At Pinney Purdue (PPAC) 2.19 inches of rain fell July 12 through July 26. The potential evapotranspiration (PET) over the period was 2.67 inches. Estimates for water use by the crops are somewhat lower than potential evapotranspiration. For tomatoes, estimated water use was 2.03 inches, and for watermelons, 1.54 inches. Dry periods between heavy rains…Read more about Irrigation Demonstration Update July 27, 2022, Pinney Purdue Ag Center[Read More]
Vegetable Crops - General
At Southwest Purdue Ag Center (SWPAC), more than 10 inches of rain fell since July 7; over 8 inches happened since the evening of July 24. Soil water content on the unirrigated tomato/pepper/eggplant bed (12’’ under plastic mulch) increased from 10% (early July) to about 15% after 3 inches of rain on July 7-9. The…Read more about Irrigation Demonstration Update July 27, 2022 Southwest Purdue Ag Center[Read More]
The June 2022 state average precipitation was 2.42 inches below the 1991-2020 normal, which ended up being the 14th driest on record. High heat and reduced precipitation led to the rapid intensification of abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions in the state. As of July 13, July precipitation had continued to be very isolated (Figure…Read more about Isolated Heavy Rainfall, but Drying Continues[Read More]
Vegetable growers understand that water deficiency decreases yield, reduces fruit marketability and quality, and, in extreme case, causes plants to die. In Indiana, we are typically not short of precipitation during growing seasons; rainfall is the primary water source. However, concentrated heavy rains and extended dry periods are not desirable for vegetable production. Severe losses…Read more about Irrigation Demonstration Update 1[Read More]
The annual Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day will be presented on July 29th from 9 am – 12 pm at the Purdue Student Farm, West Lafayette. Register the event https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_25gK2j29sF7Is9o If you have any questions about this event, please contact Petrus Langenhoven at (765) 496-7955, plangenh@purdue.edu or Lori Jolly-Brown (765) 494-1296, ljollybr@purdue.edu.
Purdue Fruit, Veg & Hemp Field Day will be held at Meigs Purdue Ag Center (9101 S 100 E, Lafayette, IN 47909) on July 21, 2022. Register the event https://tinyurl.com/ypfubpkp If you have any questions about this event, please contact Petrus Langenhoven at (765) 496-7955, plangenh@purdue.edu or Lori Jolly-Brown (765) 494-1296, ljollybr@purdue.edu.
Registration open for Aug. 9 Pinney Purdue Field Day.
Grass-selective herbicides are valuable to weed management in broadleaf vegetable crops. As harvest season draws closer, it is important to note that not all grass herbicides have the same pre-harvest interval (PHI) requirements. The two most commonly used grass-selective herbicides are clethodim and sethoxydim. While most PHI’s are similar between the two (Table 1), there…Read more about Keeping an Eye on Grass Herbicide PHI (Pre-Harvest Interval)[Read More]
Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) – Mallow Family Synonyms: pie marker, buttonweed, Indian mallow, butter print, velvet weed, butter-weed, Indian hemp, cotton-weed, and wild cotton. Identification and General Description Summer annual that grows 3 to 8 feet tall. Heart-shaped leaves and stems are covered with short, soft hairs giving it a velvety feel. Young leaves and stems…Read more about Weed Spotlight[Read More]
The Purdue University Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory (PPDL) specializes in the identification of plant diseases, insects, and plants, as well as in the diagnosis of plant-health-related problems. The PPDL is a partner in the National Plant Diagnostic Network (http://www.npdn.org), a national consortium of diagnostic laboratories dedicated to enhancing the work of diagnostic labs through…Read more about The Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab – Ready to Serve You[Read More]