For most pumpkin growers, it is too late to take any corrective action against diseases for the 2023 crop. However, it might be wise to determine what disease problems were present during the 2023 season. This article will discuss two relatively unusual virus diseases of pumpkin. Recently, I visited several pumpkin fields in northern Indiana.[Read More…]
Dan Egel
Downy mildew has been observed in Adam County in northern Indiana on cucumber. In addition, downy mildew on cucumber has been reported in southern Michigan and northern Ohio. Growers in northern Indiana should manage for downy mildew on valuable cucurbit crops. Growers throughout the state should scout for the disease. Growers should assume that all[Read More…]
This disease is a relatively new disease to Indiana. So far, it has mostly affected field corn. However, tar spot was recently observed on sweet corn. This article will discuss the symptoms, biology and management of tar spot of sweet corn. Tar spot causes dark, mostly circular lesions on the leaves, stalks and husks of[Read More…]
The first symptom of bacterial spot of pepper that is usually noticed is the lesions on the leaves. These lesions are irregular to round in shape and brown and are associated with chlorosis. Lesions are usually water-soaked (Figure 1). In severe cases, the fruit may be affected. The lesions on fruit are often raised (Figure[Read More…]
Fusarium wilt of watermelon is one of the most economically important diseases of watermelon in the Midwest. Fusarium wilt typically shows up in watermelon fields just after Memorial Day. This year is no different. After a brief description of the symptoms of the disease, this article will discuss the pluses and minuses of possible fungicide[Read More…]
As I write this, scattered showers are moving through much of southern Indiana. It is unclear yet how much moisture these showers will produce for any given area. What is clear is that May and June have been unusually dry for most of Indiana. How will this dry spell affect overall disease pressure for the[Read More…]
There are a number of factors that go into scheduling foliar fungicide applications. For example, choosing a product with your crop and suspected disease on the label is a must. You will want to select a product with good efficacy. It is important to choose a product with a Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI) and Re-Entry Interval[Read More…]
Tomato pith necrosis is a bacterial disease of tomatoes that occurs sporadically, usually in greenhouses or high tunnels. While this disease can kill or at least ruin marketable yield on tomatoes, the disease usually affects perhaps only a handful of plants in a greenhouse. That is, the disease does not seem to spread beyond the[Read More…]
MELCAST is a weather-based disease-forecasting program that helps growers schedule foliar fungicide applications for cantaloupe and watermelon. MELCAST stands for MELon disease for CASTer. This program, designed by Dr. Rick Latin, Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology at Purdue University, keeps track of weather conditions so that cantaloupe and watermelon growers can apply foliar fungicides to their crops[Read More…]
Vegetable growers will begin thinking about fungicide applications in a few weeks. Many growers will have already purchased fungicides for the 2023 season. Where can Indiana vegetable growers go for fungicide information? To find recommended fungicides for vegetable fungicides, one may want first to study the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide. One can find this Guide,[Read More…]