Recent heavy rains across much of the state have resulted in widespread ponding and flooding in fields. This creates multiple considerations for those growing produce for fresh consumption. Flooding and pooling create food safety challenges because of their potential to introduce contaminants (i.e. risk) into the production system. However, with proper management, many of these…Read more about Food Safety Considerations for Flooded Fields[Read More]
Recent rain and cold conditions have brought detrimental effects to some of the early planted vegetables. In southwest Indiana, air temperatures have dropped into the 40s °F and soil temperatures have dropped into the 50s °F in early May. The low temperatures would have greatly inhibited absorption of water and mineral nutrients for many warm season vegetables. In one…Read more about Effects of the Recent Rain and Cold Conditions on Vegetable Production[Read More]
While many virus diseases affect pepper and tomato plants, in the Midwest, the most common virus diseases of these two crops are tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INVV). These diseases are usually observed in greenhouse or high tunnel situations. The two viruses, TSWV and INSV are closely related. In fact,…Read more about Viruses on Greenhouse Tomatoes[Read More]
I received my first report of seedcorn maggot damage on cantaloupes last week (Figure 1 and 2). A grower in northern Indiana reported losing 90-95% of his plants. Given the cool, wet growing conditions, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more reports of this type for a number of crops, including melons, beans, corn, onions,…Read more about Seed and Root Maggots[Read More]
Tomato spotted wilt virus can cause stunting (Figure 1), necrotic ring spots (Figure 2), mottling (Figure 3) or chlorosis (Figure 4). In Figure 5, a pepper plant is shown with a ring-like lesion due to tomato spotted wilt virus. Figure 6 is a photo of a pepper transplant with mottled lesions due to impatiens necrotic…Read more about Photos of Tomato Spotted Wilt and Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus[Read More]
Samples in plug trays, as well as unrooted and rooted cuttings, and plants in pots require extra care when they are packaged for submittal to a diagnostic lab. Before you mail the next sample, please take a few minutes to review these suggestions for packaging and submitting samples. This will help preserve the integrity of…Read more about Tips for Submitting Greenhouse Samples to the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab (PPDL)[Read More]
In the past I have had many conversations with growers about plant nutrition in their high tunnels. A good plant nutrient management plan is an integral part of making a success of the crop you are growing. Plant nutrition is important to grow a strong and healthy seedling, the first step of a successful crop….Read more about Taking Care of Plant Nutrition in Your High Tunnel – Water Alkalinity[Read More]
Southwest Purdue Ag Center Field Day Southwest Purdue Ag Center Field Day will be held on June 29, 2017 at Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center, Vincennes, IN. The field day provides two choices of tours: Horticultural Crop Production and Agronomic Crop Production. The Horticultural Crop Production tour will feature Organic Tomato Production, High Tunnel Vegetable Production,…Read more about Upcoming Events[Read More]
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