Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations

Transcription

1 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Delaware University of Delaware Cooperative Extension EB137 Maryland University of Maryland Extension EB-236 New Jersey Rutgers Cooperative Extension E001 Pennsylvania Penn State Extension AGRS-028 Virginia Virginia Cooperative Extension West Virginia West Virginia University Extension Service

2 Critical Updates for the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Vegetable Recommendations Guide 01/09/17 Entomology 1. EPA cancelled all registrations of the insecticide Flubendiamide (found in the products Belt and Vetica for use in the U.S. due to potential toxicity concerns for certain aquatic organisms. 2. Label change for the insecticide/miticide abamectin: Agri-Mek SC label contains revised use instructions and restrictions as well as new labeled crops (including dry and succulent beans, soybeans and sweet corn). Be sure to read the label before making an application for use rates and all restrictions including, but not limited to adjuvant requirement that must be followed to avoid illegal residues. NOTE this is the only labeled formulation of abamectin available for use on dry and succulent beans, soybeans and sweet corn for spider mite control 3. Allium leafminer: New serious pest of onions and garlic in the mid-atlantic region. Allium leafminer (Phytomyza gymnostoma) is an invasive species first confirmed in southeastern Pennsylvania in Information is at and Adults appear to be active in the spring (March-May) and fall (October-November). Management includes row covers or insecticides during the time of adult activity. Although efficacy trials have not been conducted, the following insecticides labelled for leafminers that may be effective against allium leafminer. Labeled crops noted with days to harvest (DTH) Crop subgroups with listed crops taken from labels and also found at Trigard (cyromazine): for leafminers Not for use in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, NY Bulb Vegetables crop group (7 DTH) Some of the crops in this group are: garlic, great-headed (elephant) garlic, leek, dry bulb onion, green onion, potato onion, tree onion, Welsh onion, rakkyo, and shallot. Scorpion (dinotefuran): for leafminers and others Not for use in NY State Onion, bulb and green (subgroups 3-07A and 3-07B) (1 DTH) Bulb onion, includes: Daylily, bulb; Fritillaria, bulb; Garlic, bulb; Garlic, Great- headed, bulb; Garlic, serpent, bulb; Lily, bulb; Onion, bulb; Onion, Chinese, bulb; Onion; pearl Onion; potato, bulb; Shallot, bulb; Cultivars, varieties and/or, hybrids of these Green onion, includes: Chive, fresh leaves; Chive, Chinese, fresh leaves; Elegans hosta; Fritillaria leaves; Kurrat; Leady s leek; Leek; Leek, wild; Onion, Beltsville bunching; Onion, fresh; Onion, green; Onion, macrostem; Onion, tree, tops; Onion, Welsh tops; Shallot, fresh leaves; Cultivars, varieties and/or hybrids of these Radiant SC (spinetoram): for dipteran leafminers and others Bulb Vegetables (Crop Group 3) (1 DTH) Bulb vegetables: bulb onion, garlic, great-headed (elephant) garlic, green onion, leek, shallot, Welsh onion Herbs (Subgroup 19A) (1 DTH) Includes: chive, chive (Chinese) Mustang, Mustang Maxx (and OLF) (zeta-cypermethrin): for leafminers (adults) Bulb Vegetables (Allium spp.) (7 day PHI) Including: Garlic; Garlic, Great-Headed (elephant); Green Eschalots; Japanese Bunching Onions; Leeks; Onion, Dry Bulb and Green; Onion, Welch; Shallots, Dry Bulb and Green; Spring Onion or Scallions Page 1

3 Warrior II (and OLF) (lambda-cyhalothrin): for leafminer species (adults) Onion (bulb) and Garlic (14 DTH) For Organic Growers Aza-Direct (and OLF) (azadirachtin): for leafminers verify label crops and uses some variation among products and some may not be organic-compatible Bulb Vegetables (0 DTH) Such as: Garlic, Leek, Onion (dry bulb, green and Welch), Shallot Entrust SC (spinosad): organic-compatible, for dipteran leafminers and others Bulb Vegetables (Crop Group 3) (1 DTH) Bulb vegetables: dry bulb onion, garlic, great-headed (elephant) garlic, green onion, leek, shallot, welch onion Herbs (Subgroup 19A) (Insect Suppression) (1 DTH) Includes: chive, chive (Chinese) Products not specifically labeled for Phytomyza gymnostoma but may be effective Agri-Mek SC (or OLF) (abamectin): for Liriomyza leafminers and thrips. Include adjuvant per label Herb Crop Subgroup (Crop Subgroup 19A) (7 DTH) Including Chives, Chives (Chinese) Onion, Bulb (Crop Subgroup 3-07A) (30 DTH) Crops in this group are: onion, bulb including daylily, bulb; fritillaria, bulb; garlic, bulb; garlic, great-headed, bulb; garlic, serpent, bulb; lily, bulb; onion, Chinese, bulb; onion, pearl; onion, potato, bulb; shallot, bulb; cultivars, varieties, and/or hybrids of these. Exirel (cyantraniliprole): for Leafminer (Liriomyza spp.) and thrips. Include adjuvant per label Bulb Vegetables, (EPA Crop Group 3-07) (1 DTH) Chive, fresh leaves; Chive, Chinese, fresh leaves; Daylilly, bulb (edible); Elegans hosta (edible); Fritillaria, leaves (edible); Garlic, bulb; Garlic, great headed, bulb; Garlic, serpent, bulb; Kurrat; Lady s leek; Leek; Leek, wild; Lily, bulb; Onion, Beltsville bunching; Onion, bulb; Onion, Chinese, bulb; Onion, fresh; Onion, green; Onion, macrostem; Onion, pearl; Onion, potato, bulb; Onion, tree, tops; Onion, Welsh, tops; Shallot, bulb; Shallot, fresh leaves Assail (acetamiprid): for thrips Onions and other Bulb Vegetables, (EPA Crop Group 3-07) (7 DTH) Chive, fresh leaves; Chive, Chinese, fresh leaves; Daylilly, bulb; Elegans hosta; Fritillaria, leaves and bulbs; Garlic, bulb; Garlic, great headed, bulb; Garlic, serpent, bulb; Kurrat; Lady s leek; Leek; Leek, wild; Lily, bulb; Onion, Beltsville bunching; Onion, bulb; Onion, Chinese, bulb; Onion, fresh; Onion, green; Onion, macrostem; Onion, pearl; Onion, potato, bulb; Onion, tree, tops; Onion, Welsh, tops; Shallot, bulb; Shallot, fresh leaves Compiled by Dan Gilrein, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, Riverhead, NY 3/31/2016 Page 2

4 Critical Updates for the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Vegetable Recommendations Guide 01/09/17 Weed Management Cole Crops Reflex Cucumbers Sandea Lettuce Kerb Pepper Reflex Sweet Corn Herbicide Acuron Acuron Flexi Armezon Pro Verdict Watermelon Reflex 24c registrations also include Virginia. See label for rates, instructions and restrictions Pre-harvest interval has been reduced 14 days (24c registration; expires 5/31/2018) Label has been expanded to include leaf lettuce as well as head lettuce. 24c registrations also include Virginia. See label for rates, instructions and restrictions Recently labeled herbicides include: Comments Pre-packaged mixture of Dual, atrazine, Callisto, and bicyclopyrone. Applications can be made pre-plant or preemergence. Broad spectrum control Similar to Acuron, but without atrazine Pre-packaged mixture of Armezon plus Outlook for postemergence applications. Outlook may provide additional residual control for grasses and some small-seeded broadleaf weeds Pre-packaged mixture of Outlook and Sharpen. Applications can be made pre-plant or preemergence. 24c registrations also include Virginia. See label for rates, instructions and restrictions Page 3

5 Changes to Labels Affecting Crop Rotations: Reflex has new crop rotation planting restrictions for the following crops: Lima bean: 4 months instead of 10 months Pumpkin: 10 months instead of 18 months Cucumber: 12 months instead of 18 months Transplanted pepper/tomato: 10 months instead of 18 months Direct seeded pepper/tomato: 12 months instead of 18 months Squash: 12 months instead of 18 months Flexstar and Flexstar GT have new crop rotation planting restrictions for the following crops: Lima bean: 4 months instead of 12 months Squash : 12 months instead of 18 months Critical Updates for the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Vegetable Recommendations Guide 01/09/17 Pathology Presidio (fluopicolide, 43) is not labelled for use in potato. SoilGard (Trichoderma virens) and Double Nickel (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain D747) are labelled for use on greenhouse transplants. Orondis Opti (oxathiapiprolin + chlorothanonil, U15 + M5) is now labeled for use on multiple crops for fungal leaf spots and downy mildew control. Orondis Ultra (oxathiapiprolin + mandipropamid, U ) is now labeled for use on multiple crops for downy mildew and Phytophthora blight control Orondis Gold (oxathiapiprolin + mefenoxam, U15 + 4) is now labeled for use on multiple crops for damping-off and Phytophthora blight control. SEE LABEL FOR SPECIFIC CROPS AND USE RATES Page 4

6 TABLE OF CONTENTS [abridged] SECTION I Preface with Disclaimer Editors Contributors by State State Extension Information Tables and Figures Abbreviations Quick Reference: Emergency Contacts SECTION A General Production Varieties/ A1 Seed Storage and Handling/ A2 Specialty Vegetables/ A2 Organic Production/ A2 Transplant Growing/ A3 Conservation Tillage Crop Production/ A6 Mulches and Row Covers/ A7 Staking and Trellising/ A9 High Tunnels/ A10 Greenhouse Production/ A12 Pollination/ A17 Food Safety Concerns/ A21 Postharvest Handling/ A23 Troubleshooting Crop Problems/ A27 SECTION B Soils and Nutrient Management SECTION C Irrigation Management Drip Irrigation/ C2 Subsurface Drip Irrigation Systems/ C7 Chemigation/ C7 Insecticides with Labels for Chemigation/ C9 SECTION D Pesticide Safety SECTION E Pest Management Calibrating Field Sprayers/ E4 Calibrating Granular Applicators/ E5 Soil Fumigation/ E6 Pesticide Drift/ E6 Weed Control/ E7 Insect Management/ E35 Greenhouse Insect Pest and Mite Control/ E39 Disease Management/ E43 SECTION F Commodity Recommendations Asparagus/ F1 Beans: Snap and Lima/ F7 Beets (Garden)/ F18 Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collards, Kale, and Kohlrabi/ F22 Carrots/ F36 Celery/ F41 Cucumbers/ F45 Eggplant/ F58 Garlic/ F65 Greens (Mustard, Turnip)/ F69 Horseradish/ F73 Leeks/ F76 Lettuce, Endive, and Escarole/ F79 Muskmelons/ F86 Okra/ F99 Onions/ F101 Parsley/ F108 Parsnips/ F111 Peas (Succulent)/ F113 Peppers/ F117 Potatoes/ F132 Pumpkins and Winter Squash/ F142 Radishes, Rutabagas, and Turnips/ F154 Specialty Vegetables/ F158 Spinach/ F163 Strawberries/ F168 Summer Squash/ F177 Sweet Corn/ F189 Sweet Potatoes/ F202 Tomatoes/ F206 Watermelons/ F224 SECTION R Records and Resources 2016 Pesticide Application Record Pesticide Registration Numbers Record Weights and Measures; Metric Equivalents Vegetable Seed Sizes Plant Spacings and Populations Plant Growing Mix Vegetable Production Information Websites Publication Resources

7 NOT TO BE USED BY HOME GARDENERS Preface This copy of the Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations for replaces all previous editions of the Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations published individually for Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Information presented in this publication is based on research results from the University of Delaware; the University of Maryland; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; The Pennsylvania State University; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; West Virginia University; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, combined with industry and grower knowledge and experience. This vegetable production guide is intended for the commercial vegetable grower who has to make numerous managerial decisions. Although the proper choices of variety, pesticides, equipment, irrigation, fertilizer, and cultural practices are the individual vegetable grower s responsibility, it is intended that these recommendations will facilitate decision-making. Recommended planting dates will vary across the six-state region. Local weather conditions, grower experience, and variety may facilitate successful harvest on crops planted outside the planting dates listed in this guide. This can be evaluated in consultation with the local agents and state specialists. Government agencies and other organizations administrating crop insurance programs or other support programs should contact local Extension agents and/or vegetable specialists for guidance. The publication will be revised annually or as is necessary to include new information that evolves in the rapidly changing vegetable industry. Important updates will be communicated through local Extension agents and vegetable specialists. The Editors welcome constructive criticism and suggestions from growers and industry personnel who may wish to help improve future editions of this publication. The use of any pesticide inconsistent with the label directions is a violation of Federal law. DISCLAIMER Pesticide User Responsibility Always follow the label and use pesticides safely. For special Local-Needs Label [24(c)] registrations or Section 18 exemption, do not use the material without a copy of the special label or written instructions from your Extension Agent or another recognized authority. Remember, the user is always responsible for the proper use of pesticides, residues on crops, storage and disposal, as well as for damage caused by drift. State and federal pesticide regulations are constantly under revision. Be sure to determine if such changes apply to your situation. Using pesticides inconsistent with label directions is illegal. Days Between Last Application and Harvest Minimum days between last application and harvest for insecticides and fungicides are listed in tables at the end of the Insect Control section for each crop. The minimum number of days between last application of herbicide and harvest is listed in Table E-4. To avoid deleterious chemical residues from occurring on harvested crops, heed this warning. See Table D-6 for Reentry Information listed under Toxicity of Chemicals. Trade or Brand Names The trade or brand names given herein are supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied. Furthermore, in some instances the same compound may be sold under different trade names, which may vary as to label clearances. For the convenience of our users, both product names and active ingredients are provided and any product name omissions are unintended.

8 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Coordinator C.A. Wyenandt, Ph.D. Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology (Rutgers University) Discipline Editors Entomology Thomas P. Kuhar, Ph.D. (Virginia Tech) Pesticides George C. Hamilton, Ph.D. (Rutgers University) Weed Science Mark J. VanGessel, Ph.D. (University of Delaware) Horticulture Elsa Sanchez, Ph.D. (Penn State University) Plant Pathology C.A. Wyenandt, Ph.D. (Rutgers University) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA s TARGET Center at (202) (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C or call (800) (voice) or (202) (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

9 These recommendations were prepared and reviewed by the following individuals from respective institutions with the purpose of providing up to date information for commercial vegetable growers in the mid-atlantic states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE Entomology J. Whalen Horticulture G. Johnson E. Ernest Plant Pathology N. Kleczewski K. Everts Weed Science M. VanGessel RUTGERS UNIVERSITY Controlled Environment A.J. Both Farm Food Safety W. Kline, M. Melendez Horticulture T. Orton, D. Ward, M. Infante-Casella, P. Nitzsche, R. VanVranken Pesticides G. Hamilton Plant Pathology C.A. Wyenandt, N. Lalancette Weed Science B. Majek Soil & Nutrient Management J. Heckman Wildlife Damage B. Maslo VIRGINIA TECH Entomology T. Kuhar H. Doughty Food Microbiology L. Strawn Horticulture R. Arancibia, R.A. Straw, J. Samtani Plant Pathology S. Rideout D. Langston Weed Science C. Cahoon Nutrient Management M. Reiter Wildlife J. Parkhurst UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND Entomology C. Hooks G.Dively G. Brust* Horticulture R. Rouse Pesticides A. Brown Plant Pathology K. Everts* * Prepared 2016 revisions. PENN STATE UNIVERSITY Entomology S. Fleischer, K. Watrous Food Science L. LaBorde Horticulture E. Sanchez, T. Elkner, W. Lamont, K. Demchak Pesticide Safety K. Hoffman-Richards Plant Pathology B. Gugino WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY Horticulture L. Jett Plant Pathology M.M. Rahman Weed Science R. Chandran

10 State Extension Information DELAWARE University of Delaware UD Ag Extension: Fact Sheets: Weekly Crop Update Newsletter: IPM Crop Pest Hotline Report: Statewide Gordon Johnson, Fruit and Vegetable Crops Specialist 302/ , Emmalea Ernest, Associate Scientist, Vegetables- 302/ , Mark VanGessel, Weed Specialist 302/ , Kathryne Everts, Vegetable Plant Pathology Specialist 410/ , Nathan Kleczewski, Field Crops Plant Pathology Specialist 302/ , Joanne Whalen, Entomology/IPM Specialist- 302/ , Nancy Gregory, Plant Diagnostician/ Diagnostic Lab Coordinator 302/ , County Offices New Castle County: Carrie Murphy 302/ , New Castle County: Dan Severson, 302/ , Kent County: Phillip Sylvester 302/ , Sussex County: Tracy Wootten 302/ , Sussex County: Cory Whaley 302/ , UD Plant Diagnostic Clinic Townsend Hall 531 S. College Ave Newark, DE UD Nematode Assay Service MARYLAND University of Maryland UMd Ag Extension: Maryland Vegetables: Vegetable & Fruit Headline News: UMd Extension Specialists Amy E. Brown, Pesticide Coordinator Cerruti R. R. Hooks, IPM and Insect Ecology Galen Dively (Emeritus), Entomology and IPM Wye Research and Education Center Robert J. Rouse (Emeritus), Horticulture Specialist Lower Eastern Shore REC-Salisbury Kathryne L. Everts, Plant Pathologist Central Maryland REC-Upper Marlboro Gerald E. Brust, IPM Vegetable Specialist UMd Plant Diagnostic Lab Department of Entomology 4112 Plant Sciences Building College Park, MD

11 State Extension Information NEW JERSEY Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey New Jersey Ag Experiment Station: Fact Sheets: Plant & Pest Advisory: Vegetable Crops Online Resources: Pesticide Applicator Certification Information, NJ DEP Pesticide Control Program Rutgers NJAES Extension Specialists A.J. Both, Specialist in Controlled Environment Engineering Thomas Orton, Specialist in Vegetables George Hamilton, Specialist in Pest Management C.A. Wyenandt, Specialist in Vegetable Pathology Joseph Heckman, Specialist in Soil Fertility For complete listing and contact information see: Rutgers Cooperative Agricultural Extension Agents Farm Food Safety Wesley Kline, Cooperative Extension of Cumberland County; Meredith Melendez, Cooperative Extension of Mercer County Horticulture Michelle Infante-Casella, Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County, Peter Nitzsche, Cooperative Extension of Morris County, Richard VanVranken, Cooperative Extension of Atlantic County For complete listing and contact information see: Rutgers NJAES Plant Diagnostic Lab and Nematode Detection Service 20 Indyk-Engel Way North Brunswick, NJ Telephone: Fax: Rutgers Soil Testing Lab 57 US Highway 1 New Brunswick, NJ Telephone: soiltest@njaes.rutgers.edu PENNSYLVANIA The Pennsylvania State University PennState Extension: Fact Sheets: Publications: Vegetable and Small Fruit Gazette: Penn State Horticulture Team Directory For complete listing and contact information see: Plant Diagnostic Clinic Buckhout Laboratory University Park, PA

12 State Extension Information VIRGINIA Virginia Tech & Virginia State University Virginia Ag Extension: Fact Sheets: Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs: Virginia Extension Specialists Ramón A. Arancibia, Assistant Professor, Horticulture Mark S. Reiter, Associate Professor, Nutrient Management Steve L. Rideout, Associate Professor, Plant Pathology Tom P. Kuhar, Professor, Entomology Laura K. Strawn, Assistant Professor, Food Microbiology Charles W. Cahoon, Assistant Professor, Weed Science James A. Parkhurst, Associate Professor, Wildlife David B. Langston, Jr., Professor, Plant Pathology R. Allen Straw, Area Specialist, Horticulture Jayesh Samtani, Area Specialist, Small Fruit Plant Disease Clinic 106 Price Hall 170 Drillfield Drive, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA Phone: Fax: WEST VIRGINIA West Virginia University West Virginia Ag Extension: Fact Sheets: West Virginia University Extension Specialists Lewis W. Jett, Ph.D, Extension Horticulture Specialist 2102 Agriculture Sciences Building, Morgantown, WV (304) Rakesh S. Chandran, Ph.D, Extension Weed Specialist and IPM Coordinator 1076 Agriculture Sciences Building Morgantown, WV (304) MM (Mahfuz) Rahman, PhD, Extension Plant Pathology Specialist G101 South Ag. Sciences Building, Morgantown, WV Plant Diagnostic Clinic G102 South Ag. Sciences Building PO Box 6108 Morgantown, WV Tel: / Soil Testing Lab G140-B Agricultural Sciences Bldg. P.O. Box 6108 Morgantown, WV Phone: (304) ext. 4312,

13 Quick Reference: Tables Section B - Soil and Nutrient Management Conversion for CCE to Actual Liming Material Applied Chemical Sources of Secondary and Micronutrients Soil Test Categories for Nutrients Extracted by Mehlich 1 and Mehlich 3 Boron Recommendations Based on Soil Tests Recommendations for correction of vegetable nutrient deficiencies Estimated plant nutrient value for manure and crop residues Section C - Irrigation Management Critical Periods of Water Need by Crops Water-Holding Capacity based on Soil Texture Soil Infiltration Rates Based on Soil Texture Hours Required to Apply 1 Inch of Water for Fine Textured or Heavy Soils Hours Required to Apply 1 Inch Water for Course- textured or Light Soils Maximum Application Times For Drip Irrigated Vegetables Irrigation Guidelines When Using Tensiometers Equivalent Injection Proportions [relating to Maintaining Drip Irrigation Systems] Section D - Pesticide Safety Acute Toxicity of Chemicals with Reentry Information Section E - Pest Management Calibrating Field Sprayers: Ground Speed Conversion Pesticide Drift: Established of Tolerances for Some Herbicide Residues in Tomato Fruit Herbicide Effectiveness on Major Weeds in Vegetables Vegetable Herbicide Recommendations and Preharvest Intervals Crop Rotation Planting Restrictions After Certain Herbicide Applications Guide to Prepackaged Weed Control Mixes Rain Free Requirement After Application of Post-Emergence Herbicides Herbicide Site of Action [relating to reducing risk of developing herbicide-resistant weeds] Important Herbicide Groups for Corn, Soybean Small Grain, Commercial Vegetable & Forage Common pre-packaged herbicides for crops in the Mid-Atlantic region Active Ingredient, Corresponding Trade Names and Mode of Action of Vegetable Insecticides Insecticides and Miticides Labeled for Use on Greenhouse Vegetables Seed Treatment Temperature Protocols Commonly Used Fungicides Registered for Vegetables Fungicides Registered for Seed Treatment Selected Fungicides and Bactericides Labeled for Greenhouse Use Page B3 B9 B10 B11 B12 B16 C1 C2 C2 C3 C3 C3 C4 C6 D11 E4 E6 E9 E11 E15 E27 E28 E29 E29 E34 E38 E40 E44 E47 E51 E52

14 Abbreviations & Acronyms A listing of abbreviations and acronyms not defined elsewhere. Diseases AMV alfalfa mosaic virus EBDC early blight disease control FR Fusarium wilt resistance LR leaf roll resistant MT mosaic tested PMR PMT PR PT PVX PVY powdery mildew resistant powdery mildew tolerant Phytophthora resistance Phytophthora tolerant potato virus X potato virus Y WMV watermelon mosaic virus WMV2 watermelon mosaic virus race2 WRR white rust resistance ZYMV zucchini yellow mosaic virus Units of Measurement Product Formulations Other /A per acre bu bushel(s) C degrees Celsius cc cubic centimeter(s) cu ft cubic foot (feet) cu yd cubic yard(s) cwt hundredweight F degrees Fahrenheit ft foot (feet) g gram gal gallon(s) gpm gallons per minute in inch lb pound(s) mph miles per hour oz ounce(s) ppm parts per million psi pounds per square inch pt pint(s) qt quart(s) sq ft square foot (feet) tbs tablespoon(s) tsp teaspoon wk week(s) yr year(s) COC D DF DP DS E EC ES EW F FC fl FM G L LC LF ME OF OLF SC SG SP W WBE WDG WDL WP WSB WSP crop oil concentrate dust dry flowable dry prill dry salt emulsion emulsifiable concentrate emulsifiable suspension emulsion in water flowable flowable concentrate fluid flowable micro-encapsulated granule liquid liquid concentrate liquid flowable micro-encapsulated oil formulation other labeled formulations spray concentrate, soluble concentrate soluble granules soluble powder wettable water-based emulsion water-dispersible granules water-dispersible liquid wettable powder water-soluble bag water-soluble packet ai active ingredient ALS acetolactate synthase AMS ammonium sulfate FRAC Fungicide Resistance Action Committee K potassium K 2 O available potash N nitrogen P phosphorus P 2 O 5 available phosphoric acid

15 For Immediate Medical Attention Call 911 For a Pesticide Exposure Poisoning Emergency Call For All States Pesticide Poisoning: Call the Poison Center (800) This number will automatically connect you to the poison center nearest you. Anyone with a poisoning emergency can call the toll-free telephone number for help. Personnel at t e Center will gi e you first-aid in ormation and direct you to local treatment centers if necessary. For Pesticide Spills Small Spills: See the product label for cleanup advice. Large spills: Call the National Response Center at or CHEMTREC Industry assistance with emergency response cleanup procedures for large, dangerous spills. Be aware of your responsibility to report spills to the proper state agency.

16 GENERAL PRODUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS VARIETIES New varieties of vegetables are constantly being developed throughout the world and it is impossible to list and describe all of them, only those that are available and are adapted to the mid-atlantic region are listed in this publication. While all efforts are made to have comprehensive lists, not all varieties that are adapted will be listed. Varieties are listed for each specific crop in Section F, either alphabetically or in order of relative time to maturity from early to late (see table footnotes). Those varieties that are new or that have had limited release will have the designation trial and should be evaluated in smaller plantings before being grown more extensively. The ultimate value of a variety for a particular purpose is determined by the grower: performance under his or her management adaptation to specific environmental conditions, and having desired horticultural characteristics. Some Variety Selection Criteria: Yield - The variety should have the potential to produce crops at the same or better yield and quality to those already grown. Is should be noted that harvested yield may be much less than potential yield depending on markets and quality factors. Days to Harvest - Choose varieties that meet market requirements based on days to harvest. Earliness is a major selection factor for first spring plantings and days to harvest is a critical selection factor for late summer and fall maturing crops, especially in shorter season areas of the region. Days to harvest in seed guides are based on the most common planting date and may be considerably longer in cooler periods or shorter in warmer periods. A more accurate guide to maturity will be Growing Degree Days which are calculated for a specific crop using daily highs and lows and a base temperature. Disease and Insect Resistance - The most economical and effective means of pest management is through the use of varieties that are resistant or tolerant to diseases including those caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, or nematodes. When all other factors are equal, select a variety with needed disease resistance or tolerance. In some vegetables, such as sweet corn, insect resistant varieties are also available and should be considered where they fit your requirements. The continuous or intense production of herbicide or pest-resistant varieties can potentially lead to herbicide-tolerant weeds and new, more virulent pest strains. Adherence to vender or Extension recommendations and a long-term crop rotation plan should minimize this risk. Resistance to Adverse Environmental Conditions - Choose varieties that are resistant to environmental conditions that are likely to be encountered. This includes heat or cold tolerance; low levels of heat induced defects such a tuber heat necrosis; drought tolerance; resistance to cracking, edema, and other wet weather disorders; low occurrence of nutrient disorders such as blossom end rot, A1 VARIETIES leaf tip burn, or hollow stem; and low occurrence of hollow heart. Horticultural Quality Choose varieties that meet market quality requirements. Quality attributes such as taste, texture, size, shape, color, uniformity, and amount of defects will often dictate variety selection. Grades, percentage by grade, or pack-outs are key quality attributes for some markets. Variety test data such as soluble solids (sugars or sweetness), acidity, pungency, fiber content and consumer taste panel information can assist in variety selection where available. Processing performance is of major concern for frozen, canned or pickled vegetables. Other considerations include the ability to handle mechanical harvest or the ability to be packed and shipped distances with minimum damage in contrast to vegetables that are adapted only to hand harvest and local sales or short distance shipping. Other quality characteristics to consider include holding or storage ability, ripening characteristics, nutritional content, and culinary qualities. Plant Characteristics Plant characteristics that may be considered in variety selection include plant form such as bush, upright, or vining; plant height; plant size; location of harvested part on the plant; and ease of harvest. Adaptability Successful varieties must perform well under the range of environmental conditions and production practices usually encountered on individual farms. Seasonal adaptation is another selection consideration. Market Acceptability The harvested plant product must have characteristics desired by both you and your buyers. Consider the requirements or desires of consumers, packers, shippers, wholesalers, retailers, or processors. Included among these qualities are flavor, pack out, size, shape, color, culinary qualities, nutritional quality or processing quality. Specialty markets such as ethnic markets, restaurants, or gourmet sales will have very specific variety requirements. Many vegetable seed companies offer varieties that are transgenic or GMO (genetically modified organism). GMO varieties feature a small amount of DNA from a source outside of the crop species gene pool; another plant species, bacterium, virus, or even animal. This foreign DNA is either the direct source of a new trait such as herbicide, or disease or insect resistance or is needed to assist the gene insertion process. GMO products in the food chain are highly controversial, and effects are ongoing to regulate and label them. Be aware of current and pending regulations and adverse public sentiment before growing and marketing GMO varieties of vegetable crops. Variety selection is a very dynamic process. Some varieties retain favor for many years, whereas others might be used only a few seasons if some special situation, such as plant disease or marketing change, develops. Companies frequently replace older varieties with new varieties. Variety selection in the mid-atlantic often requires special regional consideration due to the wide range of climatic variations.

17 VARIETIES/SEED STORAGE/SPECIALTY VEGETABLES/ORGANIC PRODUCTION There are many sources of information for growers to aid in choosing a variety. University trials offer unbiased comparisons of varieties from multiple sources. Commercial trials from seed distributors also offer multiple source comparisons. Seed company test results offer information about that company s varieties. Look for results from replicated trials and multiple sites if available. Trials conducted in similar soils and growing environments and local trials are the most reliable indicators of what will have potential to perform well on your farm. Visits to local trials can provide good visual information for making decisions. Where quality is a prime concern, look for trials with quality data. Small trial plantings for 2 to 3 years are suggested for any variety or strain not previously grown. For a true comparison, always include a standard variety, one with proven consistent performance in the same field or planting. Plant Resistance or Tolerance Listed in Tables Vegetable crops are naturally resistant to most but not all plant pathogens. In cases where diseases are a serious threat, genetic resistance is an effective and low cost strategy of disease avoidance. Pathogens are highly changeable, and a resistant variety that performs well in one year may not necessarily continue to do so. On rare occasions, purported resistance to pathogens breaks down. This may be due to different strains and races of disease-causing organisms and environmental conditions that favor the organism or reduce natural plant resistance. In the Section F variety tables, disease resistance and tolerances are listed in the tables and in the footnotes for each vegetable crop. The disease, insect or insect reactions listed in this book are from source seed companies or from University trials as noted and are not necessarily verified by Cooperative Extension. SEED STORAGE AND HANDLING Both high temperature and high relative humidity will reduce seed germination and vigor over time. Do not store seeds in areas that have a combined temperature and humidity value greater than 110 (for example 50 F [12.8 C] + 60% relative humidity). Ideal storage conditions for most seeds are at a temperature of 35 F (2 C) and less than 40% relative humidity. In addition, primed seeds pretreated with salt or another osmoticum do not usually store well after shipment to the buyer. Seed coating/pelleting may or may not reduce germination rate. Therefore, if you do not use all coated/pelleted seed, perform a germination test to assess viability before using in subsequent seasons. Corn, pea, and bean seed are especially susceptible to mechanical damage due to rough handling. Seed containers of these crops should not be subjected to rough handling since the seed coats and embryos can be damaged, resulting in nonviable seeds. If you plan to treat seeds of these crops with a fungicide, inoculum, or other chemical application, apply the materials gently to avoid seed damage. SPECIALTY VEGETABLES Specialty vegetables are those that are grown for specific markets and include varieties or types within standard vegetable categories that are unique, those that are harvested at different stages that conventional vegetables (baby types), vegetables grown for ethnic markets, heirloom vegetables, gourmet vegetables, or other vegetables grown for niche or specialty markets. In general, market demand for heirloom vegetables and types of commodities that cater to the special needs and preferences of ethnic groups has also expanded. See the Specialty Vegetables and Herbs subsection of Section F for more details. ORGANIC PRODUCTION You may wish to consider organic production. The initial investment is high, due mainly to certification costs. However, returns can be higher than for conventionally produced products. The USDA regulates the term organic to protect the sector from unscrupulous profiteers. To become certified organic, you must follow production and handling practices contained in the National Organic Standards (NOS see and be certified by a USDA accredited certifying agency such as the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO). Growers whose annual gross income from organic products is $5,000 or less can be exempted from certification. In this case growers must continue to use production and handling practices in accordance with the NOS and some restrictions regarding labeling and combination with other organic products apply. Certified organic production is typically preceded by a three-year transition phase during which the soil and farming practices are adapted to NOS. Growers should recognize that successful organic production is a long-term proposition. It usually takes a couple of years, and may take as many as four years, for a site managed organically to reach full potential for profitability. Organic production is management-intensive, and requires careful attention to the maintenance of a biological equilibrium favorable for crop production. Organic certification gives growers increased market access, but requires learning new production methods and documenting production practices through careful record keeping. However, when implemented well, organic methods can improve soil fertility and tilth through increased soil microorganisms and improved organic matter recycling. Growers should test new products and methods on a small scale prior to large scale adoption. Consider the following questions before initiating organic production. Does a market for organic vegetables exist? Are adequate resources available? Would you be able to ride out possible reduced yields without premium prices during 3 or more years of the transition phase? A2

18 Are you willing to devote more time to monitoring pests? Are you willing to devote more time to managing soil fertility? Are you willing to devote more time to record keeping? If you answered yes to all of the above questions, then organic production may be for you. If you are beginning the transition phase from nonorganic to organic production consider a pre-transition phase if pest pressures are high in the planting area. A pretransition phase is intermediate between organic and nonorganic production. During the pre-transition phase conventional pest management tactics are used along with organic tactics to reduce pest pressures. Once pest pressures are reduced, organic pest management tactics are used exclusively. The steps for becoming certified organic can be found in the publication Organic Vegetable Production at TRANSPLANT GROWING These recommendations apply only to plants grown under controlled conditions in greenhouses or hotbeds. Field-grown plants are covered under the specific crop in Section F. Producing quality transplants starts with disease free seed, a clean greenhouse and clean planting trays. Many of our vegetable disease problems including bacterial spot, bacterial speck, bacterial canker, gummy stem blight, bacterial fruit blotch, tomato spotted wilt virus, impatiens necrotic spot virus, and Alternaria blight can start in the greenhouse and be carried to the field. Further, a number of virus diseases are transmitted by greenhouse insects. Buy disease-indexed seeds when they are available. To reduce bacterial seed-borne diseases in some crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and cabbages, seeds can be hot water treated. Chlorine treatment can also be useful on some seeds as a surface treatment but will not kill pathogens inside the seed. See Section E, Disease Management/Seed Treatment for seed treatment recommendations. Transplants are affected by such factors as temperature, fertilization, water, and spacing. A good transplant is grown under the best possible conditions. A poor transplant usually results in poor crop performance. In certain instances, however, the timely exposure of transplants to specific stresses can enhance later performance by the crop in the field. Table A-1 presents optimum and minimum temperatures for seed germination and plant growing, the time and spacing (area) required to produce a desirable transplant, and number of plants per square foot. A3 ORGANIC PRODUCTION/TRANSPLANT GROWING Table A-1. Optimum and Minimum Temperatures and Planting Recommendations for Transplant Production o F o F Sq In Plants Opt. Min. Weeks to per per Crop Day Night Grow Plant Sq Ft Broccoli Cabbage Cauliflower Celery Cucumber Eggplant Endive, Escarole Lettuce Melon Onion Pepper Summer squash Sweet potato in bed in bed Tomato Seed directly in container; do not transplant prior to setting in the field. Seedless watermelon has specific requirements: germination at high temperatures for 48 hours (to achieve even germination) then move immediately into a cooler greenhouse to grow out. See the Watermelon subsection of Section F for more details. Making a Plant-Growing Mix. Many pre-mixed growing media products are available commercially (see below). A good, lightweight, disease-free, plant-growing material can also be made from a mixture of peat and vermiculite. The main advantage of making one s own mix is uniform and consistent composition, but it can also be less costly than commercial products. Formulas for a very simple mix are now located in the Resource Section (R) of this publication. Commercial Plant Growing Mixes. A number of commercial media formulations are available for growing transplants. Most of these mixes will produce high quality transplants when used with good management practices. However, these mixes can vary greatly in composition, particle size, ph, aeration, nutrient content, and waterholding capacity. Commercial growing media will have added lime and may or may not have a starter nutrient charge (added fertilizer). Plants grown in those without fertilizer will require supplemental liquid feedings after seedling emergence. Plants grown in those with added fertilizers will require liquid feeding starting 3-4 weeks after emergence. If you experience problems with transplant performance, the growing medium (soil) should be sent to a soils laboratory for testing. It is recommended to mix 3-4 bags of commercial product together before filling trays. For greenhouse growing areas, remove any weeds and dead plant materials and clean floors and benches thoroughly of any organic residue prior to seeding. Treatment of Flats and Trays. Flats used in the production of transplants should be new to avoid pathogens that cause damping-off and other disease problems. If flats and trays are reused, they should be thoroughly cleaned after use and disinfested as described below. Permit flats to dry completely prior to use. One of the following methods of disinfestation should be used: Chlorine. Dip flats or trays in a labeled chlorine sanitizer at recommended rates (3.5 fl. oz. of a 5.25% sodium hypochlorite equivalent product per gallon of water) several times. Cover treated flats and trays with a tarp to keep them moist for a minimum of 20 minutes. Wash flats and trays

19 TRANSPLANT GROWING with clean water or a Q-salts (see below) to eliminate the chlorine. It is important that the bleach solution remains in the range and that new solutions be made up every 2 hours or whenever it becomes contaminated (the solution should be checked for free chlorine levels at least every hour using test strips). Organic matter will deactivate the active chlorine ingredients quickly. Q-salts (Quaternary ammonium chloride salts). Compounds such as Greenshield, Physan and Prevent can be applied in the final wash of flats and trays during the chlorine treatment. Additionally, they can be used to wash exposed surfaces (benches, frames, etc.) in greenhouses. Transplant Trays and Containers. Most transplants are grown in plastic trays with individual cells for each plant. Trays vary in size from 32 cells to over 500 cells per standard 12 x 24 inch tray. Larger cell sizes (32, 50, or 72) are best used for vine crops and for rooting strawberry tips. 72-cell and 128-cell trays are suitable for tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and cole crops. Smaller cell sizes (128, 200, 288) may be appropriate for crops such as lettuce and onions. Larger styrofoam transplant trays are also available in similar cell sizes. Larger cell sizes have better holding ability and survivability in the field but use more greenhouse space and take longer to produce the root ball in the cell. Individual plant-growing containers may also be used for vine crops and early market crops of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Various types of fiber or plastic pots or cubes are available for this purpose. If plastic pots are reused, disinfest as described for flats. Seed Germination. Normally, one seed is planted per cell. Seeds that are over-sown in flats to be "pricked out" (thinned to a uniform stand) at a later date should be germinated in 100% vermiculite (horticultural grade, coarse sand size) or a plant growing mix. However, it is recommended that no fertilizer be included in the mix or the vermiculite until the seed leaves (cotyledons) are fully expanded and the true leaves are beginning to unfold. Fertilization should be in the liquid form and at one-half the rate for any of the ratios listed in the Liquid Feeding paragraph below. Seedlings can be held for 3 to 4 weeks if fertilization is withheld until 3 to 4 days before "pricking out." Seed that is sown in tray cells, pots or other containers and will not be "pricked out" later can be germinated in a mix that contains fertilizer. For earlier, more uniform emergence, germinate and grow seedlings on benches with bottom heat or in a floor-heated greenhouse. Germination rooms or chambers also insure even germination where higher temperatures can be maintained for the first 48 hours. Trays may be stacked in germination rooms during this period but must be moved to the greenhouse prior to seedling emergence. Plant Growing Facilities. Good plant-growing facilities (greenhouses) provide maximum light to the seedling crop. The greenhouse cover material (glass, plastic, or fiberglass) should be clean, clear, and in good repair. The ideal greenhouse will also have floor-on or bottom-heating capabilities, either on the benches or on the floor, and provide good heating and ventilation systems for effective environmental control. Proper growing medium temperature ensures uniformity of crop throughout the greenhouse by moderating normal temperature variations experienced with hot air heating systems. Bottom heating provides for a significant energy savings because the greenhouse does not have to be operated 10 F higher than A4 the required growing medium temperatures for good germination and seedling growth. Internal combustion heating units located inside the greenhouse must be vented and have outside fresh-air intake and exhaust systems to provide air to and from the heater. Ventilation units must be adequate in size, providing 1.2 to 1.4 sq ft of opening for each 1,000 cubic feet per minute (cfm) fan capacity. Seedlings should not be grown or held in areas where pesticides are stored. Liquid Feeding of Transplants. In most instances, additional nutrients will be needed by growing transplants; commercially available 100% water soluble greenhouse fertilizer formulations are recommended for this purpose. This is also referred to as fertigation (see Section C). For most crops use a formulation with lower P levels than N and K (for example , , , , ). If you plan to fertilize with every watering, begin with N concentrations in the 30 to 50 ppm range and modify the concentration as needed. Use higher rates for tomato, pepper and cole crops and lower rates for cucurbits (watermelon and squash, etc.). Use higher rates when temperatures are high (late spring and summer) and lower rates when temperatures are cooler. Fertilizer requirements may vary substantially with crop and growing conditions. For example, if fertigation is scheduled only once a week, N concentrations of 200 to 250 ppm may be required. Some growers may use a growing medium with no starter fertilizer. If that is the case, use 50 ppm N from emergence to first true leaf every 3 days, 200 ppm N every other day from first true leaf to second true leaf. If concentrations are above recommended levels, they can cause excessive growth, reducing transplant quality. Highly concentrated nutrient solutions often can causesalt injury to plants and leaf burning. Over-fertilized transplants will often stretch and have impaired field survival. For a less sophisticated way to apply nutrients, the following materials can be dissolved in 5 gallons of water and used over an area of 20 square feet for general use on transplants: oz/5 gal water or oz/5 gal water Rinse leaves after liquid feeding. Applications should be made weekly using these rates. When using starter solutions for field transplanting, follow manufacturer's recommendation. Caution. High rates of starter solution can become concentrated and burn transplant roots when the soil becomes dry. Watering. Keep mix moist but not continually wet. Water less in cloudy weather. Watering in the morning allows plant surfaces to dry before night and reduces the possibility of disease. Transplant Height Control: One of the most important considerations is managing stretch or height of transplants. The goal is to produce a transplant of a size that it can be handled by mechanical transplanters or hand without damage and that are tolerant to wind. Most growth regulators that are used for bedding plants are not registered for vegetable transplants. One exception is Sumagic registered for use as a foliar spray on tomato, pepper, eggplant, groundcherry, pepino and tomatillo transplants (no other crops are registered at present). The recommended label rate is 0.52 to 2.60 fluid oz per gallon (2 to 10 ppm) and one gallon should be sprayed so it covers 200 sq ft of transplant trays (2 quarts per 100 sq ft). The first