Now that produce planting/transplanting is well underway, one of the first pests you’re likely to encounter is adult whiteflies. Given the high numbers found on spring melons and cotton this summer, one would also expect whiteflies to be heavy on fall produce crops. Surprisingly though, adult numbers have been lighter than expected on fall melons. For instance here at the Yuma Ag Center, whitefly populations in our experimental plots based on vacuum samples taken this week are lower than what we’ve encountered the past few years (see graph below). However, this appears to be site-specific as I’ve observed melon fields in the Wellton/Roll area with very high numbers this past week. This makes sense; whitefly population abundance can be influenced to a large extent by the crop landscape throughout Yuma. Crops planted near or adjacent to cotton and alfalfa are clearly more heavily infested than fields isolated away from these crops. In addition, our monsoon conditions often play a role where humidity and rainfall can influence population abundance. Nonetheless, you can bet heavy whitefly numbers will eventually show up in one of your fields. It is important that PCAs pay particular attention to early whitefly control on their newly planted produce crops. Prolonged feeding by heavy numbers of adults on seedling lettuce/cole crop plants can cause stunted plant growth. If you observe honeydew on leaves in the absence of nymphs then there are way too many adults on the seedling plants. There are likely too many eggs being laid as well. With the loss of endosulfan, growers have few options for effective residual control of adults, but good knockdown can be achieved on lettuce and cole crops with combinations of pyrethroids tank-mixed with Orthene, Lannate, Lorsban, Venom, Scorpion, or Sequoia. In addition, Exirel (the foliar formulations of Cyazypyr) was recently labeled for use on produce crops and can provide excellent adult control. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine whether a product is working 3-4 days following application when adult whiteflies are continuously moving into you field from outside sources. To assess adult control under heavy migrations, try monitoring young leaves for the presence of light-colored eggs (newly laid) using a hand lens. Absence of newly laid eggs can be an indication that adults are not actively feeding on leaves or are dying before they can lay eggs. Furthermore, allowing adults to remain unchecked on small plants generally results in the development of large nymph populations that can cause significant growth/yield reductions in all produce crops. It is strongly recommended that growers apply a soil insecticide on lettuce and cole crops throughout September and early October. Local research has shown that imidacloprid applied at 0.25 lbs AI/ac at planting provides less residual control of nymphs today than it did 10 years ago. However, given the current economics of imidacloprid, cost-effective whitefly control can still be achieved by using higher rates of imidacloprid (0.38 lbs. AI/ac) to extend residual control (e.g., Alias 2F-24 oz; Wrangler 4F-12 oz; Admire Pro- 10.5 oz). Verimark, the soil formulation of Cyazypyr, applied at 13.5 oz/ac can provide excellent control of nymphs when applied at planting similar to the neonicotinoids to lettuce and cole crops. Once plants get larger, products like Movento, Exirel, Venom, Scorpion, Assail, Knack and Courier/Vetica can provide effective control of nymphs. For more information on whitefly biology, management and insecticide alternatives see these reports: Management in Fall Produce- 2014 and Insect Management on Desert Vegetables and Melons: Whitefly.

Bacterial soft rot is caused by several types of bacteria, but primarily subspecies and pathovars of Erwinia caro-tovora and E. chrysanthemi. Other bacterial species that cause soft rot include Pseudomonas cichorii, P. marginalis, and P. viridiflava. They have a wide host range host range and includes genera from nearly all plant families

In lettuce fields, the symptoms are observed close to the harvest time. The tissue, mostly around inside the head of head lettuce softens and becomes mushy or watery. Slimy masses of bacteria and cellular debris frequently ooze out from cracks in the tissues. Decaying tissue, which may be opaque, white,

cream-colored, gray, brown, or black frequently gives off a characteristically putrid odor. The odor is caused by secondary invading bacteria that are growing in the decomposing tissues. The bacteria overwinter in infected fleshy tissues in storage, in the field, garden or greenhouse, in the soil (especially in the rhizosphere around the roots of many plants), and on contaminated tools, equipment, containers, and in certain insects. The bacteria enter primarily through wounds made during planting, cultivating, harvesting, grading, and packing and through freezing injuries, insect and hail wounds, growth cracks, and sunscald. They may also follow other disease-producing organisms. Uninjured tissues may become infected when the humidity approaches 100 percent or when free moisture is present. Rains, poorly drained or waterlogged soils, and warm temperatures favor infection in the field, as does high humidity in storage or transit.

The bacteria multiply rapidly by dividing in half every 20 to 60 minutes under ideal conditions at temperatures between 65° and 95° (18° and 35°C). Minimum temperatures for development is between 35° and 46°F (2° and 6°C); and maximum between 95° and 105°F (35° and 41°C. The bacteria are spread by direct contact, hands, tools and farm machinery, insects, running or splashing water, contaminated, water in washing vats, clothing, and decayed bits of tissue.

Management

Promptly and carefully destroy infected plants. Maintain well aerated field, avoid close planting and overhead irrigation. To minimize post-harvest losses, avoid mechanical injury after harvest, packing and shipping. Do not pack produce when wet. Store and ship produce at temperatures near 4°C (39°F).

Source: IPM.Illinois.edu

Today's video is a demonstration of a spray assembly delivering herbicidal spray (blue dye) to spot spray targeted weeds. This devise can be integrated with an imaging system for precision, automated / robotic weed control.
CHECK IT OUT!

Pigweed Identification
Pigweeds are some of the most common summer annual broadleaf weeds in the low deserts. Although they are often lumped together, there are 4 different species of pigweed that are common here and more than 10 species that occur as weeds in California and Arizona. Their growth habits and response to herbicides are similar. It is easy to identify them by physical characteristics but one species of pigweed can hybridize with another and become less distinguishable.

Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) is probably the most common pigweed species found in this region. It is very aggressive and fast growing and can become 6 feet tall or higher if uncontrolled. It has one thick stem and several lateral branches. The leaves are lance shaped, hairless and have distinctive white veins on the underside. It has flowering tassels that become stiff and spiny. This species has become resistant to Glyphosate in many parts of the county.

Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) is probably the second most common pigweed species. It is shorter and the seed heads are smaller, in clusters and have stiff spine-like scales. It has leaf hairs on the margins and the veins are often reddish. The lower stems are often reddish. This species will hybridize with Palmer Amaranth and become less distinguishable.

Tumble Pigweed (Amaranthus albus) is very different from Palmers or Redroot. It grows lower to the ground and has many branches that turn upright. The leaves are much smaller and narrower. The numerous stems are light green rather than red. The seed heads are small, spiny and at the base of the leaves rather than in long terminal spikes. When mature, the branches are sticky, stiff bristles that break off at the ground and tumble with the wind.

Prostrate Pigweed (Amaranthus blitoides) is very similar to Tumble Pigweed but the stems are more prostrate, grow close to the ground and form mats. The stems and leaves are smaller and reddish rather than light green.

VegIPM Update, Vol. 11, No. 7, Apr 1, 2020

Results of pheromone and sticky trap catches can be viewed here.

Corn earworm:            Moth activity decreased during the past 2 weeks and is comparable to what we’ve seen in the past 5 years at the end of the produce season.

Beet armyworm:         Moths remain active, and about average for the end of the season.

Cabbage looper:          Cabbage looper moths declined in most trap locations over the past 2 weeks. Below average activity for the end of the season. 

Whitefly                       Adult movement at seasonal lows and relatively absent; typical for this time of the season.   

Thrips                          Thrips activity has increased in most trap locations, but still below average for this time of the season.

Aphids:                        Adults beginning to disperse again; above average abundance for this time of the year.

Leafminers                  Adult activity increased significantly in Yuma and Gila Valleys; about average for end of the season.

Diamondback Moth: 

DBM adult captures decreased slightly in most trap locations as crops begin to terminate. The exception is in Bard/Winterhaven where trap catches increased significantly near seed crops. Trap catches overall have been stable during March, but higher than the previous two seasons.

Area-wide Diamondback Moth Trapping Network

In response to the recent outbreaks of Diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella in Yuma, we have established a pheromone trap network designed to monitor the activity and movement of adult populations of DBM. PCAs have had difficulty controlling DBM in cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower since October 2016. Traps have been placed in Roll, Wellton, Dome Valley, Gila Valley and Yuma Valley in locations where cole crops are presently being grown or in areas where infestations were known to occur in the fall.