Joseph Ingerson-Mahar, Vegetable IPM Coordinator
Kristian Holmstrom, Vegetable IPM Program Associate
Sally Walker, Vegetable IPM Program Associate
George Hamilton, IPM Coordinator
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
MAJOR PESTS
| Insects | Diseases | Weeds |
|---|---|---|
| spinach leafminer | Cercospora leaf spot | broadleaves |
| pocket rot | annual grasses | |
| seed rot, damping off, and root rot | perennial weeds |
The following practices are general guidelines that many, if not, most farmers in New Jersey already practice. It is felt that all farmers should be able to adopt these guidelines on 100% of their acreage within a 3-year period. It is recognized that adoption of specific practices may not always be possible depending upon the unique circumstances of the individual farmer. However, farmers should strive to adopt the highly recommended practices in order to be considered an IPM farmer.
| A. SITE PREPARATION AND SELECTION |
Priority H = high M = medium L = low |
|---|---|
| Review weed maps of fields to choose appropriate weed control strategies. | H |
| Crop rotation. For Cercospora leaf spot rotate 2-3 years; for pocket rot rotate with grains; for root rot rotate at least 2 years. | H |
| Soil test at least once every 3 years. Fertilize and lime according to test results records. Assay a portion of soil sample for plant parasitic nematodes. | H |
| Take soil sample from field to determine soil texture by mechanical analysis for each soil type within the field. This needs to be done only once for each field to help determine herbicide rates. | H |
| Take soil sample from field to determine percent organic matter to help adjust herbicide rates. This needs to be done whenever cropping practices change. That is, going from fallow to crops, from perennial crops to annual crops. | H |
| B. PLANTING | |
| Use appropriate fungicide seed treatments. | M |
| Root rot management. Fall subsoiling if needed | M |
| C. PEST MONITORING AND FORECASTING | |
| Update weed map of the field when crop is 2″ tall for use in evaluating the current year’s weed control and for use in determining if a post emergent treatment is needed. | H |
| D. PEST MANAGEMENT | |
| Keep records of pest densities, cultural procedures, and pesticide applications for use in the future. | H |
| Minimize throwing soil on crown of plant during cultivation. | L |
| Use applicable pest thresholds for initiating pest control. | H |
| Use recommended, labeled pesticides, or appropriate alternatives to the pests found in the crop. | H |
| Subscribe to Plant and Pest Advisory Newsletter – vegetable edition, or access via internet or fax info-line and following applicable recommendations provided there. | H |
| Follow Rutgers Commercial Vegetable recommendations for pests that do not have thresholds | H |
| E. POST HARVEST | |
| Make (or update if one has been made for this field previously) a weed map of the field for use in planning for next year. | H |
| Spot treat perennial weeds with translocated herbicide. | H |
| If field had Cercospora leaf spot or pocket rot, incorporate crop residue into the soil at the end of the season to promote breakdown of pathogens and tissues that may be carrying them. | H |
| Establish a cover crop for weed control, nitrogen retention and reducing soil erosion. | H |