Palm Beach County Extension 559 N. Military Trail WPB, Florida 3315 Phone (561) 233-1700

May 8, 2017

Most of South Florida received some much-needed rain over the past couple of weeks with reports

ranging from of less than an inch to over 7 inches depending on the location. Heavy rains in some areas

damaged crops resulting in losses. Growers reported hail in a few places.

Temperatures have been relatively mild with daytime highs ranging from the upper 70’s to low 90’s and

night time temps ranging from the 50’s to the 60’s. Frontal passage over the past weekend bought a

refreshing but short lived cool down with overnight lows in the 50’s.

FAWN Weather Summary

Date Air Temp °F Rainfall Ave Relative Humidity ET (Inches/Day)

Min Max (Inches) (Percent) (Average)

Balm

4/11 – 5/8/17 50.11 95.65 1.09 70 0.16

Belle Glade

4/11 – 5/8/17 54.61 90.99 5.45 82 0.16

Clewiston

4/11 – 5/8/17 52.86 92.32 2.39 76 0.16

Ft Lauderdale

4/11 – 5/8/17 60.24 87.46 7.50 75 0.16

Homestead

4/11 – 5/8/17 55.58 89.89 3.44 77 0.15

Immokalee

4/11 – 5/8/17 50.70 95.54 4.51 77 0.15

Okeechobee

4/11 – 5/8/17 45.91 94.91 2.75 77 0.16

Wellington

4/11 – 5/8/17 55.94 86.56 2.45 75 0.16

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COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN AGRICULTURE, FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES, SEA GRANT AND 4-H YOUTH, STATE OF FLORIDA, IFAS, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND BOARDS OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COOPERATING

SOUTH FLORIDA

VEGETABLE PEST AND DISEASE

HOTLINE

Palm

Beach

County

An ugly season is rapidly coming to an ugly end in much of south Florida, in some cases prematurely, due

to heavy insect pressure and hot weather. Whiteflies, thrips, weevils and viruses are taking their toll on

many crops. A variety of crops are coming to market including cabbage, collards, cucumber, eggplant, escarole,

green beans, herbs, kale, mustard, peppers, potatoes, radishes, squash, sweet corn, Swiss chard, tomato,

watermelon and a variety of specialty items.

The National Weather Service forecast indicates that surface high pressure will remain in place across

Florida through much of the upcoming week, leading to an extended period of dry weather and mostly

sunny skies. Generally light winds are expected across South Florida outside of local sea breezes during the

afternoon and early evening hours. Stray light shower may occur along with a slight increase in cloud cover in

conjunction with the sea breeze development each afternoon The next appreciable rain chances may come next

weekend as a weak frontal system approaches.

After a relatively cool start to the week, temperatures will increase moderately through the remainder of

the week back to above normal, with highs in the mid-80s to lower 90s, and lows ranging from the mid-

60s to mid-70s.

For additional information, visit the National Weather Service in Miami website at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/newpage/index.html

Insects

Whiteflies

Reports indicate that whitefly numbers in the Manatee Ruskin area are increasing along with TYLCV in

many fields. Respondents indicate that sprays targeted at spider mites are helping suppress whiteflies in some

places.

Around Immokalee, growers and scouts report that whiteflies are everywhere and have increased in

number over the past few weeks in many places. Whiteflies are causing issues with sooty mold in several

crops and irregular ripening has been an issue and resulted in losses in some fields. Whitefly vectored viruses

are widespread and severe in some cases causing losses in tomato and watermelon and other cucurbits.

Respondents in Miami Dade County indicate that whitefly remains common on eggplant, squash and

oriental vegetables.

In the Palm Beach area, whiteflies are high in tomato, squash and eggplant, and have become a problem

especially in Palm Beach County.

Whiteflies are causing problems around Homestead with bean golden mosaic virus becoming common in

green beans.

Reports indicate that TYLCV is moving in places especially where growers are not using TYLCV

resistant cultivars, and cucurbit leaf crumple virus has become widespread in watermelons and cucurbit

yellow stunting disorder virus is also becoming common in watermelon as well. Increasing incidence and

severity of vine decline (squash vein yellowing virus) is also being reported in watermelon. Some tomato fields

in SW Florida are also experiencing a high percentage of irregular ripening.

As noted above this spring is shaping up to be a bad season for whitefly and attendant problems

including virus in tomatoes and melons, silverleaf in squash and irregular ripening in tomato.

Irregular ripening is a physiological disorder unrelated to virus but caused by feeding of whitefly

nymphs, not adults. The threshold for irregular ripening is 1 nymph per 2 leaflets. Nymphs are best

monitored on the underside of the lower (5-7th node) leaves.

The whitefly situation has been exacerbated by a warm mild dry winter and the fact that many tomato

fields around South Florida have been abandoned after one pick due to low prices. In addition, due to

low prices growers have been reluctant to spray. Even though most of the abandoned acreage has been

sprayed with an herbicide, in many cases, there is still plenty of green living tissue to support whiteflies as well

as other pests and diseases. Some fields, have literally have clouds of whiteflies streaming out of them and

settling on nearby spring plantings. This situation is not playing out well for spring crops.

Field hygiene including rapid and timely crop destruction and clean up should be a high priority and

should be an integral part of the overall strategy for managing whitefly populations, TYLCV incidence,

and insecticide resistance. These practices will help reduce the onset of the initial infestation of whitefly,

regardless of biotype, and lower the initial infestation level during the cropping period.

Disrupt the virus-whitefly cycle in winter by creating as long a break in time and/or space as possible

between fall and spring crops, especially tomato, cucurbits and other crops where whitefly vectored

viruses are an issue.

Promptly and efficiently destroy all vegetable crops within 5 days of final harvest to decrease whitefly

numbers and sources of plant viruses like TYLCV.

Destroy old crops quickly and thoroughly after harvest, killing whiteflies and prevent re-growth.

Spray first with a tank mix of pyrethroid and malathion to kill whiteflies in the old crop. Use a contact

desiccant (“burn down”) herbicide in conjunction with a heavy application of oil (not less than 3 % emulsion)

and a non-ionic adjuvant to destroy crop plants and to kill whiteflies quickly.

Time burn down sprays to avoid crop destruction during windy periods, especially when prevailing

winds are blowing whiteflies toward adjacent plantings.

Treat spring plantings of tomato with a systemic insecticide in the transplant water. (Table 1). If on drip,

make a second soil application in 30 days using a systemic insecticide of different mode of action

Scout crops every week and apply insecticides as needed to maintain control. Target nymphs once the threat of

immigration from old crops has passed (Table 2).

Table 1: Systemic insecticides applied to soil for whitefly control

Common name Mode of Action Trade Names Rates

Imidacloprid 4A Various Check Label

Thiamethoxam 4A Platinum 75 SG 1.66 - 3.67

4A Venom 70%

Scorpion 35 SL

Certador 10%

5 - 7.5 oz/ac

9 -1 0.5 fl oz/ac

32.5 - 47.5 fl oz/ac

Flurpyradifuron 4D Sivanto 200 SL 21-28 fl oz/ac

Verimark 28 Verimark 18.7% 5-10 fl oz/ac

Table 2: Efficacy Ratings for Insecticides and Miticides on Tomato

Whiteflies Other pests controlled

MOA

Active

Ingredient Whiteflies

Southern

Armyworm

Spider

mites Stinkbugs Leafminer

4A dinotefuran E** G

4A imidacloprid E**

4A thiamethoxam E** G

4D flupyradifurone E**

23 spiromesifen E† E

23 spirotetramat E† G

7C pyriproxyfen E†

28 cyantraniliprole E** E E

1B malathion G*

3A beta-cyfluthrin G* F G

3A bifenthrin G* G

3A esfenvalerate G* G

3A fenpropathrin G* F F

3A

lambda

cyhalothrin G* F

3A permethrin G* G

3A

zeta-

cypermethrin G* G F

4A acetamiprid G

9 pymetrozine G†

16 buprofezin G†

21 A fenpyroxiamate G G

4A clothianidin F**

- horticultural

mineral oil F† G

- Azadiractin F†

- Soap,

insecticidal F†

* OP+Pyrethroids tank mix.

** Most Effective as a drench.

† Effective primarily against nymphs

Check labels before using any pesticide.

For more whitefly management tips – see:

Recommendations for Management of Whiteflies, Whitefly-Transmitted Viruses, and Insecticide

Resistance for Production of Cucurbit Crops in Florida - http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in871

Management of Whiteflies, Whitefly-Vectored Plant Virus, and Insecticide Resistance for Vegetable

Production in Southern Florida - http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in695

Spider mites

With hot dry conditions, spider mites are flaring up in several locations around South Florida on

cucurbits, eggplant and tomatoes.

Respondents in the Manatee Ruskin area indicate that growers are battling with Spidermites in tomato

and note they are literally killing some plants in worse affected locations.

Pepper Weevil

Pepper weevils are widespread in pepper fields around Southwest Florida and numbers are building as

the season nears an end. Some growers report having abandoned fields where weevils have gotten out of

control and many pepper fields no longer have buds, or growing points from weevil damage and some eggplant

fields are getting hammered with significant bud damage as well.

Reports from East Coast production areas indicate that pepper weevil numbers are high to extremely

high in all counties and will curtail extended production in some older pepper fields. Weevil are high in

eggs and requiring frequent sprays to protect fruit.

Scouting is importance as with other pests to detect infestations at an early stage. In the absence of Vydate,

growers may want to look at Exirel, Actara, Rimon, Dimilin and the pyrethroids to knock down adults. Growers

should be aware that you cannot spray your way out of this problem but need to take a pro-active IPM approach

throughout the season including good sanitation and destruction of old fields and separation of planting in time

and space with a crop-free period between fall and spring plantings where practicable.

Worms

Around Southwest Florida, there are a few armyworms around, and loopers are increasing in melons and

tomatoes. Reports indicate that diamondback moths are increasing and causing some problems in crucifers.

On the East Coast, diamond back moth larvae continue to cause damage to crucifers.

Reports from the Ruskin area indicate that worms are still an issue, with pinworm, beet armyworm,

loopers and loopers attacking tomatoes and other crops. Diamondback moths remain active in crucifers and

have reached high numbers in some fields.

Around Homestead, army worms are active in remaining crops.

Respondents in the Glades indicate that armyworms are spotty in corn as the crop moves away from the

Lake and pressure low to very low in most places. Southern armyworms are reportedly causing some issues

in other vegetables on the muck.

Thrips

Growers and scouts report a significant increase in thrips pressure in most areas.

On the East Coast, respondents indicate thrips are increasing and have built up in the last of the peppers

and tomatoes in Palm Beach County resulting in some fruit damage. Thrips from range from almost none

to high in tomato, pepper and eggplant depending on location. Numbers are generally higher around Palm

Beach and lower in Martin and St Lucie with some exceptions. Scouts report they are mostly western flower

thrips with a sprinkling of Thrips palmi.

Melon thrips continue to cause problems around Miami Dade County. Reports indicate numbers are high

in eggplants and adults are being found in squash, cucumber, beans and okra as well.

Scouts continue to report finding a few thrips vectored groundnut ringspot virus and tomato chlorotic

spot virus infected plants here and there around South Florida but.

Around Southwest Florida, Thrips palmi are also becoming serious problems in several pepper fields, as

well as some eggplants and they are also starting to bronze some leaves in some watermelon fields.

Growers report that where present they have been a challenge to control and some crops have been lost.

Around Hillsborough County, thrips numbers remain fairly low in most places.

Growers and scouts should learn to identify thrips species and take a soft IPM approach to reduce

numbers and favor beneficial insects such as minute pirate bug which have been shown to help control

populations.

Radiant, Movento, Torac, Exirel and Requiem in rotation can be used to manage thrips. Addition of non-

ionic surfactant in tank mix to will increase effectiveness on insecticides.

Aphids

Around South Florida aphids are around but are mostly insignificant compared to other insect issues.

Growers and scouts in Southwest Florida, report that aphids are patchy and have required control in

several places especially in organic crops.

In the EAA, aphids are still an issue in sweet corn resulting in honey dew and sooty mold on the ears as

the corn nears maturity. They are present in low numbers throughout the growing cycle, but tend to flare up

at the end. The numbers on the flags and silks are low while most the colonies (which remain small) are located

on the underside of leaves up and down the plant. Aphids are also showing up in leafy greens and brassicas. as

well.

Lesser cornstalk borer

Around the Glades, lesser cornstalk borer trap counts have dropped significantly in recent days.

Broad Mites

Around Southwest Florida, broad mites remain widely present and persistent in pepper and eggplant.

Growers and scouts on the East Coast report a downward trend in broad mite pressure apart from some

hotspots where they remain a problem.

Silkfly

In the EAA, silk flies continue to be an issue in sweet corn with the highest numbers being around the

lake. Levels of both adults and immatures can be characterized as low.

Growers should scout corn fields carefully for silk fly infestation. Certis Bait pellets have shown significant

reduction of adults and silkfly damage on corn ears. Pyrethroids can also be used to reduce silk fly adults.

Leafminer

Leafminers appear to be declining in most locations although they are still around and causing some

problems in the Manatee Ruskin area.

Diseases

Diseases caused by fungal and bacterial pathogens have been relatively low but this may change because

of recent rains.

Late Blight

Growers and scouts in SW Florida reported a flare up of late blight in a few locations around Southwest

Florida in conjunction with recent rains.

Bacterial Spot

On the East Coast, bacterial spot is low but growers should keep an eye on non- resistant pepper and

tomato after recent rains.

Low levels of bacterial spot are present in the Manatee Ruskin area.

Target Spot

Mostly low levels of target spot are reported around the South Florida

Early Blight

Alternaria is increasing on tomato around south Florida. Some of this is associated with leafminer damage.

Low levels of early blight have also been reported around Manatee County.

Powdery Mildew

Growers and scouts report powdery mildew is starting to increase in some watermelons and is also

increasing in squash around Southwest Florida.

Powdery mildew is present in cucumber and squash around Palm Beach County and is also starting to

show up on some Cubanelle pepper as well.

Growers and scouts indicate that powdery mildew is widespread in cucurbits around Homestead

including squash and bitter melon.

Dill producers are reporting some issues with powdery mildew on dill.

Growers are getting good control with products like Fontelis, Quintec, Torino, and Rally.

Downy Mildew

On the East Coast, downy mildew has jumped on mature squash in recent days.

Around Immokalee, downy mildew is active in cucumbers and starting up in some watermelons and in

cantaloupe.

Downy mildew is also present on squash in Homestead.

Downy mildew continues to plague basil producers and is increasing with cooler humid nights and foggy

conditions.

Phytophthora

Reports from Palm Beach County indicate Phytophthora is causing problems in some older pepper in

areas where it is traditional a problem. It is also hitting some eggplant where fruit are becoming infected on

the ground as well as some double crop squash.

Phytophthora is causing some problems around Homestead and in Devils Garden following recent heavy

rains.

Tomato Chlorotic Spot Virus

Tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV) is mostly low and stable but can be found in all counties in South

Florida.

Early symptoms of infection are difficult to diagnose. In young infected plants the characteristic symptoms

consist of inward cupping of leaves and leaves that develop a bronze cast followed by dark necrotic spots.

Tomato chlorotic spot virus causes necrosis in tomato leaves and stems, and causes ringspots and other

deformations of the fruit. The symptoms are nearly identical to those of groundnut ringspot virus and

laboratory diagnosis is necessary to distinguish on from the other.

Common purslane has been identified as an alternate host, so growers should pay attention to weed

management.

The use of virus-free transplants, insecticides to control thrips, rouging infected plants, SAR elicitors

such as Actigard, and UV-reflective mulch will likely be effective managing TCSV.

Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl

A few scattered TYLCV infected plants have been reported in tomatoes in all production areas around

South Florida.

On the East Coast TYLC is increasing in some older tomato.

TYLCV is present and increasing around Manatee County.

TYLCV is increasing quickly in many fields around SW Florida and has reached infection rates have

surpassed 50% or more in some older fields and is showing up more frequently in younger fields.

With the huge number of whitefly moving off abandoned fields, lack of cold weather and very high

whitefly counts being reported in many fields, the situation is ripe for virus to explode in the spring crop. Growers would be advised to rapidly and efficiently destroy abandoned fields and aggressively target whiteflies

in younger plantings.

Watermelon mosaic virus

Growers in few locations around Southwest Florida are experiencing problems with widespread mosaic

in melons and squash at levels higher than we have seen for the past few years.

Growers and scouts in Homestead report mosaic virus is common in squash.

Cucurbit leaf crumple virus

Around Homestead, cucurbit leaf crumple virus is widely present in squash.

In Southwest Florida, cucurbit crumple leaf virus is widely present and increasing in watermelons.

Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus

Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus is now becoming more common in watermelons around South

Florida.

Vine Decline

Scouts report that squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV) (aka vine decline) is present in several

watermelon fields around Southwest Florida.

Cucurbit Virus Advisory

Cucurbit crumple leaf virus (CuLCrV) along with squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV) (aka vine

decline) and Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) are all whitefly transmitted viruses which

have appeared relatively recently in Florida. Scouts are already finding all three viruses in watermelon

around SW Florida.

The fact that watermelon growers around SW Florida saw major issues with CYSDV last spring and a

re-emergence of vine decline (SqVYV) after several relatively quiet years, coupled with the fact that

CuLCrV is widely present at low levels in squash and water melons this past fall suggests growers should

be alert this spring and practice aggressive scouting and whitefly management in these crops.

We have had another relatively mild winter to date without any cold weather to take out the wild

cucurbit hosts (balsam apple, bur cucumber etc.) of these viruses so there is high probability that these

viruses could over winter and be ready to jump into spring plantings.

In addition, we are seeing very high whitefly numbers around SW Florida. Even though these are

primarily moving out of tomato (a non-host), they are hunger and could acquire one or more of these

viruses while moving around before settling down in a squash or melon field.

As you may know Georgia watermelon producers experienced major issues with cucurbit crumple leaf

virus this fall. Crumple leaf also infects beans and caused major issues in beans as well.

As a result, we are seeing unprecedented levels of these whitefly vectored viruses in spring watermelon

production (and other cucurbits) in South Florida.

Cucurbit Virus Update

Three whitefly-transmitted viruses are currently known to infect watermelon, squash and other cucurbits

in Florida: Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV), Cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV) and Cucurbit

yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV). The most devastating of these is SqVYV, which is the cause of

viral watermelon vine decline first described in 2003 in Florida. CuLCrV and CYSDV were more recently

introduced to Florida, and have generally been more common than SqVYV until the past two winter growing

seasons.

To further complicate symptoms observed, several aphid-transmitted viruses including Papaya ringspot

virus (PRSV) are also regularly detected in Florida cucurbit crops. CuLCrV, CYSDV and PRSV have

predominated in many locations but SqVYV (and viral watermelon vine decline) has once again been detected

in all major peninsular watermelon production areas during the current growing season.

Initial symptoms of SqVYV infection in watermelon are petiole necrosis and leaf wilt (often near vine tips) that

rapidly progress to plant collapse. Watermelon fruit develop internal discoloration and necrosis in the rind and

degradation of the flesh. Often these symptoms appear just before harvest.

Cucurbit crops and weeds are the only reported hosts for SqVYV, and many only display mild vein

yellowing symptoms on leaves. Yellow summer squash is perhaps most affected because fruits develop green

lines that run lengthwise on the yellow skin. A limited number of vining cucurbits other than watermelon

develop vine decline symptoms but these species are generally not important crops in Florida.

In contrast, CuLCrV or CYSDV infection leads to chlorosis (yellowing) of watermelon leaves.

For CuLCrV, this is most often a bright yellow chlorosis (like Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in tomato)

that appears near the tip of the vines. This is often accompanied by severe distortion of the leaves (the

“crumple” symptom for which the virus is named).

For CYSDV, this is most often a pale-yellow chlorosis that appears in the older leaves near the crown of

the plant.

In addition to cucurbits in Florida, CuLCrV has been detected in green bean and CYSDV has been

detected in pigweed.

Symptoms of PRSV and other aphid-transmitted viruses commonly appear on watermelon and squash

leaves as a mosaic of light and dark green. Sometimes this may be accompanied by blistering of the leaves.

The major economic impact of SqVYV infection of watermelon is from the reduction in fruit weight and

quality. Fruit rind and flesh colors are altered from those of non-infected plants often rendering them

unmarketable. Fruit sucrose content is reduced and fruit acid content is increased. The only other documented

fruit impact of SqVYV is on yellow summer squash as noted above.

Cucurbit weeds including balsam apple (Momordica charantia), creeping cucumber (Melothria pendula)

and smellmelon (Cucumis melo var. dudaim) serve as reservoirs for these viruses and the whitefly and

aphid vectors. Although symptoms are not always obvious, cucurbit weed management remains an important

part of cucurbit virus management plans.

There is presently no genetic resistance to whitefly-transmitted viruses in commercially-available

cucurbit cultivars. Management tactics presently focus on managing the vector. In addition to controlling

cucurbit weeds, prompt destruction of harvested fields is key to reducing the viral source (inoculum). It is

recommended that crops be sprayed with a fast-acting herbicide such as gramoxone combined with a crop oil to

reduce migration of viruliferous whiteflies from the field. Early season protection of the crop is crucial.

Metalized plastic mulches have a repellant effect on whiteflies as well as aphids and thrips, and can

reduce early infections. Black or white plastic mulches with a central metalized band are also available to help

protect young crops.

Soil and drip applied systemic insecticides are important tools for providing early and mid-season

protection from whiteflies. Insecticides with systemic activity for whitefly management include the

neonicotinoids Admire (imidacloprid), Platinum (thiamethoxam) and Venom (dinotefuran), the butenolide

Sivanto Prime (flupyradifurone) and the diamide Verimark/Exirel (cyazypyr). Most of these insecticides have

pollinator protection warning instructions on the label. Soil application of insecticides and nighttime application

of foliar insecticides may reduce, but will not eliminate, impacts on pollinators. The insect growth regulators

Knack (pyriproxifen) and Courier (buprofezin) will reduce the number of viable whitefly eggs and prevent

nymphs from completing development. Biopesticides including insecticidal soap (M-Pede) and Beauvaria

bassiana products (Botanigard, Mycotrol) can help reduce whitefly numbers when used repeatedly.

A treatment window of 4-5 weeks should be used to plan insecticide rotations for management of

whiteflies in cucurbits. The purpose of the treatment window approach is to avoid applying the same mode of

action to successive generations of the same pest. For example, cucurbits could be treated at planting with

Verimark, followed by a foliar application of Exirel a few weeks later, before blooms are abundant. A

neonicotinoid could be applied through the drip at week five followed by a foliar application of Sivanto, which

has limited contact impact on pollinators. This approach would confine the use of diamides to the first five-

week treatment window, and the use of neonicotinoids and butenolides, which have the same mode of action, to

the second five-week treatment window.

Always read and follow label instructions when using insecticides.

This information was provided by Scott Adkins (USDA ARS Ft Pierce) and Hugh Smith (University of

Florida, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center).

See Recommendations for Management of Whiteflies, Whitefly-Transmitted Viruses, and Insecticide

Resistance for Production of Cucurbit Crops in Florida - http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in871

Efficacy Table for Single Mode of Action Insecticides and Miticides Labeled for Cucurbit Vegetables in

Florida - https://www.scribd.com/document/341391847/Efficacy-Insecticides-Cucurbits-003

Corn leaf blight

Growers and scouts in the EAA are seeing low levels of northern corn leaf blight in sweet corn.

Northern corn leaf blight caused by the fungus Exserohilum turcicum.

Initial symptoms of the NCLB include yellow spots that develop on the foliage. These enlarge to form tan

or straw-colored dead areas about 4 to 6 inches long and one half inch wide. NCLB produces a long, elliptical

lesion, while those of southern corn leaf spot tend to be oblong and much smaller than those produced by

NCLB.

Lesions caused by southern corn leaf blight are much smaller (up to ½ inch wide and 1-inch-long) than

those caused by northern corn leaf blight. SCLB blight lesions are also lighter in color (light tan to brown),

and have parallel sides rather than the tapering sides of lesions caused by E. turcicum.

Northern corn leaf blight, like southern corn leaf blight, moves from the lower canopy to the upper

canopy. Fungal sporulation may be observed with a hand lens on foliar lesions following periods of high

humidity. When severe, lesions may become so numerous that they coalesce and turn the entire leaf necrotic.

Bean Rust

Reports from the Glades indicate that mostly low levels rust are becoming common in susceptible beans

varieties.

Initial signs of bean rust on common bean include fungal sori, seen as small white specks under the leaf

epidermis, and rust colored pustules. These pustules are found mainly on the underside of the leaf and are

often surrounded by a chlorotic ring.

Bean Golden Mosaic

Growers and scouts in Homestead report that bean golden mosaic virus is increasing in green beans

around the area.

News You Can Use

Sanitation, Sanitation, Sanitation...

Once again as we near the end of the deal, growers are reminded of the importance of sanitation in an integrated

pest management program. Disease and insects do not magically materialize to plague growers. Many require

a living host to carry them from one season to another. In fact, many of the problems that we are experiencing

this spring with pests like whiteflies and weevils can be partially attributed to the failure to promptly and

efficiently clean up fall crops setting the stage for problems this spring.

Field sanitation is one of the most important tactics in vegetable pest and disease management. One of the best

things that growers can do for themselves and their neighbors is to clean up crop residues promptly after

harvest. Sanitation is an important IPM technique that should not be over looked as an effective, preventative

tool against many vegetable pest and disease problems. Sanitation includes any practice that eradicates or

reduces the amount of pathogen inoculum, pests, or weed seeds present and thus helps reduce or eliminate

subsequent pest and disease problems.

Prompt crop destruction at the end of the season will immediately end the production of disease inoculum and

insects and eliminate the spread of diseases and pests to any other host plants in the vicinity. Downy and

powdery mildew on melons can spread via wind from older, diseased plants to plants in surrounding fields that

are still maturing. These diseases are obligate parasites. This means that they can only grow and multiply on

living host tissue. Some plant pathogens, such as the bacterium that causes bacterial spot of tomato and pepper,

are unable to survive for extended periods of time outside of the host tissue. Plowing or disking under infected

plant debris helps not only by covering up the inoculum but also speeds up the disintegration of plant tissue and

kills the pathogen. Good sanitation will help control several important vegetable pathogens.

Cull piles should not be neglected as several scouts over the past few years have reported that they have found

both insects and diseases such as TYLCV, late blight, whiteflies and others in volunteer plants springing up

around cull piles.

Soil tillage can destroy insects and expose them to birds and other predators. It can also speed the breakdown of

plant residues that harbor insects and plant pathogens. By either allowing the organic matter in a field to

decompose completely before you plant the next crop and /or allowing a fallow period between crops, you can

enhance the control of many insects and diseases.

Destruction of tomato vines will kill off white fly populations and eliminate transmission of the tomato yellow

leaf curl and other viruses to subsequent crops and eliminate inoculum from late blight and other fungal

diseases. This is particularly important in the case of TYLCV and other viruses, as sanitation, a crop-free

period, and whitefly/thrips control are the only tools currently available for the management of this disease. A

crop-free period is also considered a necessity for the control of several other important vegetable pests such as

pepper weevil, tomato pinworm, whitefly and thrips and is recommended for management of all vegetable

pests.

A little extra effort spent in cleaning up old fields at the end of the season may well prevent or reduce potential

problems next fall!

Summer weed management can be a challenge and will become increasingly important in the post- methyl

bromide era. Growers should check field margins to make sure that pest species are not building up there and

migrating out into cropping areas. Many insects over summer on weeds, so efforts to control them can be

profitable by reducing their movement into the crops next growing season.

Weeds are also known reservoirs of nematodes as well as several viral, fungal and bacterial pathogens. Weeds

and volunteers should be removed to prevent the survival and over-summering of pathogens that could serve as

inoculum reservoirs for the next crop. Techniques such as mowing off pepper should not be relied upon as this

often results in re-sprouts, which can harbor pests and disease problems over summer.

The use of cover crops and summer fallowing of fields are also effective tools in reducing weed populations that

can cause problems in the subsequent crop. The role of summer fallow in weed management is often

overlooked and again promises to become more important in the absence of methyl bromide as a component of

a comprehensive methyl bromide alternative strategy. Summer fallow keeps new weed seeds from being added

to the soil seed-bank. It also reduces the increases in asexual propagated plants such as nutsedge. Yellow

nutsedge can put out 70 new tubers (nuts) every two months. Keeping the weeds from propagating will reduce

the weed problems encountered during the next cropping season and help reduce insects and diseases that may

over summer in weedy fields.

Chemical fallowing is a twist on the traditional method of fallowing that depends on disking fields throughout

the summer period to reduce weed pressure in subsequent crops. One approach uses glyphosate to kill weeds

during the crop-free period. Note with some combinations of high use rates, heavy weed infestation, soil

fumigation, short plant back times and other factors growers have experienced carryover resulting in

phytotoxicity and plant damage in subsequent crops on sandy soils. In response to glyphosate resistant weeds,

many growers are tank mixing glyphosate with 2,4-D and other herbicides during the fallow period to pick up

escapes.

Cover crops planted prior to the main cash crop can improve soil fertility and provide a valuable source of

organic matter. They can also help suppress weeds and some soil pests, such as nematodes in some instances.

Sunn hemp seed is coming down and is about a dollar and a half per pound now; so, the recommended seeding

rate at 25-30 lb per acre costs only about $40 per acre, which is reasonable alternative when compared to the

labor and fuel costs to disk the land.

With new regulations for fumigants, building soil organic matter content with summer cover crops can help

provide credit which will allow reductions in the proposed required buffer zones requirements. For example, by

raising soil organic content to the 1 - 2 % level in the fumigated block you can reduce buffer zones by 20%,

increase soil organic content to 2 - 3 % and you get a 30% buffer zone reduction.

When devising a crop rotation strategy, a grower should also be aware of which crops and cover crops might

increase disease problems. Under wet conditions, sunn hemp can increase soil populations of Pythium and

Rhizoctonia damping-off fungi. Some varieties of cowpea may host of root-knot nematode. In organic systems,

cowpeas and other legumes may support populations of stink bugs which may cause problems in the fall. These

factors should all be considered before selecting a cover crop.

Soil solarization is the use of plastic tarps placed on the soil surface to increase soil temperatures to a level that

kills soilborne pathogens, weeds, and other crop pests. Soil solarization works best when summer temperatures

are uniformly high. These conditions don’t always occur in Florida. Soil solarization will not eradicate a

pathogen from a field, but it may lower pathogen populations.

Soil flooding is a related means of creating conditions—in this case, saturated soil over an extended period -

that might result in a decline of soil-borne pathogens.

A number of growers and researchers are looking with interest at anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD), a non-

chemical alternative to fumigants, which can control soilborne pathogens and nematodes in strawberries and

vegetables. ASD works by creating anaerobic soil conditions by incorporating readily available carbon-sources

into topsoil that is covered with plastic tarp then irrigated to field capacity. The tarp is then left in place to

maintain soil moisture above field capacity and to sustain anaerobic conditions. Anaerobic decomposers are

then able to respire using the added carbon, which results in the build-up of anaerobic by-products that are toxic

to pathogens. These by-products are degraded rapidly once the tarp is removed or holes are made through the

tarp for planting.

In Florida, trials using composted broiler litter (to improve water holding capacity of sandy soils) and blackstrap

molasses incorporated as substrate, ASD treatments provided good control of nutsedge, and excellent control of

grass, broadleaf weeds, Phytophthora capsici, and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici.

The end of the season is also the ideal time to take samples taken to predict the risk of nematode injury to fall

crops well in advance of planting to allow for sample analysis and treatment periods if so required. For best

results, sample for nematodes at the end of the growing season, before crop destruction, when nematodes are

most numerous and easiest to detect.

Collect soil and root samples from 10 to 20 field locations using a cylindrical sampling tube, or, if unavailable,

a trowel or shovel. Since most species of nematodes are concentrated in the crop rooting zone, samples should

be collected to a soil depth of 6 to 10 inches.

Sample in a regular pattern over the area, emphasizing removal of samples across rows rather than along rows.

One sample should represent no more than 10 acres for relatively low-value crops and no more than 5 acres for

high value crops.

Fields which have different crops (or varieties) during the past season or which have obvious differences either

in soil type or previous history of cropping problems should be sampled separately. Sample only when soil

moisture is appropriate for working the field, avoiding extremely dry or wet soil conditions. Plant roots should

also be examined visually for the telltale signs of galling caused by root knot nematode.

Recognizing that the root-knot nematode causes the formation of large swollen areas or galls on the root

systems of susceptible crops, relative population levels and field distribution of this nematode can be largely

determined by simple examination of the crop root system for root gall severity. Root gall severity is a simple

measure of the proportion of the root system that is galled. Immediately after final harvest, a sufficient number

of plants should be carefully removed from soil and examined to characterize the nature and extent of the

problem within the field. In general, soil population levels increase with root gall severity. This form of

sampling can in many cases provide immediate confirmation of a nematode problem and allows mapping of

current field infestation.

The detection of any level of root galling usually suggests a nematode problem for subsequent plantings of

susceptible crops. Detection of a potential problem well in advance of the next growing season will provide

ample time to devise and implement an effective management strategy.

Integrated pest and disease management is a year-round commitment that should incorporate a combination of

cultural, biological and chemical pest management techniques.

FFVA Emerging Leader Development Program

Are you or someone who works for youan up-and-coming leader who wants to be more involved in the Florida

Fruit & Vegetable Association? Consider the FFVA Emerging Leader Development Program, administered by

the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation.

Applicants must be age 25 to 40, part of an FFVA member’s family or their company, and must be working in

or pursuing a career in Florida specialty crop agriculture. A class of eight to 10 members is selected each year.

Care to be a part of class 7? Applications are being accepted through business hours May 15, 2017. Download

the application here http://www.floridaspecialtycropfoundation.org/leadership/

Tomato Plant Destruction

Under Florida law, abandoned tomato fields that have not been destroyed within five days after final harvest are

subject to an Immediate Final Order (IFO) per Rule - FAC Chapter 5B-59.003, Tomato Plant Destruction.

You can report abandoned tomato fields by sending an email to the Division of Plant Industry describing the

physical location of the property. Their first route of destruction would be to make contact with the growers

and request compliance, if this does not occur an IFO is issued in which the grower has 10 days to correct the

problem.

Please contact Tyson Emery if you have any further questions.

Tyson Emery

Chief- Bureau of Plant and Apiary Inspection

Division of Plant Industry

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

email: tyson.emery@freshfromflorida.com

Phone: (352) 395-4709

See rule at https://www.flrules.org/gateway/RuleNo.asp?ID=5B-59.003

Opportunities to Get Core CEU’s Online

The CEU Series is published in Growing Produce on-line and is approved by FDACS and provides a

convenient way to earn CORE CEU's. Simply read an article and answer the questions at the end of the article.

A passing score of 75% or greater will earn you one CORE CEU.

There are currently several articles available and a new one will be published bi-monthly.

CEU Series: Learning About Pesticide Resistance is Anything but Futile

CEU Series: Improve Your Integrated Pest Management Program

CEU Series: Key in On the Contents of Pesticide Labels

CEU Series: Precaution Needed When Working with Pesticides

CEU Series: Get the Lowdown on Federal Pesticide Laws

CEU Series: Take into Account the Toxicity when Handling Pesticides

CEU Series: Be Aware of Bees When Applying Pesticides

CEU Series: Avoid Mishaps When Handling Pesticides

CEU Series: Make Sure to Stow Your Pesticides Before You Go

Here is a link to the latest article, CEU Series: Make Sure to Stow Your Pesticides Before You Go where you

will find links to all the previous articles. https://goo.gl/D27Ffr

EPA Manual Available on How to Comply with the Revised Worker Protection Standards

The EPA in conjunction with the Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative (PERC) has made available a

guide to help users of agricultural pesticides comply with the requirements of the 2015 revised federal Worker

Protection Standard (WPS).

You should read this manual if you employ agricultural workers or handlers, are involved in the production of

agricultural plants as an owner/manager of an agricultural establishment or a commercial (for-hire) pesticide

handling establishment, or work as a crop advisor.

The “How to Comply” manual includes:

• details to help you determine if the WPS requirements apply to you;

• information on how to comply with the WPS requirements, including exceptions, restrictions, exemptions,

options, and examples;

• “Quick Reference Guide”- a list of the basic requirements (excluding exemptions, exceptions, etc.);

• new or revised definitions that may affect your WPS responsibilities; and explanations to help you better

understand the WPS requirements and how they may apply to you.

•

The revised EPA Pesticide Worker Protection Standard “How to Comply” Manual is available at:

https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/pesticide-worker-protection-standard-how-comply-manual

Meetings. Paper copies are available at the Hendry and Palm Beach County Extension Offices.

Up Coming Meetings

FSMA Produce Safety Alliance Classes - registration on-line through Event Brite

May 17 – Palmetto, FL - http://psa051717.eventbrite.com

June 4-6, 2017 Florida State Horticulture Society Annual Meeting

Westin Tampa Harbour Island

725 South Harbour Island Blvd

Tampa, FL 33602

For more information or to register, go to http://fshs.org/meetings/

June 8, 2017 33rd Annual Florida Seed Association Seed Seminar

UF/IFAS Southwest FL Research & Education Center

2685 SR 29

Immokalee, Florida 34142

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Advanced Registration $75, University Faculty & Staff $35, Students N/C (ID Required) includes lunch. A

great educational program is planned. All proceeds support the Florida Seed Association scholarship fund.

If you have any questions, please contact Arlen Wood at 863-660-6540 or email at awood92014@aol.com

Websites

Farm Dog - Florida Pest and Disease Pressure Map is now available! Discover agricultural pest and

disease trends near you in this interactive map. Updated daily. - free app at: http://scout-

dash.eastus.cloudapp.azure.com/regional

EDIS is the Electronic Data Information Source of UF/IFAS Extension, a repository of all IFAS Extension

publications - http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/

Frequently Asked Questions on FSMA - Questions & Answers on the Food Safety Modernization Act -

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm247559.htm

2016-2017 UF/IFAS Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida - This handbook is designed to provide

Florida growers with the latest information on crop cultivars, cultural practices, and pest management. Free

hard copies of the handbook are available at UF/IFAS research and education centers and county extension

offices. It can be viewed or downloaded at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_vph

Check out Southwest Florida Vegetable Grower on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Florida-Vegetable-Grower/149291468443385 or follow me on

Twitter @SWFLVegMan - https://twitter.com/SWFLVegMan

All the best for a Happy Mother’s Day to all you Mothers

Contributors include: Joel Allingham/AgriCare, Inc, Javier Soto/West Coast Tomato Growers, Gordon

DeCou/Agri Tech Services of Bradenton, Dr Nick Dufault/ UF/IFAS, Carrie Harmon/UF/IFAS Plant Disease

Clinic, Sarah Hornsby/AgCropCon, , Bruce Johnson/General Crop Management, Barry Kostyk/SWFREC, Leon

Lucas/Glades Crop Care, Chris Miller/Palm Beach County Extension, Gene McAvoy/Hendry County

Extension, Alice McGhee/Thomas Produce, Dr.Gregg Nuessly/EREC Chuck Obern/C&B Farm, Dr. Monica

Ozores-Hampton/SWFREC, Dr. Rick Raid/ EREC, Ryan Richards/The Andersons, Dr Pam Roberts/SWFREC,

Dr. Nancy Roe/Farming Systems Research, Wes Roan/6 L's, Dr. Dak Seal/ TREC, Kevin Seitzinger/Gargiulo,

Crystal Snodgrass/Manatee County Extension, Dr. Phil Stansly/SWFREC, Dr. Josh Temple, DuPont Crop

Protection, Dr Gary Vallad/GCREC , Mark Verbeck/GulfCoast Ag, Dr. Qingren Wang/Miami-Dade County

Extension, Alicia Whidden/Hillsborough County Extension, Dr Henry Yonce/KAC Ag Research and Dr.

Shouan Zhang/TREC.

The South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline is compiled by Gene McAvoy and is issued on a biweekly basis

by the Hendry County Cooperative Extension Office as a service to the vegetable industry.

Gene McAvoy Gene McAvoy

County Extension Director / Extension Agent IV

Regional Specialized Agent - Vegetables/Ornamental Horticulture

Hendry County Extension Office 863-674-4092 phone

PO Box 68 863-673-5939 mobile

LaBelle, Florida 33975 863-674-4637 fax

Web: http://hendry.ifas.ufl.edu/ GMcAvoy@ifas.ufl.edu

Chris Miller Christian Miller

Extension Agent II – Vegetable Production & Tropical Fruits

Palm Beach County Extension

559 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33415

Special Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors; who make this publication possible.

Thomas Produce Company Of South Florida

Grower and Shippers of Quality Vegetables

9905 Clint Moore Road

Boca Raton, Florida 33496

Carol Howard

Mobley Plant World 1351 W Cowboy Way

LaBelle, Florida 33935

Phone 863-675 -2020

Nichino America Makers of Courier, Portal & Vetica

Technical Sales Representatives

Todd Villars: West Florida - 863-532-0937

Sam Monroe: East Florida - 772-473-0873

Gargiulo Growers Shippers Importers Exporters

David Pensabene: Production Manager

Naples Operations

Phone 239-353-0300 Fax 239-353-3407

Ed Early

DuPont Crop Protection Fort Myers, Florida 33911

Mobile 239-994-8594

Dr. Nancy Roe

Farming Systems Research 5609 Lakeview Mews Drive

Boynton Beach, Florida 33437

Phone 561-638-2755

Ryan Richards

The Andersons 710 Broward Street

Immokalee, FL 34142

Phone 239-657-8254 Fax 239-657-2005

Shawn Barley

Wedgworth’s Inc. Big W Brand Fertilizer

(863) 441-9255 cell

Phone: 561-233-1718

Email: cfmiller@ufl.edu

Web:

http://discover.pbcgov.org/coextension/Pages/defa

ult.aspx

Special Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors; who make this publication possible.

Bart Hoopingarner

Gowan Company 3605 162nd Ave East

Parrish, FL 34219

Phone 941-776-1105 Cell 941-737-7444

Justin Powell

Southeast Business Leader

Adama 229 881 9757 cell

justin.powell@adama.com

OmniLytics - AgriPhage Safe Natural Effective

Vegetable Bacteria Control

Dave Cole - 561-261-1545

Tony Swensen - 801-808-2132

Sponsored by Orondis® fungicide &

Syngenta Crop Protection Cody Hoffman

Fort Myers, FL 33901

Cell 321- 436-2591

Certis USA Bio-Pesticides for Crop Production

Joe Craig - 863-291-9203

Chuck Goodowns - 352-538-4471

Dave Owens

Marrone Bio Innovations Cell 239-233-9073 or

dowens@marronebio.com

Brent Beer

Beer Leveling &

Land Development Office 863-675-1663 863-673-3173 cell

158*17*43857 Nextel

Scott Houk

Dow AgroSciences LLC

Phone 239-948-3999

Email sehouk@dow.com

Glades Crop Care, Inc. Leaders in Crop Health

Management

Charlie Mellinger, Ph.D.

Phone 561-746-3740 Fax 561-746-3775

Stacey Howell

Bayer CropScience 3481 3rd Ave NW

Naples, FL 34120

Phone (239) 353-6491 Cell (239) 272-8575

Steve Mike Dave

Jamerson Farms

Growers, Packers and Shippers of

Florida’s Finest Vegetables

Phone 239-229-5734 Fax 239-368-0969

FMC

FMC Corporation APG Ron Palumbo

Cell 305-304- 7941

Ronald Palumbo@fmc.com www.fmccrop.com

Special Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors; who make this publication possible.

Sarah Hornsby, CCA

Agricultural Crop Consulting, Inc Scouting: Manatee, Hillsborough, Collier

Office/Fax 941-776-1122

Cell 941-713-6116

Email: AgCropCon@aol.com

Garry Gibson

BASF Corporation 1502 53rd Avenue

Vero Beach, Florida 32966

Office 772-778-4646 AGNET 21726

w.garry.gibson@basf.com

Certified for use in Organic Production

Jack Kilgore 239-707-7677

g8trmanjek@comcast.net

Donald Allen

AGLIME SALES INC PO Box 60

Babson Park, Florida 33827-0060

Office 863-638-1481 Fax 863-638-2312

Mobil 863-287-2925

Chuck Obern

C & B Farm CR 835

Clewiston, FL 33440

Office 863-983-8269 Fax 863-983-8030

Cell 239-250-0551

Scott Allison

Diamond R Fertilizer PO Box 1898

LaBelle, FL 33975

(863) 675-3700

sagator@aol.com

Arysta Life Science

Richard Royal 352 434-8774

Shaun Yule 386 561 0493

PUT YOUR NAME HERE

Valent USA

"Products That Work

From People Who Care"

Sarah Markle 863-673-8699

Richard Roles

Roles Marketing International Distributors of Agrigro and Super

Cal 10% Calcium

richard@rmiint.com www.rmiint.com

Cell 561-644-3511

BioSafe Systems LLC

OxiDate®

TerraClean®

StorOx®

info@biosafesystems.com

Jarod Huck

352-789-9363

Luis Hansen

305.793.9206

Special Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors; who make this publication possible.

NOTE: The acknowledgement of sponsorship in no way constitutes or reflects an official endorsement of these

businesses or their products or services by either the University of Florida, IFAS, the Florida Cooperative Extension

Service, or the Hendry County Extension Office. Sponsors have no control over the content of this publication.

PUT YOUR NAME HERE

Dr. Henry Yonce

KAC Agricultural Research Scouting, Consulting

Research

386-736-0098 work 386-527-1124 cell

HDYONCE@msn.com

PUT YOUR NAME HERE

Grower's Management, Inc P.O. Box 130

Belle Glade, FL 33430

Phone: 561-996-6469

www.growersmanagement.com