The first symptoms of cucurbit downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) on cucumber plants in a commercial field were confirmed in LaGrange County, Indiana, on July 29, 2026. Now is a good time to stay alert and scout fields for symptoms related to this disease. Remember, early detection of this pathogen is key to implementing appropriate management strategies. This disease…Read more about Downy Mildew Symptoms Confirmed in Indiana[Read More]
Found 1696 Articles
Abnormally Dry (“D0” in the U.S. Drought Monitor [USDM]) conditions were starting to develop in several areas across northern Indiana by the end of July. However, intermittent, spotty rain events as July transitioned to August seemed to occur in many of those places, suggesting conditions were returning to normal. Therefore, the only area of the…Read more about Spotty Rain Keeps Drought Away[Read More]
Originally published on July 24, 2024 Harvest season is easily one of the busiest and craziest times of the year. Crops are being harvested, packed, shipped, and sold against a backdrop of perishability, weather, and ever-changing markets. Harvest and postharvest handling are also critical times for food safety. Handling of the crop by workers, transporting…Read more about Food Safety Considerations for Postharvest Handling of Produce[Read More]
Originally published on: July 25, 2025 Fruit cracking is one of the most commonly observed disorders affecting many fruit crops. Cracking can occur in different forms, such as radial splits extending from the stem end, splits at the blossom end, or concentric rings around the fruit. Research has shown that multiple factors influence fruit cracking….Read more about What Caused the Cracking of Tomatoes and Melons?[Read More]
You are invited to attend the SWPAC Vegetable Field Day on August 13, 2026, at the Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center (SWPAC) in Vincennes, Indiana. PARP credits will be offered at this event. This free educational event will provide an opportunity to learn about the latest research and Extension programs that support Indiana’s vegetable industry. Participants…Read more about Southwest Purdue Agriculture Center Vegetable Field Day – August 13[Read More]
Dear Valued Vegetable Crops Hotline Readers, Welcome to issue 776 of the Vegetable Crops Hotline newsletter! Our mission remains steadfast: to deliver crucial updates on pest management, production practices, food safety, and marketing opportunities that directly impact your farming operations. What’s Inside This Issue August continues to deliver on its promise as the month of…Read more about From The Editor’s Desk[Read More]
The Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day was held July 23 at the Purdue Student Farm in West Lafayette, drawing 48 attendees from across Indiana for a day of hands-on demonstrations tailored to small-scale and diversified growers. Topics ranged from cut flower production and season extension to nematode management, postharvest sanitation, and mushroom cultivation, with…Read more about Purdue Student Farm Hosts a Full House for Small Farm Education Field Day[Read More]
The 2026 Purdue Fruit and Vegetable Field Day, held July 16 at the Meigs/Throckmorton Purdue Agriculture Center, brought together 58 attendees for a full afternoon of hands-on demonstrations spanning entomology, plant pathology, horticulture, and specialty crop research. The turnout included a large contingent from Corteva, alongside growers, Extension educators, and researchers from across the region…Read more about Purdue Fruit and Vegetable Field Day Draws Strong Crowd to Meigs/Throckmorton[Read More]
Aside from southern and far northern Indiana, the rest of the state has generally received below-normal precipitation over the past 30 days (Figure 1). While only a few localized areas show percentages below the 30 percent-of-normal level (one of the factors considered to recommend the Abnormally Dry (D0) classification to the U.S. Drought Monitor authors),…Read more about Dry Conditions in the Forecast – Drought Developing?[Read More]
Have you taken a close look at pumpkin or squash fields recently? In June and early July, pumpkin plantings at Pinney Purdue Ag Center in Northwest Indiana, the following insects were observed this week. See the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for management recommendations. Squash Bee Squash bees collecting nectar from a female pumpkin flower. These…Read more about Pumpkin Insect Observations[Read More]
Purdue University prohibits discrimination against any member of the University community on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran. This material may be available in alternative formats. 1-888-EXT-INFO Disclaimer: Reference to products in this publication is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others which may have similar uses. Any person using products listed in this publication assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with current directions of the manufacturer.