The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, (BAW) is a major pest of leafy vegetables grown in the desert southwest. Typically, BAW populations begin infesting newly planted fields soon after plants emerge in early September and can remain heavy through early November under favorable weather conditions. Fortunately for local PCAs, several insecticide alternatives are available that provide excellent residual activity on this pest. Furthermore, many of the products have different modes of action (MOA) that can be alternated throughout the growing season. Thus the rapid development of resistance by BAW to any of these insecticide compounds should not readily occur. However, if an insecticide compound, or products with the same MOA, are used repeatedly for BAW control in the same field, the risk of resistance increases significantly. This is particularly important with the Diamide group of insecticides (IRAC group 28) because these products can be applied as both foliar sprays and soil injections, and because there are currently six Diamide products labeled in leafy vegetables with the same MOA (Coragen, Durivo, Voliam Xpress, Voliam Flexi, Synapse and Vetica). Applying these Diamide products to the soil at planting, and applying them as foliar sprays in the same field, can expose multiple generations of BAW to the same MOA. That’s not a good way to use these products if you want them to remain effective for more than a couple of years. Since the Diamides, as well as the other products currently available (Radiant, Proclaim, Intrepid, Avaunt), are critical to effective management of BAW and other Leps in leafy vegetables, PCAs should consciously avoid the overuse of any of these compounds. The most effective way to delay the onset of resistance by BAW in leafy vegetables is to consider the recommendations provided in the guidelines recently prepared entitled Insecticide Resistance Management Guidelines for Beet Armyworm in Lettuce.
Alfalfa is a major crop grown in Yuma area as a cover crop before vegetable season. Generally expected to be a hardy and easy crop to grow, alfalfa production still can be affected by many pests and diseases. Root and crown rot in alfalfa is a common problem. The pathogen Phytopthora megasperma thrives on standing water, overwatered, and/or in soil that lacks good drainage.
The above ground symptoms typically consists of plant wilting, usually occurring quite suddenly, often followed by plant death. The roots turn tan-to-brown, sometimes turning black. Sometimes orange-to-reddish streaks can be observed in rotted roots. Occasionally, the symptoms can be seen in crowns too. Infected plants succumb to death, or grow at reduced rate thus being susceptible to other pests and diseases.
The causal organism survives in soil as mycelia in infected plant tissue or as thick-walled oospores. It also produces thin-walled sporangia that release motile zoospores in the presence of free water. So it is important to grow alfalfa in well drained soils. Adjust irrigation water in a way that there is no standing water for too long. If possible, install tailwater ditch to remove excess water. Plant resistant cultivars like Agate, Apollo if the problem persists in the field. Till the soil deeply to reduce wet soil pockets, level the land before planting.
If diagnosis is confusing, bring the samples to the Yuma Plant Health Clinic for proper diagnosis. Make sure to bring healthy looking plants, sick plant, plants in between etc. Remember, there is no such thing as too much plant tissue when it comes to submitting samples to the clinic!
Controlling Disease and Weeds with Band-Steam – Yuma Trials Show Good Promise
In previous articles (Vol. 11 (13), Vol. 11 (20), Vol. 11(24)), I’ve discussed using band-steam to control plant diseases and weeds. Band-steaming is where steam is used to heat narrow strips of soil to temperature levels sufficient to kill soilborne pathogens and weed seed (>140 °F for > 20 minutes). The concept is showing good promise. This past season, three trials were conducted examining the efficacy of using steam for disease and weed control in Yuma, AZ. In the studies, steam was applied in a 4-inch-wide by 2-inch-deep band of soil centered on the seedline using a prototype band-steam applicator (Fig.1). The band-steam applicator is principally comprised of a 35 BHP steam generator mounted on top of an elongated bed shaper. The apparatus applies steam via shank injection and from cone shaped ports on top of the bed shaper.
Trial results were very encouraging as the prototype applicator was able to raise soil temperatures to target levels (140°F for >20 minutes) at viable travels speeds of 0.75 mph. Steam provided better than 80% weed control and significantly lowered hand weeding time by more than 2 hours per acre (Table 1). Results also showed that Fusarium colony forming units (CFU) were reduced from 2,600 in the control to 155 in the 0.75 mph and 53 in the 0.5 mph treatments, respectively (a more than 15-fold reduction). A significant difference in Fusarium wilt of lettuce disease incidence was not found, however disease infection at the field site was low (< 2%) and differences were not expected. At 0.5 mph, fuel costs were calculated to be $238/acre which was considered reasonable and consistent with the values reported by Fennimore et al. (2014).
An unexpected finding was that plants in steam treated plots appeared to be healthier and more vigorous than untreated plots (Fig. 2). This trial is still in progress and it will be interesting to see if this improved early growth translates into increases in crop yield.
In summary, early trial results are showing good promise for use of band-steam as a non-herbicidal method of pest control. We plan on conducting further trials in this multi-year study. If you are interested in evaluating the device on your farm and being part of the study please contact me. We are particularly interested in fields with a known history of Fusarium wilt of lettuce and/or Sclerotinia lettuce drop that will be planted to iceberg or romaine lettuce.
As always, if you are interested in seeing the machine operate or would like more information, please feel free to contact me.
Acknowledgements
This work is supported by Crop Protection and Pest Management grant no. 2017-70006-27273/project accession no. 1014065 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Arizona Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Arizona Iceberg Lettuce Research Council. We greatly appreciate their support. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
A special thank you is extended to Mellon Farms for allowing us to conduct this research on their farm.
References
Fennimore, S.A., Martin, F.N., Miller, T.C., Broome, J.C., Dorn, N. and Greene, I. 2014. Evaluation of a mobile steam applicator for soil disinfestation in California strawberry. HortScience 49(12):1542-1549.
Click link below or picture to see the band-steam and co-product applicator in action!
Carryover of Vegetable Herbicides to Wheat Grown in Rotation
Almost all the herbicides used on lettuce, cole crops and melons have restrictions on how soon wheat can be planted in rotation after they have been used. Experience has demonstrated, however, that safe intervals can vary considerably based upon many factors and are almost always much longer than they need to be. The most important factors are rate applied, irrigation practices and tillage. For example, when Kerb used to be banded at 2 to 4 lbs. per acre after planting and incorporated with furrow irrigation, it was common to see treated strips across wheat fields which followed. This is uncommon now that lower rates are Chemigated. We still see some Balan injury at ends of fields or in overlaps especially when sudan is planted. Wheat it not very sensitive to Prefar and carryover injury is uncommon.
Results of pheromone and sticky trap catches can be viewedHERE.
Diamondback moth:
Adult activity increased in all trapping locations over the past 2 weeks, except in the south Yuma Valley.
Compared with previous seasons, DBM populations about average for this time of the year.
DBM captures were highest in Bard, north Yuma Valley and Gila Valley in the past 2 weeks and averaged about 4 moths / trap / night.
Average moth captures across all traps last week averaged slightly more than 3 moths / trap/ night
Results of pheromone and sticky trap catches can be viewedHERE.
Corn earworm: CEW moth activity increased a bit in the past 2 weeks but remains well below average for late spring.
Beet armyworm: Moth counts increased slightly, but remain very low consistent with seasonal temperatures, and below average for this point in the season.
Cabbage looper: Significant increase in activity in Dome Valley, Gila Valley and Tacna, but moth counts remain unusually low for this time of year, as they have all season.
Whitefly: No adult movement recorded across all locations and overall low numbers consistent with temperatures.
Thrips: Thrips adult movement beginning to pick up considerably, particularly in Yuma and Dome Valleys. Movement is below average for late March.
Aphids: Seasonal aphid counts down considerably compared with the Feb and Jan. Counts highest in Bard and Gila Valley. Below average movement for this time of year. Majority of species found on traps were green peach aphid.
Leafminers: Adult activity up slightly in some locations, but well below average for late season.