educational programs. The event will be held at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London, Ohio on September 19th – 21st. The OSU Extension Fruit & Vegetable Team will be hosting a tent all 3 days that will feature presentations from academic and industry speakers on a variety of topics, including nutrient management, entomophagy, integrated pest management, variety trial results, farm marketing, and more. The OSU Extension Fruits & Vegetables exhibit will be located near the gazebo near the Utzinger Garden (booth 385). We hope to see you there!

Check out the 2023 Farm Science Review Program for further information.

Speaker schedule for OSU Extension Fruits & Vegetables exhibit at FSR 2023. Note: There will also be a presentation by Dr. Marne Titchnell, Extension Wildlife Program Director for OSU,  on wildlife management in fruits & vegetables on Wednesday, September 20th from 1:30 – 2:00 PM.

Purple carrot-seed moth detection

The OSU Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic (PPDC) recently received an insect sample that was identified to be purple carrot-seed moth (Depressaria depressana), a known pest of crops in the Apiaceae family. This was the first report of purple carrot-seed moth found in Ohio, though it has been found in neighboring states. The insect feeds on the flower heads of crops like carrot, parsnip, dill, celery, parsley, and more, but it is yet unknown if it will be an economically important pest of these crops in Ohio. Check out the article from PPDC for more information.

Please report any suspected larvae/adults with pictures to entomology@osu.edu or ppdc@osu.edu.

Purple carrot seed moth larvae (top) and adult (bottom). Photo by Iowa State University Extension (top) and University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Entomology (bottom). 

Crop updates

Vegetables

Cucurbits

Downy mildew continues to wreak havoc in cucurbit plantings this time of year. As a refresher, here is a factsheet from Michigan State University on downy mildew mitigation. Powdery mildew pressure is reported to be increasing in southern Ohio. Striped cucumber beetles populations are declining in central/northeast Ohio and transitioning more towards higher numbers of corn rootworm beetles. Western corn rootworm, a look-alike of striped cucumber beetle, also feeds on cucurbits and can impact yield if heavy populations are present. Check out this article from Iowa State University for information on identifying different rootworm beetle pests. 

Virus symptoms are being observed in some melon plantings. There are various aphid-vectored potyviruses that affect cucurbits and they can be hard to differentiate from one another, though control practices are similar for all of them. The big 4 for cucurbit crops are cucumber mosaic virus, papaya ring spot virus, watermelon mosaic virus, and zucchini yellow mosaic virus. Like many crop diseases, management practices are preventative and include using resistant varieties or planting earlier to ensure harvest before viral symptoms appear towards the end of the season. Getting aphids under control may also minimize virus infection to some degree.

Cucumber mosaic virus – symptoms include yellowish-green “mosaic” mottling on foliage or fruit and crinkled leaves. Photo by Gerald Holmes, Strawberry Center, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Bugwood.org.

Papaya ringspot virus – symptoms include wrinkled leaves and discolored, bumpy fruit. Photo by Mary Ann Hansen, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org.

 

Watermelon mosaic virus – symptoms include wrinkled leaves and geometric patterns on fruit.  Photo by Dorina Pitorac, European Plant Protection Organization.

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus – symptoms include blistered, wrinkled leaves and fruit with discolored bumps. Photo by University of Massachusetts Extension.

Fruiting Vegetables

Late-season aphid feeding is being observed in some solanaceous crops. Honeydew is a sugary liquid secreted by aphids and other sap-sucking insects (whiteflies, spotted lanternfly, etc.). Honeydew accumulation on crop foliage or fruit can lead to growth of sooty mold, which is a term for various genera of fungi that colonize the sticky exudate. Sooty mold does not render vegetables inedible, however, and can be readily washed off. 

Honeydew from aphids (and other sap-suckers) on plant leaves is sticky to the touch and can be colonized by sooty mold. Photos by Kansas State University Entomology (top) and Joe Boggs, the Ohio State University Extension (bottom). 

Regular bouts of rainfall as we head into the fall are leading to increased incidence of Phytophthora infection in peppers (and cucurbits). While excess water is a problem for some vegetable growers in Ohio, some parts of western Ohio still remain abnormally dry, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Mites have been a problem in some areas, while thrips have taken a downturn. Keeping mites under control towards the end of the season can reduce the chance of heavy pressure next season by reducing the egg load/number of overwintering adults that will become next year’s mite infestations.

Fruit

Tree fruits

Early varieties of apples are being harvested across the state. Brown marmorated stinkbug pressure is increasing. Bitter rot is starting to be observed in some orchards. Marssonina leaf blotch is also being seen in some organic orchards, where management can be difficult without the use of fungicides. Removal/destruction of leaves on the orchard floor in the fall can reduce overwintering sites for the pathogen. Black knot is being seen on some ornamental plum trees, so commercial plum and cherry growers should keep an eye out for black knot galls on their trees and promptly remove them if they see them.

Gall of black knot (Apiosporina morbosa), a fungal pathogen of plum, cherry, and other types of fruit trees. Photo by Joseph O Brien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org.

Small Fruits

Preparing Brambles for Winter – Sanitation Practices for Disease Prevention
Melanie Ivey, State Fruit Pathologist and Fresh Produce Safety Specialist, The Ohio State University

Disease management of perennial fruit crops is a year-round endeavor. Many fungal pathogens survive the winter months in the soil or plant debris, infected canes or buds, or dead canes. As part of an integrated disease management program fall sanitation practices to reduce inoculum in the planting should be done.  Best sanitation practices include removing floricanes after harvest, removing diseased and dead canes, removing dead or systemically infected plants, and raking or chopping fallen leaves. Pruning debris should be destroyed by burning or placing in the trash or discarding it away from the planting. Diseased plant material should not be composted.  Pruning cuts should be sharp and clean to avoid unnecessary mechanical wounds.

The fall is also a good time to scout for and remove wild bramble populations that are near the production field. In addition to fall sanitation practices, some diseases require a dormant or delayed dormant fungicide application. For dormant or delayed dormant fungicide recommendations consult the Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide (OSU Extension Bulletin 506).

The table below summarizes where the fungi for several common diseases of brambles in Ohio overwinter, the recommended fall sanitation practices for each disease, and whether a dormant or delayed dormant fungicide application is recommended.

Upcoming Events: 

September 19 – 21, Farm Science Review

September 27, Wooster, OH, Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day

September 30, Albany, OH OEFFA CSA Veggie Farm Tour

December 5th – 7th, Grand Rapids, MI, Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, & Farm Market Expo 

January 15 – 16, Columbus, OH, 2024 Ohio Produce Network

February 15 – 17, Newark, OH, 2024 Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) Conference

OSU Extension Bi-Weekly Fruit & Vegetable Report – July 7th 2023

The OSU Extension Fruit & Vegetable Report is written/published collectively by OSU Extension staff across the state.

Air Quality

With the recent poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke, questions were filtering into county offices regarding potential effects on crops. One of the major potential concerns is ozone damage to plant tissue if there are significant concentrations in wildfire smoke. Check out this article from University of Minnesota Extension for more information.

A question came in from the community asking if the smoke from the Canadian wildfires would affect the ability to eat lettuce from their garden. Information from Jennifer Little, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Educator in Hancock County, cited that according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that there should not be any issue with consuming the lettuce. Folks can follow normal harvesting/cleaning processes prior to consuming vegetables. Any harm to humans would be from breathing the smoke-filled air, which could cause respiratory issues. Therefore, the concern is not in consuming the lettuce but in spending time outdoors. It is wise to take precaution with the amount of time you are spending outside when air quality is poor, especially if you have underlying respiratory issues. More information on air quality can be found on the Ohio Department of Health’s website.

Crop updates

Vegetables

Beans/Peas

A number of insect pests are being found in bean plantings, including Japanese beetles, Mexican bean leaf beetles, and potato leafhopper. Aphids have also been found in beans, as they have been found in many other crops this year. With the extremely elevated number of aphids, there has been ample opportunity for natural enemies such as predatory and beneficial insects to also build their populations. Species such as lady beetles, predatory stink bugs, and parasitic wasps are being found in abundant numbers. Signs of natural enemy activity include “aphid mummies”, which are the remains of aphids resulting from parasitic wasps laying their eggs in the insect. When the eggs hatch, the wasp larvae consume the host from the inside, leaving behind only the dried outer shell of the aphid.

Aphid mummy present in an alfalfa field. Photo by Frank Becker, OSU Extension.

Brassicas

  Cross-striped cabbage worm is being detected in eastern Ohio. Check out this article from Kansas State for a quick primer on this insect pest. 

Cucurbits 

  Striped cucumber beetle pressure is sporadic across Ohio, with some farms showing high populations and levels of damage while others show very little. Even plantings where the Farmore FI400 (thiamethoxam) seed treatment was used are showing outsized amounts of feeding. For information on integrated cultural management practices to use, check out this article on non-chemical striped cucumber beetle control.

Squash vine borer (SVB) egg laying is underway. Check out this article from Michigan State University Extension on SVB biology and control to learn more about the pest’s life cycle. Squash vine borer is one of the many insect pests that OSU Extension’s IPM program traps throughout the growing season to monitor population spread and density. For more information on how to use trapping to monitor this pest, check out this instructional video from the OSU IPM program. 

  Mice and vole feeding on young cucurbit seedlings this year has been severe and exacerbated by the dry weather. Wildlife damage in fruits and vegetables persists as a problem for which there are no surefire solutions. Tactics for preventing wildlife damage include employing netting, fencing, repellants, trapping, and other lethal/non-lethal deterrents. Resources include the Ohio DNR Nuisance Animal Control Manual and Wildlife Management Factsheets from the USDA/Michigan State University Extension.

Root crops 

High thrips populations are currently being observed in maturing onion crops.

Both homeowners and commercial garlic growers alike have been impacted by garlic bloat nematodes this growing season. This pest will damage other plants in the allium family as well, including onions, chives, and leeks. Some of the symptoms we see resulting from damage caused by garlic bloat nematodes are stunted leaf growth, distortion, yellowing, wilting, and premature dieback of the leaves, as well as bulbs that can look rotten since the damage opens up the plant tissue to be infected by other bacteria and fungi. As shown in the pictures (below), the roots can be partially or completely missing.

Garlic bulbs showing damage caused by garlic bloat nematode. Photos by Thomas Becker, OSU Extension

The best thing that garlic growers can do to prevent future crops from being infested is to rotate out of alliums and to use fresh seed every year. Mature, reproductive nematodes can live in the bulbs both during the growing season and while in storage. Growers that use saved seed from the previous year’s crop are risking re-infestation. Crop rotation is encouraged for many vegetable crop species to help break pest and disease cycles.    

Colorado potato beetles are being sighted, primarily in organic and volunteer potatoes. Refer to the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for chemical options for Colorado potato beetle control. 

Tuber quality in potatoes can be impacted by a number of variables over the course of a growing season. Specifically, tuber formation can be impacted by management factors like planting depth and hilling intensity- learn more in this recent article from Matt Kleinhenz of OSU Extension.

Potato flowering signals the start of tuber bulking period. Photo credit, Chris Galbraith, OSU Extension. 

Sweet corn

First plantings of sweet corn around both Huron and Seneca Counties were wiped out by Spring frosts, with later plantings expected to have low yields from both frost damage and heat/drought. Corn earworm is being caught in traps near sweet corn plantings, while European corn borer catches are low. 

Fruits

Tree fruits

  Despite the dry spring, the pome and stone fruit crop is looking good for the season. Sporadic hail storms near the end of June have caused some damage in apple orchards, as well as to other crops. 

Small fruits

Blueberry u-picks in southern Ohio have opened up to the public. Late frosts in north-central Ohio killed most strawberry blossoms in both matted-row and plasticulture systems, leading to a drastically reduced crop.

Gary Gao, OSU professor and small fruit specialist, received a few messages about the collapsing of blackberry floricanes before fruits reach full maturity. Miki and John Pringle sent him a few pictures of the dying canes. They said that the affected canes turned white and died. The problem was not widespread on their farm. The Pringles grow their blackberry bushes on a rotatable cross arm trellis (RCA). The plants had winter protection with row covers when most parts of Ohio experienced the low temperatures in December 2022. However, it was still possible that some spots of the blackberry patch were not protected well due to holes in the row cover and weaker bushes. 

Gary attributed this problem to blackberry cane blight triggered by cold injuries. Cane blight is a fungal disease. Growers who grow blackberries on RCA are encouraged to put on a dormant spray like Sulforix before they cover the blackberry plants with row covers in December. This is probably the reason that Pringles only saw this problem on some bushes. Growers who grow blackberry bushes in a traditional hedge row without winter protection are not as lucky. Cold injuries induced cane blight are showing up around late June and early July. The affected canes will completely collapse before fruits ripen. It is very disheartening to see since growers invested a lot of time and money on managing the canes. This is why the use of Rotatable Cross Arm trellis with 3 oz. row covers is recommended if growers desire consistent production year after year. 

Collapsing blackberry floricanes from cold injuries and possibly cane blight. Photo by John and Miki Pringle, Pringles Orchard, Goshen, Ohio.

A good way to assess the damage from cold temperatures is to cut the bark to see if the cambium tissue is healthy. Healthy cambium looks light green while dead cambium is dark brown. The ideal time for doing this is April. By then, growers can determine if it is worth all the time and expenses to manage the bushes. If the cambium tissue of the floricanes is damaged and the damage is widespread, growers may elect to cut out all of the damaged canes in April and call it a total loss. 

Floricanes with light green healthy cambium tissue. Photo by Gary Gao, The Ohio State University. 

Blackberry floricanes with dead cambium tissue. Note the dark brown area between outer epidermis or the bark and the xylem or the woody tissue in the middle of the cane. Photo by Gary Gao, The Ohio State University.

Blueberry and Raspberry Harvest Update: Blueberry and raspberry harvest is in full swing in early July. Most blueberry and raspberry growers do pick your own. The crops look quite good despite all of the weather challenges with cold temperatures in December 2022, warm winter, and a drought in spring. It is nice to see rain across Ohio. If you did not see much rain in your area, it is very important to irrigate the bushes to keep plants health and make the fruits grow. 

Ripe Bluetta Blueberry ready for harvest. Photo by Gary Gao, The Ohio State University.

 

For more information or if you have questions, please reach out to a member of the Fruit & Vegetable team or your county extension educator.

 

Upcoming Events: 

July 12, 10:00 am – 2 pm, Ontario AgRobotics Field Tour, Part 2

July 20, 9:00 am – 1:30 pm, In-Field and Edge-of-Field Conservation Practice Field Day

July 20, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm, “Climate Smart: Farming with Weather Extremes” conference

August 23, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Agriculture Technology Field Day

August 24, 5:30 – 8:00 pm, Western Ag Research Station Pumpkin Field Day

September 19 – 21,  Farm Science Review

September 27,  Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day

December 5th – 7th,  Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, & Farm Market Expo 

January 4th – 5th, Ohio Organic Grain Conference