In 2008 a group of research and Extension vegetable entomologists and crop consultants from a number of vegetable-producing states met to discuss pest management issues, challenges and opportunities confronting the fresh vegetable industry. From that workshop Best Management Practice (BMP) recommendations were developed. A continuation of that meeting was held in 2009 and focused on refining the BMPs for vegetable insect control, and in general terms, defined a number of best practices for successful insect management in vegetable crops. In addition, based on the cumulative experiences of the participating entomologists, the strengths and weaknesses of a number of new pesticide technologies (both registered products and compounds currently under development) were identified and included: Radiant, Pyrifluquinazon, Oberon, Movento, Rimon, Coragen, Synapse, and Cyazypyr. Finally, a number of important issues, challenges and opportunities in the control of insects in vegetable crops were discussed based on regional perspectives. Among the topics discussed were shifting pest spectrums, trends toward selective pesticide technologies, resistance management, MRLs, and other production issues. A copy of the 2009 BMPs generated from those discussions can be found at this link.

This study was conducted at the JV farms at Gila Valley. Lettuce variety ‘Guapo’ was seeded, then sprinkler-irrigated to germinate seed on September 19, 2023, on double rows 12 in. apart on beds with 42 in. between bed centers.  Rest of the irrigation was supplied by furrow irrigation or rainfall. Treatments were replicated five times in a randomized complete block design. Each replicate plot consisted of 25 ft of bed, which contained two 25 ft rows of lettuce. Plants were thinned on October 9, 2023 at the 3-4 leaf stage to a 12-inch spacing. Treatment beds were separated by single nontreated beds. Treatments were applied by incorporating in soil before seeding or with a tractor-mounted boom sprayer that delivered 50 gal/acre at 100 psi to flat-fan nozzles spaced 12 in apart.

Month	Max	Min	Avg	Rain
September	100	71	86	0.71 in
October	93	61	77	0.00 in
November	80	51	65	0.08 in
December	71	44	57	0.82 in

 
Fusarium wilt (caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae ) rating was done in the field by observing the typical symptom of lettuce wilt. Confirmation was done by cutting the cross section of roots. Disease scoring/rating was done on December 6, 2023. 
 
The data in the table illustrate the degree of disease control obtained by application of the various treatments in this trial. The disease pressure was extremely high in 2023, and most treatments showed little or no control against the disease. The treatments that showed some activity were Bexfond, Cevya, Rhyme, and Serifel. Plant vigor was normal and phytotoxicity symptoms were not observed in any treatments in this trial.

Stay tuned for more on this highly effective technique for controlling soilborne pathogens and in-row weeds. Traditionally the entire soil bed profile is treated which is energy intensive... cost prohibitive?...Check out video below:

The volatility of herbicides, or the change from a solid or liquid to a gas, is dependent on several environmental factors and is extremely variable. We have been working on finding a replacement for Glyphosate for non-crop weed control and have tried to determine the stability of the potential  herbicide alternatives. There are various methods used to measure herbicide volatility. All herbicides are initially tested in the laboratory to determine volatility and other properties. Volatility is specifically measured by placing a given volume of herbicide in a container, exposing it to various temperatures and humidity’s and then weighing how much is left. This is done under very controlled conditions. Another technique that is often the next step is to conduct bioassay studies in a greenhouse. This usually involves placing a container with the herbicide spray solution in a closed environment with sensitive plants. Injury to the bioassay plants are measured visually or by some other means.  Field Studies are often conducted to measure herbicide volatility. This technique is the most applied, but the results are often imprecise and variable depending on environmental conditions. This commonly involves spraying an isolated area in the field and after the spray has settled placing sensitive plants at variable distances and directions away. Injury is observed or measured at variable time periods. We used this technique on June 10 to June 15 this year at the Yuma Valley Agriculture Center to measure volatility of 13 herbicides we are evaluating as alternatives to Glyphosate. Seven X 10 Ft. plots were sprayed, and tomato plants were placed 25Ft. away from each sprayed area on the north, south, east and west corners 1 hours after application A 50 Ft. buffer separated each sprayed plot. Visual injury was measured to the tomato plants at 24 and 48 hours after they were placed in the field. The 13 herbicides were used in this trial included 5 modes of action and are listed below.

The temperature reached above 100 F, the humidity was 10 to 20% and wind was 5 to 10 MPH during the trial. No injury symptoms were observed to any of the tomato plants from any of the herbicide treatments. The trial included low volatility formulations of the plant growth regulators, 2-4-D (Embed) and Dicamba (Enginia) which are often volatile under these hot and dry conditions. Neither of these two, or any of the other included herbicides, moved 25 ft or more in this one trial. We know, however, that in other trials the results have sometimes been different. Volatility is variable and difficult to measure in field trials.

Area wide Insect Trapping Network   VegIPM Update, Vol. 12, No. 17, Aug 25, 2021.
 
Results of pheromone and sticky trap catches can be viewed here.
 
Corn earworm:            
CEW moth counts increased in the past two weeks particularly in Wellton and Roll.  
 
Beet armyworm:         
Trap counts remain low in most locations and are trending similar to last summer.
 
Cabbage looper:          
Cabbage looper numbers remain low consistent with the lack of activity this fall, and summer compared to last season.
 
Whitefly:                      
Adult movement increased significantly in July and early August but has slowed considerably in the past 2 weeks. 
 
Thrips:                          
Thrips adult movement has declined significantly over the past 4 weeks and numbers are comparable to this time last year.
 
Aphids:                        
Aphid movement has been absent since early June typical with high summer temperatures, and the monsoon flow.  
 
Leafminers:                  
Adult activity trending downward to low numbers over the past month.
 
Diamondback moth:     
DBM trap counts have been zeroed out in all trap locations since late June consistent with trends observed over the past 4 years.