Pest Management Office

Search Rutgers
  • Home
  • News/Blog
  • Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)
  • Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT)
    • Licensing
    • New Applicator Training
    • Manuals
    • Certification Exams
    • Recertification Courses
    • Pesticide Application Records & Forms
    • Pesticide Links
  • Worker Protection
    • EPA-Approved Training Resources
    • WPS Training Recordkeeping
    • Rutgers WPS Outreach
    • Worker Protection Contacts
    • Respiratory Protection Bulletins
    • Resources for New Jersey Licensed Private Pesticide Applicators & Growers
  • School IPM
    • NJ School Act/Reg
    • Model IPM Policy/Plan
    • Training
    • Resources
    • Tools
    • Report Cards
    • School IPM Contacts
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
    • Contacts
    • Greenhouse IPM
    • Fruit IPM
    • Nursery IPM
    • Vegetable IPM
      • Personnel
      • IPM Maps
      • Scouting Forms
      • Presentations
      • Crop Certification Guidelines
      • Photo Gallery
      • Links
  • Site Map
  • Contact Information
« Back to: / Integrated Pest Management (IPM) / Vegetable Integrated Pest Management Program / Vegetable Crop Guidelines for IPM Certification / New Jersey Cucumber, Melon, and Summer Squash IPM Guidelines

New Jersey Cucumber, Melon, and Summer Squash IPM Guidelines

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 Rotation Weeds
Major Insects bacterial wilt NA annual broadleaves
striped cucumber beetle downy mildew NA annual grasses
spotted cucumber beetle powdery mildew NA perennial broadleaves
aphids Phytophthora >3years* perennial grasses
Minor/Sporadic Insects Viruses NA
squash bug
thrips
potato leafhopper
spider mites

*- duration of rotation uncertain
NA – not applicable
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 previous season’s weed map of fields to choose appropriate weed control strategies H
Crop rotation: 2-3 years away from cucurbits, more if needed for diseases indicated in table above. H
Avoid peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant in rotation with cucurbits to minimize disease problems H
Nutrient management: soil test at least every third year. Fertilize and lime according to test recommendations. Assay a portion of the 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
Select field with good air flow and soil drainage H
If manure is applied to field, apply only before planting and incorporate M
B. Planting
Resistant varieties: Choose disease resistant varietiesand varietiesless-preferred by beetle pests when available and feasible H
Use fungicide/insecticide treated seed for controlling seed and root rots and preventing damage from seed corn maggot H
Turn under any cover crop residue 3 weeks before planting to avoid seedcorn maggot H
C. Pest Management
Calibrate sprayer at least once per season or every time nozzles are changed H
Scout for insects and diseases as recommended in IPM procedures H
Use applicable thresholds for pests that have established thresholds H
Follow management guidelines in the Rutgers Commercial Vegetable recommendations or scouting guidelinesfor pests that do not have thresholds H
Use recommended, labeled pesticides, or appropriate alternative control options H
Keep records of pest populations, pesticide applications, and cultural practices H
Subscribe to the Plant and Pest Advisory Newsletter – vegetable edition, or access via internet or fax info-line and follow current, seasonal recommendations provided there. H
D. Post Harvest
If washing crop, chlorinate wash water and maintain proper chlorine levels. H
Make late season weed map for use the following season H
Use spot applications of translocated herbicide for control of perennial weeds. H
Disk down fields immediately after last harvest. H
Establish a cover crop to scavenge nutrients, control weeds, and reduce soil erosion. H
  • Home
  • News/Blog
  • Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)
  • Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT)
    • Licensing
    • New Applicator Training
    • Manuals
    • Certification Exams
    • Recertification Courses
    • Pesticide Application Records & Forms
    • Pesticide Links
  • Worker Protection
    • EPA-Approved Training Resources
    • WPS Training Recordkeeping
    • Rutgers WPS Outreach
    • Worker Protection Contacts
    • Respiratory Protection Bulletins
    • Resources for New Jersey Licensed Private Pesticide Applicators & Growers
  • School IPM
    • NJ School Act/Reg
    • Model IPM Policy/Plan
    • Training
    • Resources
    • Tools
    • Report Cards
    • School IPM Contacts
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
    • Contacts
    • Greenhouse IPM
    • Fruit IPM
    • Nursery IPM
    • Vegetable IPM
      • Personnel
      • IPM Maps
      • Scouting Forms
      • Presentations
      • Crop Certification Guidelines
      • Photo Gallery
      • Links
  • Site Map
  • Contact Information

Subscribe to Get News/Blog Updates via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

header right text
Copyright © 2025, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Rutgers University is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues with Rutgers web sites to: accessibility@rutgers.edu or complete the Report Accessibility Barrier or Provide Feedback Form.