A. Richard Bonanno, Ph.D., UMass Extension 

There are several changes that appear in the 2012-2013 New England Vegetable Management Guide which are also online at http://www.nevegetable.org/.

All uses for Alanap® (naptalam) in cucurbits have been removed.  This product is no longer available.  Also, Pyramin® (pyrazon) for use in beets is no longer being manufactured.  It still appears in the Guide for now since growers may still have some product on hand.

In asparagus, Chateau® (flumioxazin), Callisto® (mesotrione), and Sandea® (halosulfuron) are all recent additions for broadleaf weed management in asparagus.  Chateau® can be applied in the spring before spear emergence, Callisto® can be used either before spear emergence or after the last harvest, and Sandea® is for after harvest only.  We did see some injury in fields that were treated with Chateau® in 2011.  It was not clear if Chateau® caused the injury, but spears were twisted and had a sand blasted appearance on one side.  This injury, in all cases, lasted for a few days during the harvest season and disappeared.  It is important to apply Chateau® at least 14 days prior to spear emergence and to not disturb the soil in the spring.  Also, do not apply Chateau® every year.  In addition to these three residual broadleaf herbicides, Karmex® (diuron), Sencor® (metribuzin), and Sinbar® (terbacil) are all still registered for broadleaf weed control.  Please check the Guide and the product labels for all specifics.

For several crops, Prowl H2O® (pendimethalin) is registered.  Crops include asparagus, beans, corn, onions, peas, potatoes and peppers.  For each crop, the use pattern and rate is slightly different.  Prowl® is primarily a preemergence grass herbicide, but also controls several broadleaf weeds including velvetleaf.  Application can usually be either preplant incorporated or preemergence.  For preemergence applications, activation by irrigation or rainfall is necessary.

In sweet corn, the Impact® (topramezone) label rate is now 0.75 to 1.0 fluid ounce per acre.  The prior rate was 0.75 ounce only.  Use the higher rate to suppress or control panicum species or in rescue applications where the target weeds have grown beyond the size indicated on the label.

Also in sweet corn, there is now a Roundup Ready® option stacked with Bt tolerance as well.  The product is called Seminis® Performance Series™ Sweet Corn.  It is available in both Obsession and Temptation varieties.  No refuge of non-Bt corn is required because of the short growing season compared to field corn.  However, the stewardship agreement requires growers to disc in the stalks after harvest.  Check with your seed dealer for more specifics and the stewardship agreement.  Even with Roundup Ready® as an option, I still recommend that a residual weed management option is used for resistance management purposes.  This can include either atrazine or Callisto® for preemergence broadleaf control and Dual®, Lasso®, Prowl®, Sutan+®, or Frontier® for preemergence grass control.

We are looking to expand the Dual® (metolachlor) 24c Indemnification Labels for 2012 IN MASSACHUSETTS ONLY.  Currently, this special local needs label covers transplanted cabbage and bell pepper.  To use the existing label, go to http://www.farmassist.com/.  Under Products select “Indemnification Labels,” then “Dual 24c Indemnification Labels.”  Type in Massachusetts and Dual Magnum.  READ the Waiver and then select “I Agree” if you agree.  Finally, print out the label.  Once we know about a 2012 label expansion approval, we will let everyone know.

Weed Control in Table Beets

There have been several questions about weed management in table beets following the loss of the Pyramin® label.  The loss of this label has certainly made weed management more difficult.  Currently, we have one preplant incorporated and two postemergence weed control options. 

Preplant Incorporated:

cycloate (Ro-Neet™ 6E):  4 to 5 pt/A (REI 12h, Group 8).  Beets only.  Incorporate before planting.  Will control grasses plus lambsquarters, pigweed, nightshade, velvetleaf, purslane, and nutsedge.

Postemergence: 

clopyralid (Stinger® 3S):  2 to 8 oz/A (30 dh, REI 12h, Group 4).  Apply in a single application to control certain perennial and annual broadleaf weeds when the crop has between 2 and 8 leaves.  Stinger® controls weeds in the composite and legume families.  Common annuals include galinsoga, ragweed, pineappleweed, clover, and vetch.  No control of common lambsquarters, so use Ro-Neet™ if this is a problem.

clethodim (Select® 2EC):  6 to 8 oz/A (20 dh, REI 24h, Group 1).  Apply to actively growing grasses.  Controls emerged grasses only.  See label for grass height and herbicide rate.  Always use a crop oil concentrate at a rate of 1 gal/100 gal spray mix.  See both container label and any supplemental label available from dealer.

Finally, don’t forget the Worker Protection Standards.  This applies to all growers and to both conventional and organic pesticides, regardless of whether a pesticide license is required.

Read and follow all label directions.

Follow the Worker Protection Standards.

- REI and PHI
- Record keeping
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Keep yourself, your family and your employees safe. 

Where brand names or company names are used it is for the reader’s information.  No endorsement is implied nor is any discrimination intended against other products with similar ingredients.  Always consult product labels for rates, application instructions and safety precautions. Users of these products assume all associated risks.

Saturday, April 28, 2012
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Circle B Farms, 287 East Presque Isle Road, Caribou, Maine
Hosted by Sam Blackstone
Registration Fee:  $20.00 per person

This one-day workshop is for people who are new to growing apples and who are interested in growing apples for sale.  The workshop will focus on getting started in commercial apple production, presented by Renae Moran and Glen Koehler, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.  Participants may receive 1 Pesticide Applicator recertification credit for attending the workshop.  Please let us know in advance if you plan to attend, so that we will have an accurate count for lunch.  Contact Pam St. Peter at (207) 933-2100 or pamela.stpeter@maine.edu.

AGENDA

Directions

The address for Circle B Farms is 287 East Presque Isle Road, Caribou.  The farm is located on Route 205, 1.5 miles south of Route 161 on the east side of the Aroostook River.  Look for the sign.  A map is available at:  http://www.circlebfarmsinc.com/directions.html.  

For more information, contact Renae Moran at (207) 933-2100 or email rmoran@maine.edu.

If you are a person with a disability and will need any accommodations to participate in this program, please call Pam St. Peter at (207) 933-2100 to discuss your needs, TDD 1-800-287-8957 (in Maine).   Please contact us at least one week prior to this event to assure fullest possible attention to your needs.

Saturday, April 7, 2012
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Highmoor Farm, 52 US Route 202, Monmouth, Maine
No cost for the workshop.  Pre-registration is not required.

This one-day workshop is for people who are new to growing apples and who are interested in growing apples for sale.  The workshop will focus on getting started in commercial apple production, presented by Renae Moran and Glen Koehler, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.  Participants may receive 2 Pesticide Applicator recertification credits for attending the workshop.

AGENDA

Directions

Traveling North on I-95:  Take Exit 75 off the Maine Turnpike in Auburn (left turn off the exit ramp).  Go through Lewiston and travel east about 17.9 miles on Route 202.  Highmoor will be on your right.

Traveling South on I-95:  Take Exit 109B off I-95 in Augusta and travel west on Route 202 approximately 15.7 miles.  Highmoor will be on your left.

For more information, contact Renae Moran at (207) 933-2100 or email rmoran@maine.edu.

If you are a person with a disability and will need any accommodations to participate in this program, please call Pam St. Peter at (207) 933-2100 to discuss your needs, TDD 1-800-287-8957 (in Maine).   Please contact us at least one week prior to this event to assure fullest possible attention to your needs.

For full page print version, please see link at the bottom.

Apple Pre-Season IPM Meeting

Wednesday, March 14, 2012
8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Highmoor Farm, 52 U.S. Route 202, Monmouth, ME
Registration fee:  $15.00 per person.

This meeting will provide pest and horticultural management updates for large and small scale orchardists.  Participants may receive 3 Pesticide Applicator recertification credits for attending the program.  The cost is $15.00 per person to cover lunch. Everyone is welcome to attend.  Please let us know in advance if you plan to attend, so that we will have an accurate count for lunch.  Contact Pam St. Peter at (207) 933-2100 or pamela.stpeter@maine.edu.

AGENDA

 Sponsors: 

• University of Maine Cooperative Extension
• USDA Risk Management Agency
• University of Maine Crop Insurance Education Program
• Crop Protections Services, Lewiston, Maine
• Northeast Agricultural Sales, Inc., Leeds, Maine

Any person with a disability who needs accommodations for this program should contact Pam St. Peter at (207) 933-2100 ext. 100 to discuss their needs at least seven days in advance, or at 1-800-287-8957 (voice and TDD).

The day-long school is offered on two dates at two locations: March 8 in Portland or March 9 in Bangor.

Print a brochure [PDF]

Registration form

Maine Vegetable and Fruit School is hosted by

• University of Maine Cooperative Extension
• Maine Crop Insurance Education Program
• Maine Vegetable & Small Fruit Growers Association

Thursday, March 8, 2012

SEASONS CONFERENCE CENTER
155 Riverside Street, Portland, Maine
Tel. 207-775-6336
Directions:  www.seasonsportland.com

Friday, March 9, 2012

BANGOR MOTOR INN
701 Hogan Road, Bangor, Maine
Tel. 207-947-0355 or 1-800-244-0355
Directions: www.bangormotorinn.com

AGENDA – Thursday, March 8, 2012

AGENDA – Friday, March 9, 2012

This year’s program features invited speaker Dr. A. Richard Bonanno.

Dr. A. Richard Bonanno is the Weed Management Specialist for the University of Massachusetts Cooperative Extension at Amherst.  He performs research on weed biology and management, and conducts educational programs for commercial growers throughout New England.

Dr. Bonanno is also the owner and operator of Pleasant Valley Gardens of Methuen, where he raises potted flowering plants, bedding plants, vegetable transplants, and grows fifty acres of fresh market vegetables.

Participants may receive 2.0 Pesticide Applicator re-certification credits for attending.  Certified Crop Advisors may earn 5.0 re-certification credits for participation.

For more information about this or other workshops, please contact:

Mark Hutchinson, Extension Educator
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Knox – Lincoln Counties
377 Manktown Road
Waldoboro, ME 04572-5815
Tel. 207-832-0343 or 800-244-2104 (in Maine).
mhutch@maine.edu  

Any person with a disability who needs accommodations to participate in this program should contact Mark Hutchinson at 1-800-244-2104, or at 1-800-287-8957 (TDD) to discuss any needed arrangements at least seven days in advance.

Photo by Marjorie Peronto, UMaine Cooperative Extension

Apple Tree Pruning and Grafting Class

Saturday, April 14, 2012
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Highmoor Farm in Monmouth, Maine
Pre-registration is not required.

Learn to prune fruit trees with Renae Moran, University of Maine tree fruit specialist.  A one-hour lecture will be followed by a demonstration in the orchard and a chance to prune apple, peach, pear and plum trees.  There is no charge for the class, but please bring your own pruning tools and lunch.  After lunch, there will be a grafting demonstration.

Please check this website prior to event date for cancellation due to stormy weather.

Directions

Traveling North on I-95:  Take Exit 75 off the Maine Turnpike in Auburn (left turn off the exit ramp).  Go through Lewiston and travel east about 16 miles on Route 202.  Highmoor is on your right.

Traveling South on I-95:  Take Exit 109b off I-95 in Augusta and travel west on Route 202 approximately 16 miles.  Highmoor is on your left.

If you are a person with a disability and will need any accommodations to participate in this program, please call the Highmoor Farm at (207) 933-2100 to discuss your needs, TDD 1-800-287-8957 (in Maine).  Please contact us at least one week prior to this event to assure fullest possible attention to your needs.

For more information, contact Renae Moran at (207) 933-2100, Ext. 105, or email rmoran@maine.edu.

For full page print version, please see link at the bottom.

This will be the final issue of the Sweet Corn IPM Newsletter for the 2011 season.  I would like to thank all of the growers who participated in the program this year, and our excellent team of IPM scouts including Garrett Boyd, Kaytlin Woodman, Samantha Williams, Griffin Dill and Sean McAuley.  Special thanks, again, go to Leticia Goucher who coordinated the team.  Thanks for your support!

SITUATION
Tropical storm Irene toppled many cornfields this week and, although plants rose back up a bit in most fields, spraying and harvest will be difficult, at best.  Usually after the passing of a tropical storm we see corn earworm and fall armyworm moth numbers rise significantly, and this week counts were indeed up at most locations; but the numbers weren’t nearly as bad as we had feared.  All locations require regular sprays on any silking corn remaining, if possible, with the corn in its present state.

Wind Blown Corn Field, photo by David Handley

  

   

European corn borer:  Moth counts remained low with no indication of a widespread second generation emerging as the season winds down.  Only three locations were over the threshold for silking corn this week, including Auburn, Oxford and North Berwick; but any threat posed by European corn borer should be managed by sprays applied for corn earworm.

Corn earworm:  Corn earworm moth counts were higher, as would be expected with the passing of a tropical storm; but most locations are on a four-day spray schedule for any fresh silking corn remaining that is upright.  A four-day spray schedule was recommended for silking corn in all locations except Cape Elizabeth, for which a three-day spray interval was recommended due to the very high moth counts there.  No spray intervals longer than four days were recommended for any silking corn remaining.  

Corn Earworm Feeding on Corn, photo by David Handley

 

Fall armyworm:  Fall armyworm activity continues to be very low in nearly all locations, though counts did rise slightly this week.  Five locations exceeded threshold for silking corn with three or more moths, including Biddeford, one Cape Elizabeth location, East Corinth, and New Gloucester.  All of these fields are following a short spray interval for corn earworm, so no additional sprays should be needed.

Flooding and Food Safety:  If your crops were exposed to flood waters of rivers, streams or lakes as a result of the storm, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states:  Fresh fruits and vegetables that have been inundated by flood waters cannot be adequately cleaned and should be destroyed.  If the edible portion of a crop is exposed to flood waters, it is considered adulterated and should not enter human food channels.  There is no practical method of reconditioning the edible portion of a crop that will provide a reasonable assurance of human food safety.  Crops in proximity to, or exposed to a lesser degree of flooding, where the edible portion of the crop has NOT come in contact with flood waters, need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  Factors to consider include:  the source of flood waters and potential upstream contributors of human pathogens and/or chemical contaminants; type of crop and stage of growth; and how far above the ground does the lowest edible portion grow.  For more information visit the FDA website at:  http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodDefense/Emergencies/FloodsHurricanesPowerOutages/ucm112723.htm#.TmANb7kID7Y.email.

Wet Strawberries, photo by David Handley

 

Sincerely,

David T. Handley
Vegetable & Small Fruit Specialist

Highmoor Farm                      PestManagement Office
P.O. Box179                          491 College Avenue
Monmouth,ME 04259            Orono,ME 04473
(207) 933-2100                     1-800-287-0279

Sweet Corn IPM Weekly Scouting Summary

CEW:  Corn earworm (Only fresh silking corn should be sprayed for this insect.)
ECB:   European corn borer
FAW:  Fall armyworm
*Trap down

Corn Earworm Spray Thresholds for Pheromone Traps

Thresholds apply only to corn with exposed fresh silk.  Lengthen spray intervals by one day if maximum daily temperature is less than 80°F.

European Corn Borer Thresholds
Whorl stage:  30% or more of plants scouted show injury.
Pre-tassel-silk:  15% or more of plants scouted show injury.
Silk:  5 or more moths caught in pheromone traps in one week.

Published and distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Land Grant University of the State of Maine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.  Cooperative Extension and other agencies of the U.S.D.A. provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.

Wet Strawberry Field, photo by David Handley

If you have strawberry beds that were flooded in the recent storm, please read the following information provided by Cornell Extension specialists.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

David T. Handley, Ph.D.
Vegetable & Small Fruit Specialist
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Highmoor Farm
P.O. Box179
Monmouth,ME  04259-0179
Tel. 207-933-2100
Fax 207-933-4647
david.handley@maine.edu

DEALING WITH FLOODED BERRY FIELDS
Steve Reiners and Marvin Pritts
Department of Horticulture
Cornell University

Record-breaking rains in eastern New York State have left many berry growers with unmarketable crops.  What had been shaping up to be a decent season has quickly turned into a bad situation.

Floods and food safety
There are two types of flooding.  The first is more typical and occurs after a heavy downpour when fields become saturated and water pools on the soil surface.  This type of flooding can reduce yields and even kill plants but usually will not result in contamination of produce with human pathogens.  The second type of flooding is more severe and unfortunately occurred with the recent storm.  This occurs due to runoff from stream/river overflows and will more likely be contaminated with human pathogens, as well as chemicals.  Unless you are absolutely sure that flooding is not from streams and surface water, do not use berries that were covered with flood water.

Plant survival under water
How long can a crop live once it is flooded and what may be the effect on yield?  Berry crops can tolerate a great deal of flooding when they are dormant, but when actively growing in summer, flooding for any length of time can be detrimental.  This time of year is particularly bad because plants are preparing to make flower buds for next year, and stress can compromise this process.  If plant roots were under water for more than 48 hours, expect next year’s crop to be compromised as well.

Plants previously flooded may develop an off-green or yellowish color.  These plants are suffering from a complex of nutrient deficiencies, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and perhaps others, even though the soil contains adequate amounts.  But the main deficient element is oxygen.  Plant roots need oxygen to take up nutrients and water to utilize the photosynthate from the tops and to grow.  With the heavy rains we have had, soils are saturated; that is, nearly all of the pore space is filled with water, leaving little room for air.  Ideally, for good root growth 50 percent of the pore space should be filled with air.  As soils drain, air is drawn into the soil, but when it rains, the water forces the air out of the pores.  As is obvious to all, what is needed now is several rain-free days so the soils can drain and draw in air to stimulate root growth.  Once the plant roots get adequate oxygen they will begin to grow and take up the nutrients present in the soil.  Anything that can be done to remove surface water will be helpful.

Many plant diseases will be much worse following flooding rains (e.g. Phytophthora and Botrytis), so closely monitor crops and manage these diseases.  Phytophthora spores are spread under flooded conditions, so chemical treatment may be warranted in susceptible crops (e.g. red raspberries and strawberries).

Wet Strawberries, photo by David Handley

For full page print version, please see link at the bottom.

European corn borer:  Moth numbers have risen over threshold for silking corn in some locations; but, with a few exceptions, larval feeding generally remains low.  This week the five-moth threshold was exceeded in Auburn, one Cape Elizabeth location, one Dayton location, Dresden, North Berwick, Sabattus, Wayne, and one Wells location.  However, all of these sites are under a spray schedule for corn earworm, so no additional sprays should be needed.  ECB larval feeding damage was over spray threshold in pre-silking corn (15%) only in both Cape Elizabeth locations and in Lewiston.

 

European Corn Borer Trap, photo by David Handley

 

 

Corn earworm:  Corn earworm trap counts increased around the state this week, increasing spray schedules for silking corn.  A six-day spray schedule was recommended in Farmington.  Five-day spray schedules were recommended in Dayton.  Four-day spray intervals were recommended in Auburn, Biddeford, Corinth, Dresden, East Corinth, Jefferson, Levant, Lewiston, Monmouth, New Gloucester, North Berwick, Oxford, Palmyra, Poland Spring, Readfield, Sabattus, Wales, Wayne, and both Wells locations.  Three-day spray schedules were recommended in both Cape Elizabeth locations, one Dayton location, Nobleboro, and Warren.   

 

Corn Earworm Larvae, photo by David Handley

 

 

Fall armyworm:  Fall armyworm activity continues to be very low in nearly all locations, though counts did rise slightly this week.  Only two locations exceeded threshold for silking corn with three or more moths, Biddeford and one Dayton location.  Larval feeding exceeded the 15% of pre-silking plants infested in both Cape Elizabeth locations and in Lewiston.

Adult Fall Armyworm, photo by David Handley

 

When Should You Stop Spraying?
When a silking cornfield is under a recommended spray interval for corn earworm, we usually recommend that spraying be stopped once the silks have become thoroughly dried and brown.  At this point, corn earworm moths are unlikely to lay eggs on it.  However, if earworm pressure is very high (e.g. 91+ moths per week) and/or fall armyworm moths are over threshold (3+ moths per week), then spraying should probably continue until either the moth counts drop or you reach the required days before harvest (dh) for the product being used.

Airblast Sprayer on Corn, photo by David Handley

 

Sincerely,

David T. Handley
Vegetable & Small Fruit Specialist

Highmoor Farm                      PestManagement Office
P.O. Box179                          491 College Ave
Monmouth,ME 04259            Orono,ME 04473
(207) 933-2100                    1-800-287-0279

 

Sweet Corn IPM Weekly Scouting Summary

CEW: Corn earworm (Only fresh silking corn should be sprayed for this insect.)
ECB:  European corn borer
FAW: Fall armyworm

Corn Earworm Spray Thresholds for Pheromone Traps

Thresholds apply only to corn with exposed fresh silk.  Lengthen spray intervals by one day if maximum daily temperature is less than 80°F.

European Corn Borer Thresholds
Whorl stage:  30% or more of plants scouted show injury.
Pre-tassel-silk:  15% or more of plants scouted show injury.
Silk:  5 or more moths caught in pheromone traps in one week.

Published and distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Land Grant University of the State of Maine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.  Cooperative Extension and other agencies of the U.S.D.A. provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.

Where brand names or company names are used it is for the reader’s information.  No endorsement is implied nor is any discrimination intended against other products with similar ingredients.  Always consult product labels for rates, application instructions and safety precautions. Users of these products assume all associated risks.