Trap #1 - Black Cutworm
The trap had fallen to the ground due to wind. The trap contained 1 bumblebee, 1 ladybird beetle, and 1 black cutworm moth.
Trap #2 - Corn Earworm
1 click beetle, 5 noctuids, 1 crane fly, 1 unidentifiable beetle, and 3 corn earworm moths
Trap #3 - European Corn Borer – Inactive
Trap #4 - Fall Army Worm
4 sap beetles, 1 fall army worm moth
Helios Trap
Inactive – display/demonstration only
Popcorn Field
Birds are sitting on the tassels and breaking them. We did not find evidence of borers though they are present in the sweet corn. Tassels are out on the early variety, but ears and silks are slow to develop. We noticed this in both the field corn and the sweet corn. Too much water is a different kind of stressor on the crop. We found corn smut on one of the tassels. It was noted that while this is a fungus it is also considered a food delicacy in some cultures. Popcorn harvest is being projected for late September or early October.
Note: Many of the cornstalks in all the corn fields are exhibiting purple stain and black stain on the stalks. These are bacterial diseases that are not currently threatening to the crop but are easily seen. Moisture from the frequent rains has been getting between the leaf and stalk, providing a nice moist environment for bacteria to grow. If that bacteria were to move to the ears and shucks, that would be a problem for sweet corn consumers who would reject it as visually unappealing. Popcorn, because of its harder hull is least affected. Field corn is affected only when the bacteria is actually producing mycotoxins in the ear which renders the crop inedible.
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| Corn Mutation |
Grain Corn Field
Grain corn is in the dough/early dent stage. The milk ring is present and the kernels are still receiving nourishment from the plant (i.e. the kernel tips have not turned black).
A problem noted with this variety of field corn is that the ear has grown past the covering of the husk, exposing it to insects, birds, and moisture. Moisture/water in the ear can lead to two major problems; during late stages of drying the kernels may sprout, and it becomes a perfect environment for bacterial mold and fungus (remember, we did find smut) which will produce mycotoxins that make it unfit for feed.
We did find a Corn Earworm in the ear that we examined today.
Sweet Corn Field
Harvesting began on Wednesday. All of the varieties that were ready were harvested. The ears were then graded and those that were evaluated as consumer perfect (no insect damage, no environmental damage, no disease) were counted for yield. We will have to wait until the whole harvest is complete before we can get figures from Ray. However, we heard that 600 lbs of sweet corn were donated Wednesday. Picking resumes again on Friday and will continue intermittently as different varieties mature.
Wheat/Soybean Field
We are seeing leaf damage from defoliator insect species – about 10%. (Soybeans can tolerate up to 60% leaf loss before being adversely affected.) We found an ‘inchworm’ and leaf hoppers and suspect the presence of grasshoppers and beetles with chewing mouthparts. It is now August 15th and the soybeans are still in a vegetative stage with no evidence of blooms. This is becoming a concern as the soybeans are day-length sensitive. When the days become short enough, the plants will stop making flowers and pods and shift to maturing whatever is there.
Demonstration Plots
Tomatoes
It is now becoming clear that the trellis system makes it much easier to harvest. It is possible to use this system with as few as two tomato plants. It is difficult to find and then reach into the cages to harvest ripe tomatoes. Rotting and damage is occurring to the tomatoes that are in contact with the ground in the free-growing tomatoes. There may be a slight edge in production of the Ramapo variety.
Peanuts
Some pegs are into the ground. These should begin producing peanuts. Again, we are concerned that it is a race to the end of the growing season. An early frost would lessen our production of peanuts.
Cowpeas
Very small peapods are now present.
Buckwheats
Seeds are maturing and dropping off to reseed the plot. However, where the buckwheats were blown over in the windstorm almost none of them survived. Somehow, their stalks being in contact with the ground caused them to die.
Hops
Cones continue to mature and are ready for harvest. We are approaching the time when 75% of the cones would be ready which would be the time that a commercial grower would harvest the entire crop.
Peppers
We continue to harvest peppers. Our efforts in prevention and remediation have paid off – pulling back the mulch, feeding with Epsom salt.
Special thanks to Roger for compiling this week's report.
