Friday, June 19, 2015

IPM Notes from June 18, 2015

Due to the rain, an abbreviated IPM session was held today.

Continuing the strawberry analysis from last week, Rob Mazza provided additional data. The picking of strawberries is nearing completion for the May-June period. (Ever bearing berries may be picked later this year). After harvesting strawberries for the past 22 days for 20 plants, a total of 3,551 berries were picked. A total of 62.9 pounds of strawberries were harvested, which averaged a little more than 3 pounds per plant. As mentioned last week, in the near future the plants will be cut back and old straw replaced with new to mitigate gray mold disease in the future

A quick walk through the field corn is showing very noticeable insect damage to the non-BT corn, mainly from the corn borer. Since the corn borer can have multiple generations in one season, one can see that non-BT corn can be severely weakened by the corn borer and blown down by high winds before a September-October harvest. The field corn is in the 8th to 9th leaf stage.

The soybeans planted around May 15 are in the 6th trifoliate leaf stage. The soybean field behind them and the field corn are starting to pick up with the recent rainfall. There was about .5 inch of rainfall received this morning. These  soybeans were not planted too deeply due to the earlier dry weather. Additional soybeans were seeded over the oat field that was recently harvested.

In the demonstration plots the millet seeds and broomcorn seeds are beginning to germinate. They were both weeded on Wendesday. The millet will need about 1.5 cups of fertilizer, while the broomcorn will need to be thinned out. The pumpkin plants are showing damage from the cucumber beetle, grasshoppers and moths. Today there were about 10 cucumber beetles in one pumpkin flower alone. The hops are beginning to sprout their buds. The scent from the lupulin bud was evident. The blueberries are beginning to ripen. Both the Bell peppers and hot peppers are growing well at this early stage.

Below is the weekly summary for the insects caught in the four insect traps. Once again, traps 3 and 4 are collecting the most insects.


Trap 1 (Black Cut Worm) – Nothing.

Trap 2 (European Corn Borer) – 1 chaffer beetle.

Trap 3 (Fall Army Worm) – 14 true army worm 1 each bumble bee, diptera and coleoptera

Trap 4 (Corn Ear Worm) – 18 noctuids, 2 chaffer beetles, 1 each sap beetle and corn borer.


Notes compiled by John Siemanowski



Friday, June 12, 2015

IPM Notes from June 11, 2015

A preliminary analysis was provided by Rob Mazza regarding the strawberry crop. So far this season about 50 pounds of strawberries have been picked from 20 plants, including the picking from this morning. In order by berry size, the largest was All-Star (June bearing), then Chandler (June bearing), and then Tribute (Ever bearing). A total of 2,245 strawberries have been picked - 810 for Chandler, 784 for Tribute, and 651 for All-Star. Gray mold disease, or Botrytis blight, has damaged a significant number of berries. The bigger leaf canopy of the plant, along with recent moisture and humidity has led to an increase in the disease. In the near future the plants will be cut back, and old straw replaced with new.

The field corn is in the 5th to 6th leaf stage. The cornfield was fertilized recently because last week the new growth had shown signs of yellowing. The field corn looks greener now, but since it is not BT corn, the plant is showing damage from the corn borer. A similar pattern of holes can be seen in the plant before the collars had fully opened. Frass was also noted. Since the corn borer can have multiple generations in one season, one can see that non-BT corn can be severely weakened by the corn borer and high winds before a September-October harvest.

The soybean field behind the field corn was not planted too deeply due to the dry weather and rye residue remaining in the field. With some recent rain the soybeans have started to germinate. Time will tell if the soybean field growth will look spotty because some of the shallow seeding will not take hold and therefore not germinate. There is another soybean crop and because of groundhog damage and previous dry weather the field looks spotty.

The sweet corn is in the 4th leaf stage. Weeds, probably foxtail, are becoming a problem in the sweet cornfield and will need to be monitored.

The oat field has been cut and is drying by tedding (turning it over). The harvesting process takes about 3 days, similar to alfalfa. The alfalfa field is showing good growth after being cut about 3 weeks ago. Possible alfalfa plant damage can come from the alfalfa weevil, leaf hoppers, caterpillar and cabbage loopers.

The Padron peppers, which were struggling last week, have rebounded. Unfortunately they're showing insect damage, possibly from the potato beetle. The weeds in this field have also diminished.

In the demonstration plots the tomato plants having the Colorado potato beetle and its eggs last week, could not be seen today. The pumpkin plants were sprayed because of the presence of the cucumber beetle. The millet seeds and broom corn seeds are beginning to germinate. The hops are being eaten less by the tent caterpillar as they were sprayed last week.

Below is the weekly summary for the insects caught in the four insect traps. Insects caught this season, so far, have been greater in number than last year.

Trap 1 (Black Cut Worm) – 5 black cut worm.

Trap 2 (European Corn Borer) – 1 each wasp and ladybug.

Trap 3 (Fall Army Worm) – 14 true army worm.

Trap 4 (Corn Ear Worm) – 21 noctuids, 1 corn ear worm, 1 click beetle.



Compiled by John Siemanowski



Friday, June 5, 2015

IPM Notes from June 4, 2015

The Pedrone peppers, which were planted as part of a research project, are struggling. Many have not survived. They were planted during the period of hot, dry and windy weather. In addition, weeds like lambs quarter, velvet leaf and spiny amaranth are creeping into the pepper field, competing for space, water and nutrition.

The field corn is in the 6th leaf stage, and the newer growth is showing some yellowing, signaling a lack of nitrogen. This cornfield also has its share of crabgrass, and in one small sample area a large number of small grubs were uncovered from the ground. These grubs will eventually turn into Japanese beetles, June bugs and Chaffer beetles. Since grubs will eat the roots of the corn plant, one needs to monitor the feeding damage, if any, in the next few weeks.

As noted last week, in the soybean field behind the field corn the soybean seeds were not planted too deeply due to the dry weather and rye residue remaining in the field. This week most of the soybeans still have not germinated. There is concern that in time the soybean field growth will look spotty because some of the shallow seeding will not take hold and therefore not germinate.

There is another soybean crop in the second trifoliate stage and because of groundhog damage and previous dry weather the field looks spotty.

The sweet corn is in the 4th leaf stage. The sweet corn, like the field corn, is showing some yellowing due to its new quick growth from the rain. It will need nitrogen fertilizer going into its 5th or 6th leaf stage.

In the demonstration plots the tomato plants still need to be monitored for the Colorado potato beetle and its eggs. They've been appearing in a lesser number every day. The pumpkin plants are greening-up. No bug issues so far with the pumpkin plants. The strawberries are being harvested, weighed and tasted. The millet seeds and broom corn seeds were planted yesterday. The hops are being eaten by the tent caterpillar and some sort of beetle. The hops are also showing signs of powdery mildew. Below is the weekly summary for the insects caught in the four insect traps.


Below is the weekly summary for the insects caught in the four insect traps.

Trap 1 (Black Cut Worm) – 5 black cut worm, 1 hemiptera.

Trap 2 (European Corn Borer) – 1 each European corn borer and ladybug.

Trap 3 (Fall Army Worm) – 10 true army worm.

Trap 4 (Corn Ear Worm) – 32 noctuids, 1 corn ear worm.



Notes compiled by John Siemanonski


Friday, May 29, 2015

IPM Notes from May 28, 2015

The cornfield for the most part looks good. There is however a growing number of small weeds, namely crabgrass, that will need to be sprayed or turned under. Other weeds present included lambs quarter, curly doc, jimson weed and velvet leaf. There were a number of black swallowtail larvae feasting on what appeared to be several sweet potato plants that were grown in the area last year. The corn is in the 5th or 6th leaf stage, so the growing point is just above ground. Because of this, the corn plant is now susceptible to any type of damage from weather, insects and disease.

The rye field has been cut and harvested. Soybeans have now been seeded over the rye (double cropping). Due to the dry weather and rye residue remaining in the field, the soybean seeds were not planted too deeply. There is concern that in time the soybean field growth will look spotty because some of the shallow seeding will not take hold and therefore not germinate.

A square plastic device was randomly used several times in the alfalfa field to measure the percentage of alfalfa and orchard grass within the square. The idea is to see if the alfalfa field is generating enough growth (over 25%) for harvesting. Random estimates taken today were around 50% alfalfa and orchard grass within the square. The alfalfa plant is also susceptible to crown rot and the alfalfa weevil. In addition, netting was used to randomly sweep the alfalfa field for various insects. Leafhoppers, aphids and alfalfa weevils were found in the sweep.

The oat crop is suffering from severe cereal leaf beetle damage. Numerous cereal leaf beetles were also seen on the oats. The oats will soon be harvested and bailed and used for feed for the sheep.

The soybean crop is in the first trifoliate stage, and because of deer damage and dry weather the field looks spotty. Ideally there should be about 150,000 soybean plants per acre.

In the demonstration plots the tomato plants were infested with the Colorado potato beetle and its eggs. This may be a very bad year for this beetle. Four pumpkin plants were planted yesterday, along with four pumpkin seeds. The pumpkin plot is new this year. The strawberries are beginning to be harvested. Among the June bearing berries, the Chandler cultivar is producing more berries with better taste than the All-Star cultivar. The everbearing strawberry – Tribute, has produced a good harvest as well so far. The strawberry plants look good. The blueberry plants look good, but one or two need some pruning of old wood.

Finally, noticed in the field today and also gathered within the insect traps were a large number of Colorado potato beetles, black cut worm and fall armyworm. The county help-line was also alerted regarding the presence of these three pests.


Compiled by John Siemanowski


Friday, May 15, 2015

IPM Notes from May 14, 2015

This morning master gardeners were made aware of a new pest, the spotted lantern fly. Native to Southeast Asia, it is currently present in Berks county, PA. Local officials there are trying to quarantine the pest. It is yellow and red with black spots, and attacks the phloem of the plant. It has already infected apples, grapes, pine trees and ornamentals.

Regarding corn, a comment was made that currently in the United States the same amount of corn produced today from 84 million acres equals the 1930 corn production from 490 million acres. As we walked in the field corn, various small annual weeds were beginning to emerge. These included marestail, yellow sedge, velvetleaf, crabgrass, and wild garlic. Weeds can be a future problem if the corn is not tall enough to crowd them out. One sample showed 6 weeds within a square foot. If need be a possible herbicide would be used if the weeds get out of control.

The cornfield showed very little damage from cutworm (no cut plants), grubs (no stunting of growth), and slugs (no leaf decay). The cornfield still has good moisture, despite little recent rain. As the corn plant grows and draws more moisture from the ground, additional water (rain) will be needed. The seeds were planted about 2 weeks ago, and are currently in the 2nd collar leaf stage. Currently, the growing point is below ground. At the 4th or 5th leaf stage the growing point is exposed above ground.

Random population counts were performed today in the cornfield. This was done by measuring 17 ½ feet and then counting the number of plants within that space, and then multiplying by 1,000 to estimate the corn production per acre. The random three counts taken were 26, 27 and 27. When multiplied by 1,000 provided 3 estimates of 26,000, 27,000 and 27,000 plants per acre, assuming 30-inch spaces between the rows. One can say that perhaps 30,000 seeds were planted per acre with a germination rate of 90 percent.

The rye field was cut this morning. Later, the rye will be turned over (called tedding) to dry better. Unlike some other grain crops, having a small rainfall on the cut rye will cause the rye color to bleach out to a golden yellow color. This rye, also called long straw, will be used for bedding for the animals. It is not used for feed. Wheat is commonly used for feed.

The soybean seed is a pink seed. This is a treated seed that acts like a fungicide in the early growth stages of the plant. Soybeans were recently planted. Sweet corn and peppers will also be planted.

The oat crop is beginning to wilt. With little recent rain, as the plant is growing, it is pulling more moisture form the soil. Cereal leaf beetle damage can be seen, as well as the beetle itself.

The strawberry plot shows some downy mildew and will need to be monitored. Half of the strawberry plot is slightly taller since it was not cut back in the spring. The hops plot is showing some insect damage of tiny holes in the leaves. The pests were not found.

There few insects found in the insect traps. Only in trap #1 (black cut worm) was there one black cut worm.



Saturday, May 9, 2015

IPM Notes from May 7, 2015

At the beginning of the walk today, information sheets were passed out regarding field corn. Burlington county ranks 4th in New Jersey for grain corn production. Among the various fun facts listed was that there is an estimated 4,200 different uses for corn products. Some products you may not have known that contain corn are toothpaste, shampoo, diapers, envelope adhesives, perfume and aspirin. There was also a comparison between sweet corn and field corn.

Also listed on the information sheets were factors to consider when setting the seeding rate. Some of the things to consider were soil and climate, fertility, planting date and timeliness, genetic variability of the crop, size, vigor and mortality of the seed. After the crop has emerged, the stand density needs to be determined by multiplying plant counts by 1,000 to estimate the population in plants per acre. By making these random counts in five-acre sections at the seedling stage, early-to mid-summer stage, and again in the fall before harvest, a farmer should have a better idea of problem areas and an estimated count of future harvested crop.

Today, some of the field corn seedlings were just emerging. A couple seedlings were dug up looking for possible underground pests – grubs, slugs, and cutworm. Weed seedlings are also emerging. If they continue to grow a herbicide may need to be used in the future.

In the pollinator patch next to the field corn, a brief discussion was held on the various plants growing there. A couple characteristics that may be found on clover are the watermark and its hairs. Orchard grass is more clumping, while Kentucky Blue grass is more spreading. Cabbage loopers were also flying around the pollinator plot, where they lay their larvae.

Behind the field corn is the winter rye field. It may take another 3 to 4 weeks to turn to seed. The flag leaf, right below the grain, is important for the survival of the grain. The next leaf down is also important to the next grain above it. These two leaves should be monitored for possible disease or insect damage. Harvesting the rye takes extra potassium from the soil, which should eventually be replaced.

In front of the rye field was a small segment of plowed ground called the "Plow Layer". This is human made but a very common layer. Often denoted Ap – for "plowed" subset of "A" horizon. Basically homogeneous layer about 6-8 inches deep, formed when land was plowed. This layer long outlives agriculture use of the land. For example, many New England forests exhibit a clear plow layer today from plowing that took place over 100 years ago.

Left of the rye field, oats are beginning to grow. Beyond the oat field lies the alfalfa field. The alfalfa won't be cut until another 10 to 14 days. Usually there is 10% flowering on the plant before it is harvested. Some insect damage and diseases to look for would be damage by the alfalfa weevil (damage on tips), spittle bug, black spot disease. Also look for plant yellowing, or a silver color

Walking across the field today, four insect traps were set in place at different field locations. The Black Cutworm trap was set in front of the pollinator patch. The European Corn Borer trap was set behind the pollinator patch. The Fall Armyworm trap was set a good distance behind the master gardener plots. The Corn Earworm trap was set right behind the master gardener plots.

Notes compiled by John Siemanowski.