MELCAST is a weather-based disease-forecasting program that helps growers schedule foliar fungicides applications for watermelon and cantaloupe. MELCAST stands for MELon disease for CASTer. This program, designed by Dr. Rick Latin, Professor of Plant Pathology at Purdue University, keeps track of weather conditions so that cantaloupe and watermelon growers can apply foliar fungicides to their[Read More…]
Dan Egel
Many cantaloupe and watermelon growers are either growing transplants in a greenhouse or are expecting delivery of transplants in the next few weeks. Either way, growers should inspect transplants for disease before planting in the field. Below I will describe several common transplant diseases of cantaloupe and watermelon as well as management options. Gummy stem[Read More…]
This is the time of year when vegetable growers may start to apply fungicides. Below I list 10 rules that will help vegetable growers apply fungicides effectively and safely. Apply fungicides prior to the development of disease. Although many fungicides have systemic (“kick back”) action they will not completely eradicate diseases after they have started.[Read More…]
A new strawberry disease has been found in Indiana and researchers are looking for samples to determine the extent of the problem. The disease, caused by a species of the fungus Neopestaltiopsis, has been reported in several southeastern states and other countries where it causes leafspots, fruit spots and a plant decline. In Indiana, the[Read More…]
Last year at about this time, we announced that the Southwest Purdue Ag Center (SWPAC) would be closed to visitors due to concerns about the pandemic. At this time, SWPAC is still closed to visitors. We have devised an alternative method of dropping off samples that will avoid face-to-face contact. Follow these instructions to drop[Read More…]
To regular readers of the Vegetable Crop Hotline, it may seem that we include an article about tomato spotted wilt virus every year out of custom. However, we have again observed large outbreaks of this disease. Please read the article below carefully if you raise tomato transplants or mature tomatoes in a greenhouse or high[Read More…]
This evening’s schedule calls for applying fungicides to your watermelon. Everything is ready for the application, but now you aren’t sure. The weather report forecasts rain tomorrow. Will the rain tomorrow wash off the fungicide application? Should you wait to apply the fungicide until after it rains? This question or similar questions are among the[Read More…]
As vegetable growers get ready for the 2021 season, one question might be to find up-to-date information about fungicides and how to apply them. Some possible resources are listed below. The Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers offers recommendations for fungicides and other pesticides and practices that have been updated for the 2021 season.[Read More…]
As vegetable growers get ready for the 2021 season, it might be a good idea to keep the list below handy. Most of the names one would need to contact during the season are listed along with their contact information. Tamara Benjamin – Farm Planning (765) 496-1930 tamara17@purdue.edu Amanda Deering – Food Safety (765) 494-0512[Read More…]
Root rot of snap bean can be a devastating disease in Indiana. Often, the first symptom observed is the collapse and wilt of the plant (Figure 1). The roots of such plants may be discolored and rotten (Figure 2). Lower areas of the field and fields which are not well drained are more likely to[Read More…]