IPM Information for April 30, 2013

On April 30th we held our second IPM session of the season.  The traps were examined, but nothing of significance was found.  A few cereal leaf beetles were found, but not in quantities to warrant any concern.

Information was presented on the decision making process and sampling techniques used in IPM.  The basic components of an IPM program such as :

• Pest identification
• Pest monitoring
• Determination of economic injury level
• Pest control strategies

were also reviewed.

Looking for alfalfa weevils and other pest

The threshold or the point at which pest populations or environmental conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken were demonstrated using the alfalfa crop.  Detailed information on the pest should be gathered before any action is taken.  The following list summarizes the key information that should be gathered for each pest:

1. Pest Status
2. Life stage identification
3. Life cycle in relation to growing season
4. Optimal techniques for monitoring populations
5. Opportunities to exploit pest weaknesses
6. Availability of phenology models to enhance timing of control
7. Biological control potential
8. Pros and cons of available tactics

A handout was distributed and information was presented on the six main classes and uses of wheat.  The main classes of wheat we discussed were:

• Durum Wheat, the hardest of all U.S. wheats, is seeded in the spring and contains a high amount of protein (12­16%), which is good for pasta products macaroni, spaghetti, and other noodles.  Total acreage is about 3.2 million acres. 


• Hard Red Spring Wheat contains the highest protein content (13­16.5%) making it an excellent bread wheat with superior milling and baking characteristics.  Total acreage is about 13.8 million acres.


• Hard Red Winter Wheat is the class of wheat used mostly for bread and all-purpose flour.  Hard red winter wheat accounts for more than 40% of the U.S. wheat crop and half of U.S. wheat exports. The flour is used to produce bread, rolls, some sweet goods, and all-purpose flour. Total acreage is about 23 million acres.


• Hard White Wheat is the newest class of wheat to be grown in the United States. Hard white wheat is closely related to red wheats except for the color genes and has a milder, sweeter flavor, equal fiber, and similar milling and baking qualities. Hard white wheat is used in yeast breads, hard rolls, bulgur, tortillas, and oriental noodles. This wheat is used in domestic markets and is exported in limited amounts.  Total acreage is about 0.3 million acres. 


• Soft Red Winter Wheat is seeded in the fall, has a low to medium protein content with soft endosperm, and is used to make cakes, pastries, flat breads, and crackers.Total acreage is about 13.0 million acres.


• Soft White Wheat is used much the same way as soft red wheat (for bakery products other than bread). Total acreage is about 8.3 million acres.

At BCCAC soft red winter red is grown.

Additional Information

Cutworm - Rutgers Agricultural Experiment Station

Ceral Leaf Beetle - Penn State University

Alfalfa Weevil - Penn State University

USA Phenology Network

Phenology - Aldo Leopold Foundation

University of Tennessee - Corn Insect Control Recommendation

University of Missouri-Columbia - Corn Insect Pest: A diagnostic guide

Ohio State University - Classes and Uses of Wheat

Recent Workday at BCCAC

Photos from the most recent workday at the BCCAC (Burlington County Community Agricultural Center).  We began work and prepped the raised beds and rain garden several weeks ago by applying weed barriers and mulch.  To see the results of our work please visit the BCCAC this weekend.

Don't forget that on May 11th the BCCAC will be hosting a Garden Expo from 10am-3pm.  The Garden Expo will feature plant vendors, gardening presentations and a Mother's Day craft for kids. Admission and parking are free.  Please click the FLYER link for additional information.

Applying finishing touches

Add caption

Mission accomplished

Shepherd's Purse

Last Thursday, we began a new season of IPM crop scouting at the BCCAC.  One of the weeds we identified during our session was Shepard's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris). Shepherd's purse is a winter annual or biennial plant that reproduces by seed and is a member of the Mustard family. 

Three major characteristics separate the mustard family from all other plant families:

1. The stamens are tetradynamous, meaning there are four long stamens and two short stamens in each flower (six in total).
2. Each flower bears four petals that form a cross, hence the alternate family name“Cruciferae,” from the Latin cruciform which means “cross-shaped.”
3. The seed pods each have a thin, translucent inner membrane, the replum, that separates the two chambers of the pod, and to which the seeds are attached

 A plant must have all three characteristics to be a mustard.

Shepherd's Purse consists of a rosette of basal leaves up to 9" across, from which one or more flowering stalks develop that are little branched and up to 2½' tall. The size of a plant varies considerably with the fertility of the soil and availability of moisture.  Flowers on Shepherd's-purse are small and white with 4 petals set in the shape of a cross. They are 1/12 to 1/6" wide and occur in elongated clusters at ends of branches on slender stems. Shepherd's Purse can be a problem in grain crops since it can reduce yields.


History

Shepherd's Purse is a literal translation of the species name, bursa-pastoris, which refers to the shape of the seed pods. The pods resemble the pouches carried by early European peasants. Worn at the waist, these purses were packed with enough food to last the day when shepherds tended their flocks far from home.

In southern Europe and southwestern Asia, shepherd's purse has been prized since ancient times for its medicinal value. A tea made from the dried crushed leaves has long been used to stop internal hemorrhages, especially of the stomach, lungs, uterus, and kidneys. During World War I Shepherd's Purse was used to stop internal hemorrhages.

Control

Shepherd's purse has a slender taproot and can be easily hand-pulled or hoed from moist soil in flower and vegetable gardens while plants are young.

In lawns, post-emergent herbicides provide easier control of Shepherd's purse than pre-emergents. Spot treat by spraying individual plants, rather than applying a weed and feed over the entire lawn. If you would rather not spray, the herbicide can be brushed on instead. Apply the herbicide in mid-spring and again in mid-autumn if a new crop of shepherd's purse emerges.

These herbicides are most effective when temperatures are between 60-80 degrees F. Do not spray if temperatures are projected to exceed 85 degrees within the next 48 hours. Choose a time when no rain is forecast for at least 24 and preferably 48 hours. To avoid herbicide drift, spray only when the air is still. Drift can harm or kill desirable broadleaf plants such as flowers, vegetables, trees and shrubs.

Additional Information

UC - Davis - Weed Gallery

Virginia Tech Weed Gallery Photos of Shepherd's Purse

Flora of China - Capsella bursa-pastoris

Penn State - Shepherd's Purse

PA wildflowers by the month - The Rice Pages

The Mustard Family

Mustard Identification - Washington State University

IPM Training

About thirty Rutgers Master Gardeners attended a basic IPM training session this morning . The training was held to prepare participants for the upcoming IPM work at the BCCAC.

More Progress at BCCAC and an IPM Training Reminder

Yesterday, we continued work on the demonstration plots.  Plots were weeded and a weed barrier was applied to the edges of the pollinator demonstration plot.  We were also able to construct a container for our composting demonstration plot. See the photos below.

Compost demonstration plot

Pollinator demonstration plot

Applying weed barrier to the edge of the demonstration plot

I want to remind Rutgers Master Gardeners that Burlington County Agricultural Agent Bill Bamka will be leading the first 2013 Rutgers Master Gardener Advanced Training in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) on Monday, April 22 at 9:00 AM in the kitchen at RCE Westampton. The classroom session will be followed by a field training session on Thursday, April 25 at 9:30 AM at the Burlington County Community Agricultural Center (BCCAC) at 500 Centerton Rd. in Moorestown.  For more information please contact Brooke McMinn at bmcminn@co.burlington.nj.us.

In the beginning ....

A new cycle of planting and growing is about to begin at the Burlington County Agricultural and Community Center.  The demonstration plots have been prepared for the upcoming growing season.  The photographs below show the plots as they stood at the beginning of the week of April 8th.  In addition sharing IPM information, we will be monitoring and reporting on the results of our demonstration plots through weekly postings.  Stay tuned for an exciting season of growing and learning!

Herb demonstration plot

Herb demonstration plot

Active composting plot

Quinoa demonstration plot

Blueberry demonstration plot

Demonstration plot

Peanut demonstration plot

Tomato demonstration

Hops demonstration plot