Latest Pest and Disease Information

The 1-800 PENN IPM line is designed to provide concise messages on important production and management issues for growers of specialty and field and forage crops including vegetables, cut flowers, small fruit, tree fruit, Christmas trees and all things agronomic. Certain content is also available in Spanish.

The forecast suggests that April 1 – 2 will trigger apple scab infections, and growers should keep an eye on April 3 – 5. Closely monitor your location. General tips for disease management during this time are discussed.

In some years, a rainy spell brings welcome relief from a prolonged dry spell; however, with the rain comes increased disease pressure. If conditions are cool and wet, Botrytis is the disease of main concern.

Managing Botrytis (gray mold) is a must for many strawberry producers, especially when extended wet conditions are expected.

Lurking beneath the soil surface on Pennsylvania farms and orchards are a variety of plant parasitic nematodes.

Rusty spot is caused by the fungus that causes apple powdery mildew, Podosphaera leucotricha.

Spotted wing drosophila populations can rapidly increase in Pennsylvania, making efforts to control this pest a necessity for most berry crop growers.

Blueberry canes of various ages are a mixture of colors and textures, and it can be difficult to tell which canes are healthy from those that are not.

The plant material used to make strawberry plug plants is usually well-traveled by the time it gets to your fruit production farm. Chances are it has been in situations where it could "pick up some unwanted things" along the way.