Our annual Lettuce Crop Losses Workshop was recently held in April and the results of the surveys continue to show consistent trends in insecticide usage on desert head lettuce. In general, the most commonly used insecticides in fall and spring lettuce correspond directly to the key pests that typically occur during these growing periods. By far, the pyrethroids, applied both as foliar sprays and chemigations, were the most commonly used insecticide class. No surprise there. Over the past 11 years, pyrethroid usage has remained steady. The reason for this is quite clear to me: pyrethroids are one of the most inexpensive and safe broad spectrum insecticides still available for use in tank-mixtures for effective control of flea beetles, crickets, plant bugs and some Lep larvae (looper and earworm). The overall use of OPs and carbamates continues to decline, but Lannate (methomyl) and acephate are still relied upon for thrips management. Their usage is being replaced primarily by several reduced-risk chemistries, of which the spinosyns remain the second most commonly used class of insecticides. In 2014-2015, nearly 95% of the lettuce acreage in our area was on average treated with > 2 applications of Radiant or Success. Their use against both lepidopterous larvae and thrips has remained steady since they were first registered. Foliar uses of Diamides (Coragen, Voliam Xpress, Vetica, Belt) were the third most commonly used chemistry in lettuce in 2014-2015. Since they were first registered in 2008, PCAs have steadily incorporated this new chemical class into their management programs. The use of Belt increased significantly this season, whereas soil uses of Coragen continue to decline. Ketoenol usage (Movento) on fall and spring lettuce increased this season likely due to heavier whitefly and aphid pressure. Another important class of chemistry used in fall and spring lettuce is the neonicotinoids driven primarily by soil-applied imidacloprid for whiteflies and aphids. The usage of imidacloprid on both fall and spring lettuce has increased markedly since 2009 and is used on almost 90% of the acreage, albeit at top of the label rates. Foliar neonicotinoid usage also increased last season, presumably due to heavier whitefly/aphid infestations in 2014-15. Finally, for the fifth season in a row, PCAs treated a greater percentage of their acreage with selective, reduced-risk products than with the broadly toxic, older chemistries. To view a summary of the estimated insecticide usage by chemical class, as well as the 12 most commonly used insecticides on head lettuce this past growing season, go to Insecticide Usage Summary in Arizona Lettuce 2015.
Late blight of celery is caused by fungi Septoria spp. The disease is named late blight as it is mostly seen at the later in the growing season but don’t be surprised if you see the symptoms in early season when the weather is conducive. With the rain and fog we had this week, it is possible that we get this disease in celery this growing season. Leaf spots are dark, circular to irregular in shape, and 3-10 mm in diameter. Dark colored fruiting bodies (pycnidia) of the fungus which form in the center of leaf spots give the spots a grainy appearance. In case of severe infection, large number of spots are formed and can significantly reduce yield. Sometimes, angular spots are seen as the symptoms are restricted by leaf venation. The stalk or petiole of the plants can also be infected and large number of pycnidia observed in the stalk. Pycnidia is basically huge amounts of asexual spores in dark fruiting bodies and are formed on the older lesions and their development is encouraged by moist weather.
The pathogen is seed borne but will survive in soil in decomposing celery tissue for months. Cool and wet weathers favor the disease. Temperatures below 75 F are conducive to disease formation. High humidity allows abundant production of spores and epidemics are initiated by splashing spores or by movement of spores by contact. Rain, heavy dew or fog, and sprinkler irrigation when temperatures are above 70°F encourage disease development; splashing water disperses spores and aids in spore germination and infection
Acquiring clean seeds is the best management practice for the disease. Hot water treatments are effective but might interfere the germination percentage. Clean cultivation, not planting new crop next to the infected crop field, crop rotation, and fungicides can be used to manage the disease. Avoid sprinkle irrigation after symptoms are observed. Copper sprays can be used in organic farming.
Controlling Fusarium Wilt of Lettuce Using Steam Heat – Trial Initiated
Earlier this week, we initiated a trial examining the use of band steam for controlling Fusarium wilt of lettuce. The premise behind this research is to use steam heat to raise soil temperatures to levels sufficient to kill soilborne pathogens. For Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae, the pathogen which causes Fusarium wilt of lettuce, the required temperature for control is generally taken to be > 140°F for 20 minutes. Soil solarization, where clear plastic is placed over the crop bed during the summer, exploits this concept. The technique raises soil surface temperatures to 150-155˚F, effectively killing the pathogen and reducing disease incidence by 45-98% (Matheron and Porchas, 2010).
In our trials, we are using steam heat to raise soil temperatures. Steam is delivered by a 35 BHP steam generator mounted on a custom designed elongated bed shaper (Fig. 1). Preliminary results were encouraging. The device was able to increase the temperature of the top 3” of soil to over 180°F at a travel speed of 0.5 mph as shown in this video of the machine in action (shown below). These temperatures exceed that of those known to control pathogens responsible for causing Fusarium wilt of lettuce (> 140°F for 20 minutes).
Stay tuned for final trial results and reports on the efficacy of using steam heat to control Fusarium wilt of lettuce.
If you are interested in evaluating the technique on your farm, please contact me. We are seeking additional sites with a known history of Fusarium wilt of lettuce disease incidence to test the efficacy and performance of the device.
References
Matheron, M. E., & Porchas, M. 2010. Evaluation of soil solarization and flooding as management tools for Fusarium wilt of lettuce. Plant Dis. 94:1323-1328.
Acknowledgements
This project is sponsored by USDA-NIFA, the Arizona Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Arizona Iceberg Lettuce Research Council. We greatly appreciate their support.
A special thank you is extended to Cory Mellon and Mellon Farms for allowing us to conduct this research on their farm.
Weeds are one of the most visible of all agricultural pests. They can’t move or hide and once established often stick up over the crop. Just one weed in a 10 acre field is annoying to look at. With insects and diseases, the damage is often more visible than the pest. That is not the case with weeds. A moderate weed infestation is approximately 10 weeds per square foot. If a herbicide produces 90% control, that leaves 1 weed per square foot or 43 weeds per acre. Without an untreated check, this can look like the herbicide failed! It is easy to leave an untreated spot in a field and it is well worth doing. Many applicators do so unintentionally because of skips, powerlines and other causes. They help determine crop injury and weed control. Here are some examples of what various levels of control looked like from one of our cole crop trials: