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Horticulture Newsletter
2002 Area Farmers' Markets Grand Openings (co-organized with Penn
State Extension)
2002 Tree Fruit Grower Field Day
High Tunnel Workshop and Tour
Commercial Horticulture - Small Fruit Reducing Fertilizer Costs Following Frost Damage
Table 1. Nitrogen and potassium removed from fruit plantings in harvested fruit (lb per acre).
If the fruit of apples or grapes is lost to frost, N rates can be reduced by 50 percent (on lighter, sandier soils) to 100 percent (heavier, fertile soils) of typical applications. If the entire crop of cherries, peaches or blueberries were lost, N rates can safely be reduced by a third on sandier soils, to as much as a half on heavier soils. Reduce rates proportionately in the case of partial crop failures. The effect of crop loss on K requirements is difficult to estimate. Fruit are strong sinks for K, so the K demand is clearly reduced when no crop is produced. Frost-damaged plantings on heavier soils likely will not benefit from K additions this year. Plantings on sandy soils with a low K reserve or where tissue analysis has indicated a need for K, may benefit from K, but will require lower rates, perhaps half of the typical application. Applications of K could be discontinued this year where K levels in the soil are moderate to high and an annual maintenance application of K is typically applied. Using Fungicides to Control Strawberry Rots
As previously mentioned, Botrytis or gray mold is the most common disease and is probably the easiest to control with effective fungicide use. Most fruit infections by Botrytis occur only during bloom. Therefore, most growers that apply fungicide during bloom generally do a good job of controlling Botrytis and do not need to apply fungicides pre-bloom or during harvest. If anthracnose and leather rot are not a problem, fungicide sprays during bloom only are generally all that is required. Obviously this is an ideal situation in relation to reducing costs and overall fungicide use.
Prebloom: In most years, there is generally little or no need for fungicides prior to bloom. If weather is exceptionally wet from rain or overhead irrigation from frost protection, some early season fungicide may be required prior to bloom. Applications of Captan or Thiram alone at the highest rate (Captan 50WP, 6 lb/A; Captec 4L, 3 qts/A, Thiram 75 WDG, 4.4 lb/A) should be effective in reducing inoculum buildup of all three diseases. A seven day application interval should be sufficient. During Bloom: This is the critical period for control of Botrytis. In addition, in fields infested with Colletotrichum (anthracnose), the fungus may be able to build up inoculum on symptomless (apparently health) foliage during warm, wet weather. Increased inoculum could result in increased fruit infections if weather remains favorable for disease development. The main fungicides for control of Botrytis are Topsin-M 70WSB and Elevate 50WG. Both of these materials excellent efficacies for control of Botrytis. It is also recommended that these materials be tank-mixed with Captan or Thiram during bloom. Captan and Thiram are protectant fungicides that provide some additional control against Botrytis (gray mold), anthracnose fruit rot and leather rot. In addition, mixing the materials should also aid in reducing the risk of fungicide resistance development. For successful Botrytis control, it is important to provide fungicide protection throughout bloom. Remember that early blooms (king bloom) may be your largest and best quality fruit, so protection needs to be started early (at least 10% bloom….this should be happening right now!). The number of bloom sprays required depends upon the weather. If it is hot and dry, no fungicides are required. All of the fruit rot diseases discussed here require water on the flowers and fruit in order to infect. If it is very dry and overhead irrigation is used for supplemental water, irrigation can be applied in early morning so that plants dry as fast as possible. Keeping plants dry reduces the need for fungicide application. Unfortunately, most years are not this dry and fungicides are generally applied on at a least a 7-day schedule through bloom. If it is extremely wet, a shorter interval (4-5 days) may be required in order to protect new flowers as they open. Although Botrytis is the primary pathogen we are trying to control during bloom, the selection of the proper fungicides should also aid in reducing the buildup of anthracnose as well. This is important to remember in plantings where anthracnose is a problem or threat. Post Bloom Through Harvest: As bloom ends and green fruit are present, the threat from Botrytis infection is generally over. Green fruit are resistant to Botrytis. If you got Botrytis infection in fruit during bloom, it will not show up until harvest as fruit start to mature. At this point, it is too late to control it. As new fruit form through harvest, the threat of anthracnose fruit infection increases. In many plantings, anthracnose is not present or is not a problem. In these plantings no additional fungicide should be required after bloom through harvest. Unfortunately, you cannot determine if anthracnose is a problem until you see it. Often, this is too late to control it. In plantings with a history of anthracnose fruit rot, or if the disease is identified in the plantings, fungicides with efficacy for anthracnose control may be required from the end of bloom through harvest. Remember, anthracnose is favored by warm to hot wet weather. In addition, anthracnose appears to be a greater problem in plastic culture and day-neutral plantings. Fungicides for Leather Rot Control As previously mentioned, emphasis for leather rot control should be placed on the use of cultural practices, such as planting on well drained sites or improving water drainage in the planting and a good layer of straw mulch to prevent berry contact with the soil. When needed, the following fungicides are labeled specifically for control of leather rot. Ridomil Gold is labeled for control or Red Stele (caused by Phytophthora fragarieae) and Leather Rot (caused by Phytophthora cactorum). The label for perennial strawberries reads as follows: "Established Plantings: Apply Ridomil Gold EC at 1 pt. per treated acre in sufficient water to move the fungicide into the root zone of the plants. Make one application in the spring after the ground thaws and before first bloom. A second application may be applied after harvest in the fall. Note: Although not labeled for leather rot control, the early spring application for red stele control should provide some control of leather rot. For supplemental control of leather rot, an application may be made during the growing season at fruit set. This application at fruit set (as green fruit are present) has been very effective for leather rot control. Aliette 80WDG is labeled for control of Red Stele and Leather Rot. For Leather Rot, apply 2.5 to 5lb/A. Apply as a foliar spray between 10% bloom and early fruit set, and continue on a 7-14 day interval as long as conditions are favorable for disease development. Applications can be made the same day as harvest (PHI=0 days). Do not exceed 30 lb product per acre per season. Table 1 provides suggestions for developing a fungicide program for simultaneous control of strawberry fruit rots. Remember these are only suggested guidelines for a fruit rot control program. It is always the grower's responsibility to read and understand the label. For the most current pesticide recommendations growers are referred to Pest Management Guidelines for Small Fruit Crops. The extensive use of Captan in this program could result in problems with visible residues on fruit. This needs to be considered, but under heavy disease pressure for anthracnose a high level of Captan usage may be required. The Captec 4L (flowable) may result in less visible residue than the Captan 50W (wettable powder). Alternating Captan with Quadris rather than combining Quadris with Captan in every other spray should be helpful in reducing visible residues. The use of Quadris alone in the last spray or two before harvest should aid greatly in reducing visible residues. As mentioned previously, leather rot should be controlled by good soil drainage (no standing water) and a good layer of straw mulch to prevent berries from soil contact. If leather rot is a threat or a problem, fungicides may be required. Quadric has excellent activity against Phytophthora disease on other crops. Although not on the label there's been no real data to support this idea, Quadris may have some activity for control of leather rot in addition to anthracnose and Botrytis gray mold. If applied at time suggested here (green fruit through harvest) for anthracnose, Quadris may be beneficial for control of leather rot as well. Currently research is being conducted to determine the efficacy of Quadris for leather rot control. Suggested fungicide schedule for managing berry rots in Pennsylvania Prebloom
During Bloom
Post bloom-Harvest
Vegetables Weed Control in Pumpkins with Herbicides
Command 4EC - (clomazone) - contains four pound active ingredient per gallon. Very volatile material that is subject to off-target movement, especially under low wind (3-7 mph) conditions. Recommended application pre-plant incorporation only. Sensitive plants may show symptoms of foliar whitening or yellowing if contacted by Command 4EC herbicide. It is further recommended that, prior to application, adjacent properties be checked with that spraying within 200 feet of desirable plants be avoided. Weeds controlled by the application of Command 4EC at 1.0 pint/A include: barnyardgrass, signalgrass, crabgrass, giant and green foxtail, goosegrass, common and fall panicum, seedling Johnsongrass, velvetleaf, spurred anoda, common ragweed, jimsonweed, common lambsquarters, Pennsylvania smartweed, purslane, prickly sida and Venice mallow. The recommended rate of Command 4EC as a preplant incorporated treatment for pumpkin production is 14-16 ounces/!. Do not exceed a rate of two pints per acre per year. Incorporate Command 4EC to a depth of one inch or less and place the pumpkin seed below the chemical barrier when planting. Do not apply Command 4EC within 500 feet of emerged winter wheat or within 1000 feet of the following areas: towns and housing developments, commercial fruit production, commercial nurseries, and commercial greenhouses and green tunnels. In terms of rotational crop guidelines, with the 1.5 pint/A rate, the following crops can be planted anytime, cotton, soybeans, pumpkins, peppers and tobacco. All other crops can safely be planted after 12 months from Command application. Command 3ME - (clomazone) contains three pound active ingredient per gallon. Because this formulation is micro-encapsulated, off-target movement of this product is not as serious as the Command 4EC formulation. Weeds controlled by the application of Command 3ME at 1.0 pint/A include: barnyardgrass, signalgrass, crabgrass, giant and green foxtail, goosegrass, common and fall panicum, seedling Johnsongrass, velvetleaf, spurred anoda, common ragweed, jimsonweed, common lambsquarters, Pennsylvania smartweed, purslane, prickly sida and Venice mallow. The recommended rate of Command 3ME for processing pumpkin production is 8 to 18 ounce/A as a pre-emergence treatment applied prior to transplanting or seeding in the field. Do not exceed a rate of two pints per acre per year. Rotational crop guidelines are similar to the Command 4EC label.
Sandea - (halosulfuron-methyl) can be applied either as a pre-emergence or post-emergence application. For pre-emergence application the rate is 0.50 to 0.66 ounce/A in a minimum of 15 gallons water per acre. For best results, tank-mix with either Prefar (especially if irrigation is available) or Command for grass control. Optimum weed control is achieved if 0.25-0.50 inches of water from rainfall or irrigation is received within three days of the application. For post-emergence application, the rate is 0.5 to 0.66 ounce/A in a minimum of 15 gallons pf water and a nonionic surfactant. Treat when plants are in the 2-5 true leaf stage. Sandra is rainfast within four hours of application. Suggest waiting two to three days after application to irrigate or seven days for cultivation. Weeds controlled pre-emergence: yellow nutsedge, pigweeds, wild radish and mustard, common lambs-quarters, ragweed, Pennsylvania smartweed, velvetleaf, galinsoga and purslane (suppression). Weeds controlled with post-emergence applications include: yellow nutsedge, pigweeds, wild radish and mustard, ragweed, Pennsylvania smartweed, velvetleaf and galinsoga. Note the lack of lambsquarters and purslane control with Sandea post-emergence application. On pumpkin and winter squash, Sandea may cause treated plants to appear yellow for 14 or more days after application. In addition, younger leaves may exhibit a crinkled appearance. Rotational crop guidelines for Sandea are: 3 months - sweet corn and popcorn, 9 months - peas, potatoes, cucumber, pumpkin, squash, snap beans, soybeans and transplanted tomatoes, 15 to 18 months - most other vegetable crops, 24 months - red beets and spinach. Prefar 4E - (bensulide) contains 4 lb active ingredient per gallon. Application of Prefar 4E to soil that is cold and/or wet for an extended period of time due to rains or poorly drained soil during the germination period may result in reduction of crop stand or yields. The recommended rate of Prefar 4E for pumpkin production is 5 to 6 quarts/A as a preplant or pre-emergence to flat-planted or bedded crops. Weeds controlled by the application of Prefar 4E include: crabgrass, fall panicum, foxtails, goosegrass, jungle rice, sprangletop, barnyardgrass, lambsquarters, purslane and redroot pigweed. Carrots, cotton and crops on the Prefar 4E label may be replanted following applications of Prefar 4E without restriction. All other crops should not be planted for 120 days and the soil must be tilled to minimum depth of four inches prior to replanting. Prefar 4E may be sued on labeled crops grown through or under plastic mulch. Rainfall or irrigation within 24 hours after the application of Prefar 4E results in maximum response. Strategy - packaged mix of Curbit and Command (ethalfluralin and clomazone) containing 1.6 pounds of ethalfluralin per gallon and 0.5 pounds of clomazone per gallon. The recommended rate of Strategy for pumpkin production is 3 to 4 pints/A as a pre-emergence treatment for seeded pumpkins and as a banded spray between rows for transplanted pumpkins. Do not incorporate Strategy and if replanting is required within six months of the Strategy application, only replant the following crops: cucumbers, cantaloupes, watermelons, pumpkins, summer squash and winter squash. Weeds controlled by the application of Strategy include: barnyardgrass, signalgrass, crabgrass, giant and green foxtail, goosegrass, common and fall panicum, shattercane, seedling, Johsongrass, wildproso millet, black seeded plantain, carpetweed, velvetleaf, spurred anoda, common ragweed, common lambsquarters, Pennsylvania smartweed, common purslane, prickly sida, Florida pusley, protrate, redwood, smooth and spiny pigweed and Venice mallow. Rotational crop guidelines for Strategy used at the 2 to 4 pint rate are: anytime - cucumbers, cantaloupes, watermelons, pumpkins, summer squash and winter squash, 9 months - beans (succulent and dry) cabbage (all), corn, peas, peppers, potatoes, soybeans, sweet potatoes, tobacco, tuberous vegetables and transplanted tomatoes, 12 months - direct seeded tomatoes and wheat, 26 months - all other crops. Poast - (sethoxydim) contains 1.5 pounds of sethoxydim per gallon. Poast is a selective, broad spectrum, post-emergence herbicide for control of annual and perennial grasses. Poast does not control sedges and broadleaf weeds. Essentially, all grass crops including sorghum, corn, small grains and ornamental grasses are susceptible to Poast. Poast rapidly enters the target weed through its foliage and translocates throughout the plant. Symptoms observed within three weeks from Poast application on susceptible plants include: slowing or stopping of growth, reddening of foliage, leaf tip burn and foliage burnback. The recommended rate of Poast for pumpkin production is 1.5 pints/A as a post-emergence application with crop oil concentrate. Maximum application of Poast on pumpkins per acre per year is 3.0 pints. Grasses controlled by Poast include: goosegrass, itchgrass, seedling Johnsongrass, jungle rice, lovegrass, wildproso millet, tame and wild oats, seedling orchardgrass, browntop and fall panicum, red rice, annual ryegrass, field sandbur, shattercane, signalgrass, red sprangletop, stinkgrass, witchgrass, and volunteer barley, corn, oats, rye and wheat. Prism - (clethodim) contains 0.94 pounds of clethodim per gallon. Prism is a selective, broad spectrum, post-emergence herbicide for control of annual and perennial grasses. Prism does not control sedges and broadleaf weeds. Essentially, all grass crops including sprghum, corn, small grains and ornamental grasses are susceptible to Prism. Prism rapidly enters the target weed through its foliage and translocates throughout the plant. Symptoms observed within 7 to 14 days from Prism application on susceptible plants include: reduction in vigor and growth, early chlorosis/necrosis of younger plant tissue, and eventual collapse of the remaining foliage. The recommended rate of Prism for pumpkin production is 13 to 17 fluid ounces/A as a post-emergence application with crop oil concentrate. Maximum application of Prism on pumpkins per acre per year is 68 fluid ounces. Grasses controlled by Prism include: barnyardgrass, brome species, canarygrass, crowfootgrass, southwestern and wholly cupgrass, goosegrass, itchgrass, seedling Johnsongrass, junglerice, lovegrass, wildproso millet, tame and wild oats, seedling orchardgrass, browntop and fall panicum, red rice, annual ryegrass, field sandbur, shattercane, signalgrass, red sprangletop, stinkgrass, witch grass, and volunteer barley, corn, oats, rye and wheat. Select 2EC - (clethodim) contains 2.0 pounds of clethodim per gallon. Select 2EC is a selective broad spectrum, post-emergence herbicide for control of annual and perennial grasses. Select 2EC does not control sedges and broadleaf weeds. Essentially, all grass crops including sorghum, corn, small grains and ornamental grasses are susceptible to Select 2EC. Select 2EC rapidly enters the target weed through its foliage and translocates throughout the plant. Symptoms observed within 7 to 14 days from Select 2EC application on susceptible plants include: reduction in vigor and growth, early chlorosis/necrosis of younger plant tissue and eventual collapse of the remaining foliage. The recommended rate of Select 2EC for pumpkin production is 6 to 8 fluid ounces/A as a post-emergence application with crop oil concentration. Do not apply more than 8 fluid ounces per acre in a single application. For repeat applications, make on a minimum of a 14-day interval. Grasses controlled by Select 2EC include: barnyardgrass, brome species, canarygrass, crowfootgrass, southwestern and wholly cupgrass, goosegrass, itchgrass, seedling Johnsongrass, junglerice, lovegrass, wildproso millet, tame and wild oats, seedling orchardgrass, browntop and fall panicum, red rice, annual ryegrass, field sandbur, shattercane, signalgrass, red sprangletop, stinkgrass, witchgrass, and volunteer barley, corn, oats, rye and wheat. Pestwatch: Initializing the Sweet Corn Trapping Network and Related Links
The trapping information can be viewed at the "Pestwatch" site: http://pestwatch.cas.psu.edu/. When you click on "sweet corn" cooperators can navigate to enter data and anyone with web access can view maps that display the trap capture for each pest species. When you are looking at a map, you can click on a trap site to see the catch-over-time (we call it the time series graph) at that site. Both current and historical maps are posted. Please remember that you are looking at estimates of catch-per-night, which we can display across the geographic region. More detailed information can be seen by looking at these data as a table. This is also on the website - just click on the text called "Yearly Reports." From the Pestwatch site, you can also click on "Tomatoes." This links to tomato disease forecasting websites from Dr. Alan MacNab. The "HoneyBee" link is being developed to track apiary inspection efforts and the "Grapes" link was a trial effort for several grape pests. All the sites in Pennsylvania and some of the New England sites, are using a lure developed from cooperative research from Penn State and Scentry Biologicals to monitor for fall armyworm. This is now being sold through Scentry as the FAW-PSU lure, and we believe it controls the problem of non-target captures. However, it also lowers the rate of capture by about 1/3. So the captures should be cleaner, but smaller. This summer Mike Smith will help run this data. Mike has a BS in Geography from Penn State with an emphasis on GIS. You can reach Mike at mss212@psu.edu and 814-863-6116. Work went on during the winter to make it easier to enter data and to accommodate the expanding geographic area. Databases are now on the web, in Microsoft Access databases, edited through an ActivePages software application we call Remote Data Manager. When users enter data, you are using Remote Data Manager to directly change/update/edit the Microsoft Access databases. These databases will be downloaded by us and by the Outreach program of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS). The outreach program in EMS has the facilities to support maps that allow interactive zoom in and out, and we will be working to make use of that. This allows us to expand geographically, while simultaneously supporting detailed views at a local scale. We are also working to incorporate phenology predictions for ECB. These are degree day models that estimate/predict when the ECB will be in any given lifestyle. Phenology models will help with ECB, but not CEW or FAW because the latter two species primarily immigrate from the south. We will provide more information on this as it get implemented. Please bear with us as we make these changes. As always, whenever you see glitches, call or e-mail to let us know. I think the IPM programs will be better, but the first few months may be a bit difficult. This is an example of developing regional programs, where the combined information value benefits more than what any one person could achieve. Botrytis
Generally people would be using Exotherm Termil (48 hr. REI) now that plants are tight, but fewer folks are using it, probably because of the long REI. It is still an excellent Botrytis control and is easy to use. It contains chlorothanil, as does Daconil Ultrex (48 hr. REI). Decree (4 hr. REI) is being used with good results. Sadly some folks said they were using thiophanate-methyl (Clearlys 3336, Fungo, Systec 1998). Work that Gary Moorman did years ago suggests that most Botrytis strains in our greenhouses are resistant to thiophanate-methyl. The new Strobilurins like Compass (12 hr. REI) and Heritage (4 hr. REI) are reported to give good control of Botrytis. For details see the Botrytis Fact Sheet written by Dr. Gary Moorman http://cas.psu.edu/docs/CASDEPT/PLANT/ext/botrytis.html Building a "Good Bug Tub" for Your Garden
A portable tub of plants that attract beneficial insects will control pests in your garden without you having to do anything other than move the tub. That means less money spent on pesticides and less time spent applying them. The "Good Bug Tub" of plants will attract the good insects you would like to have in your garden. How do I build a "Good Bug Tub?" First get a galvanized metal or plastic tub, the 18-gallon size are ideal for this project. Drill ten holes (1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter) in the bottom in order to provide water drainage. Fill the tub with a blend of potting soil, compost or a commercial potting soil mix. If you don't want to fertilize the tub weekly, add a time release fertilizer to the soil mixture. Set the tub on a stand with casters in order to make it easily movable. Keep in mind that larger wheels make the tub easier to move. Use plants from the list below inside the tub. Then place the tub in full sun, water it several times a week and fertilize it weekly throughout the summer if you didn't put time release fertilizer in the soil. Move the tub around as you need to. Remember that the tub will not only be a way to control pest insects, but it will also be a great decorative planter! What bugs am I hoping to attract?
Here is a small list of Plants you can use in your "Good Bug Tub"
Sincerely, Gregory K. Burns Supporting Agents:
This publication is available in alternative media on request. Where trade names are used no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Penn State Cooperative Extension is implied. Penn State encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Greg Burns at (814) 776-5331 (Elk) or (814) 486-3350 (Cameron) in advance of your participation or visit. The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Direct all affirmative action inquiries to the Affirmative Action Office, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building, University Park, PA 16802-2801, Tel 814-865-4700/V, 814-863-1150/TTY. |
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Penn State is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity University This page was last updated on Wednesday, 26 June, 2002 14:30 |
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Fruit
trees, grapevines and blueberry bushes require a certain amount of nitrogen
(N) and potassium (K) to support vegetative growth and fruit production.
If the fruit are lost to frost damage, the nutrient needs are also reduced.
Here are some thoughts on fertilizing following frost damage. The amount
of nutrients that accumulate in the fruit of these crops is one estimate
of how much fertilizer can be reduced if the crop is frosted out (Table
1). The N content of the fruit ranges from 8 lb per acre (blueberries,
cherries) to as high as 50 lb per acre (15 ton per acre peach crop). The
K contents range from 8 to 80 lb per acre. In the event of a crop failure,
fertilizer rates can be reduced by at least these amounts. Since these
plants obtain only part of their nutrients from added fertilizer (the
rest from soil reserves), fertilizer rates can be reduced even more in
some cases.
The
most common fruit rots on strawberry in Pennsylvania are: Botrytis fruit
rot (gray mold) caused by Botrytis cinerea; leather rot caused by Phytophthora
cactorum; and anthracnose fruit rot, caused by Colletotrichum acutatum.
Especially in wet growing season, successful strawberry production may
depend on the simultaneous control of all of this disease. Generally,
all three diseases do not occur simultaneously in the same planting, but
this can occur. Botrytis fruit rot or gray mold is the most common disease
and generally requires some level of fungicide for control each year.
Leather rot is a problem in years with excessive rainfall or in fields
with poor drainage that have standing water (all of these diseases are
a problem in situations such as this), Many growers do a good job of controlling
leather rot by planting on sites with good soil drainage and maintaining
a layer of straw mulch to prevent contact of berries with soil. In years
with excessively wet weather or on sites with problem soil drainage, fungicides
may be beneficial for leather rot control. Anthracnose is a problem in
years with warm to hot temperatures combined with prolonged rainfall prior
to and during harvest. Anthracnose is generally not a problem in most
plantings; however, when it does develop, it can be devastating. Quadris
has good to excellent activity against anthracnose. Quadris has recently
been registered for use on strawberry and is expected to receive labeling
soon.
In
plantings and in growing seasons (warm and wet) where anthracnose or leather
rot are problems, the need for a more intensive fungicide program is greatly
increased. The following information provides guidelines for developing
an effective fungicide program for control of the major fruit rots.
Within
the last 12 months there have been several new herbicides or combination
of herbicides labeled for weed control in pumpkin. Most herbicides labeled
work best when tank-mixed to give a wider spectrum of weed control. All
preplant incorporated and pre-emergence herbicides work more effectively
when rainfall or irrigation (0.5 inches) occurs within 24 to 36 hours
after application.
Curbit
EC - (ethalfluralin) contains three pound active ingredient per gallon.
Do not apply Curbit to soils that are wet, cloddy or subject to prolonged
periods of flooding because poor weed control and/or crop injury may result.
Weeds controlled by Curbit at the 3 pint/A rate include: signalgrass,
crabgrass, goosegrass, foxtail millet, fall panicum, seedling Johnsongrass,
carpetweed, common lambsquarters, prostrate, redwood, smooth and spiny
pigweed and Florida pusley. The recommended rate of CurbitEC for pumpkin
production is 3 to 4 pints/A as a pre-emergence treatment for seeded pumpkins
and as a banded spray between rows for transplanted pumpkins. Do not incorporate
Curbit and if replanting is required within six months of the Curbit application,
only replant the following crops: cucumbers, cantaloupes, watermelons,
pumpkins, summer squash and winter squash.
In
2002, through the cooperation of Penn State Extension and PVGA, over 40
sites in Pennsylvania are providing information of the timing and intensity
of adult moth flight for the three "worm" pests of sweet corn
in sweet corn: European corn borer (ECB), the corn earworm (CEW), and
the fall armyworm (FAW). The information is being organized regionally
with another ~ 160 sites in Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and New York.
In addition, we are working to include sites southward in Virginia and
northward in other New England states, and hope to have those states on-line
during the field season. We are working so that all the data are on-line,
in as close to real-time as possible. In 2002, we hope to have a similar
geographic coverage, albeit at lower trapping densities due to budget
cuts in many states. If you are interested in establishing a new site,
the best contact in Pennsylvania would be your Extension agent, or an
agent working in this effort from a nearby county.
Lots
of problems this time of year as plants get tight. For control try to
increase spacing, prevent watering late in day, use horizontal air flow
fans, then vent and heat. Chemicals work well, but not as good as controlling
the environment.
Why
would I want to attract insects to my garden? Many people think of
all insects as bad insects but that is definitely not true. In fact, less
than 3% of all insect species are considered pests. Part of the reason
many other insects do not become pests is because of good insects in the
environment. These good insects keep other insect populations from becoming
too large and bothersome to humans. Good insects are referred to as beneficial
insects. You might want to attract beneficial insects to your garden in
order to reduce the number of pest insects there.