Vegetable and Fruit News-August 2021

August Vegetable IPM Scouting Tips

By David Owens, Extension Entomologist, University of Delaware

Sweet Corn Trap counts are fluctuating quite a bit, with some locations higher and others fairly low. This time of year, and particularly with the hot weather we have had, we have...Read More

Oak Leaf Itch Mites and Periodical Cicada Eggs

By Paula Shrewsbury, Department of Entomology, University of Maryland

In late July an article about oak itch mite bites and cicadas ran in the Washington Post in response to numerous reports of people in the DMV with red, itchy bites on their upper bodies. Several of us who work in Extension in this area have received numerous inquiries...Read More

This article is available in Spanish by going to: https://extensionesp.umd.edu/2021/08/13/picazon-por-acaros-de-hoja-de-roble-y-su-relacion-con-los-huevos-de-cigarras-periodicas/ 

Considerations When Selecting the Right Miticide

By Laura L. Ingwell, Horticulture Extension Entomologist, Purdue University

Sometimes choosing the right product to manage a particular pest can be a daunting and risky task. Especially when crops are close to harvest and an imposing outbreak sneaks up on you. Zone such pest that is good at the...Read more

Rain Check Common in Tomato Fields this Season

By Jerry Brust, Extension IPM Vegetable Specialist, University of Maryland

Over the last few weeks in almost all of the tomato fields I’ve been in have rain check on the tomato fruit (fig. 1). Rain check is the many, tiny concentric cracks that form on the shoulder of the fruit and these small cracks can expand over time into unsightly scabs. The cracks feel...Read more

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For more information about FieldWatch, read this helpful resource or call the department’s Pesticide Regulation Section at 410-841-5710.

Yellowing of Cantaloupe Leaf Edges

By Jerry Brust, Extension IPM Vegetable Specialist, University of Maryland

I have been seeing and receiving a few samples of yellowing (chlorosis) around the margins of cantaloupe leaves (Fig. 1). The marginal chlorosis observed in figure one would indicate salt burn, which is a noninfectious problem that mostly affects cantaloupes. This...Read more

Southern Bacterial Wilt of Tomato Found

By Jerry Brust, Extension IPM Vegetable Specialist, University of Maryland

Southern bacterial wilt of tomato, which is caused by the soil-borne bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum Race 1, has been found in a couple of tomato fields in the past week. This pathogen affects many solanaceous crops...Read more

Stinkbug Damage Found in Tomato Fields

By Jerry Brust, Extension IPM Vegetable Specialist, University of Maryland

I have seen and have gotten reports of stinkbug damage in tomatoes over the past few days. Stinkbug feeding damage is called cloudy spot in tomato fruit (fig. 1). It occurs when the adult or immature stinkbug puts its needle-like mouth part into the fruit and...Read more

Sulfur Deficiency in Sweet Corn

By Jerry Brust, Extension IPM Vegetable Specialist, University of Maryland

I have seen several sweet corn fields lately that have sulfur deficiencies (fig 1). One of the possible reasons we are seeing more S deficiency is because less...Read more

Winter-Killed Cover Crops for Vegetable Grower Revisited

By Gordon Johnson, Extension Vegetable & Fruit Specialist, University of Delaware

Cover crop decisions for vegetables should be made soon for this fall and next year’s crops. The following is a reprint of information on winter-killed cover crops for...Read more

Stop Use Order for Some Labeled Organic Products

By Jerry Brust, Extension IPM Vegetable Specialist, University of Maryland

For our organic vegetable growers in the Mid-Atlantic, the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s State Organic Program issued a STOP USE notice for...Read more

Sooty Blotch and Flyspeck in Apples

By Gordon Johnson, Extension Vegetable & Fruit Specialist, University of Delaware

August and September are the time for sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS) diseases of apples to build up. These problems are caused by many different fungi and are...Read more

Fruit Quality: The Importance of Fruit Textural Characteristics

By Cameron McPherson, Candidate for B.S. in Biochemistry & Macarena Farcuh, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Maryland, College Park

Why is texture important?

Texture is a key fruit quality component when considering consumer acceptability. Fruit texture is usually perceived first with the sense of touch and then by the...Read more

MSHS is Reminding Everyone About Membership Renewal

Membership is important!

Membership is open to everyone, especially those involved in the production of fruit and vegetables.
Consider the benefits you receive from the Maryland State Horticulture Society. Share information with other producers and encourage them to consider being a member.

If you have not already, please consider renewing your 2021 MSHS membership.
Your dues dollars support much-needed research and more! Membership Renewal

Our Beginner Farmer Training Program (BFTP) is now accepting applications for the 2022 training season! The BFTP provides a FREE, year-long immersive training experience that combines a comprehensive classroom curriculum with hands-on learning at Chesapeake region farms that employ practices that are profitable, protect land and water, and build healthy communities. We offer 3 levels of training, designed to meet the needs of new farmers at different stages, from entry-level to advanced. The program has built-in scheduling flexibility and is open to beginning farmers in MD, VA, DE - including the Delmarva Peninsula - and DC, WV, and PA.

Trainees receive a host of additional benefits:

• • Free admission to our annual conference
• • Free admission to our year-round field days at innovative farms as well as online programming
• • Access to a supportive network of new and experienced farmers
• • Future Harvest membership and all its perks
• • and more!

APPLY HERE
The deadline for applications is Friday, October 22, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.

Do You Grow Fruits or Vegetables?

Are you wondering about the Produce Safety Rule or Good Agricultural Practices Certification? Ask us about farm visits, we will come to you! We can help write your farm food safety plan.

If you reside in Central, Western, or Southern Maryland
Contact Carol Allen (callen12@umd.edu, 240-994-5043)

If you live on the Eastern Shore, in Baltimore City, Baltimore, Cecil, or Harford Counties.
Contact Angela Ferelli (angfer@umd.edu, 302-353-7159)

How to connect with us!

Plant Science Food Safety Website  YouTube

Our weekly Food Safety Newsletter for Maryland Farmers!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter coming from the Plant Science Food Safety Group. Its focus is you, the Maryland fruit and vegetable farmer, and will contain timely information to keep you updated on food safety workshops, webinars, classes, and other news. Here is our latest edition:
Food Safety Newsletter for Maryland Farmers Click Here

Hurry Joins Frederick County AgFS University of Maryland Extension

Agriculture and Food Systems (AgFS) Extension is pleased to welcome Jarette Hurry to the team. Jarette is the new Frederick County AgFS Extension Educator and the AgFS team looks forward to working alongside him to...Read more

Timely Viticulture is an electronic newsletter that is designed to give those in the grape industry a timely reminder of things they should be considering in the vineyard. Since we are all busy it is not meant to be an exhaustive list of things to consider or even a full discussion of the options. It is just meant to think about what is happening and what is coming up, with some comments.

To view, Timely Viticulture click here