Download INSIDE Pollination and Importance of Seed Formation in Cucurbit

Vegetable Crops Edition
April 21, 2010
Plant & Pest Advisory
A Rutgers Cooperative Extension Publication
Pollination and Importance of Seed
Formation in Cucurbit Crops
and Strawberries
Michelle Casella, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, Gloucester County
P
INSIDE
Pollination and Importance of
Seed Formation in Cucurbit
Crops and Strawberries............1
Hardening Vegetable Transplants Before Going to the
Field..............................................2
Vegetable Disease Update........3
Vegetable Disease of the Week...5
Pest Notes....................................5
April Strawberry Checklist......6
Weekly Weather Summary.......7
ollination is the event that occurs when pollen is moved from
the male flower or male parts of a flower (stamen) to the
female part of the flower (stigma). A pollen grain then germinates and forms a pollen tube. The pollen tube carries the pollen grain
to the ovule and the miracle of fertilization occurs. Just like in animals,
if the sperm doesn’t reach the egg then there isn’t an embryo. In plants,
successful pollination resulting in fertilization creates a viable seed. In
seed production attaining fertilization means having viable seeds to
plant and create the next generation. In crop production, fertilization
results in having marketable fruit to harvest in most cases. Plant hormones called auxins given off by the fertilized embryo (seed) will promote fruit formation in crops like cucurbits (squash, melons, pumpkin,
cucumber, etc.), strawberries and other crops. Without seed formation
fruit do not grow properly, are misshapen and are often considered unmarketable. Also, yields can be lowered since in some cases, fruit will
abort if not pollinated. In zucchini and yellow summer squash female
flowers open 5-7 days before male flowers. This leaves the crop at a
disadvantage early on since there isn’t any pollen to transfer to female
flowers. This is why a majority of the first harvested squash are unmarketable or “knobbed”.
In cucurbit and strawberry crops honeybees and wild bees are the
primary conduit for pollen transfer. In recent years some growers have
tried using bumble bees for field pollination with mixed results. In
order for adequate pollination to occur in these crops bees must visit
each flower multiple times, averaging 20 visits for most cucurbit crops.
In cucurbits you will find separate male flowers and female flowers
on the same plant, except for muskmelons that have male and female
parts on the same flower. In many cases, populations of wild bees are
not adequate for pollination and growers rent or maintain honey bee
hives to enhance pollination and increase yields. In cucurbit crops and
strawberries one to two hives per acre are recommended to achieve acceptable levels of pollination. However, pollination is affected by many
other factors. In cucurbit crops pollination must take place on the day
See Pollination on page 2
Vol. 16 No. 4
Page Pollination from page 1
that the flower opens, since pollen viability, receptiveness of the stigma, and bee
attraction last for only that initial day. If
weather conditions are not conducive to
bee activity on the day the flower opens
pollination may not occur and flowers
and fruit can abort. Honey bees are not
generally active in temperatures below
55 degrees Fahrenheit. Bee activity in
the spring intensifies when temperatures
reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, wind
can be a factor and wind speeds beyond
15 mph can impede bee activity. Keep
hives in areas that are protected from the
wind and allow them exposure to sunshine from morning until evening.
To encourage bee flight orient colony
entrances facing east or southeast. Keep
hives off the ground and keep the front
entrances free of grass and weeds. Using
wooden pallets is a good way to keep
hives elevated. Additionally, flowering
weeds in ditches and hedgerows can be
more attractive to bees, so control these
weeds to reduce competition. There are
many factors affecting pollination, seed
formation and ultimately quality fruit
production. Maintaining healthy plants,
providing an adequate population of
pollinators, and favorable weather conditions will all work to your advantage in
producing high yielding, quality cucurbit
and strawberry crops. o
Hardening Vegetable Transplants
Before Going to the Field
Michelle Casella, Gloucester County Agricultural Agent
T
wo weeks ago we had a taste of summer with higher than
normal temperatures. This past week temperatures were more
seasonable and night temperatures were a bit lower than normal.
Before setting transplants in the field make sure to harden off the
plants to prevent damage from cool temperatures and wind. To harden
transplants reduce the amount of water used, lower temperatures and
stop fertilizing plants. Starter fertilizer can be used a day or two before
planting or if using a waterwheel transplanter it is best to add a soluble
starter fertilizer to the tank water. When hardening off vine crops, tomatoes, peppers, or eggplants, do not lower the temperatures for hardening more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit below the recommended minimum
growing temperature (see chart below).
Leafy greens and flowering cole crops (broccoli, cauliflower)
should not be hardened under very low temperatures to avoid premature flowering or bolting. Tomatoes that are hardened with daytime
temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for more than one week may cause
increased incidence of catfacing in some varieties. It is best to harden
tomatoes by withholding nitrogen and water. Allow tomato plants to
wilt slightly between watering to harden. With peppers also reduce
water, lower temperatures and limit fertilizer. Do not drop temperatures
below 65 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 55 degrees Fahrenheit
during the night. Temperatures below 55 may cause chilling injury that
will delay regrowth of transplants when they are set in the field.
For more information on transplant production and hardening of
transplants see the 2010 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide for NJ pages A2-A4.
Minimum Temperatures for Transplant Production
Crops Minimum Temperature Degrees Fahrenheit*
Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower
60
Cucumber, Squash, Melons
65
Tomato, Pepper
60
Eggplant
65
Lettuce
40
*For hardening transplants do not let temperatures get below 5 degrees
of the listed minimum growth temperature listed above.
Page Vol. 16 No. 4
Vegetable Disease Update
Andy Wyenandt, Ph.D., Specialist in Vegetable
Pathology and Wesley Kline, Ph.D., Cumberland County Agricultural Agent
✔ Asparagus – Phytophthora crown and spear rot
– In fields with low spots (poorly drained soils) or fields
with a history of crown and/or spear rot apply Ridomil
Gold 4EC (mefenoxam, 4) at 1.0 pt/A, or Ultra Flourish
2E/A (mefenoxam, 4) at 2.0 pt/A, or MetaStar 2E (metalaxyl, 4) at 2.0 qt/A over beds just before 1st harvest. For
new plantings, apply the same after planting or after
crown covering. Do not apply Ridomil or MetaStar one
day prior to harvest or illegal residues may result. For
more information please see 2010 New Jersey Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide.
✔ Cabbage – Damping-off – To help control losses
due to damping-off pathogens apply Ridomil Gold
(mefenoxam, FRAC code 4) at 1 to 2 pt/A 4E or Quadris
(azoxystrobin, 11) at 0.40 to 0.80 fl oz 2.08SC/1000 row
ft (for Rhizoctonia only), or Ridomil Gold at 1 to 2 pt/A
4E plus Quadris at 0.40 to 0.80 fl oz 2.08SC/1000 row
ft. in a band up to 7 in. after seeding. For more information please see 2010 New Jersey Commercial Vegetable
Production Recommendations Guide.
✔ Cole crops – Downy Mildew and Alternaria
–Symptoms of downy mildew include purple to yellowish-brown spots on upper leaf surfaces. A grayish-white
spore mass will develop and cover the underside of
leaves under ideal temperatures (night temperatures of
46 to 61oF and day temperatures below 75oF. Downy
mildew can kill young plants. Heavily infected leaves
may drop providing entry points for bacterial infections (black rot and soft rot). Symptoms of Alternaria
on infected leaves include small, expanding circular
lesions with concentric rings that may have a ‘shot-hole’
appearance as lesions age. Heavily infected seedlings
may result in damping-off. Control of Downy mildew
and Alternaria begin with preventative fungicide applications. Use one of the following at the first sign of
disease and continue every 7 to 10 days (Please refer to
the pesticide table on page F21 of the 2010 NJ Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations to determine which fungicide is labeled for each specific crop.):
Quadris (azoxystrobin, 11) at 6.0 to 15.5 fl oz 2.08SC/A,
or chlorothalonil (M5) at 1.5 pt 6F/A or OLF, or Cabrio
(pyraclostrobin, 11) at 12.0 to 16.0 oz 20EG/A, or Endura
(boscalid, 7) at 6.0 to 9.0 oz 70WG/A, or Ridomil Gold
Bravo (mefenoxam + chlorothalonil, 4 + M5) at 1.5 lb
76.5WP/A (14-day schedule), or Switch (cyprodinil, 9) at
11.0 to 14.0 oz 62.5WG/A (Alternaria only). For downy
mildew only, apply Actigard (acibenzolar-S-methyl, P) at
1.0 oz 50WG/A (begin applications 7-10 days after thinning and re-apply every 7 days for a total of 4 applications per season.), or Aliette (fosletyl Al, 33) at 3.0 to 5.0
Vol. 16 No. 4
lb 80WDG/A (on 14-day schedule). For more information please see 2010 New Jersey Commercial Vegetable
Production Recommendations Guide.
✔ Leeks (overwintered, spring transplanted)
- Purple blotch – Purple blotch may survive on infected
plant material in overwinter plantings and may cause
problems in spring transplanted fields and seedbeds. As
the weather begins to warm up and spring showers arrive
Purple blotch may become problematic in some fields.
Symptoms of Purple blotch include tannish-brown, elongated, concentric, circular lesions with chlorotic margins
with lesions running parallel with leaf veins. Control of
Purple blotch begins with preventative fungicide applications.
Alternate the following fungicides on a 7 to 10 day
interval:
Quadris (azoxystrobin, FRAC code 11) at 6.0-12.0 fl
oz 2.08SC/A, or
Endura (boscalid, 7) at 6.8 oz 70WP/A, or
Pristine (pyraclostrobin + boscalid, 11 + 7) at 10.5 to
18.5 oz 38WP/A, or
Folicur (tebuconazole, 3) at 4.0 to 5.0 fl oz 3.6F/A
Applications of Quadris or Pristine at high rates will
also help control Downy mildew.
✔ Lettuce – Bottom Rot/Drop – Spring lettuce
season is beginning and growers should take precautions
to help control Bottom rot (Rhizoctonia) and Lettuce
drop (Sclerotinia) which may cause potential problems.
For Bottom rot, Endura 70W (boscalid, FRAC code 7) at
8.0 to 11.0 oz 70W/A, or iprodione (FRAC code 2) at 1.5
to 2.0 lb 50WP/A or OLF should be applied one week
after transplanting or thinning and 10 and 20 days later.
For Lettuce drop, apply Endura (FRAC code 7) at 8.0 to
11.0 oz 70WG/A, or Botran (dichloran, FRAC code 14)
at 2.0 to 5.5 lb 75WP/A, or iprodione (FRAC code 2) at
1.5 to 2.0 lb/A beginning one week after transplanting or
thinning and again at 10 and 20 days later. For more information on control of Bottom rot and Lettuce drop and
other important diseases of lettuce please see the 2010
New Jersey Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide.
✔ Parsley – Septoria Blight /Bacterial (blight) leaf
spot – Leaf spots caused by Septoria blight are easily
distinguished by small, angular to round leaf spots with
grayish-brown centers with a definitive dark, brown
margin. Numerous black fruiting bodies develop in the
center of lesions. Septoria blight is spread by wind-driven rain, heavy dews and overhead irrigation. Workers
and equipment may also spread the disease during wet
conditions. Best management practices include i) proper
crop rotations of at least 2 years and by using clean or
treated seed ii) scouting fields early for symptom development iii) keeping workers and equipment out of fields
with wet foliage iv) plowing under residue of harvested
crop and avoid planting in fields adjacent or near previSee Disease Update on page 4
Page Disease Update from page 3
ously infected fields. Applications of Quadris (azoxystrobin, 11) at 6.0 to 15.5 fl oz 2.08SC/A and a fixed
copper at labeled rates can be alternated every 7 days
for control. Bacterial leaf spot (Psuedomonas syringae)
of parsley can also show up at the same time as Septoria
blight. Leaf spots caused by Bacterial blight appear as
small brown to black spots on the leaves. The pathogen
can be soil or seed borne and develops during cool,
moist weather. The disease spreads during cool, rainy
weather or with overhead irrigation; and is exacerbated
by high plant density. The same control measures listed
for Septoria will assist in preventing the spread of Bacterial leaf spot as long as the fixed copper is included with
azoxystrobin and the fungicides are applied preventatively. If Oxidate is used, follow the label carefully.
✔ Spring Peas – Damping-off -Use an approved
seed treatment, or treat seed with a slurry or dust that
contains an approved commercial fungicide-insecticide mixture. See table on page E34 for seed treatment
options. For Pythium control and/or for damping-off
and root rot caused by Pythium, apply Ridomil Gold
(mefenoxam, 4) at 0.5 to 1.0 pt 4E/A or Quadris (azoxystrobin, 11) at 0.40 to 0.80 fl oz 2.08SC/1000 row ft as a
broadcast treatment at seeding. For more information on
seed treatment options and control please see the 2010
New Jersey Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide.
✔ Spinach Greens (Damping-off) – See table on
page E46 for seed treatment options. Apply Ridomil
Gold 4E/A (mefenoxam, 4) at 1.0 to 2.0 pt/A, or Ultra
Flourish 2E (mefenoxam, 4) at 2.0 to 4.0 pt/A, or Metastar (metalaxyl, 4) at 4.0 to 8.0 pt 2E/A pre-plant incorporated or as a soil surface spray after planting. For more
information please see the 2010 New Jersey Commercial
Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide.
✔ Spinach (White rust & Downy mildew) - Scout
on a regular basis, especially if spring plantings are near
overwintered fields. Beginning 2 to 3 weeks after emergence (and prior to symptom development), apply the
following on a 7 to 10 day schedule: Quadris (azoxystrobin, 11) at 6.0 to 15.5 fl oz 2.08SC/A, or Cabrio (pyraclostrobin, 11) at 12.0 to 16.0 oz 20EG/A, or Reason
(fenimadone, 11) at 5.5 to 8.2 fl oz 500SC/A, or Tanos
(famoxodone + cymoxanil, 11 + 27 ) at 8.0 to 10.0 oz
50W/A. Rotate to one of the following fungicides: Revus
(mandipropamid, 40) at 8.0 fl oz 2.08F, or Presidio
(fluopicolide, 43) at 3.0 to 4.0 fl oz 4SC/A, or Actigard
(acibenzolar-S-methyl, P) at 0.75 oz 50WG/A, or Aliette
(fosetyl Al, 33) at 3.0 lb 80WDG/A, or fixed copper
(FRAC code M1) at labeled rates (Copper containing fungicides may cause some phytotoxicity), or Ridomil Gold
Copper (mefenoxam + copper, 4 + M1) at 2.5 lb 65WP/
A (on 14-day schedule). For more information please see
the 2010 New Jersey Commercial Vegetable Production
Recommendations Guide.
Page ✔ Strawberry – Anthracnose fruit rot -Strawberry
anthracnose can be extremely destructive during warm,
wet weather causing significant fruit rot. Symptoms
of Anthracnose include blackish-brown circular spots
on maturing green fruit and soft, sunken (flat) circular
lesions on ripe fruit. On ripe fruit, lesions can expand
rapidly and are often covered with a pinkish-orange
spore mass. Spores are spread from infected to healthy
fruit with splashing water. Control of Anthracnose always
begins with a 7 to 10 day preventative spray program no
later than 10% bloom and/or prior to disease development. For control apply the following combinations:
#1) captan (M3) at 4.0 lb 50WP/A plus Pristine
(pyraclostrobin + boscalid, 11 + 7) at 18.5 to 23.0
oz 38WG/A
#2) captan (M3) at 4.0 lb 50WP/A plus Abound
(azoxystrobin, 11) at 6.0 to 15.5 fl. oz 2.08SC/A
or Cabrio (pyraclostrobin, 11) at 12.0 to 14.0 oz
20EG/A
#3) Captevate (captan + fenhexamid, M3 + 17) at
3.5 to 5.25 lb 68WDG/A
For subsequent applications, alternate:
Captan (M3) at 4.0 lb 50WP/A plus Abound (azoxystrobin, 11) at 6.0 to 15.5 fl oz 2.08SC/A, or
Cabrio (pyraclostrobin, 11) at 12.0 to 14.0 oz 20EG/
A plus captan (M3) at 4.0 lb 50WP/A, or
Captevate (captan + fenhexamid, M3 + 17) at 3.5 to
5.25 lb 68WDG/A
To help manage fungicide resistance development,
do not make more than 2 consecutive applications of either: Pristine (pyraclostrobin + boscalid, 11 + 7), Cabrio
(pyraclostrobin, 11) or Abound/Quadris (azoxystrobin,
11) before switching to another fungicide chemistry.
✔ Strawberry – Botrytis (Gray Mold) and Blossom
blight – can cause serious losses in strawberry plantings
in high tunnels and the field if not controlled properly.
Development is favored by moderate temperatures (59
to 77 F) with prolonged periods of high relative humidity
and surface wetness. Control of Gray mold begins with
preventative fungicide applications. Apply at 5 to 10
percent bloom and every 10 days until harvest. During
periods of excessive moisture, spray intervals of 5 to 7
days may be necessary. Rotate fungicide chemistries to
aid fungicide resistance management.
Application #1: captan (M3) at 4.0 lb 50WP/A
plus Topsin M (thiophanate-methyl, 1) at 1.0 lb
70WP/A or Switch (cyprodinil, 9) at 11.0 to 14.0 oz.
62.5WG/A
Application #2; Elevate (fenhexamid, 17 - See
restrictions) at 1.1 to 1.5 lb 50WDG/A, or Pristine
(pyraclostrobin + boscalid, 11 + 7) at 18.5 to 23.0
oz. 38WG/A
Application #3: captan (M3) at 4.0 lb 50WP/A plus
Topsin M (thiophanate-methyl, 1) at 1.0 lb 70WP or
Switch (cyprodinil, 9) at 11.0 to 14.0 oz. 62.5WG/A
See Strawberry on page 5
Vol. 16 No. 4
Vegetable Disease
of the Week
Andy Wyenandt, Ph.D., Specialist in Vegetable
Pathology
White rust on bottom side of infected spinach leaf.
Strawberry from page 4
For subsequent applications, alternate:
Captan (M3) at 4.0 lb 50WP/A, or Captevate
(captan + fenhexamid, M3 + 17) at 3.5 to 5.25
lb 68WDG/A, or Switch (cyprodinil, 9) at 11.0 to
14.0 oz. 62.5WG/A or Pristine (pyraclostrobin +
boscalid, 11 +7) at 18.5 to 23.0 oz 38 WG/A, or
Thiram (M3) at 4.0 to 5.0 lb 65WSB/A
Tomato – Bacterial spot and speck – Tomato transplants with suspected symptoms can be treated with
streptomycin (Agri-Mycin 17, Agri-Strep, 25) at 1 lb/100
gallons, or 1.25 teaspoon per gallon every 4 to 5 days
prior to transplanting. Additionally, Kocide 3000 (copper hydroxide, FRAC code M1), the updated formulation from DuPont, has a greenhouse label for speck and
spot control in the greenhouse. Apply ½ to 1.5 TBSP per
1000 sq ft. every 5 to 10 days. Remember, phytoxicity
is an important issue when apply copper in enclosed
structures, see label for cautions, restrictions and liabilities. After transplanting, apply Actigard at 0.33 oz
50WG/A (see label for use), or fixed copper (M1) at 1 lb
a.i./A plus a mancozeb (Dithane, Manzate, Penncozeb,
M3) at 1.5 lb 75DF or OLF, or ManKocide (M1 + M3) at
2.5 to 5.0 lb 61WP/A on a 7 day schedule. o
Vol. 16 No. 4
Pest Notes
Gerald M. Ghidiu, Ph.D., Specialist in Vegetable
Entomology
Two New Seed and At-Plant Labels for
Vegetables 2010
FarMore Technology – Seed companies are offering seed treated with FarMore Technology by Syngenta
this spring. The DI400 Seed Treatment combines Dynasty, Apron and Maxim fungicides with thiamethoxam
insecticide at prescribed rates for certain small-seeded
vegetable crops (cucurbits and lettuces/leafy vegetables).
Thiamethoxam is the same active ingredient as found in
Cruiser seed treatment, and Platinum and Actara insecticides. Licensees for use of this product include Syngenta
Seeds, Nunhems, Rupp, Seminis, Harris-Moran, Camterter, Incotech, Seed Dynamics, GTG and Skagit Seed
Services (and possible Eastern Seed Services in NJ).
Because the FarMore brand is a marketing device for
combinations of labeled seed treatment products, there
are no existing labels for ‘FarMore’ at the Syngenta site,
but there are links to licensed seed treaters and use of
seed treated with this product.
Remember that this is not a seed treatment you can
purchase separately to treat your own seeds. You must
purchase the treated seeds from a licensed seed company.
Long Island, Delaware and Virginia have used seed
treatments for control of pests such as cucumber beetles
and aphids on cucurbits and report excellent control.
Alternatives to seed treatments include drench, infurrow, post-planting applications and foliar applications
for aphids and cucumber beetles (many different chemistry products are effective and available).
Belay – The active ingredient in Belay is clothianidin, a neonicotinoid similar in chemistry and activity
to imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and dinotefuron. Last
year it was labeled on potatoes only (as a seed treatment,
in-furrow, etc), but Belay just received a label for use on
Brassica vegetables, cucurbits, fruiting vegetables (pepper, tomato, eggplant, pepino, others), leafy vegetables,
and tuberous and corm vegetables. It can be applied
as a soil application on the row just prior to planting,
in-furrow at planting, as a sidedress to both sides of the
row, as a seeding drench or transplant water drench, or
via chemigation. Belay controls aphids, flea beetles,
leafhoppers, stinkbugs, thrips, whiteflies and other pests
(it does not control Lepidopteran pests, such as corn
borers, armyworms, earworms, etc). Belay is labeled
for white grub control in sweet potatoes (with wireworm
suppression).
Belay has been tested side-by-side with Admire, Platinum and Venom for control of beetles, thrips, leafhopSee Labels on page 6
Page Labels from page 5
pers, and aphids in various research trials throughout the
US, and has been as effective as the others. It has been
a very effective in controlling Colorado potato beetle
when used as a seed-treatment in white potatoes, or as
a foliar spray. Keep in mind that it belongs to the same
chemistry family as the others, and should be rotated
with other non-neonicotinoid insecticides to reduce the
insecticide-resistance pressure on insect pests. o
Quick Links
Mark your calendars for this coming Saturday
April 24th for Rutgers Day (Ag Field Day) from 10
AM until 4 PM at the School of Environmental and
Biological Sciences (formerly Cook College) campus
in New Brunswick! (http://agfieldday.rutgers.edu) o
Page April Strawberry Checklist
Adapted from the NY Berry news article by Cathy
Heidenreich, Cornell University, (http://www.nysaes.
cornell.edu/pp/extension/tfabp/newslett.shtml)
Frost Alert! The heat wave that blanketed us in late
March/early April has pushed the clock ahead in terms of
small fruit growth and development, but frost free dates
for much of the state are still a few weeks away. Have
your frost protection ready. For details on strawberry frost
protection see:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/
frosprot_straw.htm
Established strawberries: Prepare for frost control;
conduct spring weed control; treat for leaf spot diseases
early in the season where leaf disease was pressure was
high the previous growing season.
New strawberry plantings: Check plants on arrival to
be sure they are in good condition; moisten as necessary.
Keep dormant runner plants in cold storage (30-32 degrees) in plastic bags if they cannot be planted immediately. Conduct preplant weed management. Build raised
beds if desired; 8-10” high by 24” wide. Lay out the field
prior to planting day. Stake rows with wire flags. Check
your row spacing to allow for easy equipment movement
and access later on: use in-row spacing for matted rows
of 18-24” with between-row spacing of 48-52”, depending on equipment size. If using biodegradable mulch, lay
1-2 days prior to planting. Apply at slightly looser tension
than conventional plastics. Do not apply at temperatures
above 80 degrees. If you use a mechanical planter, have
it tuned up and ready to go. Place roots in water ½ to
1 hour before planting. Keep plants moist during the
planting process. Plants should be set with the center of
the crown level with the soil surface. Check depth after
planting; firm soil around plants. Irrigate immediately to
settle soil around roots and reduce transplant shock. o
Vol. 16 No. 4
Weekly Weather Summary
Keith Arnesen, Ph.D., Agricultural Meteorologist
T
emperatures averaged near normal, averaging 50 degrees north, 52 degrees central and 54 degrees south. Extremes were 82 degrees at Seabrook on the 8th, and 32 degrees at Flemington and Downstown on the 14th.
Weekly rainfall averaged 0.41 inches north, 0.13 inches central, and 0.28 inches south. The heaviest 24 hour total
reported was 0.62 inches at Belvidere on the 16th to 17th. Estimated soil moisture, in percent of field capacity, this
past week averaged 92 percent north, 81 percent central and 81 percent south. Four inch soil temperatures averaged
52 degrees north, 54 degrees central and 56 degrees south.
Weather Summary for the Week Ending 8 am Monday 4/19/10
R A I N F A L L TEMPERATUREGDD BASE50
WEATHER STATIONS
WEEK TOTAL DEP MX
MN
BELVIDERE BRIDGE
.63
7.74 1.40 71
34
CANOE BROOK
.51
12.50 5.42 74
34
CHARLOTTEBURG
.16
13.40 6.55 70
34
FLEMINGTON
.36
10.99 4.25 72
32
NEWTON
.39
9.44 3.39 70
34
FREEHOLD
.10
10.88 4.10 71
34
LONG BRANCH
.15
11.18 4.16 72
38
NEW BRUNSWICK
.15
11.64 5.21 74
36
TOMS RIVER
.11
10.30 3.52 73
34
TRENTON
.16
8.13 1.98 73
37
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE .17
8.55 2.58 77
34
DOWNSTOWN
.26
8.58 2.43 81
32
GLASSBORO
.38
8.85 2.39 76
40
HAMMONTON
.21
8.89 2.64 78
34
POMONA
.21
9.21 3.15 74
34
SEABROOK
.43
8.28 2.84 82
37
SOUTH HARRISON*
.37
6.97 .98
78
40
* missing some data
WES KLINE -- GDD BASE 40 PINEY HOLLOW
LAST WEEK 170 (ENDING 4/12/10)
THIS WEEK 90 (Ending 4/19/10)
MON
AVG
49.
52.
50.
50.
49.
52.
51.
52.
52.
53.
54.
53.
54.
54.
53.
55.
54
DEP
-2
2
2
-1
0
0
0
-1
1
-1
1
-1
0
1
1
1
NA
TOT
122
179
127
157
130
191
120
173
156
217
133
192
221
222
181
241
220
DEP
120
179
127
156
130
184
117
161
153
195
117
168
199
202
172
215
%FC
98
87
89
95
95
82
74
90
68
77
76
75
85
71
73
87
Weather Stations by County
Belvidere Bridge
Canoe Brook
Charlotteburg
Flemington
Newton
Freehold
Long Branch
New Brunswick
Toms River
Vol. 16 No. 4
Warren
Essex
Morris
Hunterdon
Sussex
Monmouth
Monmouth
Middlesex
Ocean
Trenton
Cape May Court House
Downstown
Glassboro
Hammonton
Pomona
Seabrook
South Harrison
Mercer
Cape May
Gloucester/Atlantic
county line
Gloucester
Atlantic
Atlantic
Cumberland
Gloucester
Page Plant & Pest Advisory
Rutgers School of Environmental
and Biological Sciences
ASB II, 57 US Hwy. 1
New Brunswick, N.J. 08901
MILLTOWN, NJ 08850
FIRST CLASS
POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #576
PLANT & PEST ADVISORY
VEGETABLE CROPS EDITION CONTRIBUTORS
Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension Specialists
Gerald M. Ghidiu, Ph.D., Vegetable Entomology
George Hamilton, Ph.D., Pest Management
Joseph R. Heckman, Ph.D., Soil Fertility
Bradley A. Majek, Ph.D., Weed Science
Andy Wyenandt, Ph.D., Vegetable Pathology
Rutgers NJAES-CE County Agricultural Agents
Atlantic, Richard W. VanVranken (609-625-0056)
Burlington, Raymond J. Samulis (609-265-5050)
Cape May, Jenny Carleo (609-465-5115)
Cumberland, Wesley Kline, Ph.D. (856-451-2800)
Gloucester, Michelle Infante-Casella (856-307-6450)
Hunterdon, Winfred P. Cowgill, Jr. (908-788-1338)
Middlesex, William T. Hlubik (732-398-5260)
Monmouth, Bill Sciarappa, Ph.D. (732-431-7260)
Morris, Peter J. Nitzsche (973-285-8300)
Passaic, Elaine F. Barbour, Agric. Assistant (973-305-5740)
Salem (856-769-0090)
Warren, William H. Tietjen (908-475-6505)
Vegetable IPM Program (732-932-9802)
Joseph Ingerson-Mahar, Vegetable IPM Coordinator
Kristian E. Holmstrom, Research Project Coordinator II
Newsletter Production
Jack Rabin, Associate Director for Farm Services, NJAES
Cindy Rovins, Agricultural Communications Editor
Pesticide User Responsibility: Use pesticides safely and follow instructions on
labels. The pesticide user is reponsible for
proper use, storage and disposal, residues
on crops, and damage caused by drift. For
specific labels, special local-needs label
24(c) registration, or section 18 exemption,
contact RCE in your County.
Use of Trade Names: No discrimination
or endorsement is intended in the use of
trade names in this publication. In some
instances a compound may be sold under
different trade names and may vary as to
label clearances.
Reproduction of Articles: RCE invites
reproduction of individual articles, source
cited with complete article name, author
name, followed by Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Plant & Pest Advisory Newsletter.
The Vegetable Crops On-Line Resource
Center website is a dedicated source for information on production, insect, weed and disease
management, food safety, marketing and more:
www.njveg.rutgers.edu
For back issues of the Plant & Pest Advisory:
www.rce.rutgers.edu/pubs/plantandpestadvisory