Lexington, KY 40546

Online at: www.uky.edu/KPN

Number 1276
TOBACCO -Uneven Growth in Tobacco Fields -Disease Update VEGETABLES -Managing Powdery and Downy Mildew of Cucurbits TURF -Cicada Killer Wasps

July 12, 2011

GENERAL -Incredible Insects of Summer DIAGNOSTIC LAB HIGHLIGHTS INSECT TRAP COUNTS

TOBACCO Uneven Growth in Tobacco Fields By Bob Pearce and Kenny Seebold Uneven growth of tobacco has been reported in numerous fields. In some fields, plants range in size from nearly 30 inches to less than 6 inches tall. The smaller plants often show signs of nutrient deficiency and may appear to wilt in the heat of the day. When the stunted plants are dug it is often observed that there has been little or no development of new roots from the transplant root ball. New roots if present are often found to be growing from the buried portion of the stem. In many cases the transplant root ball appears folded and somewhat wedge shaped as if it were jammed in a tight space. The obvious question from most growers is why are some plants severely stunted while others a short distance away seem to be thriving. The answer to that question is a complex interaction between transplant health, soil conditions, and weather at or just after transplanting. Transplants were held for several weeks during the rainy spring weather resulting in tall sometimes spindly plants that often had varying degrees of Pythium root rot. When the weather finally began to dry, growers were anxious to get started and often began prepare

ground when it was still too wet. Even though the soil appeared dry on the surface it was still quite moist just below the surface. The bottom of the transplanter shoe running in the moist soil may have created small zone of compacted soil which severely restricted root development from the root ball. In addition stress from high temperatures during early June may have limited the plants ability to recover from the setbacks caused by Pythium root rot and soil compaction. Currently it appears that the stunted plants are recovering as they have begun to develop new roots from the buried stem above the original root ball. The degree of recovery will be very much dependent on the weather conditions. With the majority of the root system very near the soil surface, short term dry spells will be more detrimental and lodging will be a concern as the plants attain a larger size. While many of these plants will survive and perhaps even produce a reasonable yield, the fields will remain very uneven. There is little that can be reasonably done at this stage to help these plants recover. Side dressing, foliar feeding, and irrigation may help to a limited extent to minimize stress, however the stunted plants simply need time to grow new roots.

Figure 1. Root system of a stunted tobacco plant. Note the limited root development from the original root ball with most new roots coming from the stem above the root ball.

may be needed at topping to help with this disease if needed, and to suppress late-season frogeye leaf spot should that disease be active. When it comes to frogeye, anecdotal evidence indicates that a rate of 10-12 fl oz/A would be more appropriate for control. Timing the Quadris applications for frogeye control should follow what were recommending for target spot unless disease pressure is heavy before layby. In these cases, treat with Quadris as soon as possible. A followup treatment may be necessary later in the season if disease is active, particularly around topping time. If multiple applications of Quadris are needed, the label requires alternation with a fungicide which has a different mode of action from Quadris. For frogeye and target spot, our only options would be Manzate Pro-Stick, Dithane DF, or Penncozeb (mancozeb fungicides). So a grower applying Quadris at layby could come back with mancozeb 2-3 weeks later, and then treat with Quadris either before or after layby to stay compliant with the label. Weve also had a few questions about tank-mixing Quadris with other products. The Quadris label states that this fungicide should never be mixed with pesticides formulated as emulsifiable concentrates (ECs), or those that have high solvent levels, to avoid the risk of severe phytotoxicity (leaf burn, mainly). I have also heard from contacts at Syngenta that products such as maleic hydrazide (MH), foliar fertilizers, and even acephate (Orthene or generic formulations) also increase the risk of crop injury if mixed with Quadris. I recommend that Quadris never be applied with any sucker control material, foliar fertilizer, or surfactant. With regard to Orthene, we have had some reports of injury in Kentucky when this insecticide is tank-mixed with Quadris; however, many have applied this combination with no ill effects. To play it safe, it may be best to not use Orthene and Quadris together during the hot, dry spell that were under right now. Quadris can cause weather flecking if applied by itself in hot weather, and would be more likely to burn if tank-mixed with Orthene under these conditions. For recommendations on the control of tobacco diseases, please consult past issues of the Kentucky Pest News, or the Kentucky-Tennessee Tobacco Production Guide (ID-160), available at

Disease Update By Kenny Seebold The 2011 tobacco growing season has been a mixed bag of hot and dry weather punctuated by rainy spells. Given the amount of rain that has fallen, weve seen relatively few problems with diseases. Blue mold seems to be confined to Pennsylvania at the moment, and according to forecasters at North Carolina State University, our area faces no real risk from the currently known sources of disease. Even with the low threat from blue mold, keeping an eye out is never a bad idea when it comes to this disease! Historically, the first cases of blue mold have been reported in late June through mid-July, and our status could change given the fairly disease-favorable conditions that have cropped up periodically. Ive have not seen much target spot at this point in the season, but have gotten some reports of aggressive frogeye on burley (Figure 1, photo courtesy of Nick Roy). These diseases could be problematic if we continue the pattern of rainfall that weve seen so far. Quadris fungicide, applied at 8 fl oz/A, has been shown to give reasonably good control of target spot if applied at least once beginning around layby. A second application

http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id160/id160.pd f.

Figure 2. Frogeye leaf spot on burley tobacco (photo courtesy of Nick Roy).

VEGETABLES Managing Powdery and Downy Mildew of Cucurbits By Kenny Seebold Over the past two weeks, downy mildew has become quite active on cucurbits along the eastern coast of the U.S., Michigan, and Ohio. We have not confirmed the disease in Kentucky, fortunately, and arent threatened by the known sources of disease. Historically, though, this disease has hit Kentucky growers in mid-August. Downy mildew on cucurbits is an aggressive, fastmoving disease and can be really hard to stop when it gets started. This means that growers should be scouting their plantings on a regular basis and should also consider a preventive fungicide program. Identifying downy mildew on cucurbits can be a little tricky, because symptoms on each species vary to some degree. What's more, downy mildew can be confused with powdery mildew. Both of these diseases are similar in that they are caused by obligate pathogens, meaning that the pathogen must be associated with a host plant to survive. The downy mildew pathogen, Pseudoperonospora

cubensis, is not a true fungus. It belongs to the Oomycetes and is related to the pathogen that causes blue mold of tobacco; however, powdery mildew is caused by Podosphaera xanthii and belongs to the Ascomycete group of "true" fungi. Although downy mildew is more common in wet weather, fogs and heavy dews can contribute enough moisture to allow infection during "dry" weather. Powdery mildew is more likely to be a problem when conditions are warm and dry, and it tends to develop gradually over the course of several weeks. In terms of symptoms, the two diseases can be confused. Early on, both can cause yellow spots on the upper surface of a leaf. In the case of downy mildew, leaf spots tend to be small, blocky, and are limited by leaf veins, while spots associated with powdery mildew are round and somewhat diffuse. On the underside of a leaf with downy mildew, lesions will initially appear sunken and slightly water-soaked. As downy mildew progresses, infected leaves will take on a scorched appearance. Leaf yellowing (chlorosis) is more common with powdery mildew, and infected leaves will be covered with a white, talc-like, superficial growth (from which powdery mildew takes its name) that tends to favor the upper leaf surface; however, it is not uncommon to find colonies of the powdery mildew fungus on lower leaf surfaces, stems, or vines and even fruit if disease is severe. One of the key features of downy mildew is the pattern of sporulation, which occurs only on the underside of an infected leaf and has a faint, fuzzy or "downy" appearance. It is easier to observe sporulation with downy mildew in the morning when there's plenty of leaf wetness. It's very easy to distinguish the downy and powdery mildew pathogens at the microscopic level; sporangia of downy mildew are formed on sporangiophores that have a distinctive branching pattern that gives them the appearance of "deer antlers". Conidia of powdery mildew are formed in chains on relatively simple structures. If downy mildew is suspected, send a sample in to the Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab in Lexington or Princeton for examination. Images of downy mildew on several cucurbit hosts can be found at

http://www.uky.edu/Ag/kpn/kyblue/Galleries/ CucurbitDM/index.html. The IPM Scouting

Guide for Common Problems of Cucurbit Crops in Kentucky, ID-91, is another good source of images and management tips for major cucurbit

diseases and can be found at

www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id91/id91.pdf.
MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR COMMERCIAL GROWERS: At this point, and as weather permits, commercial growers who are not on a preventive fungicide program should consider an application as we head into August. Not only will this help with downy and powdery mildew, but suppression of other cucurbit diseases such as gummy stem blight (watermelons) and Alternaria leaf blight, a common disease of muskmelon that is quite active at the moment. A spray interval in the 7-to-10 day range will be adequate, but should be shortened if disease-favorable conditions are present or if disease threatens. For powdery mildew, we recommend that growers apply Rally 40WSP at the first signs of disease (5 oz/A); this can be tank-mixed with other fungicides and its important to not spray this material more than once before switching to another product with a different mode of action (chlorothalonil is a great choice). Chlorothalonil and, to a lesser extent, mancozeb offer reasonable protection against downy mildew if sprayed on a regular schedule. If downy mildew is found, or if the threat of infection is high, better control can be achieved with downy mildew-specific materials such as Acrobat (or its liquid counterpart, Forum), Ridomil Gold Bravo (Ridomil-resistant strains of the downy mildew pathogen are common, so this option is questionable), Revus (a new fungicide from Syngenta very active against downy mildew), Presidio (a new material from Valent, and a strong performer), and Ranman (ISK / FMC product). Previcur Flex is another effective alternative. Please see ID-36, the Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, for rate. Note that we are not recommending strobilurins (Quadris, Cabrio, Reason, Flint) for control of downy or powdery mildews, as resistance to this class of chemistry is high in the strains of the downy and powdery mildew pathogens, and these materials are not likely to perform well against these pathogens. MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR HOME GARDENERS: Use good management practices, including adequate fertility and irrigation management (water early if irrigating overhead). In the case of powdery mildew, removal of heavily

affected foliage (assuming the entire plant is not consumed) can remove a substantial amount of inoculum. Homeowners can use over-the-counter vegetable fungicides that contain chlorothalonil, mancozeb, or fixed copper. Sulfur products are also very effective against powdery mildew, and downy mildew to a lesser extent. Just be mindful that sulfur can burn foliage if the air temperatures exceed 90F. Another, easy-to-use remedy is baking soda. Add 1-3 tsp. per gallon of water for best results. With all fungicides, regular applications are critical. During favorable weather, spray every 5-7 days and during drier and hot weather, extend the schedule to every 7-10 days. Coverage of upper and lower leaf surfaces is important to achieve good control, as is starting the spray program before disease is seen, or when symptoms first appear. The latter will serve for powdery mildew; however, for downy mildew, preventive sprays are a must. Controlling downy mildew will require some type of fungicidal spray; products that will provide some control include chlorothalonil, mancozeb or maneb, and fixed copper. Sulfur is somewhat suppressive as well. MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR ORGANIC PRODUCERS: Follow the guidelines as listed above for good management practices. OMRIapproved fungicides are limited to some sulfurs, some fixed coppers, and potassium bicarbonates. Check product labels to verify that they are approved for organic production. Powdery mildew will be controlled with sulfur and suppressed by fixed copper if the materials are applied preventively and in a timely fashion. Potassium bicarbonates are also effective against powdery mildew, but have no residual activity and must be applied regularly. Against downy mildew, fixed copper will be the best bet. There are also biopesticides and biorationals such as Serenade (Bacillus subtilis) and neem oil that show some suppressive activity. With all products available to organic producers, as with home gardeners, good coverage and timeliness are critical to have any hope of controlling either powdery or downy mildew effectively.

TURF Cicada Killer Wasps By Lee Townsend After spending the winter as larvae in last years burrows, cicada killer wasps are emerging to establish their 2011 tunnels. They choose Figure 3. Cicada killer wasp. sites in welldrained, lighttextured soils in full sunlight that are near trees harboring cicadas. Common locations include along sidewalk or patio edges, in flower beds, or in lawns or fields where the grass stand is sparse. The wasps are solitary but in a few years, many burrows can develop in areas that provide the right conditions. While they are generally harmless, their normal activities can be unsettling or intimidating. As long as their requirements are met, cicada killers will stay and thrive. Attempts to control them usually are only partially successful Figure 4. Needle-like stinger of a because: 1) the cicada killer wasp. site remains attractive to new settlers even if most of the original inhabitants are and 2) immature stages of wasps will not be affected by the treatment and will survive to emerge next year. Most encounters are with the stingless males that set up territorial perches where they wait and challenge intruders. Male wasps may approach people who enter their turf but quickly lose

interest and are harmless. Females, which can sting, are too busy hunting cicadas to be bothered by humans. However, they may respond to direct disturbance of their burrows and will sting in selfdefense. Cicada killer tunnels usually have a distinctive Ushaped collar of loose soil around the opening. Individual tunnels are 12 to 18 inches long and may extend 6 to 12 inches deep. There are an average of 15 egg-shaped cells as side chambers to the tunnel, each containing a paralyzed cicada and a developing wasp larva. Development will be completed next year with the wasps emerging in late summer. Cicada killer control may be desirable in situations where physical damage is occurring or the presence of the insects is causing significant distress. Sevin (carbaryl) dust, applied into the burrow opening is a good method to try but keep expectations realistic.

GENERAL Incredible Insects of Summer By Lee Townsend Some incredible insects appear during the summer months; here are a few that you might encounter. The dobsonfly looks as if it came directly from the age of the dinosaurs. The big-jawed males have an ominous appearance but they do not pose any threat other than a weak pinch if handled.

Figure 5. Male dobsonfly with large jaws.

Dobsonflies, about 3 inches long, appear near streams in mid- to late summer. A pair of very long antennae comes off the front of the square flat head. Males have a pair of long pointed mandibles that cross like sabers; females do not have these. Two pairs of large smoky, pliable wings interlaced with many veins cover the abdomen to complete the major features of this insect. The adults live for only a few days, just long enough to mate, lay eggs, and die. Eggs are placed on overhanging branches or undersides of bridges over streams, or on stones. The eggs hatch at night after 5-6 days and drop into the water. The larvae, called hellgrammites, live for several years under stones in streams where they feed on insects that live in the water. They are used as bait by fishermen.

oval bodies; the front legs are adapted for grabbing prey. These insects live in quite ponds and feed on insects, snails, tadpoles, and even small fish. Water bugs good fliers that may end up in swimming pools or around outdoor night lights. The only concern with the giant water bug is that it can inflict painful bite if handled.

Figure 8. Female eastern Hercules beetle.

Figure 6. Eyed elater.

A list like this would not be complete without the eastern Hercules beetle, with its large (2" to 2-1/2" long) greenish-gray to black body. Males have a large distinctive horn on the head and sometimes are called rhinoceros beetles; females do not have the horn. The adults are attracted to lights during mid- to late summer and will eat overripe fruit. Hercules beetle larvae are white grubs that spend two years feeding on decaying plant material, especially logs and stumps. The grubs are a food source for skunks, raccoons, and other mammals.

False eyes behind the head must cause potential predators to think again before grabbing the eyed elater, a 2-inch long black beetle that is speckled with white spots. Their real eyes are much smaller and are located near the base of the antennae. Eyed elaters appear around damp areas near woods about this time of year. They belong to the click beetle family beetles that can flip over if placed on their backs. The larvae have a wireworm form and live as predators under bark.

DIAGNOSTIC LAB HIGHLIGHTS By Julie Beale and Paul Bachi Agronomic samples this week have included potassium deficiency and gray leaf spot on corn; Pythium root rot, black shank, weather fleck (ozone injury), soreshin (Rhizoctonia), temporary phosphorus deficiency and manganese toxicity on tobacco. On fruits and vegetables, we have seen black rot and leaf blight (Isariopsis) on grape; scab on peach; brown rot on nectarine; fire blight on pear;

Figure 7. Giant water bug.

Giant water bugs may be called fish killers, electric-light bugs, and toe-bitters. They have flat,

bacterial wilt and Alternaria leaf blight on cantaloupe; Pythium root rot on eggplant; bacterial spot on pepper; bacterial canker, early blight, buckeye rot, Septoria leaf spot, Fusarium stem rot, Fusarium wilt, walnut wilt and tomato spotted wilt virus on tomato; and Pythium root rot on watermelon. On ornamentals and turf, we have seen Cercospora leaf spot on astilbe; Mycosphaerella leaf spot on iris; Fusarium stem rot on geranium; bacterial leaf spot on ivy; Pestalotia twig blight on arborvitae; Septoria leaf spot on birch; cedar-quince rust on hawthorn; Armillaria root rot on hydrangea; spot anthracnose, Septoria leaf spot and powdery mildew on dogwood; anthracnose and potato leafhopper injury on maple; Fusarium wilt on mimosa; anthracnose, Monochaetia leaf spot and iron deficiency on oak; chemical injury on pine, spruce and redbud; Rhizosphaera and Stigminia needlecast on spruce; anthracnose and Curvularia leaf spot on bentgrass.

INSECT TRAP COUNTS July 1-8 Location Black cutworm Armyworm Corn earworm European corn borer Southwestern corn borer Fall armyworm Princeton, KY 19 53 16 0 0 0 Lexington, KY 0 684 0 1 0 0

Graphs of insect trap counts for the 2011 season are available on the IPM web site at http://www.uky.edu/Ag/IPM/ipm.htm. View trap counts for Fulton County, Kentucky at http://ces.ca.uky.edu/fulton/InsectTraps

Note: Trade names are used to simplify the information presented in this newsletter. No endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products that are not named.