Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, & Turf Edition - Rutgers Plant and Pest Advisory

Field Trip: Managing Risk on your Agritourism Farm

Claudia Gil Arroyo — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:33:40 +0000

Rutgers Snyder Research and Extension Farm

Tuesday, April 28

10.00am – 1.00pm

Register at: https://go.rutgers.edu/ncudh8xr

Fruit IPM Updates Week of 4/13/2026

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 02:38:20 GMT

Tree Fruit Phenology Update

Tree fruit development resumed rapidly across New Jersey this past week following earlier frost events, with warm temperatures accelerating phenology. While some frost damage may be present in advanced blocks—particularly in southern counties—overall development is progressing quickly and bloom is widespread. A freeze event is expected overnight Monday 4/20 into Tuesday, and temperatures will gradually moderate through the remainder of the week.

In apples, early varieties such as ‘Pink Lady’ are now at full bloom in southern counties, with most other varieties progressing through pink to early bloom across central and northern regions. Bloom is becoming more widespread statewide.

In pears, most varieties are beginning petal fall in southern counties. Asian pears remain slightly more advanced.

Peach and nectarine varieties are close to 100% petal fall in southern counties, with early varieties beginning shuck split. In northern counties, most varieties are at bloom, with some earlier varieties reaching petal fall.

Apples

Apple Phenology Update

Apple phenology continues to progress across New Jersey, with development advancing rapidly under recent warm temperatures. Observations indicate that most varieties statewide are at pink bud, while early varieties in southern counties, such as Pink Lady, have entered bloom.

This stage marks a critical transition in disease management, particularly for fire blight, apple scab, powdery mildew, and cedar apple rust, while also representing an important period for early-season insect management and monitoring.

Phenology Dates by County (earliest varieties)

County	Green Tip	Tight Cluster	Pink Bud	Bloom
Cumberland	3/22	3/28	4/3	4/8
Gloucester	3/22	3/28	4/3	4/8
Burlington	3/22	3/28	4/2	4/13
Mercer	3/22	3/28	4/2	4/13
Middlesex	3/22	4/1	4/4	4/14
Monmouth	3/22	4/1	4/4	4/14
Hunterdon	3/22	4/1	4/10	4/17
Morris	3/26	4/4	4/11	4/17
Warren	3/30	4/4	4/13	4/17
Sussex	3/31	4/10	4/14	TBD
Bergen	3/22	4/1	4/4	4/14

Apple Scab

Models

Apple scab infection risk continues to increase as we move through bloom. Models available through NEWA and RIMpro. indicate that ascospore maturity is progressing rapidly, and we are entering a critical period for primary infection.

While conditions have been relatively dry over the past several days, upcoming weather patterns may result in infection events. Growers should continue to monitor forecasts closely and maintain fungicide coverage, particularly during bloom when susceptibility is high.

Current Update using the Upper Deerfield Station

~58% ascospore maturity as of April 15–17
~28% cumulative ascospore discharge to date
Forecasted to reach ~65–75% maturity by April 18–21
Cumulative ascospore discharge forecasted to increase to ~57–58% by April 19–20

Management Considerations

Fungicide applications should be maintained through bloom, prior to predicted infection events.

Programs should prioritize control of fire blight, apple scab, powdery mildew, and cedar apple rust, especially in blocks at full bloom or entering petal fall.

Recommended Programs

Protectant + single-site tank mix:
- Mancozeb + single-site fungicide (use reduced rate when tank mixing)
FRAC 3 (DMI fungicides):
- Rally, Indar, Inspire Super, Topguard, Cevya
- Provide strong activity on scab, powdery mildew, and cedar apple rust

FRAC 7 fungicides:
- Fontelis, Miravis, Sercadis
- Effective for scab and mildew, but limited rust activity
- Reserve Aprovia for summer bitter rot programs (max 4 applications)
FRAC 9 or FRAC 1 fungicides:
- Vangard, Scala, Topsin
- Useful for scab, but do not control cedar apple rust
Rotation of Kasugamycin, Streptomycin and Oxytetratracycline for fire blight
- Kasumin is only labeled for bloom and petal fall applications
- Streptomycin and oxytetracycline are labeled for post bloom use (note that Fireline 45 only allows for 1 postbloom application on apple).
- The addition of Actigard, Apogee/Kudos, or other plant defense elicitors may improve control.

Monitor:

NEWA models
Weather/wetting events
Phenology

Insect Update

Early control is critical to avoiding season-long pressure.

Ambrosia Beetle

Significant flight activity has been observed across New Jersey, with high trap captures reported in multiple counties.
Activity is increasing in all regions.
Continue monitoring activity closely, particularly in stressed, declining, or newly planted blocks, which remain most susceptible.
Growers should remain alert, as peak flight activity typically coincides with warm temperatures during bloom.

Mating Disruption Timing

Codling moth (CM) mating disruption should be deployed by bloom (pink–early bloom timing is ideal).
Most counties are now at bloom, and applications should be completed immediately if not already done.

Key Reminders

Apply on a 3–7 day interval during bloom, tightening ahead of rain
Powdery mildew can develop under dry conditions
Do not tank mix Captan with oil due to phytotoxicity risk
Rotate FRAC groups and preserve FRAC 11 fungicides for summer use

Pears

Pear Phenology Update

Pear development has progressed rapidly across New Jersey, with warm temperatures accelerating bloom.

Most European pear varieties are now early-petal-fall in southern counties.

Asian pear varieties remain slightly more advanced, with many blocks in southern counties moving through late bloom into early petal fall, and northern plantings at full bloom to late bloom.

Pear Psylla

Pear psylla activity continues to be variable across southern New Jersey, though pressure remains generally low to moderate in most orchards. Earlier oil applications, particularly where combined with materials such as Esteem, have likely helped suppress early populations.

Gloucester County: None observed
Salem County: Adults observed
Burlington County: No activity observed to date
Mercer County: No activity observed to date

As orchards move through petal fall, psylla populations are expected to increase with continued warm temperatures.

At Petal Fall:

Continue monitoring for adults, eggs, and early nymph hatch
Use beating trays to assess adult activity
Examine developing shoots and leaf undersides for eggs and emerging nymphs

Management Considerations:

Insecticide applications can resume at petal fall, targeting early nymph stages
Timing is critical—applications shortly after egg hatch provide the most effective control
Prioritize blocks with historically high pressure or current egg presence

Recommended Petal Fall Options:

Movento – excellent systemic control of psylla, scale, and aphids (use with a spreading-penetrating adjuvant to improve efficacy)
Also effective options at petal fall: Actara, Assail, Belay, Centaur, Sivanto Prime, and Agri-mek

Management should focus on targeting newly hatched nymphs, as this stage is the most susceptible and critical for preventing population buildup.

Pear Diseases

Fire Blight and Early Season Management

As pear orchards move through petal fall, the primary bloom infection period is wrapping up; however, fire blight risk remains elevated under warm conditions. Bacteria can still spread to young tissues, particularly during periods of rain, wind, or rapid growth.

At Petal Fall and Post-Bloom:

Continue to monitor forecasts using NEWA for any late infection or trauma blight risk
Discontinue streptomycin use after petal fall (not labeled beyond this stage)
Kasumin may be used up to petal fall, but should not be applied afterward
Focus on protecting actively growing shoots, especially during warm, wet, or stormy conditions

Management Considerations:

Watch for trauma events (hail, wind, heavy rain), which can trigger infections
Maintain awareness in blocks with a history of fire blight
Be prepared to transition to post-bloom management strategies if conditions remain favorable

Pear Scab

RIMpro modeling continues to indicate that ascospore availability remains high, and infection risk persists during wetting events. As trees move beyond bloom, maintaining coverage remains critical to prevent primary infections.

At Petal Fall:

Maintain protective fungicide coverage, especially ahead of rainfall
Apply prior to wetting events, as infections occur during leaf wetness periods
If ≥2 inches of rainfall occurs after an application, consider reapplication to maintain coverage

Recommended Options:

Protectants: Mancozeb, Ziram, Ferbam
Resistance-risk materials: Procure, Cevya, Flint, Merivon, Luna Sensation, Inspire Super, Vangard (tank mix with protectant)

Summary

Most pear varieties across southern New Jersey are now at petal fall, with some blocks moving into early post-bloom stages; northern counties remain at full bloom to late bloom.
Asian pear varieties remain slightly more advanced, with many blocks at petal fall.
Pear psylla pressure remains low to moderate, likely due in part to prior oil applications, particularly where combined with Esteem.
Insecticide applications can resume at petal fall, with a focus on targeting early nymph hatch.
Growers should continue scouting for adults, eggs, and newly hatched nymphs to guide post-bloom management decisions.
Recent and forecasted wetting events continue to support pear scab infection risk, and fungicide coverage should be maintained.
Fire blight risk remains elevated, particularly under warm conditions; monitor for trauma events and late infection risk.
Continued scouting and close monitoring of weather conditions and tree growth will be critical over the next 7–10 days as post-bloom disease and insect pressure develop.

Peaches

Peach Phenology

Figure 1. Peach at shuck split in Gloucester County, NJ.

Peach and nectarine development has progressed rapidly across New Jersey, with warm temperatures accelerating bloom and early fruit set.
Most varieties in southern counties are now at petal fall to early shuck split (Figure 1), while northern counties are at full bloom, with some earlier varieties at petal fall.
Development is expected to continue advancing quickly under continued warm conditions, with southern blocks moving further into early fruit development stages over the next week.

Brown Rot

Blossom blight risk declines as orchards move through petal fall; however, infections can still occur on remaining blossoms and young fruitlets under favorable conditions.

Infection is favored during wetting periods between 41–86°F, with optimal conditions in the mid-70s, and risk remains elevated during extended wet periods. Fruitlets remain susceptible until shuck split, when natural resistance begins to increase.

Management Considerations

Maintain fungicide coverage through petal fall and into early cover, especially ahead of rainfall
Focus on protecting young fruitlets, particularly in blocks with a history of brown rot
If prolonged wetting occurred during bloom, ensure continued protection post-bloom
Rotate fungicide chemistries to reduce resistance risk

Recommended Petal Fall / Early Cover Materials

Effective options:
- Indar, Inspire Super, Luna Sensation, Merivon, Pristine, Cevya, Flint Extra
Additional options:
- Rovral (prior to petal fall timing only)
- Captan (useful in cover sprays)

Notes:

Many of the most effective materials (FRAC 7, 11, 3) also play key roles in pre-harvest brown rot control—plan rotations accordingly
Avoid over-reliance on any single FRAC group
Abound and Quadris Top are highly effective, but are phytotoxic to apples—do not use if the same sprayer is used across crops

Petal Fall / Early Cover Considerations:

Peach scab:
- Apply Flint Extra or Abound at petal fall for anti-sporulant activity in high-pressure blocks
Bacterial spot:
- Begin protection at petal fall in susceptible blocks using copper or Mycoshield, especially under warm, wet conditions
Rusty spot:
- Programs should begin at petal fall, with Rally commonly used as the first application

Insect Update

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM)

OFM traps are active across southern New Jersey, with biofix set for April 7 in South NJ and April 15 for most counties in North NJ.

Degree-day accumulation should be tracked from this date to properly time first-generation management. The first insecticides for first generation Oriental Fruit Moth control should be applied at 170-200 degree days (base 45 deg F) after biofix. This timing generally coincides with petal fall in peaches. Do not apply insecticides until all bloom is off regardless of degree day timing. No Insecticides for OFM should be needed where Mating Disruption is implemented.

As blocks move through petal fall, growers should begin preparing for first cover applications targeting OFM larvae. Timings can be calculated using the degree day calculator at the NEWA website by choosing the weather station nearest your farm, entering the biofix date as the start date, and choosing base 45 in the “degree day type” menu.

Keep in mind that plum curculio is also active at petal fall so an insecticide that targets both pests should be selected.

OFM 1^st Generation Timing
		Insecticide Type
County/Region	Degree Days by 4/19 base 45	Conventional 170-200, 350-375	Diamide 100-150, 300-350
Gloucester – Southern	178	1^st –4/18-4/23 2^nd –	1^st –past 2^nd –
Middlesex – Northern	101	1^st –4/27-4/29 2^nd –	1^st – 4/19-4/25 2^nd –

Scale

Delayed dormant oil applications are complete for most orchards.
Continue monitoring historically infested blocks and plan for crawler management later in the season if populations persist.

Green Peach Aphid

GPA colonies begin forming sometime during bloom. Examine trees for the presence of colonies from pink to shuck split.
Continue scouting as terminals expand and colonies begin to establish.
Count the number of colonies on ten trees and use a treatment threshold:
- Nectarines: 1 colony per tree
- Peaches: 2–3 colonies per tree

Petal Fall Considerations

Insecticide applications can resume at petal fall

Target key pests including:
- OFM (timed by degree-days from biofix)
- Plum curculio
- Tarnished plant bug and other catfacing isnects
- Green peach aphid

Early applications should focus on preventing the establishment of first-generation pests, particularly in blocks with a history of pressure

Recommended Petal Fall Options

OFM / Leafrollers:
- Altacor, Delegate, Besiege, Voliam Flexi
Plum Curculio / Catfacing Insects:
- Imidan, Avaunt, Actara, pyrethroids (e.g., Warrior II, Lambda-Cy)
Green Peach Aphid:
- Assail, Actara, Admire Pro

Summary

Most peach and nectarine varieties in southern New Jersey are now at petal fall to early shuck split, while northern counties are at full bloom.
Development has progressed rapidly under recent warm temperatures and will continue advancing quickly with favorable weather.
Brown rot risk remains present, particularly during wetting events, with young fruitlets susceptible through shuck split.
Maintain fungicide coverage through petal fall and into early cover, especially ahead of rainfall.
OFM biofix was set for 4/7 for southern counties and 4/15 for northern counties, and growers should continue tracking degree-day accumulation to time first-generation management.
Insecticide applications can resume at petal fall, targeting key pests including OFM, plum curculio, and green peach aphid.
Delayed dormant oil timing has passed; focus should shift to in-season insect monitoring and management.
Continue scouting for green peach aphid, with treatment thresholds of 1 colony/tree in nectarines and 2–3 colonies/tree in peaches.
Continued scouting and timely applications will be critical over the next 7–10 days as crop development and pest pressure increase.

SALEM COUNTY AGRONOMY TWILIGHT MEETING-1 (May 1, 2026)

Ramandeep Kumar Sharma — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:41:17 +0000

SALEM COUNTY AGRONOMY TWILIGHT MEETING-1

Date & Time: May 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
(Program starts at 5:00 PM; please arrive a few minutes early)

Location: Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office, 51 Cheney Rd., Woodstown, NJ 08098

Registration:
Call: 856-769-0090
Email: molly.english@salemcountynj.gov

Credits Approved:

CORE: Basic Safety and Handling: 02
1A: Agricultural Plant: 02
10: Demonstration & Research: 02
PP2: Private Applicator: 02

Topics & Speakers:

The 3R’s of Pesticide Use: Resistance, Rotation, and Regulation
Speaker: Janine Spies, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
The Endangered Species Act Changes to Pesticide Labels
Speaker: William J. Bamka, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Nitrogen from Air to Soil using Sunlight
Speaker: Joseph R. Heckman, Rutgers University
Agronomist’s Field Guide to Drought Resilience
Speaker: Ramandeep Sharma, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

Imbibitional Chilling Injury Risk in Corn

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:27:31 GMT

Corn planting is underway across New Jersey (NJ), and early-season weather will strongly influence stand establishment. After a sharp temperature drop from unusually warm conditions earlier in April, the state is now experiencing a highly variable spring pattern with alternating cool and brief warm periods, followed by a gradual shift toward more stable spring conditions into early May. Across NJ, conditions also vary by region, with South Jersey generally experiencing warmer daytime temperatures but still prone to colder nighttime lows in inland areas, Central NJ showing moderate conditions with typical spring day–night temperature swings, and Northwest NJ (Highlands) remaining cooler overall with slower spring warming and delayed soil temperature recovery.

Why This Matters Now

As planting continues across the region, the current cool and fluctuating conditions increase the risk of imbibitional chilling injury. This risk is greatest where soils are saturated, poorly drained, or high in residue, as these conditions slow soil warming and prolong seed exposure to cold water during early imbibition. Imbibitional chilling injury occurs when corn seed absorbs cold water (generally in soils <50°F) during the first 24–48 hours after planting, leading to membrane damage, poor germination, uneven emergence, abnormal seedlings.

Weather Outlook and Implications (All temperature ranges discussed below are based on Weather25.com long-range forecast data for NJ)

April 20–22: Cold stress dominates early establishment window. Imbibitional Injury Risk Index: 9–10/10 (Very High Risk). Across much of NJ, conditions are predicted to remain cool with highs ~50–55°F inland (slightly warmer near coast) and lows ~30–40°F inland (mid-30s to low 40s near coast). Soil temperatures are predicted to remain low and slow to recover due to repeated cold nights following planting. This is the highest-risk period for imbibitional chilling injury, particularly in freshly planted corn where rapid water uptake occurs under cold conditions.

April 23–28: A brief warming event is predicted on April 23 (near upper 60s°F highs in southern/central NJ) followed by cooler and variable conditions through April 28 (upper 40s to upper 50s°F nights and mid-50s to low 60s°F highs). This pattern creates thermal instability in the seed zone, which is especially problematic because seeds may begin imbibition during warm periods, followed by cooling that slows metabolic recovery, resulting in uneven emergence and stand variability

April 29–May 4: Transition to more stable spring conditions. Imbibitional Injury Risk Index: 1–3/10 (Low Risk). Temperatures are predicted to become more seasonally stable across NJ with highs (upper 50s to low/mid-60s°F early, increasing toward upper 60s°F by early May), lows (upper 40s to low 50s°F). Soil temperatures begin accumulating heat more consistently, improving germination rate, emergence uniformity, and early vegetative growth stability. Risk of new imbibitional injury becomes minimal, although earlier planted fields may still show residual stand variability from early cold stress.

Management Guidance

Avoid planting ahead of cold rain events or extended cool periods, especially when soil temperatures are below ~50°F
Prioritize well-drained fields with lower residue for early planting
Use hybrids with strong seedling vigor and cold tolerance in early planting windows
Seed treatments may help reduce disease pressure but do not prevent imbibitional chilling injury
Evaluate stands after full emergence before making replant decisions

Take-Home Message

With planting underway, NJ is experiencing a critical early-season transition from cool, high-risk conditions to more stable spring temperatures. The period from April 20–22 poses the greatest risk for imbibitional chilling injury, while conditions gradually improve after April 23 and become largely favorable by late April into early May. Careful timing of planting relative to soil temperature and rainfall events will be key to achieving uniform stand establishment.

Farm Safety Needs Assessment Closing May 1

Kate Brown — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:02 +0000

The Rutgers Farm Health and Safety Working Group is conducting a survey to evaluate the priority needs of New Jersey farmers for training and resource development related to safety and health. As a New Jersey farmer, you are invited to complete this survey by Friday, May 1, 2026. Click here to access the survey and learn more.

Participation in this research study is voluntary. If you choose to participate by completing the survey, you will be asked to respond to questions about priority hazards for educational outreach as well as personal preparedness for emergencies, motivations and barriers for improvement, and interest in specific trainings and services. The survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and no information that can identify you will appear in any professional presentation or publication. Responses are anonymous.

April 28th Evening Webinar: Using Drones in Agriculture

Michelle Infante-Casella — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:22:22 +0000

Using Drones in Agriculture
Free Webinar
Date: April 28, 2026
Time: 7:00-8:30 PM

A 3-year USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Grant was awarded to a team of Agricultural Agents at Rutgers to study the use of drones in agriculture. Please join this team on Tuesday, April 28th at 7:00PM to learn about their work and the use of drones for agriculture. This program will highlight research projects, and real-world uses of drones in agricultural operations and will foster discussion and networking for anyone interested in using drones in their agricultural operation.

7:00 PM Drone Technology: A Tool for Crop Production and Management – Stephen Komar, ANR Agent /Rutgers SARE Coordinator
7:25 PM Getting Started with Drones: Regulatory Compliance and Other Practical Considerations – Adam Kyle, Warren Co. Com. College, Teaching Administrator, Precision Agriculture
7:50 PM Trusting the Data: Ground Truthing for Monitoring with Drones – Michelle Infante-Casella, ANR Agent/Rutgers SARE Co-Coordinator
8:15 PM Questions

To Join, please click the Zoom link below.
https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/95326725115?pwd=6JefhuSGbbBqjWdmDbKLXZ7exEr3la.1

This event is sponsored by a grant awarded by the USDA, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.

For questions contact Stephen Komar, Agricultural Agent and NJ SARE Coordinator via email at komar@njaes.rutgers.edu

Fruit IPM Updates Week of 4/06/2026

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:20:28 GMT

Tree Fruit Phenology Update

While tree fruit phenology seemed to advance rapidly late last month into early April across New Jersey, temperatures dropped below freezing overnight early in the week, slowing development and prompting frost warnings, negatively impacting advanced crops and cultivars in bloom. Warmer temperatures are forecast for the weekend and into next week, resuming and accelerating rapid development. It is also important to note that NJ remains under a NJ Department of Environmental Protection Drought Warning, and the entire state is currently in a moderate drought or abnormal dryness according to the US Drought Monitor.

In apples, most varieties have reached pink bud across the state, with early varieties such as Pink Lady now entering bloom in southern counties. In pears, most varieties are at bloom statewide, with Asian pears remaining slightly more advanced. Peach and nectarine varieties have reached full bloom in southern counties and pink in most northern counties, with some early varieties in southern counties beginning to enter petal fall.

Apples

Apple Phenology Update

This stage marks a critical transition in disease management, particularly for apple scab, powdery mildew, and cedar apple rust, while also representing an important period for early-season insect management and monitoring.

Phenology Dates by County (earliest varieties)

County	Green Tip	Tight Cluster	Pink Bud	Bloom
Cumberland	3/22	3/28	4/3	4/8
Gloucester	3/22	3/28	4/3	4/8
Burlington	3/22	3/28	4/2	TBD
Mercer	3/22	3/28	4/2	TBD
Middlesex	3/22	4/1	4/4	TBD
Monmouth	3/22	TBD	4/4	TBD
Hunterdon	3/22	TBD	TBD	TBD
Morris	3/26	TBD	TBD	TBD
Warren	3/30	TBD	TBD	TBD
Sussex	3/31	TBD	TBD	TBD
Bergen	3/22	4/1	TBD	TBD

Figure 1. Pink Lady apple variety in Gloucester County entering bloom on 04/06/2026. Photo by Katrina DeWitt.

Apple Scab

Models

Apple scab models are available through NEWA and RIMpro. Current models indicate that ascospore maturity is increasing rapidly, with infection risk expected to rise significantly as we move through bloom. While no major infection events are currently forecast for the next several days, growers should continue to monitor the weather closely and maintain fungicide coverage

Current Update using the Upper Deerfield Station

~40% maturity on April 8
~42% maturity on April 9
~28% cumulative ascospore discharge to date
Forecasted to reach ~48–59% by April 10–15

Management Considerations

As apples progress from pink through bloom, maintaining fungicide coverage is critical, as ascospore maturity and discharge increase rapidly during this period. Growers should select fungicides that protect against apple scab, powdery mildew, and cedar apple rust, particularly in susceptible varieties and southern counties where bloom is underway.

Keep in mind that powdery mildew favors warm, dry conditions and does not require rainfall for infection, while cedar apple rust management becomes increasingly important from pink through bloom.

Recommended fungicide programs include:

Mancozeb + single-site fungicide tank mix (use half-rate mancozeb when tank mixing with resistance-risk fungicides)
FRAC 3 fungicides (DMI), including Rally, Procure, Indar, Inspire Super, Topguard, or Cevya for strong activity against scab, powdery mildew, and cedar apple rust
FRAC 7 fungicides, including Fontelis, Miravis, or Sercadis for scab and mildew control, though these provide limited/no cedar apple rust activity (Aprovia should be saved for bitter rot management later in the season since it is limited to 4 applications per season)
FRAC 9 fungicides, including Vangard or Scala for scab suppression, though ineffective on cedar apple rust
FRAC 1 fungicides, including Topsin, though ineffective on cedar apple rust

Important Notes:

Mancozeb remains highly effective for apple scab and cedar apple rust but does not control powdery mildew.
Avoid combining Captan with oil products due to the risk of phytotoxicity.
Consider saving some FRAC 11 materials for summer disease programs to assist with resistance management.

Monitor:

NEWA models
Weather/wetting events
Phenology

Early control is critical to avoiding season-long pressure.

Insect Update

Ambrosia Beetle:

The first flight of the ambrosia beetle has been detected in southern New Jersey.
There has been minimal activity observed further north at this time.
Continue monitoring traps closely, particularly in stressed, declining, or newly planted blocks, as beetle activity is expected to increase with continued warming temperatures.

Mating Disruption Timing:

Codling moth (CM) mating disruption should be applied around pink.
Growers should begin preparing materials and planning applications now.

Summary

Apple phenology continues to progress rapidly across New Jersey, with most varieties at tight cluster to pink bud and early southern varieties entering bloom.

This stage marks a critical period for disease management, particularly for apple scab, powdery mildew, and cedar apple rust, as well as key insect monitoring timings.

Apple scab ascospore maturity has increased to approximately 40–42% and is forecasted to reach 48–59% over the next week, increasing overall infection risk as bloom progresses.

No major infection events are currently forecast, but growers should continue to monitor the weather closely and maintain fungicide coverage ahead of rain events.

Fungicide programs should target apple scab, powdery mildew, and cedar apple rust, with materials selected based on orchard phenology and disease pressure.

Southern counties entering bloom should maintain cedar apple rust protection and continue scouting for early-season insect activity.

Pears

Pear Phenology Update

Pear phenology has advanced rapidly across southern New Jersey over the past week. Observations indicate that most European pear varieties are now in full bloom, with orchards progressing quickly under recent warm temperatures.

Asian pear varieties remain slightly more advanced, with most blocks also at full bloom or moving toward late bloom in the earliest plantings.

Figure 2. Bloom. Asian pear variety phenology. Gloucester County, NJ. Photo by Katrina DeWitt.

Pear Psylla

Pear psylla activity has remained variable across southern New Jersey. Observations from April 7 indicate differences by county:

Gloucester County: None observed
Burlington County: No activity observed to date
Mercer County: No activity observed to date

Overall pressure remains relatively low in many orchards. This is likely due, in part, to recent oil applications, particularly where oil was combined with materials such as Esteem, which can suppress egg laying and early population development.

At this stage (full bloom):

Continue monitoring for adults, eggs, and the onset of nymph hatch
Use beating trays to assess adult activity
Examine developing shoots and leaves for egg presence

Management considerations:

Do not apply insecticides during bloom due to pollinator protection restrictions.
Continue scouting to monitor psylla population development and identify blocks where pressure may increase rapidly.
Prepare for petal fall applications targeting early nymph hatch, as this timing is critical for effective suppression.

Recommended post-bloom / petal fall options include:

Movento – excellent activity on pear psylla and aphids
Agri-Mek / Gladiator / Minecto Pro – strong knockdown where higher pressure exists
Delegate / Danitol / Warrior II / Lambda-Cy – additional options where adult populations remain elevated
Centaur / Sivanto Prime – softer alternatives for moderate pressure situations

Management should focus on targeting newly hatched nymphs shortly after petal fall, when control is most effective.

Pear Diseases

Fire Blight and Early Season Management

With pear orchards now in full bloom across southern New Jersey, fire blight risk is increasing significantly. Forecasted warm temperatures for next week, combined with moisture, create favorable conditions for bacterial multiplication, spread, and blossom infection.

During bloom:

Monitor weather closely and use forecasting models, such as NEWA, to track infection periods.
Apply bactericides when the first blossoms open, and repeat every 3–7 days during bloom as needed, based on weather/infection risk.
Streptomycin (Agri-Mycin/FireWall/Streptrol) remains a primary option for blossom blight protection.
Kasumin may also be used through petal fall.
Oxytetracycline products (Mycoshield/FireLine) may be rotated to manage resistance.
Rotate chemistries, when possible, to reduce resistance development.

Pear Scab

RIMpro modeling for pear scab in Upper Deerfield indicates that infection risk has increased, with multiple infection periods observed in recent days and additional ascospores still available. Current modeling suggests that the inoculum remains available and that conditions continue to favor infection during wetting events.

At bloom:

Maintain protective fungicide coverage throughout bloom, especially ahead of forecasted rainfall.
Effective protectant options include Mancozeb, Ziram, or Ferbam.
Effective resistance-risk materials include Procure, Cevya, Flint, Merivon, Luna Sensation, Inspire Super, or Vangard (tank-mixed only).
Applications should be made prior to rainfall/wetting periods, as infections occur during wet conditions.
If 2 inches or more of rainfall occurs following an application, consider a follow-up spray to maintain coverage.

Additional Considerations:

Continue programs targeting pear scab, Fabraea leaf spot, and powdery mildew during bloom.
Asian pear blocks may require particularly close attention, as they often progress slightly ahead of European pears and may be more susceptible during bloom.

Summary

Most pear varieties across southern New Jersey are now at full bloom, with Asian pears generally slightly more advanced.

Reduced pressure in some blocks is likely due to prior oil applications, particularly where oil was combined with Esteem.

No insecticide applications should be made during bloom to protect pollinators.

Growers should continue scouting for adults, eggs, and early nymph hatch to prepare for post-bloom management decisions.

Recent rainfall and wetting events have increased disease pressure, particularly for pear scab and fire blight.

Protective fungicide programs should be maintained throughout bloom, with reapplication considered following 2 inches or more of rainfall.

Fire blight risk is increasing significantly during bloom, and growers should be prepared to apply antibiotics during infection periods if favorable conditions persist.

Continued scouting and close monitoring of weather conditions will be critical over the next 7–10 days as bloom progresses and disease/insect pressure increases.

Peaches

Peach Phenology

Peach and nectarine phenology have advanced rapidly across New Jersey over the past week. Most peach and nectarine varieties in southern counties are now in full bloom while northern counties are at pink, with some early varieties in southern New Jersey beginning to enter petal fall. Development is progressing quickly under recent warm temperatures.

Brown Rot

Blossom infections from the brown rot fungus can occur whenever pistils are exposed, and favorable environmental conditions are present.

Infections can occur during any wetting period when temperatures are between 41 and 86°F, with optimal infection when wetting periods coincide with mid-70s temperatures. During extended wetting periods, blossoms may become infected regardless of temperature.

Blossoms and fruitlets remain susceptible until the pistil desiccates, which typically occurs between petal fall and shuck split.

Management Considerations

Maintain fungicide coverage throughout bloom and petal fall, particularly ahead of wetting periods favorable for blossom blight infection.
If favorable weather persists, a third blossom blight spray may be warranted, noting some products are only labeled for two bloom applications.
Fungicides used during bloom should be rotated appropriately for resistance management and should not overly rely on chemistries intended for later pre-harvest brown rot control.

Recommended Bloom-Stage Materials:

Vangard, Flint Extra, Inspire Super, Luna Sensation, or Rovral
Bravo Weather Stik (through shuck split only)
Fontelis, Indar, Luna Experience, Merivon, Pristine, Cevya, Orius, and Tilt are other rotational options but these should be saved to target brown rot at the pre harvest stage as these products all have a 0-day PHI
Rally is also effective but consider saving this product to target rusty spot
While Abound and Quadris Top are very effective to control this disease, they are highly phytotoxic to apples and should not be used if you are using the same sprayer on apples and peaches

Petal Fall / Early Cover Considerations:

Where peach scab has historically been problematic, Flint Extra at petal fall is advised for anti-sporulant activity.
For highly susceptible cultivars, warm/wet springs, or blocks with a history of bacterial spot, begin bacterial spot protection at petal fall with materials such as copper or Mycoshield.
Rusty spot programs should begin at petal fall, with Rally commonly used as the first application.

Insect Update

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM)

OFM traps were deployed this week in southern New Jersey counties.
Biofix for Oriental Fruit Moth was set to April 7, 2026, by Dr. Anne Nielsen.
Growers utilizing degree-day models should begin tracking accumulation from this date to properly time future management applications.

Scale:

Delayed dormant oil timing has now passed for most blocks.
Growers should continue monitoring historically infested blocks and prepare for crawler management later in the season if pressure persists.

Green Peach Aphid:

Continue scouting for green peach aphid colonies as terminals begin developing.
Treatment thresholds remain:
- 1 colony per tree in nectarines
- 2–3 colonies per tree in peaches

Bloom/Petal Fall Considerations

Avoid insecticide applications during bloom to protect pollinators.
As blocks move through petal fall, growers should begin preparing for upcoming petal-fall insect management timings based on OFM degree-day accumulation.

Summary

Most peach and nectarine varieties in southern New Jersey are now at full bloom, with some early southern varieties beginning to enter petal fall.
Development has progressed rapidly under recent warm temperatures and will continue advancing quickly with favorable weather.
Brown rot infection risk remains present whenever blossoms are exposed under wet conditions, particularly between 41–86°F.
Blossoms and young fruit remain susceptible until pistil desiccation, typically between petal fall and shuck split.
Fungicide coverage should be maintained through bloom and petal fall, particularly ahead of wetting periods favorable for blossom blight infection.
OFM traps were deployed this week in southern counties, and biofix has been established as April 7, 2026.
Growers should begin tracking degree-day accumulation from biofix to prepare for upcoming OFM management timings.
The delayed dormant oil timing has passed for most blocks, and focus should shift to in-season insect monitoring.
Continue scouting for green peach aphid, with treatment thresholds of 1 colony/tree in nectarines and 2–3 colonies/tree in peaches.
Avoid insecticide applications during bloom to protect pollinators.
Continued scouting and timely applications will be critical over the next 7–10 days as phenology and pest pressure continue to progress.

North Jersey Tree Fruit and Vegetable Twilight Meeting

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:54:15 GMT

North Jersey Tree Fruit and Vegetable Twilight Meeting

Supported by

New Jersey Vegetable Growers Association

April 30, 202

4:30 PM-7:30 PM

Ort Farms

25 Bartley Rd.

Long Valley, NJ 07853

4:15 PM – Registration and Tour of Farmers Market

4:30 PM – Wagon Tour of the Farm

5:00 PM – Light Dinner (Sponsored by NJ Vegetable Growers Association)

5:30 PM – Proper Pesticide Handling, Personal Protective Equipment and Record Keeping

Janine Spies PhD, State Fruit IPM Program Leader, Rutgers NJAES

6:00 PM – Tree Fruit Insect and Disease Update

Kaitlin Quinn, North Jersey Tree Fruit IPM Program Associate, Rutgers NJAES

6:30 PM – Key Management Decisions to Minimize Disease, and Pest Pressure while Enhancing Yield in Strawberry Production

Peter Nitzsche, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent I, Rutgers NJAES

7:00 PM – Managing Thrips in Vegetable Crops

Amanda Quadrel, North Jersey Vegetable IPM Senior Program Coordinator, Rutgers NJAES

The following pesticide recertification credits will be awarded

1 Unit CORE 3 Units 1A 3 Units 10 3 Units PP2

Please RSVP for the meeting by April 27 with a call to:

Kim Crommelin at 908.788.1338 or kfrey@co.hunterdon.nj.us

How Recent Fertilizer Price Increases Affect Your Per-Acre Costs

Seowoo Sophie Lee — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 20:09:33 +0000

Recent increases in fertilizer prices, especially for nitrogen-based inputs, are raising production costs. This article summarizes recent price trends in our region and provides a simple worksheet for you to calculate your own cost of production.

1. Increase in recent fertilizer prices

March 30 vs. Mid-February

Urea: +40%
Liquid nitrogen 32%: +29%
DAP (18-46-0): +5%
MAP (11-52-0): +5%
Potash: +3%

March 2026 vs. March 2025

Urea: +38%
Liquid nitrogen 32%: +53%
DAP (18-46-0): +4%
MAP (11-52-0): +8%
Potash: +4%

2. Translating fertilizer prices into production costs

Fertilizer prices are typically reported in dollars per ton, but farmers apply fertilizer in pounds per acre. To translate market prices into on-farm costs, the price per ton is first converted to a price per pound by dividing by 2,000 (the number of pounds in a ton). This per-pound price is then multiplied by the application rate (in pounds per acre) to calculate fertilizer cost per acre.

Fertilizer cost per acre = fertilizer price per ton / 2000 * application rate.

You can find a worksheet to calculate your total fertilizer costs on the Rutgers Farm Management website (Link here).

Fruit IPM Updates Week of 3/30/2026

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 14:03:12 GMT

Tree Fruit Phenology Update

Tree fruit phenology is progressing across New Jersey, with development in southern counties remaining slightly advanced and northern regions beginning to catch up. Overall, the 2026 season is showing a more compressed phenology window than typical. Warm temperatures this week significantly advanced phenology.

In apples, most varieties have reached tight cluster across the state, with early varieties in southern counties at pink bud. In pears, most varieties are at early white bud to popcorn, with Asian pears more advanced and approaching bloom. Peach varieties have reached pink bud across New Jersey, with nectarines near or in bloom in South Jersey.

Apples

Apple Phenology Update

Apple phenology continues to progress across New Jersey. Observations indicate that northern counties are primarily at tight cluster, while southern counties are at pink bud in early varieties.

This stage marks a critical transition in disease management, particularly for apple scab, powdery mildew, and cedar apple rust, as well as key insect management timings.

Phenology Dates by County (earliest varieties)

County	Green Tip	Tight Cluster	Pink Bud
Cumberland	3/22	3/28	4/3
Gloucester	3/22	3/28	4/3
Burlington	3/22	3/28	4/2
Mercer	3/22	3/28	4/2
Middlesex	3/22	4/1	TBD
Monmouth	3/22	TBD	TBD
Hunterdon	3/22	TBD	TBD
Morris	3/26	TBD	TBD
Warren	3/30	TBD	TBD
Sussex	3/31	TBD	TBD
Bergen	3/22	4/1	TBD

Figure 1: Pink Lady apple variety in pink bud. Gloucester County, NJ. Photo by Katrina DeWitt

Apple Scab

Models

Apple scab models are available through NEWA and RIMpro. These models currently indicate that ascospore maturity is increasing and will continue to rise rapidly over the next several days. Apply fungicides before infection events.

Current Update using the Upper Deerfield Station

~13% maturity on April 1
~15% on April 2
Forecasted to reach 25–40% by April 4–8

Management Considerations

Now that we have reached the tight cluster stage, it is important to select fungicides that target both apple scab and powdery mildew. Manzate is ineffective against powdery mildew. Keep in mind that powdery mildew prefers warm, dry conditions and does not require rainfall to infect. For farms in southern counties that have reached pink stage, it is important to begin targeting cedar apple rust. Manzate is effective against cedar apple rust.

Manzate + single-site fungicide
DMI (FRAC 3) for high pressure
Vangard (FRAC 9; not effective on cedar apple rust)
FRAC 7 (save Aprovia for summer; not effective on cedar apple rust)
Axios (great for scab and powdery mildew; novel FRAC 52)
FRAC 11 (save for summer)
Topsin (limited uses; consider saving for summer; FRAC 1; not effective on cedar apple rust)

Monitor:

NEWA models
Weather/wetting events
Phenology

Early control is critical to avoiding season-long pressure.

Insect Update

Ambrosia Beetle:

Ambrosia beetles have been detected in Burlington, Salem, Gloucester, and Middlesex counties
Activity has not yet been observed further north at this time
Observed activity is low and is not a concern

Continue monitoring traps, particularly in stressed or newly planted blocks, as activity may increase with warming temperatures.

Mating Disruption Timing:

Codling moth (CM) mating disruption should be applied around pink
Growers should begin preparing materials and planning applications now

Summary

Apple phenology is progressing across New Jersey, with northern counties at tight cluster and southern counties at pink bud in early varieties
This stage marks a critical period for apple scab and powdery mildew management, as well as key insect timings
Apple scab ascospore maturity is increasing (~13–15%) and is forecasted to reach 25–40% over the next several days, increasing infection risk
Fungicide applications should be applied prior to infection events, with materials selected to target both scab and powdery mildew
In southern counties at pink, begin targeting cedar apple rust

Pears

Pear Phenology Update

Pear phenology has advanced rapidly across southern New Jersey over the past week. Observations made on April 2 indicate that most European pear varieties are now at early white bud, following cluster separation but prior to petal show, with some blocks progressing into popcorn stage.

Asian pear varieties are more advanced, with many blocks at popcorn stage and approaching bloom.

Figure 2. White bud/popcorn. Asian pear variety phenology. Salem County, NJ. Photo by Katrina DeWitt.

Pear Psylla

Pear psylla activity has been variable across southern New Jersey. Observations from April 2 indicate differences by county:

Salem County: adults and eggs observed
Gloucester County: none observed
Burlington County: no activity observed to date
Mercer County: no activity observed to date

At this stage (white bud to popcorn):

Continue monitoring for adults, eggs, and the onset of nymph hatch
Use beating trays to assess adult activity
Examine developing shoots and leaves for egg presence

Management considerations:

In blocks without prior applications, or where psylla is present, consider a pre-bloom insecticide application
Consider applying particle films such as dormant oil or Surround to deter egg laying
With pre-bloom insecticide applications, softer materials should be used to avoid harming pollinator or beneficial insect populations
In blocks where adults are present at low pressure, insecticide options include Esteem (up to 2 applications 14 days apart), Centaur, or Aza-Direct
In blocks where adults are present at high pressure (more than 4 adults per beating tray), insecticide options include Apta, Assail, or AgriMek
Insecticides should be applied prior to bloom, as use during bloom is restricted due to pollinator protection

As bloom approaches (particularly in Asian pears):

Avoid applications that may impact pollinators
Management focus will shift to early nymph control post-bloom

Pear Diseases

Fire Blight and Early Season Management

As pears approach bloom, fire blight risk will increase significantly, especially given the recent wet conditions and continued rainfall through the weekend. These conditions are favorable for bacterial spread and infection.

As bloom approaches:

Begin planning for antibiotic applications, particularly if warm and wet conditions persist
Kasumin may be used at bloom and petal fall
Streptomycin and oxytetracycline remain key options, particularly post-bloom
Rotate chemistries to support resistance management

Pear Scab

RIMpro modeling for pear scab in Upper Deerfield has indicated low infection risk to date, but conditions are rapidly becoming more favorable for infection.

The primary infection model shows maturing ascospores present and available, with multiple wetting events occurring from late March through early April. These rain events are driving spore release and infection potential, with additional infection periods forecasted in the coming days.

From white bud to popcorn:

Protective fungicide programs should now be in place and maintained, particularly ahead of rain events
Applications of mancozeb or ziram tank-mixed with Procure, Cevya, or Vangard are effective options for scab control
Applications should be made prior to rainfall events, as infections occur during wetting periods
If 2 inches or more of rainfall occur following an application, a follow-up spray should be considered to maintain protection

As we move toward bloom:

Continue programs targeting pear scab, rust diseases, and Fabraea leaf spot
Particular attention should be paid to Asian pear varieties, which are further advanced and at greater risk

Summary

Observations from April 2 indicate most European pears are at early white bud, with some at popcorn stage
Asian pears are at popcorn and approaching bloom
Pear psylla activity remains variable across counties, with adults and eggs observed in Salem County
Reduced pressure in some blocks is likely due to oil applications, with or without Esteem
Where oil was not applied, or psylla is present, pre-bloom insecticide applications should be considered
Insecticide applications must be completed prior to bloom to protect pollinators
Recent and continued rainfall is increasing disease pressure, particularly for pear scab and fire blight
Fungicide programs should be actively maintained, with reapplication needed after significant rainfall (2 inches or more)
Fire blight risk will increase rapidly as bloom approaches, so antibiotic programs should be prepared

Continued scouting is critical over the next 7–10 days as phenology and pest pressure accelerate.

Peaches

Peach Phenology

Peach varieties across New Jersey were observed at the pink bud stage this week. Nectarines are more advanced, with the majority observed near or in bloom in South Jersey. Development is progressing steadily and will continue as temperatures warm.

Brown Rot

Blossom infections from the brown rot fungus can occur whenever pistils are exposed, and favorable environmental conditions are present.

Infections can occur during any wetting period when temperatures are between 41 and 86°F. Optimum conditions occur with wetting and temperatures in the mid-70s. During extended wetting periods (several days or more), blossoms can be infected regardless of temperature. Infections under suboptimal conditions are generally less severe.

Blossoms and fruitlets remain susceptible until the pistil desiccates, which occurs sometime between petal fall and shuck split.

Management Considerations

Fungicides used for control at the blossom blight stage should not overlap with fungicides used in the pre-harvest stage of brown rot
Try to save fungicide options with low pre-harvest intervals for later in the season
Bravo Weather Stik + single-site fungicide
Vangard (applied at pink stage)
Rovral (applied at full bloom)
Flint Extra (applied at petal fall)

Initiate coverage for blossom blight starting at pink for short-petaled varieties and at 5–10% bloom for showy flowers. Refer to the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for recommended materials and rates.

Insect Update

Mating Disruption Timing:

Oriental fruit moth mating disruption should be applied at pink
Growers should begin preparing materials and planning applications now

Scale:

Oil applications may be safely applied up to pink on peach
Oil can be applied alone or in combination with insecticides, including Centaur, Sivanto Prime, and Esteem

Green Peach Aphid:

Scouting should begin at pink stage
Thresholds for treatment are 1 colony/tree in nectarines or 2–3 colonies/tree in peaches

Summary

Observations indicate peaches are at pink bud across New Jersey, with nectarines more advanced and approaching or in bloom in South Jersey
Development is progressing steadily and will accelerate with warming temperatures
Brown rot infection risk is present whenever blossoms are exposed under wet conditions, particularly between 41–86°F
Blossoms remain susceptible through petal fall to shuck split
Fungicide programs should be initiated at pink to early bloom, depending on flower type, while avoiding overlap with pre-harvest materials
Oriental fruit moth mating disruption should be applied at pink; growers should prepare materials now
Oil applications for scale can be made up to pink and may be tank-mixed with labeled insecticides
Green peach aphid scouting should begin at pink, with treatment thresholds of 1 colony/tree in nectarines and 2–3 colonies/tree in peaches

Continued scouting and timely applications will be critical over the next 7–10 days as phenology advances.

Apple Scab Update

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:45:34 GMT

Apple Scab Update

Apple scab models are currently forecasting potential infection periods from March 31st-April 2nd. This is based on a green tip date of March 22nd which was observed across the state aside from the most northern counties. Conditions may be optimal for further scab infection events on April 5th-6th. Model outputs are most accurate within 48-72 hours of the date in question,which should be kept in mind when making management decisions. It will be critical for growers to keep an eye on the models to make timely management decisions for optimal disease control. If you have recently applied copper, you will be covered for this infection period. Other effective options include Manzate at 3 lb/A + Syllit at 1.5 pt/A or Manzate at 3 lb/A + Vangardat 3-5 oz/A.

NEWA

The Network for Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA) offers forecasting models for numerous disease and insect pests on a variety of crops including apple scab. This model allows you to select your own weather station or one closest to your farm to get real time information on when apple scab infections may occur. This allows you to make informed management decisions and apply effective fungicides prior to an infection event, which is the ideal timing for optimal disease control. Once you have selected your weather station, you can enter the date you noted green tip on your earliest variety (this will be 3/22 for the majority of NJ this year).

First, you will see the ‘Ascospore Maturity Summary’ chart. This will give you information on ascospore maturity, daily ascospore discharge, and cumulative ascospore discharge. Right now, the most important number to pay attention to is the daily ascospore discharge. The higher the daily ascospore discharge, the more severe the infection event will be. If the daily ascospore discharge is greater than 10%, there will be a significant scab infection event and fungicides should be applied prior to this event for management. If the daily discharge is above 20%, there will be an extreme infection event, and the most efficacious fungicides (DMI + Manzate) should be applied before the infection for control.

The next chart will be the ‘Infection Events Summary’. This will tell you if the weather conditions are optimal for apple scab infection. It includes weather data and tells you if there will be an infection event with the readouts ‘Yes’, ‘Combined’, or ‘No’. This information should be compared with the daily ascospore discharge to determine what efficacy of fungicide should be used for a given infection period.

Apple Scab Management Considerations

If you have not applied copper yet, it should be applied before this upcoming potential infection period March 31st-April 2nd

Copper applied after ½” green can cause phytotoxicity and fruit finish concerns

If you have already applied copper, since this is a low-risk infection period, Manzate at 3 lb/A + Syllit at 1.5 pt/A or Manzate at 3 lb/A plus Vangard at 3-5 oz/A would be sufficient management options

Keep in mind, powdery mildew control begins at tight cluster and cedar apple rust control begins at pink

The DMI fungicides should be saved for tight cluster and later timings since they are some of the best options for powdery mildew and cedar apple rust

Multiple Pest Alerts in nursery, landscape, Christmas tree – boxwood blight, ambrosia beetle, white pine weevil, clearwing borers, and Phytophthora management

Tim Waller — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:53:28 +0000

In response to the increased air temperature highs and averages, accumulating growing degree-days, increasing soil temperatures, and expected rainfall and overcasts days the following pest alerts have been generated for boxwood blight, ambrosia beetle, white pine weevil, and clearwing borers. Oomycete/Phytophthora treatment considerations are also listed at the bottom of the posting.

Stay informed:

Sign up for the 2026 – Rutgers Ornamental IPM Program – click here to sign up
Program is free, but registration is required – Registration includes:
- Site visit to your ornamental nursery/farm from Rutgers agents
- Delivered printed IPM resources (Guides, factsheets, bulletins)
- Free pheromone & sticky trap kit + guidance on setup/monitoring (for commercial nursery/greenhouse and Christmas tree farms)
- Access to live bi-weekly webinars (Zoom)
- (First session TUESDAY 4/14 @ 12PM)
- Every Second and Fourth, Tuesday, April through September

Boxwood Blight: high potential for new /spreading infections this week in Southern NJ

[pictorial tri-fold] Common Boxwood Pests and Diseases (click-here). This includes Box Tree Moth images. Print the PDF out double-sided, then fold.

If you suspect Boxwood Blight and would like to have this verified – please contact the Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory (click here) for sample submission instructions

Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 3/30/2026
Region	Location	CODE	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT
Region	Location	CODE	30-Mar	31-Mar	1-Apr	2-Apr	3-Apr	4-Apr
Southern	Upper Deerfield	NJ50	Very Low	Low	Very Low	Infection Risk	Very Low	Infection Risk
Southern	Vineland	NJ73	Very Low	Low	Very Low	Infection Risk	Low	Infection Risk
Southern	Millville	KMIV	Very Low	Very Low	Low	Infection Risk	Very Low	Infection Risk
Southern	Bridgeton	D4116	Very Low	Low	Very Low	Infection Risk	Very Low	Infection Risk
Southern	Mays Landing	G4661	Very Low	Very Low	Very Low	Low	Very Low	Infection Risk
Central	Howell / Freehold	NJ10	Very Low	Low	Very Low	Low	Very Low	Low
Central	Princeton	F0303	Very Low	Low	Very Low	Low	Very Low	Low
Central	Somerville	F6261	Very Low	Low	Very Low	Low	Very Low	Low
Northern	High Point	NJ59	Very Low	Low	Very Low	Very Low	Very Low	Very Low
Northern	Randolph	AU137	Very Low	Low	Very Low	Very Low	Very Low	Very Low
Northern	Belvidere	E7133	Very Low	Low	Very Low	Low	Very Low	Low
Please check your local boxwood blight risk at (https://uspest.org/risk/boxwood_app)

It is time to begin protective fungicide applications in boxwoods throughout the state if you have not already done so.
If BWB is important to your business – Use the USPEST – PUSH Alerts – (click here) – to setup weekly email alerts.
Please visit the USPEST.ORG Boxwood Blight Risk Model – CLICK HERE TO CHECK YOUR LOCAL PREDICTIONS)

Fungicides;

You very well may have these materials already applied as ‘cover-sprays’ – But – be mindful that protectant fungicides loose efficacy the more rain (or overhead irrigation) they are subjected to, and reapplication may be warranted.
ROTATE between Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC codes) to avoid this pathogen becoming resistant to specific chemicals

Format: [FRAC code]: Chemical name (Trade names * no endorsement implied, other options exist)

[M05]: Chlorothalonil (Daconil WS)
[M05 + 1] Chlorothalonil + Thiophanate methyl (Spectro 90WDG)
[11] Trifloxystrobin + [7] Fluopyram (Broadform)
[11] Trifloxystrobin + [3] Triadimefon (Armada 50WDG)
[M03] Mancozeb
[12] Fludioxonil (Medallion WDG)
[3] Tebuconazole (Torque)BW

Approaching boxwood blight season – 2026 (threat this week in Central and Southern NJ)

Ambrosia beetle adult flight will VERY LIKELY occur this week throughout most of NJ.

Consider using pyrethroids in your production areas if this pest has been a regular problem OR there are water stressed (typically flooded / slow draining) plants.

(generic) Ambrosia Beetle Flight Predictions – as of 3/30/2026
Region	Location	Metric	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	WED
Region	Location	Metric	30-Mar	31-Mar	1-Apr	2-Apr	3-Apr	4-Apr	5-Apr	6-Apr	7-Apr	8-Apr
Southern	Millville	High Temp [ºF]	69	78	82	55	71	77	75	59	59	58
		Low Temp [ºF]	57	62	50	45	58	57	47	40	41	43
		Average [ºF]	63	70	66	50	64.5	67	61	49.5	50	50.5
		High at/above 70ºF	FALSE	TRUE	TRUE	FALSE	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE
		Avg at/above 65ºF	FALSE	TRUE	TRUE	FALSE	FALSE	TRUE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE
		Adult flight risk	Probable flight				Potential flight

Central	Freehold	High Temp [ºF]	71	80	83	48	67	75	75	59	58	58
		Low Temp [ºF]	57	63	45	42	58	52	46	40	41	42
		Average [ºF]	64	71.5	64	45	62.5	63.5	60.5	49.5	49.5	50
		High at/above 70ºF	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE	FALSE	FALSE	TRUE	TRUE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE
		Avg at/above 65ºF	FALSE	TRUE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE
		Adult flight risk	Probable flight				Potential flight

Northern	Hackettstown	High Temp [ºF]	70	77	75	47	65	75	69	57	58	57
		Low Temp [ºF]	55	60	45	39	54	49	42	36	38	39
		Average [ºF]	62.5	68.5	60	43	59.5	62	55.5	46.5	48	48
		High at/above 70ºF	TRUE	TRUE	TRUE	FALSE	FALSE	TRUE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE
		Avg at/above 65ºF	FALSE	TRUE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE	FALSE
		Adult flight risk	Potential flight				Minor risk
Air temperatures: Weather Underground (https://www.wunderground.com/) and NEWA: (https://newa.cornell.edu/)
Compiled by Waller. T. 3/30/2026 [twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu]

Contact insecticides:

Pyrethroids [3A]: –thrins (bifenthrin, permethrin, etc.) – Pyrethroids longer lasting residual activity is why these materials are so effective against ambrosia beetles.
Systemic insecticides DO NOT WORK

Ambrosia Beetle Borers of Nursery Plants

White Pine Weevil (WPW) may have already emerged during the last heat wave, but if not, it will very likely occur this week throughout NJ.

Factors leading to this post include increased air temperatures and climbing growing degree-days (WPW adult movement and egg laying is around 7-58 growing degree-days (GDD50)), and most importantly rising soil temperatures as this pest typically begins movement with soils hovering around 50F. All of these factors lead to WPW movement this week and growers may wish to utilize a preventative, long lasting residual spray (pyrethroids) to target adults before they begin egg laying in the upper canopy.

So we have:

Within the GDD window for adult movement and egg laying (~58 GDD50)
Soil temperatures in NJ are at or above 50F.
Increased air temperatures and insect mobility

*White Pine Weevil (Pissodes strobi) – as of 3/30/2026*
Region	Location	CODE	METRIC	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT
Region	Location	CODE	METRIC	30-Mar	31-Mar	1-Apr	2-Apr	3-Apr	4-Apr
Southern	Upper Deerfield	NJ50	GDD₅₀	81	98	117	117	117	118
			High Temp [ºF] (Average)	69 (63)	78 (70)	82 (66)	55 (50)	71 (64.5)	77 (65)
			24hr Average – Soil TEMP [ºF]	54	<- (This will change over time / no prediction available)
Central	Freehold / Howell	NJ10	GDD₅₀	68	83	100	100	100	100
			High Temp [ºF] (Average)	70 (64)	80 (71.5)	83 (64)	48 (45)	67 (62.5)	75 (63.5)
			24hr Average – Soil TEMP [ºF]	55	<- (This will change over time / no prediction available)
Northern	HACKETTSTOWN	G5633	GDD₅₀	59	72	89	89	89	89
			High Temp [ºF] (Average)	69 (62)	77 (68.5)	75 (60)	47 (43)	65 (59.5)	75 (62)
			24hr Average – Soil TEMP [ºF]	54	<- (This will change over time / no prediction available)
USPEST.ORG – Model: simple average/growing degree-day, Min: 50F – Max: 95F, NMME forecast
GDD Forecast: 7-month NMME based seasonal climate forecast (USPEST.ORG) – Subject to change regularly = Check Often
Air temperatures: Weather Underground (https://www.wunderground.com/) and NEWA: (https://newa.cornell.edu/)
Soil temperatures (10cm): https://www.greencastonline.com/tools/soil-temperature
Compiled by Waller. T. 3/30/2026 [twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu]

Chemical Controls for WPW at this stage of the season:

Chemical insecticides against white pine weevils during the spring period are only effective when adults are feeding & before females lay eggs. Arial sprays only need to be applied to cover the terminal leaders at the tops of trees. Pyrethroids sprayed on the bark can have an effective residual of up to 3-weeks. Included within this group of insecticides include bifenthrin (e.g., Onyx), permethrin (e.g., Astro) & cyfluthrin (e.g., Tempo). Since an extended egg-laying duration occurs with this pest, a second application may be recommended.

White Pine Weevil: Overwintering Adults Become Active in March & April

Clearwing borers: Be prepared to manage these pests in the coming weeks.

If you are a commercial grower signed up for the 2026 Rutgers Ornamental IPM program (click here to register), please contact twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu for clearwing pheromone trap kits.

Clearwing Borer Flight (GDD model) as of 3/30/2026
Events / Pests	Southern NJ		Central NJ		Northern NJ
	UPPER DEERFIELD (NJ50)		HOWELL (NJ10)		RANDOLPH (AU137)
	Date	DDs	Date	DDs	Date	DDs
* START *	1-Jan	0	1-Jan	0	1-Jan	0
* NOW *	29-Mar	76	29-Mar	64	29-Mar	71
Lilac / Ash Borer (Podosesia syringae)	18-Apr	149	30-Apr	151	5-May	153
Dogwood Borer (Synanthedon scitula)	19-Apr	154	1-May	158	6-May	161
Lesser peach tree borer (Synanthedon pictipes)	12-May	362	21-May	352	25-May	352
Rhododendron borer (Synanthedon rhododendri)	23-May	516	1-Jun	515	5-Jun	513
Greater peach tree borer (Synanthedon exitiosa)	27-May	583	5-Jun	584	9-Jun	578
USPEST.ORG – Model: simple average/growing degree-day, Min: 50F – Max: 95F, NMME forecast
Forecast: 7-month NMME based seasonal climate forecast (USPEST.ORG) – Subject to change regularly = Check Often
Compiled by Waller. T. 3/30/2026 [twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu]

CLICK HERE – Please visit the Rutgers Ornamental IPM program website for more information on this group of pests

Identifying Clearwing Moth Borers in Pheromone Traps

Early season management of Phytophthora, Pythium, Phytopythium should be initiated throughout NJ in sensitive plant species, areas with known histories of disease, and in Christmas tree plantations.

Oomycide Considerations in Ornamentals – (Phytophthora, Pythium, Phytopythium)
Prepared by T. Waller – Rutgers Cooperative Extension – 2026 for use in New Jersey
FRAC	Risk of pathogen resistance	Active ingredient	Tradename examples*	(Review each specific label) Notes	Translocation Movement in plant
P07	Low	Phosphonates. Aluminum tris (O-ethyl phosphonate)	Areca, Aliette, generic fosetyl-Al	See label. Foliar and drench/soil reapplication interval is 30d or greater. Do not apply group P07 and copper-based fungicides within 14d of one another	Fully systemic – xylem and phloem mobile (amphimobile)
P07	Low	Phosphonates. Mono-and di- potassium salts of phosphorus acid	Alude, Reliant, Rampart, K-Phite 7LP	See label. Generally, soil drench minimum reapplication interval is 30d and foliar applications, less than. Do not apply group P07 and copper-based fungicides within 14d of one another	Fully systemic – xylem and phloem mobile (amphimobile)
40	Low to Medium	Dimethomorph, Mandipropamid	Stature SC, Micora	See label. Foliar, drench, soil directed, and chemigation applications.	Translaminar systemic – local translocation
40 + 45*	Medium + High*	Dimethomorph + ametoctradin*	Orvego	See label. Foliar, drench, soil directed, and chemigation applications.	Translaminar systemic – local translocation
49	Medium to High	Oxathiapiprolin	Segovis	See label for use restrictions and tank-mix compatibility.	Xylem mobile systemic – translocation upwards (acropetal)
11	High	Fenamidone	Fenstop	See label: Now labeled for outdoor nurseries. Reapplication interval is 28d	Xylem mobile systemic – translocation upwards (acropetal)
43	Medium	Fluopicolide	Adorn	See label. Foliar, drench, and chemigation applications. No more than 2 applications per crop cycle. Minimum reapplication interval – 14d.	Xylem mobile systemic – translocation upwards (acropetal)
4	High	Mefenoxam	Subdue Maxx, Subdue GR, generic Mefenoxam	See label. Typically, spring and fall drench applications with total allowable of 6lb/A/year (Subdue Maxx). Foliar, drench, soil directed, soilless media incorporation, and chemigation applications. See label for minimum reapplication intervals for drench applications (ranging from 3 weeks to 4 months). Mefenoxam resistance has been detected in the USA.	Xylem mobile systemic – translocation upwards (acropetal)
21	Medium to High	Cyazofamid	Segway-O, Celoxid SC	See label. Minimum reapplication interval 14 – 21d. No more than 2 applications per crop cycle. Applied as drench or soil directed.	Protectant – no systemic activity
BM02	Unknown (likely low)	Biologicals	Rhapsody (bacteria), Root Sheild Plus (fungi)	See label. Reapplication interval typically very rapid at 3-10d.	Antagonistic – hinders pathogen colonization of host tissues
–	–	Quaternary ammoniums	KleenGrow, Uptake, Physan 20, Green Shield	See label. Typically used in sanitation efforts, irrigation maintenance (biofilms), and some labels allow for application to plant surfaces. Phytotoxicity concerns are rate and label specific. Generally considered broad spectrum fungi/bacteria/oomycete pesticides.	Direct contact – varying residual activity, no systemic activity
–	–	Hydrogen dioxides	Zerotol, Oxidate

PESTICIDE USE DISCLAIMER. THE LABEL IS THE LAW . The Rutgers Plant and Pest Advisory is not intended for homeowners. Recommendations and considerations given herein are designed to be specific to the state of New Jersey, even though it may be broadly applicable across multiple geographic areas. A pesticide applicator is legally bound by the labeling found on and with the pesticide container in their possession. Before using a pesticide, check and always follow the labeling distributed with the product at the point of sale for legally enforceable rates and restrictions. New Jersey notes. 1. Private and commercial applicators must be certified AND possess a valid applicator license to make applications or supervise the use of ANY* EPA-registered pesticide (*as required NJAC 7:30; limited exemptions exist). 2. Only certified applicators possessing a valid New Jersey applicator license may purchase restricted use pesticides (RUPs). 3. Pursuant to NJ S1016, neonicotinoids can only be applied in agricultural settings. Commercial applications in outdoor, non-agricultural settings (i.e. landscapes) is prohibited, with no pest-specific exceptions, as of the printing of this document. In addition to the pesticide chemistries and Mode of Action (MoA) listed in this document, others may be commercially available. It is understood that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Rutgers Cooperative Extension is implied. THE LABEL IS THE LAW. Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Boards of County Commissioners, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.

Salem County Agronomy Twilight Meeting-1 (May 1, 2026)

Ramandeep Kumar Sharma — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:24:04 +0000

SALEM COUNTY AGRONOMY TWILIGHT MEETING-1

Date & Time: May 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
(Program starts at 5:00 PM; please arrive a few minutes early)

Location: Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office, 51 Cheney Rd., Woodstown, NJ 08098

Registration:
Call: 856-769-0090
Email: molly.english@salemcountynj.gov

Credits Applied For:

CORE: Basic Safety and Handling
1A: Agricultural Plant
10: Demonstration / Research
PP2: Private Applicator
11: Animal (Livestock) Pest Control

Topics & Speakers:

The 3R’s of Pesticide Use: Resistance, Rotation, and Regulation
Speaker: Janine Spies, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
The Endangered Species Act Changes to Pesticide Labels
Speaker: William J. Bamka, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Nitrogen from Air to Soil using Sunlight
Speaker: Joseph R. Heckman, Rutgers University
Agronomist’s Field Guide to Drought Resilience
Speaker: Ramandeep Sharma, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

Fruit IPM Updates Week of 3/23/26

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 19:37:05 GMT

Tree Fruit Phenology Update

Tree fruit phenology is progressing across New Jersey, with development in southern counties remaining slightly advanced and northern regions beginning to catch up. Overall, the 2026 season is showing a more compressed phenology window than typical. Cooler weather this weekend should help slow development.

In apples, green tip for Pink Lady was observed around March 22 across both southern and some northern regions, with Honeycrisp following around March 26. In pears, swollen buds were observed around March 11, with green clusters reaching by March 26 in southern New Jersey. Peach varieties in southern New Jersey were observed at the swollen bud stage this week.

Apples

Green Tip Dates by County

County	Green Tip Date (earliest varieties)
Cumberland	3/22
Gloucester	3/22
Burlington	3/22
Mercer	3/22
Middlesex	3/22
Monmouth	3/22
Hunterdon	3/22
Morris	TBD
Warren	TBD
Sussex	TBD
Bergen	TBD

Apple Scab

Models

Apple scab models are available through NEWA and RIMpro. Apply fungicides before infection events when discharge exceeds thresholds (10–20%).

Current Update

~2% ascospore maturity (March 25)
~7% by March 31
~10% by April 1
Low cumulative discharge (~1–4%)

Management Considerations

Copper can be applied now but avoid after ½” green.

Manzate + single-site fungicide
DMI (FRAC 3) for high pressure
Vangard (FRAC 9)
FRAC 7 (save Aprovia)
Axios (save for later)
Syllit (avoid if resistance)
FRAC 11 (save for summer)
Topsin (limited uses)

As we move toward tight cluster:

Rapid ascospore increase
Higher infection risk with rain

Monitor:

NEWA models
Weather/wetting events
Phenology

Early control is critical to avoid season-long pressure.

Scouting Calendar

Use as a scouting guide only (not for spray timing).

Green tip: March 22–26
Ascospore maturity: 2–7% increasing

Key Points

Minimal difference between North and South Jersey
Green tip ~March 22
Prepare for scab infection events
Build fungicide rotation now

Pears

Pear Phenology Update

Pear phenology is progressing, with swollen buds observed around March 11 and green clusters observed on March 26 in southern New Jersey.

Pear Psylla

Pear psylla activity has begun in southern New Jersey, with variability across counties:

Salem County: adults and eggs observed
Gloucester County: eggs observed
Burlington County: no activity observed to date

These observations indicate that egg laying is underway in the southernmost regions and will likely progress north with warming temperatures. Reports from surrounding regions also suggest psylla activity is increasing.

At this stage:

Continue monitoring for eggs and early nymphs
Use beating trays to assess adult activity
Examine buds and developing shoots for egg presence

Dormant oil applications should be applied where possible to deter psylla egg laying and suppress early populations. Timely applications are especially important in areas where activity has already been observed.

At green cluster:

Oil is often combined with an insecticide to target migrating adults
In lieu of oil, particle films such as Surround may be used starting at swollen bud and continuing through bloom

Materials such as Esteem, Centaur, and Sivanto Prime may also be incorporated, depending on timing and pressure.

Figure 1. Adult pear psylla laying eggs at swollen bud. Photo by Janine Spies.

Pear Diseases

Fire Blight and Early Season Management

Dormant copper applications should be applied for fire blight and pear scab suppression, but no later than green tip if fruit russet is a concern. Where copper has already been applied, early-season risk is likely reduced.

As bloom approaches:

Begin planning for antibiotic applications
Kasumin may be used at bloom and petal fall
Other options include streptomycin and oxytetracycline for post-bloom use

Rotating chemistries is important for resistance management.

Pear Scab

RIMpro modeling for pear scab in Upper Deerfield indicates low infection risk at this time, with infection values remaining below threshold levels. Despite recent wetting events, limited ascospore maturity is restricting infection potential.

Growers who have applied dormant copper are likely adequately protected under current conditions. Protective fungicide programs should begin at the cluster bud stage, particularly as we approach tighter cluster and bloom, when risk will increase.

Materials such as Ziram or EBDC formulations provide effective protection. At white bud, include materials effective against pear scab, rust diseases, and Fabraea leaf spot. Particular attention should be paid to rust on Asian pear varieties.

Dormant urea applications may also be used, where appropriate, to help reduce overwintering inoculum.

Summary

Pear psylla activity has begun in southern New Jersey, with adults and eggs observed in Salem County and eggs in Gloucester County
Dormant oil applications should be applied to suppress egg laying and early populations
Copper applications should be completed by green tip where russet is a concern
Pear scab risk is currently low based on RIMpro modeling
Fungicide programs for pear scab should begin at cluster bud as risk increases
Dormant urea may be used to reduce overwintering inoculum

Continued scouting will be important over the next 1–2 weeks as both insect and disease pressure increase with advancing phenology.

Peaches

Peach Phenology

Peach varieties in southern New Jersey were observed at the swollen bud stage this week. Development is progressing steadily and will advance with warming temperatures.

Figure 2. Peach Swollen Bud. Photo by Janine Spies.

Brown Rot

Blossom infections from the brown rot fungus can occur whenever pistils are exposed and favorable environmental conditions are present.

Blossoms and fruitlets remain susceptible until the pistil desiccates, which occurs sometime between petal fall and shuck split.

Scale Insects

Oil applications may be safely applied up to pink on peach.

Oil can be applied alone or in combination with insecticides including Centaur, Sivanto Prime, and Esteem.

Visit to Clover Valley Farm – April 11

Claudia Gil Arroyo — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 04:00:20 +0000

Field trip to Clover Valley Farm

Saturday, April 11, 10am

SOUTH JERSEY CALIBRATION GROWERS MEETING

Janine Spies — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 01:02:26 +0000

March 25, 2026
2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Rutgers Agricultural Research & Extension Center
121 Northville Road
Bridgeton, NJ

Program

Program Chair
Janine Spies, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Statewide Program Leader in Fruit IPM

2:30 – Registration

3:00 – Welcome and Introductions

3:15 – Airblast Sprayer Calibration Techniques
Chris Lovenduski, Central Jersey Equipment

4:15 – Early season management in peaches
Anne Nielsen PhD, Professor & Extension Specialist in Entomology

4:45 – Light fare & refreshments (Pre-registration required)

5:00 – Coverage Counts: How to make the most of a pesticide application
Karly Regan PhD, Certis Biologicals

5:30 – Pesticide Safety and Regulations for Specialty Crops
Janine Spies PhD, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

6:00 – Pesticide Recertification Credits and Adjourn. Attendees must be present for the entire program in order to apply for NJDEP credits.

THE FOLLOWING NJDEP PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDITS WILL BE AWARDED

4 CAT-10 4 CAT-1A 3 CAT-3A 4 CORE 4 PP2

Click here to register: South Jersey Calibration Event Registration – Fill out form

PRE-REGISTRATION BY March 18, 2026

Registration cost per person is $10. Cash or check (made payable to Rutgers The State University) will be collected at the door.

If you have any questions please contact Janine Spies: (352)-231-6330, janine.spies@rutgers.edu

NORTH JERSEY CALIBRATION GROWERS MEETING

Janine Spies — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 01:01:14 +0000

March 24, 2026
2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Snyder Research & Extension Farm
140 Locust Grove Road
Pittstown, NJ

Program

Program Chair
Janine Spies, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Statewide Program Leader in Fruit IPM

2:30 – Registration

3:00 – Welcome and Introductions

3:15 – Airblast Sprayer Calibration Techniques
Chris Lovenduski, Central Jersey Equipment

4:15 – Importance of Calibration for Optimal Pest Control and Resistance Management
Kaitlin Quinn, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

4:45 – Light fare & refreshments (Pre-registration required)

5:00 – Coverage Counts: How to make the most of a pesticide application
Karly Regan PhD, Certis Biologicals

5:30 – Pesticide Safety and Regulations for Specialty Crops
Janine Spies PhD, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

6:00 – Pesticide Recertification Credits and Adjourn. Attendees must be present for the entire program in order to apply for NJDEP credits.

THE FOLLOWING NJDEP PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDITS WILL BE AWARDED

4 CAT-10 4 CAT-1A 4 CAT-3A 5 CORE 4 PP2

Click here to register: North Jersey Calibration Event Registration – Fill out form

PRE-REGISTRATION BY March 18, 2026

Registration cost per person is $10. Cash or check (made payable to Rutgers The State University) will be collected at the door.

If you have any questions please contact Kim Crommelin: (908)-788-1338, kfrey@co.hunterdon.nj.us

Networks to Reduce Risk Field Trip – April 11

Claudia Gil Arroyo — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 19:21:12 +0000

Field trip to Clover Valley Farm

Saturday, April 11, 10am

ALERT: Be prepared to manage White Pine Weevil in conifers early next week

Tim Waller — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 17:27:27 +0000

With increasing temperatures, it is plausible that a critical treatment window for controlling White Pine Weevil (WPW) will be present early next week, throughout many areas of NJ. Factors leading to this post include increased air temperatures and climbing growing degree-days (WPW adult movement and egg laying is around 7-58 growing degree-days (GDD50)), and most importantly rising soil temperatures as this pest typically begins movement with soils hovering around 50F. All of these factors lead to the possibility of WPW movement early next week and growers may wish to utilize a preventative, long lasting residual spray (pyrethroids) to target adults before they begin egg laying.

So we have:

NJ will be within the GDD window for adult movement and approaching egg laying (7-58 GDD50)
Soil temperatures in some areas may be close to 50F.
Increased air temperatures and insect mobility

*White Pine Weevil (Pissodes strobi)* – potential for emergence as of 3/6/2026
Region	Location	CODE	METRIC	FRI	SAT	SUN	MON	TUES	WEDS
Region	Location	CODE	METRIC	6-Mar	7-Mar	8-Mar	9-Mar	10-Mar	11-Mar
Southern	Upper Deerfield	NJ50	GDD₅₀	0	0	9	13	18	31
			High Temp [ºF] (Average)	49 (43.5)	52 (50.5)	63 (52)	67 (45)	71 (62)	71 (60.5)
			24hr Average – Soil TEMP [ºF]	47.1	<- (This will change over time / no prediction available)
Central	Freehold / Howell	NJ50	GDD₅₀	0	0	4	6	9	17
			High Temp [ºF] (Average)	42(39)	49(48)	62(51.5)	69(56.5)	74(63)	70(59)
			24hr Average – Soil TEMP [ºF]	40.7	<- (This will change over time / no prediction available)
Northern	HACKETTSTOWN	G5633	GDD₅₀	0	0	3	3	6	17
			High Temp [ºF] (Average)	41(37.5)	47(45.5)	61(49.5)	69(55)	76(63)	68(55)
			24hr Average – Soil TEMP [ºF]	34.1	<- (This will change over time / no prediction available)
USPEST.ORG – Model: simple average/growing degree-day, Min: 50F – Max: 95F, NMME forecast
Forecast: 7-month NMME based seasonal climate forecast (USPEST.ORG) – Subject to change regularly = Check Often
Air temperatures: Weather Underground (https://www.wunderground.com/) and NEWA: (https://newa.cornell.edu/)
Soil temperatures (10cm): https://www.greencastonline.com/tools/soil-temperature
Compiled by Waller. T. 3/6/2026 [twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu]

In the state of NJ, the control window against feeding white pine weevil adults *typically* occurs in March & April. Adults over-winter in the duff beneath trees. The adults will often crawl or sometimes fly to the top terminal leaders of pine, spruce, or Douglas-fir trees. Eastern white pine & Norway spruce species are the most severely attacked & the death of the terminal leaders of these trees will often occur.

Treatment timing is critical with this pest and controlling the adult female before egg laying is necessary. Apply preventative sprays (e.g., pyrethroids) only to the terminal leaders during this time. Before mating & egg laying, adults will feed by chewing holes within the central leader & cause a characteristic pitch flow that becomes white in color when dry. Then females will lay eggs in new cut-out holes within the top 12 inches of the leader just below the terminal bud.

Chemical Controls:

Chemical insecticides against white pine weevils during the spring period are only effective when adults are feeding & before females lay eggs. Arial sprays only need to be applied to cover the terminal leaders at the tops of trees. Pyrethroids sprayed on the bark can have an effective residual of up to 3-weeks. Included within this group of insecticides include bifenthrin (e.g., Onyx), permethrin (e.g., Astro) & cyfluthrin (e.g., Tempo). Since an extended egg-laying duration occurs with this pest, a second application may be recommended.

When given enough time, a preventative systemic such as imidacloprid (e.g., Merit) can be applied as a soil injection or drench during the previous fall season (October or November) to control the early spring feeding period of adults. It can also be effective against the early instar larvae. This approach may only be economically viable when a few select trees can be targeted having a history of this pest.

Overall, the best integrated controls are achieved with a combination of well timed insecticide treatments against spring feeding adults & the mechanical removal of infested terminal leaders before summer adult emergence occurs.

^Adapted from this excellent resource written by Steve Rettke: click here – “White Pine Weevil: Overwintering Adults Become Active in March & April”

Stay informed – ORNAMENTAL IPM PROGRAM

Sign up for the 2026 – Rutgers Ornamental IPM Program – click here to sign up
First webinar 4/14/26
Program is free, but registration is required – Registration includes:
- Site visit to your ornamental nursery/farm from Rutgers agents
- Delivered printed IPM resources (Guides, factsheets, bulletins)
- Free pheromone & sticky trap kit + guidance on setup/monitoring (for commercial nursery/greenhouse and Christmas tree farms)
- Access to live bi-weekly webinars (Zoom)
- (First session TUESDAY 4/14 @ 12PM)
- Every Second and Fourth, Tuesday, April through September

Early Season Tree Fruit Pest Control in 2026

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 22:01:06 GMT

Dormant Oil Sprays: In recent growing seasons, San Jose scale and white peach scale populations have been causing increasing amounts of damage. These pests create a superficial spotted injury caused by crawler stage feeding on the skin of apples and peaches, making the fruit unmarketable. In severe infestations, heavy crawler populations feeding on the sap of tree limbs can cause severe dieback. Scale overwinter on the limbs of trees asimmature crawlers under their protective waxy covering. In the spring when temperatures begin to rise, they respire through this covering. Dormant oil sprays are your first line of defense as they work to coat the protective covering of the scale and prevent respiration. Dr. Anne Nielsen’s lab found that another effective option at the delayed dormant timing is Centaur at 34.5 oz/A.

European red mite is another pest of concern that can be targeted at this stage. These mites feed on the foliage of tree fruit causing a bronzing symptom. Feeding from this pest can reduce fruit quality and tree vigor. European red mites overwinter in orchards as eggs. These eggs begin to hatch just prior to pink through bloom in apples. Dormant oil efficacy improves the closer you are to egg hatch for this pest so an application should be timed for green tip-half inch green in apple.

Pear psylla typically become active and begin laying eggs in NJ in mid-late March. Nymph stage pear psylla feed on the sap of pear trees and excrete honeydew which causes black sooty mold on fruit making it unmarketable. This pest also injects a toxin into the leaves as it feeds causing the leaves to blacken and eventually leads to defoliation. Dormant oil works to deter pear psylla from laying eggs and acts as a first line of defense against this pest.

Proper coverage with dormant oil is essential for it to work properly. Due to this, dormant oil should be applied as a full block spray instead of alternate row middle. It is important to ensure your sprayer is properly calibrated and that you are using a sufficient spray volume. Dr. Brett Blaauw from the University of Georgia found that 100 gal/A is a sufficient volume for coverage IF the trees are properly pruned prior to the dormant oil application (see University of Georgia factsheet). It is possible to achieve almost 100% coverage by making multiple dormant oil applications. This strategy is optimal because it also allows you to target both scale and mites at their optimal timings. One application can be made early on when temperatures first begin to rise above 51°F to target scale and a second application can be made between green tip and ½” green to target mites and continue controlling scale. An oil application at ½” green combined with Esteem at 4-5 oz/A will also provide control of aphids including wooly apple aphid. Wooly apple aphid populations have been becoming more prevalent in NJ apple orchards in recent years, likely due to dry end of summer conditions and pyrethroid use flaring populations. The first place this pest will begin to pop up will be pruning cuts so be sure to keep an eye out as the season progresses since early action is critical for effective control.

Dormant oil application rates depend on the phenological stage and the crop you are spraying. Typically, oil is recommended at a 2% rate or 2 gallons of dormant oil per 100 gallons of spray mix. You can perform concentrated sprays of 6 gallons of dormant oil per 100 gallons of spray mix in pome fruit based on the dilute volume of 300 gallons per acre (amount generally considered to cover a mature semi dwarf apple to the point of drip). In stone fruit, a concentrated spray would include 4 gallons of dormant oil per 100 gallons of spray mix based on the dilute volume of 200 gallons per acre (amount generally considered to cover a mature peach tree to the point of drip). Oil can safely be applied up to the pink stage of tree fruit, but the rate should be dropped the closer you get to this stage. For example, in pome fruit a full rate can be applied up to ½” green, this rate should be halved up to tight cluster and then halved again up to pink.

When applying dormant oil, it is important that you do not make an application within 2 days of the temperature dropping below 32°F. Another important consideration is that oil should not be applied within 2 weeks of Captan due to phytotoxicity concerns. There are other insecticides that can be mixed with dormant oils to target these pests; however, results are variable on whether the addition of these insecticides improves efficacy over oil alone.

Dormant Season Copper Sprays: Fire blight can be targeted at the dormant stage using copper as your first line of defense. The copper targets cankers caused by fire blight and reduces the amount of bacterial inoculum present in the field. Early season copper sprays can also be effective against apple scab if some green tissue is present in the bud. Copper should not be applied after ½” green due to concerns with phytotoxicity and fruit russeting. If tank mixing copper with dormant oil, extra precaution should be taken to ensure there is no risk of freezing temperatures since this can exacerbate issues with phytotoxicity and injure the tree.

The bacteria causing fire blight can only survive inside of living tree tissue. The winter is an optimal time to remove infected branches since the sap is not flowing, this reduces the risk of spreading the inoculum to your next cut. Removing the cankers caused by this disease where most of the bacteria are surviving will reduce your inoculum levels and make this disease easier to manage during the spring. It is a good practice to flag limbs that were infected with fire blight in the previous season to make the cankers easier to find when it comes time to prune. Pruning crews should be trained to look for sunken, dark, cracked areas on the tree bark that may be cankers. A knife can be used to peel away the tree bark to confirm the presence of the canker. If it is in fact a canker, the sapwood will be brown. You can continue peeling the bark away until you find the margin of the canker where the sapwood is still healthy and green. The pruning cut should be made at least 8 inches below the canker to ensure no inoculum is left behind in the tree. All canker prunings should be removed from the orchard since they can still act as a source of inoculum if left behind on the orchard floor.

If peach leaf curl was not targeted in the late fall at leaf drop, a fungicide application is also effective in the late winter prior to bud swell. Copper, Ziram, and Bravo (Chlorothalonil) are the most effective options at this timing.

Dormant Season Urea Sprays: Dormant season urea sprays are an extremely effective tool to reduce inoculum in orchards with high apple scab pressure. These sprays help to break down the leaf litter more quickly, which isessential for orchard sanitation and reduction of foliar disease inoculum. Urea applications are most effective if applied after leaf drop in the fall, but if you didn’t have a chance to make the application, it is not too late! Urea can be applied to leaf litter in the late winter or early spring using an airblast sprayer with nozzles pointed towards the ground or a boom sprayer at a rate of 40 lb/A in 100 gallons of water. A flail mower can also be used to chop leaf litter,which allows it to decompose more quickly. By using these methods, you can reduce your apple scab inoculum by 80% or more, which will make management easier and more effective during primary scab infection.

South Jersey Calibration Grower Meeting

Janine Spies — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:44:10 +0000

March 25, 2026

2:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Rutgers Agricultural Research & Extension Center

121 Northville Road, Bridgeton, NJ

Program

2:30 PM – Registration

3:00 PM – Welcome and Introductions

3:15 PM – Airblast Sprayer Calibration Techniques

Chris Lovenduski, Central Jersey Equipment

4:15 PM – Early season management in peaches

Anne Nielsen PhD, Professor and Extension Specialist in Entomology

4:45 PM – Light fare & refreshments (pre-registration required)

5:00 PM – Coverage Counts: How to make the most of a pesticide application

Karly Regan PhD, Certis Biologicals

5:30 PM – Pesticide Safety and Regulations for Specialty Crops

Janine Spies PhD, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

6:00 PM – Pesticide Recertification Credits and Adjourn

NJDEP Pesticide Recertification Credits are anticipated.

Registration cost per person: $10.

Cash or check (made payable to Rutgers The State University) will be collected at the door.

Pre-register by Thursday March 19.

Click here to register: South Jersey Calibration Event Registration – Fill out form

Program Chair: Janine Spies, Agriculture and Natural Resources County Agent III, Statewide Program Leader in Fruit IPM

If you have any questions please contact Janine Spies: (352) 231-6330, janine.spies@rutgers.edu

North Jersey Calibration Grower Meeting

Janine Spies — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:43:45 +0000

March 24, 2026

2:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Clifford E. & Melda C. Snyder Research & Extension Farm

140 Locust Grove Road Pittstown, NJ

Program

2:30 PM – Registration

3:00 PM – Welcome and Introductions

3:15 PM – Airblast Sprayer Calibration Techniques

Chris Lovenduski, Central Jersey Equipment

4:15 PM – Importance of Calibration for Optimal Pest Control and Resistance Management

Kaitlin Quinn, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

4:45 PM – Light fare & refreshments (Pre-registration required)

5:00 PM – Coverage Counts: How to make the most of a pesticide application

Karly Regan PhD, Certis Biologicals

5:30 PM – Pesticide Safety and Regulations for Specialty Crops

Janine Spies PhD, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

6:00 PM – Pesticide Recertification Credits and Adjourn

NJDEP Pesticide Recertification Credits are anticipated.

Registration cost per person: $10.

Cash or check (made payable to Rutgers The State University) will be collected at the door.

Click here to register: North Jersey Calibration Event Registration – Fill out form

Pre-register by Wednesday March 18.

If you have any questions please contact Kim Cromelin: (908) 788-1338, kfrey@co.hunterdon.nj.us

Program Chair: Janine Spies, Agriculture and Natural Resources County Agent III, Statewide Program Leader in Fruit IPM

ALERT – Potential for Ambrosia Beetle flight early next week – if you regularly have issues with this pest – take notice

Tim Waller — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:01:56 +0000

The last few seasons we have seen an upswing in ambrosia beetle activity in nursery production, principally in field grown nursery stock of thin barked trees (commonly – dogwood, honey locust, magnolia, maple, redbud, zelkova, styrax, Prunus spp.). Based on evidence from multiple lines of trap collection data throughout the United States, adult female flights appear to be correlated to consecutive days (2-3) of 70F temperatures (highs) with daily average air temps around 65F (max+min/2). That is extremely close to what we will have throughout most areas of NJ early next week, based on 10-day weather forecasts. Note: this is historically very early for treatment of this pest and it will get colder the following days, however, we have missed control opportunities over multiple years so take treatment into consideration if you regularly encounter this pest.

Consider using pyrethroids in your production areas next Monday or Tuesday (weather dependent) if this pest has been a regular problem.

Contact insecticides:

Pyrethroids [3A]: –thrins (bifenthrin, permethrin, etc.) – Pyrethroids longer lasting residual activity is why these materials are so effective against ambrosia beetles.
Systemic insecticides DO NOT WORK

Stay informed:

Sign up for the 2026 – Rutgers Ornamental IPM Program – click here to sign up
First webinar 4/14/26
Program is free, but registration is required – Registration includes:
- Site visit to your ornamental nursery/farm from Rutgers agents
- Delivered printed IPM resources (Guides, factsheets, bulletins)
- Free pheromone & sticky trap kit + guidance on setup/monitoring (for commercial nursery/greenhouse and Christmas tree farms)
- Access to live bi-weekly webinars (Zoom)
- (First session TUESDAY 4/14 @ 12PM)
- Every Second and Fourth, Tuesday, April through September

about – Ambrosia Beetles (Xylosandrus spp.)

Host plants: Hundreds of deciduous, thin-barked species, commonly – dogwood, honey locust, Magnolia, maple, redbud, Zelkova, Styrax, Prunus spp.

Overview:

New Jersey notable species in ornamentals: Black stem borer (Xylosandrus germanus) and Granulate borer (Xylosandrus crassiusculus)
As of 2025, the invasive Redbay Ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus) is currently in the southern USA, but moving north
Number of generations is subject to debate, often 1-2
Very small, reddish brown to black, cylindrical beetles (2-2.5 mm), entrance/exit holes ~ 1 mm in diameter
Adults overwinter, mate, and lay eggs in sapwood galleries (tunnel system)
Ambrosia beetles create these galleries to grow ‘ambrosia’ fungi, as their sole food source which are transported to new hosts by adults in a specialized structure known as a mycangia
Are attracted to and infest stressed plants that are releasing ethanol
Infestations increase plants’ risk for infection by opportunistic pathogens
Symptoms include sawdust and frass ‘toothpicks’, increased sap production, branch wilting, dieback, bark cracking, and wood staining

Cultural Practices:

Avoid transporting infested plants
Reduce plant stress; particularly water-related stressors such as waterlogged roots (an anaerobic condition) which are more likely to produce ethanol and be attacked
Closely monitor new plantings, especially if planted during adverse climatic periods such as excessive rain, drought, or intense heat
Monitor ethanol baited traps (soda bottle traps, Lindren funnel traps, black panel traps, ethanol-soaked wood bolts) at wood line and within production area

Materials:

Contact insecticides:

Pyrethroids [3A]: –thrins

Systemic insecticides:

None- these beetles feed on ambrosia fungi in galleries, not plant tissue

Biorationals:

Limited efficacy: entomopathogenic – fungi Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium spp.
Research focused on antagonistic fungi, endophytes, ambrosia fungi management and plant defense activators is promising

Critical Target Windows and Pesticide Use Considerations

Once ‘toothpicks’ are observed on a host plant, it is too late to use contact pesticides on that plant
Monitor early spring weather forecasts – evidence that adult flight often occurs after successive (2-3 days) of temperatures above 70ºF
Redbud bloom is a useful plant phenology indicator (PPI)
Use contact insecticides with caution as they can harm beneficial insects

PESTICIDE USE DISCLAIMER. THE LABEL IS THE LAW . The Rutgers Plant and Pest Advisory is not intended for homeowners. Recommendations and considerations given herein are designed to be specific to the state of New Jersey, even though it may be broadly applicable across multiple geographic areas. A pesticide applicator is legally bound by the labeling found on and with the pesticide container in their possession. Before using a pesticide, check and always follow the labeling distributed with the product at the point of sale for legally enforceable rates and restrictions. New Jersey notes. 1. Private and commercial applicators must be certified AND possess a valid applicator license to make applications or supervise the use of ANY* EPA-registered pesticide (*as required NJAC 7:30; limited exemptions exist). 2. Only certified applicators possessing a valid New Jersey applicator license may purchase restricted use pesticides (RUPs). 3. Pursuant to NJ S1016, neonicotinoids can only be applied in agricultural settings. Commercial applications in outdoor, non-agricultural settings (i.e. landscapes) is prohibited, with no pest-specific exceptions, as of the printing of this document. In addition to the pesticide chemistries and Mode of Action (MoA) listed in this document, others may be commercially available. It is understood that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Rutgers Cooperative Extension is implied. THE LABEL IS THE LAW. Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Boards of County Commissioners, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.

Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, & Turf Edition - Rutgers Plant and Pest Advisory

Field Trip: Managing Risk on your Agritourism Farm

Fruit IPM Updates Week of 4/13/2026

Tree Fruit Phenology Update

SALEM COUNTY AGRONOMY TWILIGHT MEETING-1 (May 1, 2026)

Imbibitional Chilling Injury Risk in Corn

Farm Safety Needs Assessment Closing May 1

April 28th Evening Webinar: Using Drones in Agriculture

Fruit IPM Updates Week of 4/06/2026

Tree Fruit Phenology Update

North Jersey Tree Fruit and Vegetable Twilight Meeting

North Jersey Tree Fruit and Vegetable Twilight Meeting

Supported by

New Jersey Vegetable Growers Association

April 30, 202

4:30 PM-7:30 PM

Ort Farms

25 Bartley Rd.

Long Valley, NJ 07853

How Recent Fertilizer Price Increases Affect Your Per-Acre Costs

1. Increase in recent fertilizer prices

2. Translating fertilizer prices into production costs

Fruit IPM Updates Week of 3/30/2026

Tree Fruit Phenology Update

Apple Scab Update

Multiple Pest Alerts in nursery, landscape, Christmas tree – boxwood blight, ambrosia beetle, white pine weevil, clearwing borers, and Phytophthora management

Stay informed:

It is time to begin protective fungicide applications in boxwoods throughout the state if you have not already done so.

Salem County Agronomy Twilight Meeting-1 (May 1, 2026)

Fruit IPM Updates Week of 3/23/26

Tree Fruit Phenology Update

Visit to Clover Valley Farm – April 11

SOUTH JERSEY CALIBRATION GROWERS MEETING

March 25, 2026 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm Rutgers Agricultural Research & Extension Center 121 Northville Road Bridgeton, NJ

Program

PRE-REGISTRATION BY March 18, 2026

NORTH JERSEY CALIBRATION GROWERS MEETING

March 24, 2026 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm Snyder Research & Extension Farm 140 Locust Grove Road Pittstown, NJ

Program

PRE-REGISTRATION BY March 18, 2026

Networks to Reduce Risk Field Trip – April 11

ALERT: Be prepared to manage White Pine Weevil in conifers early next week

Stay informed – ORNAMENTAL IPM PROGRAM

Early Season Tree Fruit Pest Control in 2026

South Jersey Calibration Grower Meeting

North Jersey Calibration Grower Meeting

ALERT – Potential for Ambrosia Beetle flight early next week – if you regularly have issues with this pest – take notice

Stay informed:

March 25, 2026
2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Rutgers Agricultural Research & Extension Center
121 Northville Road
Bridgeton, NJ

March 24, 2026
2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Snyder Research & Extension Farm
140 Locust Grove Road
Pittstown, NJ