(Aug. 2013) Potato-growers have an opportunity to view standard and new fresh market potato varieties and lines, hear how to use integrated management to help deal with the potentially devastating Phytophthora pink rot disease, get an update on late blight, and discuss how to manage excess muck water.
The meeting will be held Tuesday, Aug. 27, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Williams Farms field on Marion-E. Williamson Rd, and at the packing house at 5077 Russell Road, Marion.
Don Halseth, Cornell potato specialist, established a large trial and will be evaluating the maturity, yield and marketability of white, red and some specialty varieties. Growers will get to hear what he’s learned so far. They’ll also have an opportunity to describe how the varieties they’re growing are performing.
Tom Zitter, Cornell plant pathologist, will describe the integrated approach needed to combat pink rot. No fungicides can provide complete control. Cultural practices, such as making use of varietal resistance, where available, and crop rotation, are essential.
In addition, significant attention must be given to water management (reducing compaction/deep ripping, tiling and ditching, etc.), since pink rot is a water-driven disease.
Several fungicides have activity against the pink rot organism, and the choice, rates, application method and timing will be discussed. There will also be an update on this year’s late blight development and how best to protect the crop.
Finally, there will be discussion regarding management of muck water by Lindsey Gerstenslager, manager, Wayne County Soil & Water Conservation District, and area growers. Growers have made significant investments in, and changes to, their water management systems over the last few years. What has paid off? What still needs to be done? Is any assistance available?
Pre-register for dinner by Thursday, Aug. 22, by calling Carol MacNeil at 585-313-8796. 1.25 DEC plus CCA credits will be available. Cost – $5 for current CVP enrollees (1 per enrollment); $10 for others. The Cornell Vegetable Program website (cvp.cce.cornell.edu/) will soon have information on sponsor opportunities and the full meeting agenda.
Armyworm Outbreak in Northern New York: July 2013
By Crystal Stewart, Regional Agriculture Specialist, Cornell University Cooperative Extension
High numbers of True Armyworm (a/k/a Common Armyworm) were identified Monday, July 22, in a Northern New York St. Lawrence County mixed alfalfa/reed canarygrass second cutting hay field.
Late blight was found on potatoes in Madison County. If you are not already on a preventive fungicide program, make sure to spray your tomatoes and potatoes as soon as possible with either copper or a chlorothalonil containing product (Bravo, etc).
We are not recommending adding any other fungicides into the rotation at this time.
Please make sure to scout your fields checking lower and inner leaves and stems for late blight, and if you see anything suspicious don’t hesitate to contact us. If you’d like a refresher on what late blight looks like in tomato and potato, please see the attached article, which also describes some late blight look-alikes.
We do not yet know what race(s) of late blight is/are being found, but we will update you either in the next Weekly Update or in a special email update.