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Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News:A Newsletter for Commercial Growers of Fruit and Vegetable Crops Vol. 14 , No. 11, August 6, 2008 |
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." --Aristotle Address any questions or comments regarding this newsletter to the individual authors listed after each article or to its editor, Rick Weinzierl, 217-333-6651, weinzier@uiuc.edu. To receive email notification of new postings of this newsletter, call or write the same number or address. In This Issue:Upcoming Programs (Southwestern IL Vegetable Twilight Meeting [corrected date: August 13, 2008], Pumpkin Field Day) Regional Updates (from Elizabeth Wahle and Maurice Ogutu) Fruit Production and Pest Management (phenology updates on oriental fruit moth and codling moth, insecticide PHIs for fruit) Vegetable Production and Pest Management (cucumber beetles and western corn rootworm beetles in vine crops; Colorado potato beetle; corn earworm) University of Illinois Extension Specialists in Fruit & Vegetable Production & Pest Management Upcoming Programs
Regional UpdatesFrom southwestern Illinois ... A twilight Meeting for tomato and sweet corn growers has been scheduled for August 13th at Fournie Farms in Collinsville. The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm. Fournie Farms is located between I-255 and IL-157 just off Horseshoe Lake Road. From I255 take Exit 26. Take a left on to Horseshoe Lake Road. Go approximately ½ mile; Fournie Farms is on the left. For those taking I-70/55, take Exit 11. Take a left at the light on to IL-157/Bluff Road. Make a left on to Horseshoe Lake Road. Go approximately ¾ mile; Fournie Farms is on the right. For those using MapQuest, the physical address is Fournie Farms, Inc., 925 McDonough Lake Rd, Collinsville, IL. For more information, contact Elizabeth Wahle, 618-692-9434 or wahle@uiuc.edu. Commercial pumpkin growers and others interested in pumpkin production are encouraged to come to Belleville, IL on September 11th to participate in the 2008 Illinois Pumpkin Field Day. This event provides attendees with an opportunity to hear from researchers and extension specialists discussing issues in pumpkin production as well as to showcase on-going pumpkin field research. The 2008 event is being hosted by the Southern Illinois University Belleville Research Center. Speakers from the University of Illinois, UI Extension, and Southern Illinois University will be on hand. Attendees should arrive for on-site registration by 10:00 a.m. Research tours will begin by 10:30 and lunch will be at 12:30. Participants coming west on I-64 can find the Southern Illinois Belleville Research Center by taking Exit 23 and going south on IL Rt. 4 to the intersection with IL Rt. 161 (about 1.5 miles); then take a right, and it is about 2 miles west of IL Rt. 4 on IL Rt. 161 on the left (south) side of the road. Participants coming east from the St. Louis area can take Exit 19 off of I-64 and go south to the intersection with IL Rt. 161, then take a left and follow IL Rt. 161 east for approximately 3 miles and the Southern Illinois Belleville Research Center will be on the right (south). Questions may be directed to Alan Walters (618-453-3446, awalters@siu.edu) or Elizabeth Wahle (618-692-9434, wahle@illinois.edu). Weekly rain has continued for much of the region, creating a sauna effect during near 100 degree weather. Night temperatures are above desirable levels as well. Studies indicate that a female pumpkin flower fails to open if the plant is grown under low light conditions, or is exposed to temperatures in the 90's F during the day, with night temperatures of 70 F or higher at night. Male pumpkin flowers are more numerous (10:1) than female flowers and appear to be less affected by higher temperatures in terms of development. Something else to keep in mind is pollen viability and the amount of insect pollination occurring during hot (and dry) weather. Because cucurbits are insect pollinated, insecticide applications should be made during low bee activity to avoid any unnecessary direct kill of pollinators. Most wine grapes cultivars are at veraison. Peach harvest is at or just past 'Loring.' Reminder to blueberry growers: if you need to bring plant height down, it needs to be done fairly soon, usually by August 15th. Blueberries set fruit buds in the late summer to early fall on cane tips. If tips are removed after fruit set, next year's crop will be reduced. Sweet corn and tomato harvest are in full swing. Definitely no shortage of corn ear worms (tomato fruit worm). Official word from USDA has been received that the Secretary of Agriculture has declared 74 Illinois counties as disaster areas, with another 17 eligible for more limited aid as adjacent counties. USDA was unable to immediately determine production losses in Boone, Cook, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. A decision on their eligibility for assistance will be made after the fall harvest. Farmers who believe they may qualify for disaster assistance should contact their county Farm Service Agency office. Staff in county Farm Service Agency offices can verify whether producers have crops that are eligible for emergency funds. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the extent of losses, security available, and applicant's repayment ability. ILLINOIS PRIMARY COUNTIES (74): Adams, Alexander, Bond, Brown, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, De Witt, Douglas, Edgar, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Franklin, Fulton, Gallatin, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Jasper, Jefferson, Jersey, Jo Daviess, Johnson, Lawrence, Lee, Logan, Macon, Madison, Marion, Mason, Morgan, Massac, McDonough, McLean, Menard, Monroe, Montgomery, Moultrie, Perry, Piatt, Pike, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Rock Island, Saline, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, St. Clair, Stephenson, Union, Vermilion, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, Whiteside, Williamson. ILLINOIS CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES (17): Elizabeth Wahle (618-692-9434; wahle@illinois.edu) In northern Illinois, we've seen mostly clear days with temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s and night temperatures in the mid 60s to low 70s over the last 2 weeks. The region received 1-3 inches of rainfall during the same period, with most of the rainfall recorded on August 4 in areas north of I-80 and very close to Wisconsin border. Soil moisture has been very low during the last two weeks, and irrigation equipment is in use. Apples and pears are sizing well, and orchardists are going on with summer spray programs. Codling moth traps began picking up second generation flight about 2 weeks ago in northern counties, and that flight is still in progress. Japanese beetle population is very high in the region, and their feeding on various species and cultivars of fruit tree leaves has been extensive. I have received reports of woolly apple aphids on branches and leafrollers on leaves in apples. Apple growers need to apply calcium to trees, and the rates need to be increased as recommended in the 2008 Midwest Tree Fruit Spray Guide. Harvesting of peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, muskmelons, sweet corn, and other vegetables is at full speed in the region. Pumpkins are vining out very well and flowering. In some farms, earlier planted pumpkins have much larger fruits particularly in areas south of I-80. There are reports of powdery mildew, angular leafspot, squash vine borer damage, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs in pumpkins, and there are reports of alternaria leaf spot and anthracnose on cucurbits in general. Bacterial wilt is a problem in some cucurbit fields, with cucumbers, pumpkins, and muskmelons infected. Corn earworm moth counts are up a bit, so growers need to check their traps daily and spray when needed. In addition, the western corn rootworm beetle population is very high in cucurbit and sweet corn fields. Bird damage in sweet corn and rust on leaves of sweet corn have been reported, as well as blossom end rot in tomatoes. I have also received a report of tomato fruits without seeds inside and tasting sour, particularly in Roma types. Maurice Ogutu (708-352-0109; ogutu@illinois.edu) Degree-Day AccumulationsDegree-day accumulations presented below for weather stations in the Illinois State Water Survey WARM data base have been summarized using the Degree-Day Calculator on the University of Illinois IPM site (http://www.ipm.illinois.edu/degreedays/index.html). The list for 18 locations includes only degree-day accumulations and projections based on a 50-degree F developmental threshold and a January 1 starting date, but other options that use different thresholds and specific biofix dates are available on the Degree-Day Calculator. The degree-day calculator is available as a result of a joint effort of current and former extension entomologists (primarily Kelly Cook) and Bob Scott of the Illinois State Water Survey. If you have questions about how to use the site, contact me or Bob Scott (rwscott1@illinois.edu).
Fruit Production and Pest ManagementOriental fruit moth and codling moth phenology updatesBiofix dates for first flights of oriental fruit moth (OFM) are presented in the table below, along with degree-day (DD) accumulations based on a threshold of 45 degrees F. Moth flight, egg-laying, and larval hatch are all pretty much ongoing by now, as the "slowest" individuals of one generation blur into the "fastest" developers of the next. By mid August the earliest moths of the fourth flight will be on the wing in the far south, and egg-laying on fruit will be continuous until declining day lengths and dropping temperatures trigger immature stages to enter diapauses (dormancy) instead of continuing development to the adult stage. To my knowledge, OFM flights remain fairly light throughout the southern half of the state, but the often-repeated recommendation that growers should operate their own traps and makes decisions accordingly still applies.
Biofix dates for codling moth at six Illinois locations are listed in the table below, along with degree-day accumulations (base 50F) and projections for weather stations near each location.
Developmental events for the codling moth based on degree-day accumulations are presented below. Remember that "biofix" refers to the date of the first sustained capture of first-generation moths in traps. Because the first observable stage of codling moth and oriental fruit moth each year is the adult moth, I refer to first generation adults giving rise to first-generation eggs, and at this time of year the wording in the table below refers to third generation moths laying third generation eggs (the third round of egg-laying for the season). If the wording seems to suggest a sequence that is out of order – moths before eggs – at least you know the reason. As for the chicken and the egg, who came first is not my specialty.
(Table based on Orchard Pest Management by Beers et al., published by Good Fruit Grower, Yakima, WA.) Preharvest intervals for selected fruit insecticidesWith harvests ongoing in some of fruit crops listed below and soon to begin in others, it's a good time (or maybe a little late) for reminders on the legally required "waiting period" or preharvest interval (PHIs) for insecticides used on fruit crops. I'll not list everything, but PHIs for all but the most recently registered products are listed on pages 46-47 in the 2008 Midwest Commercial Small Fruit and Grape Spray Guide and pages 37-38 of the 2008 Midwest Tree Fruit Spray Guide. Blank spaces mean that there is no registration on the crop listed.
Rick Weinzierl (217-244-2126; weinzier@illinois.edu) Vegetable Production and Pest ManagementStriped cucumber beetles and western corn rootworm beetlesare active in high numbers in cucurbits in many areas. Remember to identify these insects correctly ... striped cucumber beetles are vectors of bacterial wilt, while western corn rootworm beetles are not. Western corn rootworm beetles resemble striped cucumber beetles because of the stripes on their elytra (hardened forewings). The edges of these stripes tend blur or fade on the western corn rootworm, and they do not extend all the way to ends of the elytra. The underside of the abdomen of the western corn rootworm is yellowish. Striped cucumber beetles have distinct black stripes along the inner and outer edges of the elytra, and the stripes run all the way to the ends of the elytra. The underside of the abdomen is black.
Colorado potato beetle larvae are active on tomatoes, potatoes, and other nightshade family crops ... be sure to scout for them and control them as needed. Threshold guidelines and registered insecticides are listed in the 2008 Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers.
Corn earworm moth counts are up in general in most parts of the state. Larvae of this insect are especially important in sweet corn and tomatoes, but they also damage peppers, snap beans, and other fruiting vegetables. Review earlier issues of this year's newsletter for recommendations on pheromone trapping, available insecticides, pyrethroid resistance, and the Section 18 registration for Coragen's use on sweet corn. Results of a regional monitoring program corn earworm moths is available at http://www.pestwatch.psu.edu/sweetcorn/tool/tool.html. Rick Weinzierl (217-244-2126; weinzier@illinois.edu) Less Seriously ...It's that time of year when everyone is so busy that keeping up and keeping track are sometimes too great a challenge, giving reason to appreciate Jimmy Buffet's refrain about jellyfish from the track "Mental Floss" ... I'd like to be a jellyfish, cause jellyfish don't pay rent, In one ear and out the other, don't you get criss-crossed, University of Illinois Extension Specialists in Fruit and Vegetable Production & Pest Management
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