Vegetable Crops Edition - Rutgers Plant and Pest Advisory

Vegetable IPM Update 10/09/2026

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 01:20:23 GMT

Greetings from the Veg IPM team! This will be our last regular post for the 2026 season. If an urgent pest issue arises, we will send out a specific P&PA post.

Sweet Corn

With the cooler night time temperatures, we are starting to see CEW numbers decline throughout NJ. Refer to the map below to see this week’s CEW pressure throughout the state. With max temperatures under 80 degrees, most locations will no longer need to shorten the spray interval by a day. Remember, rotation is important for avoiding resistance, so rotate between the four IRAC groups registered in silking sweet corn: 1 (carbamates), 3 (pyrethroids), 5 (spinosyns), and 28 (diamides). Corn earworm is at least partly resistant to several pyrethroids, so a spray program should not rely solely on pyrethroids, although they are useful in tank-mixes or as pre-mixed products, such as Besiege or Elevest (Group 28 + Group 3). For detailed information about resistance and potential spray programs, the University of Delaware has an excellent resource on corn earworm management.

Spray intervals based on nightly pheromone moth captures for the southern part of New Jersey. Note that not all locations in the IPM program are currently trapping. This map is based on the following thresholds: 0 moths = 6-7 day schedule, 1 moth = 5 day spray schedule, 2-20 moths = 4 day spray schedule, 20+ moths = 3 day spray schedule.

Tomatoes and Peppers

Thrips and TSWV. Thrips have slowed down with lower temperatures and general declines in tomato plant health due to stress and diseases as the season has progressed. We are still seeing some spread of tomato spotted wilt virus, but it has slowed compared to earlier in the season. If management of thrips no longer makes sense economically, we encourage destroying older plantings to try to reduce populations of thrips and the reservoir of the virus on farms. See our previous article for detailed information on managing thrips and TSWV in tomatoes.

Beet armyworm. We track beet armyworm with pheromone traps deployed in south Jersey. Beet armyworm is an occasional pest of peppers, swiss chard, and beets and can cause serious damage and crop loss if outbreaks occur unexpectedly. Our traps in Salem county indicate that BAW moths are still flying, though at lower numbers with the cooler weather. We suggest scouting susceptible crops for caterpillars and damage.

Other caterpillar pests. Caterpillars in tomatoes have been slowing down, but we continue to see some pressure in tomatoes from yellow striped armyworm, tomato fruit worm (AKA corn earworm), and cabbage and soybean loopers. We suggest scouting tomatoes for worm damage and the presence of caterpillars. Giving the plant a good shake or using a beat tray can help detect the presence of caterpillars. If dealing with loopers, effective materials include Avaunt (IRAC 22, 3-day PHI) and Proclaim (IRAC 6, but note the 7-day PHI).

Caterpillar pests in tomato. Top: Corn earworms come in a number of colors, including this pinkish-red. Note the many bumps and hairs which are distinctive on CEW. Bottom: Soybean looper. Note that rear-end is larger than front of the caterpillar and the distinctive looping behavior. Soybean and cabbage looper look very similar, but cabbage loopers rarely feed on the fruit. Photos by Maria Cramer.

Cucurbits

Pumpkin harvests are in progress, and we’ve seen relatively few issues that need management at this point in the season.

Melon aphids infesting a pumpkin leaf. Photo by Amanda Quadrel.

Melon aphids. In most plantings, aphid populations have been relatively low. While aphids do not cause direct damage to the crops, the honeydew they secrete can lead to unsightly sooty mold growth on fruits. Honeydew can also attract yellow jackets, which can be hazardous to crews and U-pickers. Scout for aphids and consider treating for them if you find aphid clusters in more than one site (out of a ten site sample).

Cole Crops

Caterpillar pests of cole crops. A) Diamondback moth — smooth and tapered at each end. B) Imported cabbageworm — fuzzy and not tapered. C) Cabbage looper — characteristic looping behavior. D) Cross-striped cabbage worm — distinctive stripes, usually occurs in groups. Photos A-C by Maria Cramer, photo D from iNaturalist COO.

Caterpillar pests. Scouted cole crops continue to have varying levels of caterpillar activity. Diamondback populations continue to be low at the locations we scout, with imported cabbageworm and armyworms being the primary species being found. The caterpillar threshold is 10% infestation for seedlings and 20% infestation for crops in the leafy/early cupping stage. Once heads begin to form, the threshold drops to 5%. For young caterpillars (especially imported cabbage worm), Bt products such as Dipel or Xentari are IPM friendly options. Diamondback moth has resistance to many insecticide groups, and pyrethroids (IRAC 3A) and Bt products (IRAC 11A) are not effective for their management. Besides Bt, materials approved for caterpillar control include Entrust/Radiant (IRAC 5), Proclaim (IRAC 6), Torac (IRAC 21A), Exirel (IRAC 28), and Incipio (IRAC 30). For Bt products and contact insecticides, coverage on the undersides the leaves is essential.

Diseases

Alternaria on broccoli. Photo by Amanda Quadrel.

In some locations, we’ve seen some low incidence of diseases such as Alternaria, black rot, and downy mildew. Alternaria appears on cole crops as circular brown lesions that contain concentric circles within them, giving them a target-like appearance (refer to image on the left). If left unmanaged, the disease can progress to heads, resulting in crown rots. For more information on how to manage Alternaria in brassicas, refer to this recent post by Dr. Patrick McMullen.

Downy mildew on a collard leaf. Photo by Renee Carter.

Downy mildew has been seen less frequently. Note that downy mildew in brassicas is not the same species that affects cucurbits. Brassica downy mildew is a disease that develops best around 50-59º. Downy mildew may appears as light-colored lesions on the top of the leaves and as masses of white spores on the lower surface. Scout at least 25 plants per field (5 plants in 5 locations), checking the undersides for spores. If you have downy mildew, rotate or tank-mix chlorothalonil 6F (FRAC M05) with another product listed in the Mid-Atlantic Veg Guide for downy mildew in cole crops, rotating MOAs. Use overhead irrigation at times of the day when leaves can dry quickly to slow disease progression.

Allium leaf miner alert. Allium leaf miner was found in Southern Pennsylvania in late September, indicating that a fall flight has begun. While not yet spotted by our program in NJ, it’s time to be on the lookout for ALM.

Allium Leafminer (Phytomyza gymnostoma) is a small grey-bodied fly with a yellow head (A). In warm, still weather, you may see adult flies settling on foliage. The females lay eggs in neat rows, leaving behind a line of white dots on the leaves (B). As the larvae hatch and begin to feed, they will tunnel downwards, causing damage to leaves and bulbs. ALM have two generations per year; the first in early spring, and the second occurring in the fall. Crops such as chives, scallions, garlic, onions and leeks are attacked by ALM, but leeks and scallions seem to be the most affected.

An Allium leafminer adult (A) (picture by Maria Cramer) and the characteristic oviposition scars left behind after females lay eggs (B).

If you are concerned about crop injury due to ALM, floating row covers, kept on until the adult flight ends (around the first hard frost) can restrict ALM’s access to vulnerable plants. Make sure ALM are not already infesting plants prior to placing the cover. Reflective mulches may also provide some additional crop protection. Adults and larvae can be targeted through well-timed insecticide sprays. Materials labeled for ALM control include spinosyns (IRAC 5- Radiant or Entrust (OMRI approved)), pyrethroids (IRAC 3A- Mustang Maxx, Proaxis, and Warrior II), neonicotinoids (IRAC 4A- Scorpion, Venom), the insect growth regulator Trigard (IRAC 17), and diamide products (IRAC 28- Exirel, Minecto Pro). The newly registered product Vertento (IRAC 30) may also be used for ALM control. The first spray application of a material should be completed 2- 3 weeks after initial detection of ALM (either oviposition scars or the fly itself). Subsequent sprays should be completed in 1–2-week intervals. Two or three sprays should provide adequate control. As always, be sure to follow label rates and application instructions for any pesticide that you plan to use.

As a reminder, the new 2026/2027 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Guide is now available for free online (click here) or as spiral-bound hard copies that can be purchased at your local county extension office. Consult this guide for a more comprehensive list of materials that are labeled for specific crops and pests.

We want to give a huge thanks to our scouting team for keeping an eye on things for us throughout the season!

North NJ: James Johnson and Cassandra Dougherty

South NJ: Renee Carter, Mar Sherman, and Kris Szymanski

Authors: Amanda Quadrel (Northern NJ Veg IPM coordinator) and Maria Cramer (Southern NJ Veg IPM coordinator)

Questions or comments? Contact us below:

[contact-form]

Agricultural Drone Training Opportunity for New Jersey Commercial Farmers

Michelle Infante-Casella — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 18:31:41 +0000

Rutgers Cooperative Extension is offering a valuable training opportunity for New Jersey commercial farmers on Friday, November 6, and Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Rutgers Snyder Research Farm, 140 Locust Grove Road, Pittstown, NJ.

Through a USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Professional Development Grant, the Rutgers Agricultural Drone Team, led by Agricultural Agent Stephen Komar, is offering a two-day agricultural drone training at no cost to participating farmers. Grant funding for this course is specifically intended to provide drone training to commercial farmers in New Jersey.

The course will prepare participants to learn how to obtain their FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107), which is required to operate drones for commercial agricultural purposes. Training will include information and resources to help participants prepare for the Part 107 certification examination. On the second day, participants will also receive hands-on instruction and have the opportunity to fly drones at the Rutgers Snyder Research Farm.

Limited Enrollment — Please Commit to Both Days

Enrollment is limited to 10 participants. Those pre-registered prior to the class being filled, will receive access to training materials for studying and practice tests to help prepare for the Part 107 certification exam.

Because space and training materials are limited, please register only if you are able to attend both November 6 and November 13. If you register and do not attend, you may prevent another New Jersey farmer from participating in this training opportunity.

To ensure that the training is available to as many farms as possible, registration is limited to one person per farm. Participants must also be 18 years of age or older.

Please see the bulletin below for additional information.

Registration:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/EU6CBcmpBG

Questions Contact:
Stephen Komar, Agricultural Agent
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Sussex County
Email: komar@njaes.rutgers.edu
Phone: 973-948-3040, ext. 3

Vegetable IPM Update 10/02/26

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:59:08 GMT

Greetings from the Veg IPM team!

Sweet Corn

Tomatoes and Peppers

Other caterpillar pests. We continue to see some pressure in tomatoes from yellow striped armyworm, tomato fruit worm (AKA corn earworm), and cabbage and soybean loopers. We suggest scouting tomatoes for worm damage and the presence of caterpillars. Giving the plant a good shake or using a beat tray can help detect the presence of caterpillars. If dealing with loopers, effective materials include Avaunt (IRAC 22, 3-day PHI) and Proclaim (IRAC 6, but note the 7-day PHI)

Caterpillar pests in tomato. Top: Corn earworms come in a number of colors, including this pinkish-red. Note the many hairs which are distinctive on CEW. Bottom: Soybean looper. Note that rear-end is larger than front of the caterpillar and the distinctive looping behavior. Soybean and cabbage looper look very similar, but cabbage loopers rarely feed on the fruit. Photos by Maria Cramer.

Cucurbits

Melon aphids infesting a pumpkin leaf. Photo by Amanda Quadrel.

Pumpkin harvests are in progress, and we’ve seen relatively few issues that need management at this point in the season.

Cole Crops

Diseases

Alternaria on broccoli. Photo by Amanda Quadrel.

In some locations, we’ve also seen some low incidence of diseases such as alternaria, black rot, and downy mildew. Note that downy mildew in brassicas is not the same species that affects cucurbits. Brassica downy mildew is a disease that develops best around 50-59ºF so we will likely

Downy mildew on a collard leaf. Photo by Renee Carter.

for spores. If you have downy mildew, rotate or tank-mix chlorothalonil 6F (FRAC M05) with another product listed in the Mid-Atlantic Veg Guide for downy mildew in cole crops, rotating MOAs. Use overhead irrigation at times of the day when leaves can dry quickly to slow disease progression.

Allium leaf miner alert. Allium leaf miner was found in Southern Pennsylvania last week, indicating that a fall flight has begun. While not yet spotted by our program in NJ, it’s time to be on the lookout for ALM.

An Allium leafminer adult (A) (picture by Maria Cramer) and the characteristic oviposition scars left behind after females lay eggs (B).

We want to give a huge thanks to our scouting team for keeping an eye on things for us throughout the season!

North NJ: James Johnson and Cassandra Dougherty

South NJ: Renee Carter, Mar Sherman, and Kris Szymanski

Authors: Amanda Quadrel (Northern NJ Veg IPM coordinator) and Maria Cramer (Southern NJ Veg IPM coordinator)

Questions or comments? Contact us below:

[contact-form]

Sustainable Agriculture Seminar Series

Patrick McMullen — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:25:19 +0000

Are you interested in improving the sustainability of your farm while also increasing your farm’s productivity and success? Join us to explore topics in sustainable agriculture through this virtual seminar series! This initial offering of four sessions will be held on Zoom from 12-1 pm ET on the below dates and cover an introduction to sustainable agriculture and soil health management.

This series is intended for any farmers looking to enhance their production systems by adopting new sustainable practices. Additional information can be found on the attached flyer. Seminars will be recorded and shared afterwards for those unable to attend live.

Please register at this link to receive the Zoom link for the seminar: Sustainable Agriculture Seminar Series Registration

Sustainable Ag Seminar Series Flyer 2026 (2)

What is sustainable agriculture, and how can it help my farm?
- Tuesday, October 6th 12 – 1 p.m.
Starting from the ground up: physical properties of soil health
- Tuesday, October 20th 12 – 1 p.m.
Cover crops to improve soil health and farm profitability
- Thursday, November 5th 12 – 1 p.m.
Soil as an ecosystem: microbial soil biology and crop health
- Tuesday, November 17th 12 – 1 p.m.

2027 Rutgers Educational Sessions at NE Agricultural Expo in Atlantic City

Michelle Infante-Casella — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 19:20:03 +0000

Everyone should be very excited for this event in 2027. The NE Agriculture Expo and Rutgers Educational Sessions will begin on Tuesday, January 19, 2027 at Harrah’s in Atlantic City, 777 Harrahs Boulevard. The final day of educational sessions and trade show ends on Thursday, January 21, 2027. The trade show already has an abundance of vendors signed up for booths in 2027.

The planning committee for the expo is looking forward to providing many new opportunities, and Rutgers has confirmed many new speakers to offer excellent information, covering various topics from the 2026 growing season and research results to help farmers improve their practices. The Harrah’s conference center offers the best layout in Atlantic City for this convention. Come for the opportunity to network with others in the industry, to learn from over 72 presenters on a diversity of topics, and to gain pesticide recertification credits to keep your applicator’s license current. To register and for more information from the organizing association, go to the Vegetable Growers Association of NJ’s website at https://vganj.com.

Please see the DRAFT Rutgers Educational Program below. Pesticide credits have been applied for with NJ DEP. When the credits are assigned this program will be republished and promoted with credits.

Vegetable IPM Update 9/25/26

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 03:01:44 GMT

Greetings from the Veg IPM team!

Sweet Corn

With the cooler night time temperatures, we are starting to see CEW numbers decline in many New Jersey locations this week. Refer to the map below to see this week’s CEW pressure throughout the state. With temperatures continuing to fall, most locations will no longer need to shorten the spray interval by a day. Remember, rotation is important for avoiding resistance, so rotate between the four IRAC groups registered in silking sweet corn: 1 (carbamates), 3 (pyrethroids), 5 (spinosyns), and 28 (diamides). Corn earworm is at least partly resistant to several pyrethroids, so a spray program should not rely solely on pyrethroids, although they are useful in tank-mixes or as pre-mixed products, such as Besiege or Elevest (Group 28 + Group 3). For detailed information about resistance and potential spray programs, the University of Delaware has an excellent resource on corn earworm management.

Caterpillar pests in the whorl and tassel stage. Fall armyworm (FAW) has dropped off significantly this week. Still, if you have whorl-stage corn it is a good idea to scout for it. We use a treatment threshold of 12% fresh feeding damage in pre-tassel corn. Below this level, treatments for FAW are unlikely to pay off. For treatment, we recommend using products other than diamides (IRAC Group 28), as diamides are important to save for silk protection. Effective products include Lannate (Group 1A), Radiant (Group 5), Intrepid (Group 18), Intrepid Edge (5+18), and Avaunt (Group 22). Note that Avaunt can only be used through tassel push.

Aphids. Aphids have also dropped off significantly in the past weeks. If you’re seeing a lot of aphids on corn tassels, you can start your CEW spray rotation with Lannate (group 1A), which has some efficacy for aphids. Come back a week later and check ear tips for aphid populations. If they are still above your tolerance use a product more targeted for aphids, such as Assail 30SG or 30 SC (group 4A), Transform WG (group 4C), or Sivanto Prime (group 4D). Keep in mind that Transform WG and Sivanto Prime have 7 day PHIs.

Tomatoes and Peppers

Spider mites. Be on the look out for spider mites, but populations have been lower than last season at this time. Whether or not it makes sense to treat depends on the stage of the crop. We do not recommend treating tomato fields that are approaching the end of picking.

Beet armyworm. We track beet armyworm with pheromone traps deployed in south Jersey. Beet armyworm is an occasional pest of peppers, swiss chard, and beets and can cause serious damage and crop loss if outbreaks occur unexpectedly. Our traps in Salem county continue to find high moth counts (30+ moths per night), so we suggest scouting susceptible crops for caterpillars and damage. Traps in Cumberland county continue to have low captures (<5 moths per night).

Caterpillar pests in tomato. Top: Corn earworms come in a number of colors, including this pinkish-red. Note the hairs which are distinctive on CEW. Bottom: Soybean looper. Note that rear-end is larger than front of the caterpillar. Previously identified as a cabbage looper, but has distinctive dark spots and markings characteristic of soybean looper. Photos by Maria Cramer.

Other caterpillar pests.

We continue to see pressure in tomatoes from yellow striped armyworm, tomato fruit worm (AKA corn earworm), and soybean looper. Note: we previously identified a picture of a soybean looper as a cabbage looper. The two caterpillars look very similar, but identification is important as soybean loopers have pyrethroid resistance. Soybean looper has been especially prevalent in tomato plantings over the past few weeks. While soybean looper feeds primarily on foliage, it may also directly damage fruits (see image below). We suggest scouting tomatoes for worm damage and the presence of caterpillars. Giving the plant a good shake or using a beat tray can help detect the presence of caterpillars. Most products listed in the 2026/2027 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Guide for caterpillar pests will be effective, but keep in mind that many species have pyrethroid resistance, so group 3 insecticides should not be used.

Cucurbits

Melon aphids infesting a pumpkin leaf. Photo by Amanda Quadrel.

Pumpkin harvests are in progress, and we’ve seen relatively few issues that need management at this point in the season.

Cole Crops

Caterpillar pests. Scouted cole crops continue to have varying levels of caterpillar activity. Diamondback populations seem to be fairly low, with imported cabbageworm and armyworms being the primary species being found. The caterpillar threshold is 20% infestation for crops still in the leafy/early cupping stage. Once heads begin to form, the threshold drops to 5%. For young caterpillars (especially imported cabbage worm), Bt products such as Dipel or Xentari are IPM friendly options. Diamondback moth has resistance to many insecticide groups, and pyrethroids (IRAC 3A) and Bt products (IRAC 11A) are not effective for their management. Besides Bt, materials approved for caterpillar control include Entrust/Radiant (IRAC 5), Proclaim (IRAC 6), Torac (IRAC 21A), Exirel (IRAC 28), and Incipio (IRAC 30). For Bt products and contact insecticides, coverage on the undersides the leaves is essential.

Diseases

Alternaria on broccoli. Photo by Amanda Quadrel.

Downy mildew on a collard leaf. Photo by Renee Carter.

Lettuce — Corn Earworm alert! We have been finding corn earworm in some of the head lettuce that we scout in south Jersey. When corn earworm pressure is high, as it continues to be, we recommend treating lettuce on a regular interval (e.g. every 5-10 days). The Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Guide lists many products that are labeled for CEW in lettuce. Keep in mind that as with CEW in other crops, pyrethroids are not effective.

Additionally, we are seeing some aphids in lettuce as well. The threshold for aphids in lettuce is one per seedling, or 4 per plant beyond the seedling stage. Typically, at the head stage, no aphids are tolerated, but this depends on market.

We want to give a huge thanks to our scouting team for keeping an eye on things for us throughout the season!

North NJ: James Johnson and Cassandra Dougherty

South NJ: Renee Carter, Peter Combs, Mar Sherman, and Kris Szymanski

Authors: Amanda Quadrel (Northern NJ Veg IPM coordinator) and Maria Cramer (Southern NJ Veg IPM coordinator)

Questions or comments? Contact us below:

[contact-form]

Managing the different downy mildews in vegetable crops

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:21:02 GMT

The weather over the past few weeks has been ideal (e.g., isolated heavy rainfalls, high RH, extended dew and leaf wetness periods, and cooler temperatures) for downy mildew to develop in multiple crops. Important factors to remember are that downy mildews are obligate biotrophic (oomycete) pathogens that need a living host, and more importantly, are specific in the hosts or crops groups they can infect. Therefore, downy mildew on lettuce caused by Bremia lactucae won’t infect brassica crops, and visa versa. Downy mildew on brassica crops is caused by another downy mildew, Hyaloperonospora brassicae (formerly, Peronospora parasitica), which is broken down into a complex of distinct species with narrower host range(s). Spinach downy mildew is caused by Peronospora effusa, and of course, cucurbit downy mildew, caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis, only causes downy mildew in cucurbit crops. It’s important to remember that downy mildews only sporulate on the undersides of infected leaves. Symptoms on the top sides of leaves often appear as an irregular chlorosis and browning with tufts of white sporangia developing on the bottom sides of leaves under ideal conditions. Conditions that favor downy mildew development in one crop also means favorable conditions for its development in other crops. The use of downy mildew resistant varieties also plays an important role in mitigating losses to downy mildew. In spinach, for example, there are over 20 races of the pathogen and there are a number of recommended varieties that carry significant resistance packages to multiple races of the pathogen. The same is true in lettuce, where multiple recommended varieties have downy mildew resistance as well as in a few cucumber varieties and crops such as broccoli and cabbage. What doesn’t change between the downy mildews are the need to regularly scout for them and be proactive in their control during favorable weather conditions. Importantly, the options for downy mildew control are often the same across crops, applying and rotating downy mildew specific fungicides as long as conditions are favorable for its development. For more information on downy mildews and their control, please see specific crops in the 2026/2027 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Productions Recommendations Guide.

Symptoms of downy mildew on lettuce. Note the small, white tufts of sporangia developing on the lower side of the leaf.

Symptoms of downy mildew on the underside of infected collard leaves.

Symptoms of downy mildew on infected chinese cabbage leaf. Note the irregular chlorosis and browning of upper leaf surface. Under ideal conditions the pathogen will produce white spore masses only on the undersides of the leaf.

Farm to Stay Grant

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:31:29 GMT

Airbnb and American Farmland Trust (AFT) have joined through AFT’s Brighter Future Fund to launch the Farm to Stay Grant Program. This national grant aims to support farmers and ranchers in creating or scaling up farm stays and agritourism experiences, providing a welcome diversification of income and fostering meaningful visitor connections with working farms.

Grant amounts: Up to $10,000 per recipient

Number of grants: Approximately 25–30

Purpose:

Help farmers renovate or adapt properties for hosting
Launch new agritourism experiences—think farm-to-table dinners, pick-your-own produce, animal interactions, and more

Grant applications open in late November 2026—practical guidelines and eligibility will be announced ahead of time. Airbnb and AFT are offering webinars to guide participants through the grant application process and onboarding to hosting.

For more information visit: https://farmland.org/farm-to-stay

Managing Alternaria in Brassicas

Patrick McMullen — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 17:16:25 +0000

Managing Alternaria in Brassicas

Alternaria leaf blight, head rot, or black spot are primarily caused by the fungus Alternaria brassicicola. This disease primarily develops in cool, wet weather.

On leaves, symptoms start with round brown spots that develop concentric circles. A yellow halo often extends around the outside of the lesion. More lesions will develop across the leaf surface. Black, sooty rot can develop on broccoli and cauliflower heads and can progress quickly.

Alternaria can be seedborne, so always buy seed from a reputable source. If not already treated by the supplier, seed can be heat treated to kill pathogens (See Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Recommendations 2026/2027 pg 220 for details). Choose resistant cultivars whenever possible.

Remove or bury diseased crop residue at the end of the season. Use a 3-year crop rotation before planting another Brassica crop in the same location to allow overwintering spore populations to decrease. This includes cover crops in the Brassica family that can also serve as hosts. Control weed species in the Brassica family such as mustards and shepherd’s purse.

Fungicide applications should begin prior to the onset of disease development and continue under environmental conditions favorable for disease. Because this pathogen infects the heads, pay particular attention to PHIs when sprays are needed near the harvest window. Rotate FRAC groups to reduce the chance of resistance development. Resistance to azoxystrobin, QoI group 11 fungicide, and boscalid and penthiopyrad, SDHI group 7 fungicides, has been reported in some regions. If applications seem to be ineffective, contact your Extension agent, and use a different FRAC group.

Research trials at the University of Georgia by Kaur et al. (2025) evaluated two conventional spray programs on ‘Emerald Crown’ broccoli to control Alternaria leaf blight and found both to significantly reduce disease severity compared to non-treated plots.

Program 1: Luna Sensation 7.6 fl oz/A, Inspire Super 20 fl oz/A, Aprovia Top 13.5 fl oz/A, Bravo Weather Stik 1.5 pts/A, and Priaxor 8 fl oz/A.

Program 2: Bravo Weather Stik 1.5 pts/A, Luna Sensation 7.6 fl oz/A, Inspire Super 20 fl oz/A, Aprovia Top 13.5 fl oz/A, and Priaxor 8 fl oz/A.

Additional fungicide recommendations can be found in the Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Recommendations Cole Crops: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collards, Kale, and Kohlrabi – 2026/2027 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations

*Product labels supersede all recommendations provided in this article. The label is the law. Follow all instructions and ensure the product is labeled for your location.

References:

Hoidal, N. Alternaria leaf spot and head rot of Brassica crops. 2023. University of Minnesota Extension. https://extension.umn.edu/agriculture/specialty-crops/vegetable-farming/disease-management/alternaria-leaf-blight#cultural-controls-3119561

Humpherson-Jones, F. M., Phelps, K. 1989. Climatic factors influencing spore production in Alternaria brassicae and Alternaria brassicicola. Ann. Appl. Biol. 114:449-458.

Kaur, N., Foster, M. J., Donahoo, W. M., and Dutta, B. 2025. Evaluation of fungicide programs for the management of Alternaria leaf blight and head rot in broccoli in Tift County, Georgia, 2024 to 2025. Plant Health Progress 26(4):757. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-06-25-0173-PDMR.

Kaur, N., Malik, A. A., Cerritos-Garcia, D. G., Koch Bach, R. A., Everhart, S., and Dutta, B. 2025. Cross-resistance in Alternaria brassicicola from naturally infested broccoli seeds against two succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicides ed. Gladys Alexandre. Appl Environ Microbiol 91(10). https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.01083-25.

What is the Right Time to Terminate Irrigation in Soybean?

Ramandeep Kumar Sharma — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 19:42:51 +0000

Knowing the ideal time for terminating soybean irrigation is very important. Stopping irrigation too soon decreases kernel size and grain yield while stopping it too late incurs unnecessary extra cost. Using information on “crop development stage” and “soil moisture levels in root zone” is helpful in determining ideal termination time for irrigation.

The right pods to check

First step is to check with your seed dealer to see what variety (indeterminate or determinate) of soybean you are growing. For indeterminate variety, the pods at the top four nodes of the main stem, having fully developed leaves, should be examined to determine the growth stage. In case of determinate varieties, growth stage identification can be performed anywhere throughout the plant as pods develop uniformly along the stem. For growth stage assessment, include plants from all representative field sections (possibly known), with particular attention to later-developing areas.

Identify the growth stages

R5 is a “beginning seed” stage when seed starts to develop, attaining 1/8 inch of length.
R6 is a “full seed” stage when pods have full seed (green) that completely fills the pod cavity.
R6.5 is a “late seed fill” stage when seed (contained in the pod) gets fully separated from the protective membrane of the pod wall.
To look for photos of different soybean growth stages (including R5, R6, and R6.5), please visit this link- https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/guide-soybean-growth-stages

How to make a final decision on irrigation

Once your soybean plants are at R6.5, it’s generally the right time to terminate irrigation if your field’s root zone has sufficient moisture to sustain the rest of seed filling. If your soybean plants are at R6, they still need irrigation.
To guide irrigation termination timing, it is helpful to i) Keep in mind that the sandy soils in Southern New Jersey have limited soil-water reserves, ii) Check moisture in root-zone with sensors or soil sampling at or just before soybean reaches R6.5 stage, iii) Stay up to date with the weather forecasts, and iv) Reassess the decision in case expected rainfall does not come.

Summary/ Takeaway Message

Use R6.5 growth stage identification method and soil moisture information to decide your irrigation termination time. Do not rely only on the calendar, leaf color, or mature-looking pods on lower part of the plant.

References

Gholson, D., & Irby, T. (2024, August 7). Soybean Irrigation Termination. Mississippi State University Extension, Mississippi Crop Situation. https://www.mississippi-crops.com/2024/08/07/soybean-irrigation-termination-5/

Irby, T., Elliott, B., Oswalt, G., & O’Neal, P. (2024). Guide to soybean growth stages (Publication 4028). Mississippi State University Extension. https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/guide-soybean-growth-stages
Irby, T., & Roach, D. (2014, August 25). Soybean irrigation termination. Mississippi State University Extension, Mississippi Crop Situation. https://www.mississippi-crops.com/2014/08/25/soybean-irrigation-termination-2/

Questions? Contact Ramandeep Kumar Sharma at rs2794@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Wine Tourism Trends Workshop Series

Claudia Gil Arroyo — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 04:00:44 +0000

MAKING WINE TOURISM TRENDS WORK FOR YOU

Workshop Series

Unlock the latest wine tourism trends and learn how to turn them into real opportunities for your business. This series of 4 workshops offers practical insights, fresh ideas, and simple strategies to help you attract visitors, enhance experiences, and stay ahead in a fast evolving market.

Thursdays, September 24 through October 15, 2026

7.00pm – 8.00pm, Virtual

*Individual workshops are $15 each, or register for all 4 workshops for a discounted rate of $47.

For any questions please call (609) 465 5115 ext. 3607 or email capemayag@njaes.rutgers.edu

WTT Workshop Series-1

WTT Workshop Series-2

Vegetable IPM Update 9/18/26

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 02:18:33 GMT

Greetings from the Veg IPM team!

Sweet Corn

Many farms have wrapped up sweet corn for the season, but for those with corn still silking, moth pressure remains high. Corn earworm trap counts indicate at least a 4-day spray interval for all New Jersey locations this week. Refer to the map below to see this week’s CEW pressure throughout the state. With temperatures falling in the next week, most locations will no longer need to shorten the spray interval by a day. Remember, rotation is important for avoiding resistance, so rotate between the four IRAC groups registered in silking sweet corn: 1 (carbamates), 3 (pyrethroids), 5 (spinosyns), and 28 (diamides). Corn earworm is at least partly resistant to several pyrethroids, so a spray program should not rely solely on pyrethroids, although they are useful in tank-mixes or as pre-mixed products, such as Besiege or Elevest (Group 28 + Group 3). For detailed information about resistance and potential spray programs, the University of Delaware has an excellent resource on corn earworm management.

Tomatoes and Peppers

Beet armyworm. We track beet armyworm with pheromone traps deployed in south Jersey. Beet armyworm is an occasional pest of peppers, swiss chard, and beets and can cause serious damage and crop loss if outbreaks occur unexpectedly. Our traps in Salem county continue to find high moth counts (30+ moths per night), so we suggest scouting susceptible crops for caterpillars and damage. Traps in Cumberland county continue to have low captures (<5 moths per night).

Other caterpillar pests.

Cucurbits

Cucurbit Downy Mildew (CDM) Status. Cucurbit Downy Mildew was detected in NJ at the end of August. This includes CDM on butternut squash and cucumbers at the RAREC research farm (Bridgeton), and Snyder research farm (Pittstown). All growers should be applying downy mildew-specific fungicides to their cucurbit plantings. Keep in mind that products that control powdery mildew won’t necessarily control downy mildew, and vice versa. Be sure to rotate multiple products with different FRAC codes to reduce the risk of resistance development. For more detailed information about the disease and how to build an effective fungicide rotation, you can read this article by Andy Wyenandt.

Melon aphids infesting a pumpkin leaf. Photo by Amanda Quadrel.

Cole Crops

Scouted cole crops continue to have varying levels of caterpillar activity. The caterpillar threshold is 20% infestation for crops still in the leafy/early cupping stage. Once heads begin to form, the threshold drops to 5%. For young caterpillars (especially imported cabbage worm), Bt products such as Dipel or Xentari are IPM friendly options. Diamondback moth has resistance to many insecticide groups, and pyrethroids (IRAC 3A) and Bt products (IRAC 11A) are not effective for their management. Besides Bt, materials approved for caterpillar control include Entrust/Radiant (IRAC 5), Proclaim (IRAC 6), Torac (IRAC 21A), Exirel (IRAC 28), and Incipio (IRAC 30). For Bt products and contact insecticides, coverage on the undersides the leaves is essential.

Alternaria on broccoli. Photo by Amanda Quadrel.

Downy mildew on a collard leaf. Photo by Maria Crame

see more progress with the disease temperatures cool down. Downy mildew may appears as light-colored lesions on the top of the leaves and as masses of white spores on the lower surface. Scout at least 25 plants per field (5 plants in 5 locations), checking the undersides for spores. If you have downy mildew, rotate or tank-mix chlorothalonil 6F (FRAC M05) with another product listed in the Mid-Atlantic Veg Guide for downy mildew in cole crops, rotating MOAs. Use overhead irrigation at times of the day when leaves can dry quickly to slow disease progression.

We want to give a huge thanks to our scouting team for keeping an eye on things for us throughout the season!

North NJ: James Johnson and Cassandra Dougherty

South NJ: Renee Carter, Peter Combs, Mar Sherman, and Kris Szymanski

Authors: Amanda Quadrel (Northern NJ Veg IPM coordinator) and Maria Cramer (Southern NJ Veg IPM coordinator)

Questions or comments? Contact us below:

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