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 | angular leaf spot | 1 year | Annual broadleaves |
| striped cucumber beetle | bacterial leafspot | 1 year | annual grasses |
| spotted cucumber beetle | powdery mildew | NA | perennial broadleaves |
| aphids | downy mildew | NA | perennial grasses |
| gummy stem blight (black rot) | 2-3 years | ||
| Minor/Sporadic Insects | Phytophthora | >3years* | |
| squash bug | Viruses | NA | |
| spider mites | |||
| thrips | |||
| leafhopper |
* – 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 |
| Ø Review previous season’s weed map of fields to choose appropriate weed control strategies |
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| Ø Crop rotation: 2-3 years away from cucurbits, more if needed for diseases indicated in table above |
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| Ø Avoid tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant in rotation with cucurbits |
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| Ø Nutrient management: soil test at least every third year. Fertilize according to test recommendations. Assay a portion of the soil sample for plant parasitic nematodes. |
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| Ø 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. |
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| Ø 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. |
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| Ø Select field with good air flow and soil drainage |
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| Ø Incorporate cover crop or previous crop residue completely. |
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| Ø If manure is applied to field, allow manure to age before incorporating and avoid heavy applications close to planting. |
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| B. PLANTING | |
| Ø Resistant varieties: Choose disease resistant varieties and varietiesless-preferred by beetle pests when available and feasible. |
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| Ø Use fungicide/insecticide treated seed for controlling seed and root rots and preventing damage from seed corn maggot. |
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| C. PEST MANAGEMENT | |
| Ø Calibrate sprayer at least once per season or every time nozzles are changed |
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| Ø Scout for insects and diseases as recommended in IPM procedures. |
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| Ø Use applicable thresholds for pests for which thresholds have been established |
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| Ø Follow Rutgers Commercial Vegetable recommendations for pests that do not have thresholds |
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| Ø Use recommended, labeled pesticides, or appropriate alternative control options |
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| Ø Keep records of pest populations, pesticide applications, and cultural practices |
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| Ø Subscribe to the Plant and Pest Advisory Newsletter – vegetable edition, or access via internet or fax info-line and follow applicable recommendations provided there. |
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| D. POST HARVEST | |
| Ø Make late season weed map for use the following season |
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| Ø Use spot applications of translocated herbicide for control of perennial weeds |
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| Ø Disk down crop residue after harvest |
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| Ø Establish a cover crop to scavenge nutrients, control weeds, and reduce soil erosion. |
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