Agronomic Crops
Our area alfalfa has shown very low activity from potato leaf hoppers. Remember, that the threshold for potato leaf hoppers is determined by the height of the alfalfa. So, for 12” alfalfa, you would need to average 12 potato leaf hoppers per 10 sweeps to be over threshold. Currently, we are averaging between 1-3 potato leaf hoppers per 10 sweeps. The heat dome over the center of the country has limited our number of southern storms, with many systems moving through our area coming out of the northwest.
The path of most of our recent weather systems.
Insect pests are currently the main concern in corn and soy. Soybeans are being impacted by Japanese beetles and young grasshoppers. Corn is seeing some feeding damage from the corn flea beetle and Japanese beetles. In non-Bt corn, we are finding damage from common armyworms and European corn borer. Essentially all of Wayne County remains in a moisture deficit, even after a decent shot of rain on Wednesday.
Vegetable Crops
Probably the biggest development in our area was the presence of cucurbit downy mildew on a path of cucumbers in southern Wayne County. This means there are active infections in Wayne and Medina counties, and likely the surrounding counties. Ideal conditions for continued progression and infection will exist in the coming days. It is important to take steps now to protect your cucumber and cantaloupe plants.
Powdery mildew found on a cucurbit plant in a Wayne County field.
Powdery mildew on cucurbits continued to spread rapidly, spurned on by several foggy mornings in the area.
As early plantings of summer squash and other cucurbits are harvested, it is important to practice good sanitation in the fields. Do not allow these areas to become diseased and insect infested, as they will only lead to problems in other areas on your farm. Once you are done harvesting an area, it is best to terminate the crop and either incorporate or remove the residue. 2
Other disease concerns revolved around bacterial diseases on peppers and tomatoes. We started to find some bacterial spot/speck on these crops.
Insect wise, it was an active week. Cole crops are still facing significant pressure from flea beetles and imported cabbage worm. European corn borer was identified in a few pepper plantings. Cucurbit crops have increased activity from cucumber beetles, squash bug and squash vine borer.
Small Fruit and Orchards
A few diseases like scab and blister spot have started to show up on leaves in apples orchards, otherwise, disease pressure has subsided after some recent fire blight outbreaks. Insect pressure in apples has slowed some as codling presence has remained low, however, some orchards are still facing some persistent feeding from European red mites.
Some of our oriental fruit moth traps showed a significant flight, with some traps averaging nearly 30 moths per trap. Red mites were still active in the peach blocks as well this week.
The season is wrapping up for some of our raspberry growers, and blueberries won’t be far behind. With blackberries now coming into season, it is still important to be aware of the presence of the spotted wing drosophila, which are still being found in most of our traps. Japanese beetles may also be causing some troubles for small fruit grower, especially those with grape vines. We observed significant defoliation from Japanese beetles on grapes in several areas of the county this week.