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First Lso-positive psyllid of the season
Potato All Locations
potato psyllid
Posted on: July 15, 2023 by Erik Wenninger
Apologies! This alert was posted on Friday, but an alert was not sent.
This week we received traps from all 55 fields that we are monitoring. We captured a total of 14 psyllids across 10 fields. Seven of the fields were in Canyon County; the remaining 3 fields were in Owyhee, Twin Falls, and Minidoka counties.
One of the psyllids we collected last week from Canyon County was positive for Lso, the bacterium associated with zebra chip disease (ZC). The other psyllids from last week were shipped to us late, so results are expected by Monday (and will be posted to the Idaho Pest Monitoring Dashboard, below). A positive psyllid this early in the season is somewhat concerning. ZC risk is in part a function of psyllid numbers and Lso incidence, so it is fortunate the psyllid numbers have been low so far. Nevertheless, we urge growers to watch psyllid captures closely and to have their IPM programs in place. More information on management can be found here: https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news/psyllid-management
Please visit our new site, the Idaho Pest Monitoring Dashboard, for graphical summaries of our psyllid captures for this season and the previous three seasons: https://idahopestmonitoring.org/
We will be posting and archiving our weekly updates on this site. In addition to the graphical summaries, you will be able to look back on all the weekly “blog” summaries for this year and easily compare captures among counties, regions, and years over 2020 to 2023.
To view the weekly data by site in the old spreadsheet format: https://tinyurl.com/potatopsyllid
» https://idahopestmonitoring.org/
» https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news/psyllid-management
2023 Miller Research Potato Pest Management Field Day
Potato All Locations
Posted on: July 11, 2023 by Jeff Miller
» https://millerresearch.com/event/2023-miller-research-potato-pest-management-field-day/
Want Pesticide Credits?
All Crops All Locations
Pesticide Credits
Posted on: July 10, 2023 by Kimberly Tate
Enroll in the University of Idaho (UI) Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) for the 2023 Summer Series Webinars (via Zoom; no camera/no account required). Each webinar is $10 per applicator. Completed webinar(s) receive multi-state pesticide credit(s). ISDA, ODA & WSDA credits available for completed webinar*. Note: ALL webinars are held at Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).
- Aug. 8 at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (MDT) — Desireè Wickwar: Turf insect management
- Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (MDT) — Doug Finkelnburg: Seed bank dynamics for grassy weed control in agricultural systems
- Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (MDT) — Dr. Pam Hutchinson & Dr. Albert Adjesiwor: Weather conditions and herbicide performance
*For pesticide credit: Pesticide applicators must answer questions within the webinar session. This requires individual computer and internet access for each user. Answers will be collected to confirm attendance was maintained for the entire webinar. Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) credits approved. Please register with your state license number(s).
Register Today: https://marketplace.uidaho.edu/C20272_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=53&SINGLESTORE=true
Need more information? Contact Kimberly Tate, University of Idaho Extension PSEP Sr. Instructor by phone (208) 364-4581 or email ktate@uidaho.edu.
» UI Extension Pesticide Safety Education Summer Series Poster
2023 Potato psyllid monitoring program underway in Idaho
Potato All Locations
potato psyllid
Posted on: July 7, 2023 by Tasha Stanzak
The University of Idaho and our crop consultant collaborators across the state are once again monitoring for potato psyllids, zebra chip disease (ZC), and liberibacter (Lso), the bacterium associated with ZC. The monitoring program covers commercial potato fields throughout southern Idaho and is funded in part by the Idaho Potato Commission and generous in-kind contributions by our cooperators.
Our official monitoring season began with wide deployment of traps last week and will continue for 10 to 12 weeks. We have 55 fields across the state this year, using 4 sticky traps per field at all sites.
This week we received traps from 52 of the 55 fields that we are monitoring. We captured a total of four psyllids across three fields, all in Canyon County. In addition, a limited number of fields was monitored prior to the official start of the monitoring program. We captured one psyllid in a field in Canyon County last week and zero so far over four weeks of monitoring at the Kimberly Research & Extension Center.
It is still early, but thus far we are seeing relatively low numbers of psyllids, similar to the numbers we observed in 2022.
We expect to have results on Lso incidence next week.
Please visit our new site, the Idaho Pest Monitoring Dashboard, for graphical summaries of our psyllid captures for this season and the previous three seasons: https://idahopestmonitoring.org/
We will be posting and archiving our weekly updates on this site. So in addition to the graphical summaries, you will be able to look back on all the weekly “blog” summaries and easily compare this year’s captures to previous years.
Southern / Southeastern Cereals Field Days coming up!
All Crops Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Eastern Idaho, Magic Valley
CEREALS ARE NOT A PEST!
Posted on: July 7, 2023 by Juliet Marshall
That's the name of our field days this year? Yes, it's true - come learn about the wheat and barley varieties that available to our area producers, cropping systems, fertility management and yes, those dang pests! What can be more fun that talking about smut? (Dwarf, loose, flag and cover your smut!) Scalds? Head blight?
Representatives from private industry, commissions and University of Idaho will be there, so hope to see you at one of the events!
» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/cereals/scseidaho
Western Cherry Fruit Fly (Rhagoletis indifferens) Detected In Canyon and Gem Counties
Cherry Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
Western Cherry Fruit Fly (Rhagoletis indifferens)
Posted on: June 23, 2023 by Brad Stokes
Tree Fruits Treasure Valley
Western Cherry Fruit Fly (Rhagoletis indifferens)
Idaho State Department of Agriculture
On June 21st the first 2023 Western Cherry Fruit Fly was captured in an Idaho State Department of Agriculture WCFF trap was reported from Canyon and Gem County. With traps being placed in north Marsing and south Emmett cherry trees.
Historically we expect to find WCFF in Gem County traps about a week after the first one is found in Canyon County, this year they arrived on the same week.
» https://extension.usu.edu/pests/research/western-cherry-fruit-fly
» https://treefruit.wsu.edu/crop-protection/opm/western-cherry-fruit-fly/
Thinning Fruits - Cultural Practices
Tree Fruits Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Eastern Idaho, Magic Valley
Posted on: June 21, 2023 by Brad Stokes
2023 Fruit Thinning – June 21, 2023
Cultural Alert
Fruits which are crowded on limbs should be thinned. Apples, pears, Asian pears, apricots, plums, and peaches all respond positively to thinning. Cherries and nut trees are usually not thinned. Thinning fruit will 1) increase fruit size, 2) improve the trees productivity in the year to come, and 3) reduce limb breakage as fruits begin to size. Too many fruits on a tree translates into small fruit that is often of poor quality.
General rules for thinning: 1) the earlier the better, 2) remove smaller fruits and leave the larger ones, 3) remove fruits with disease spots, hail damage, or other defects, 4) aim for even spacing.
General guidelines by fruit – see links below for additional detail.
Apples & pears: Almost always need thinning. Should be thinned to one fruit per spur with a good spacing of one fruit per 6” of branch. Asian pears spaced at one fruit per 6-8” of branch. Be careful not to break off spurs while thinning – spurs produce flowers and fruit for many years if not broken. Recommend to thin apples within 40 days of full bloom and pears within 60 days of full bloom.
Peaches & nectarines: Should be spaced at one fruit per 6-8” of branch. Fruits that are joined should be removed. Recommend to thin peaches about 70 days past full bloom.
Plums: Should be thinned to have spacing at 6” between fruit along the branch.
Apricots: If tree experiences heavy fruit set thin fruit spaced to 3” along branch.
Trees will exhibit “June Drop” which is when the tree will naturally drop fruit. Some prefer to wait until this event happens to thin, however there are great advantages to thinning early. More details can be found in the links below.
https://extension.wsu.edu/maritimefruit/fruit-thinning-for-high-quality/
http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/8047.pdf or attach as PDF from complete reference library
Other reference:
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/berries-fruit/fruit-thinning
Importance of scouting for late blight in potato
Potato Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Magic Valley
Late blight (potato)
Posted on: June 21, 2023 by Brad Stokes
Importance of scouting for late blight in potato
Kasia Duellman, Jeff Miller, Nora Olsen, Mike Thornton, Phill Wharton and James Woodhall
It has been several years since we have had an outbreak of late blight in Idaho. It is easy to forget that late blight can be a threat in this region given all the other issues that growers have to deal with during the growing season. However, history tells us that the most widespread late blight outbreaks have been associated with two factors: 1) presence of volunteer potatoes from the previous crop and/or planting of seed potatoes sourced from regions where late blight frequently occurs, and 2) frequent rain events throughout the growing season.
We want to stress that late blight has not been found in Idaho so far this year. However, the unseasonably wet and moderate weather we’ve had recently has created conditions for potential late blight outbreaks in many locations. For example, in western Idaho where the crop is just closing the rows, we have had several weeks of intermittent showers as shown by records from the Parma Agrimet site.
Although many areas of Idaho experienced a colder than normal winter, higher snow falls across the Snake River Valley mean that the soil temperatures in many areas remained above freezing. The University of Idaho Volunteer Survival Model (https://cropalerts.org/volunteer-survival/), shows the risk of volunteer potato survival this year was high in most areas in southern Idaho. Infected volunteer potatoes, cull piles and seed tubers along with the recent wet weather conditions can all potentially contribute to the development of a late blight this year. As such, it would be prudent to plan ahead for the management of any potential late blight outbreaks.
Effective management of late blight requires the implementation of an integrated disease management approach, including strict sanitation practices (e.g. management of cull piles), good irrigation management, and the proper timing and application of effective fungicides. All these practices together can reduce the chances of a late blight outbreak.
Scouting is the first line of defense against late blight. Field scouting should begin after emergence when the first plants are 4 to 6 inches tall. In potato fields after plants close across the rows, look for late blight in the lower portions of the plant where the foliage stays wet longer. Scouting should be concentrated in areas of the field most likely to remain wet for the longest period of time, such as the center tower of pivot irrigation system, irrigation overlaps, and areas missed by fungicide applicators such as the edges of fields. Low spots where soil moisture is highest and parts of the field shaded by windbreaks are examples of areas where scouting should be intensified. The symptoms of late blight (see pictures at the end of this article) can be confused with other diseases and physiological disorders. If you find plants displaying symptoms of late blight, we recommend you take them to a local expert than can confirm the diagnosis.
Scouting allows growers to make informed disease and pest management decisions and provides early detection of other problems that may be present in the field, such as nutrient deficiency or herbicide injury. By using information collected by scouts, growers can time fungicide applications for optimal effectiveness. This is especially important for the control of late blight as fungicides are most effective when applied to foliage before infection occurs or when the disease is in its very earliest stages of development and no symptoms are visible. In the irrigated fields of southern Idaho, late blight can be very difficult to manage once infections become established as the humid microclimate within the canopy favors further disease development after irrigation.
There are a wide range of fungicides labeled for use against potato late blight. Each fungicide is different and will have specific conditions for use listed on the label with additional details regarding application rates, re-entry intervals and total product amounts that can be applied in a season. Some may even include information on how to minimize the risk of fungicide resistance developing. Fungicides that are effective for the control of late blight tend to have one of three modes of action: germination inhibition (they prevent germination of spores and thus plant infection), inhibiting mycelial growth (they block pathogen colonization of the plant cells), anti-sporulation activity (they prevent the pathogen from sporulating and thus limit spread of the disease). For more information on properties of fungicides registered for use in potatoes go to the following link: https://cropalerts.org/2020/04/24/potato-late-blight-control-recommendations-for-southern-idaho-in-2020/.
In years when late blight has been confirmed in Idaho it has usually appeared after mid-July. In the last wide scale outbreak that occurred in SE Idaho, late blight was first reported in Bingham County on July 10. On that date, the high temperature recorded at Aberdeen R&E Center was 67oF and it had been a wet June with daily rainfall totals as high as 0.5 in. (see below). These are ideal disease conditions. If you suspect late blight please contact your local county UI Extension office or Kasia Duellman, Jeff Miller, Nora Olsen, Mike Thornton, Phill Wharton or James Woodhall.
To provide additional information on the threat of late blight the University of Idaho operates a spore trapping network in cooperation with the Idaho Potato Commission. Weekly updates from this network will be on the IPM website (https://idahopestmonitoring.org) starting the week of July 3rd.
Master Gardeners Confirm Squash Bugs are Active!
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
Squash Bug (Anasa tristis)
Posted on: June 20, 2023 by Brad Stokes
2023 Squash Bug – June 20, 2023
Squash Bug (Anasa tristis)
Squash bugs have been reported in Canyon County by an Idaho Master Gardener. It is time to check the underside of cucurbit (pumpkins and squash are the most attractive) leaves for the bronze-colored egg clusters. In addition, monitor plants for nymphs, adults and plants wilting due to feeding injury.
MANAGEMENT
Wooden boards, shingles, or heavy cardboard can be placed on the ground next to the host plant. Squash bugs tend to move under the board/object at night. In the morning, turn the object over and destroy the pest.
Hand-pick and destroy adults, nymphs or egg clusters. Other options include rolled duct tape around fingers to pull off egg clusters, cutting off the egg part of the leaf or applying petroleum jelly directly to the eggs. Increased success is achieved when started early in the season and done every 2 to 3 days to keep numbers low.
Cultural methods include sanitation, plating squash varieties that are more tolerant of squash bug feeding, crop rotation and time of planting.
Additional control methods can be found in the linked publications:
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/vegetable/vegetable-pests/common-vegetable/vegetable-crop-squash-bug
https://extension.usu.edu/pests/ipm/notes_ag/veg-squashbug
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74144.html
Ag Talk Tuesday - June 20, 2023 session
All Crops All Locations
General announcment - all crops
Posted on: June 19, 2023 by Juliet Marshall
The ATT is very pleased to announce that tomorrow’s special guests include commission members of the Idaho Wine Commission! Join us for Mark Pasculli and Jake Cragin’s perspective on grape production in Idaho and the role the Idaho Wine Commission plays in the grape and wine industries!
The Ag Talk Tuesday format starts with crop updates from extension specialists and industry partners at 11 AM Mountain (10 AM Pacific) lasting 20-30 minutes, followed by an introduction to our highlighted speakers. By that time, the irrigation pipes should have been moved, the cows fed, and morning chores complete - perfect timing to jump online prior to lunch!
More information can be found on the Ag Talk Tuesday website: https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday
Registration is required. To register, copy and paste this link in your web browser: https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwoceuqpzgrHtcuo-JwYrywKfEBP_jNgMcE#/registration
See you June 20 - 11:00 AM!
Courtesy of your Ag Talk Tuesday coordinators:
Juliet Marshall
Kasia Duellman
Doug Finkelnburg
Pamela J.S. Hutchinson
Olga Walsh
» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday
» https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwoceuqpzgrHtcuo-JwYrywKfEBP_jNgMcE#/registration
UI Extension Parma Field Day Tour
All Crops Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Magic Valley
Field Tour - Parma
Posted on: June 13, 2023 by Brad Stokes
UI Extension Parma Research and Extension Center Agricultural Field Day is next Wednesday June 21st 2023 beginning at 8:00 a.m. with registration of participants. The Field tour located at the UI Parma Research & Extension Center (29603 U of I Ln, Parma, ID 83660) will last until 11:15 a.m. with 2 CEU credits from Oregon Department of Agriculture and Certified Crop Assistants, 1 CEU credit from Idaho State Department of Agriculture. No need to pre-register and this is a FREE event. For further information contact James Woodhall, Olga Walsh or Brad Stokes.
2023 Peach Tree Borer
All Crops Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
Posted on: June 7, 2023 by Ruth Givens
Peachtree bores are predicted to emerge between June 15 and July 18. This pest is a concern for stone fruits: Peach, nectarine, apricot, cherry, and plum. Key symptoms of peachtree borer infestation is the presence of sawdust and frass mixed with the gummy substance near the base of the trunk. Prevention is the best method of control.
Larvae injure the fruit tree primarily by burrowing into the tree trunks just at or below the soil line but may enter trunk up to 12” above the soil line. Larvae feed in the cambium beneath the bark girdling the tree.
Chemical Control, Home Use: For orchards less than 1 acre, or for home yard trees, preventative trunk sprays are the primary control. Apply the first application immediately after first trap catch and repeat application based on product label guidelines. Follow the required pre-harvest interval (time between last application and allowed harvest of fruit) of insecticide product. Apply insecticide as a bark drench at a rate of 1⁄2 to 1 gallon of spray mix per tree. Thoroughly cover the lower 12 inches of trunk and soak the ground at the base of tree. Do not allow the sprays to contact fruit. For chemical option review the PNW handbook link below.
Chemical Control, Commercial: Reference the PNW handbook link below to see spring and summer application recommendations.
Cultural Control: Larvae inside the trunks can be killed by inserting a wire into entry holes. Kill larvae in the late summer and fall before they spend the winter and inflict their most extensive feeding damage the following spring. Keep base of tree free of vegetation – heat and dryness reduce the survival of eggs and larvae.
The following links have information about the life cycle of peachtree borer and control methods.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/peach-nectarine/peach-nectarine-peachtree-borer
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/peach-tree-borer-5-566/
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1651&context=extension_curall
UI Extension 2023 Cereals Field Days (Southern/Eastern Idaho)
All Crops Eastern Idaho, Magic Valley
Posted on: June 6, 2023 by Brad Stokes
UI Extension Cereals Field Days Schedule for 2023 (Southern/Eastern Idaho).
2023 Ag Talk Tuesday - June 6 session
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: June 5, 2023 by Kasia Duellman
Welcome to the 2023 season of Ag Talk Tuesday, presented by University of Idaho Extension every first and third Tuesday May-August, 11:00 AM to Noon (via Zoom).
» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday
» https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6g6ZYcM47s85ASnhBlMHbFMD-x-zAGt6
2023 Peach Twig Borer
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
2023 Peach Twig Borer
Posted on: May 31, 2023 by Ruth Givens
It is time for management of the peach twig borer, based on degree days. This pest is a concern for those growing peach, nectarine, apricot, plum and prune. Adult moths are 0.3 – 0.5 inches long, with light and dark gray mottled wings. Scales on the front of head cause the head to appear pointed. The larva is a caterpillar, about 0.5 inch long, with a dark brown head and distinctive, alternating light and dark bands on the body.
Larvae injure fruit trees by feeding on the buds and twigs early in the season, then the larvae bore into the shoots, causing a characteristic "flagging" or wilting of the new growth. Later generations of larvae feed within shoots or even on the fruit itself. Flagging of twigs indicates an infestation.
For chemical control management options review the PNW Handbook link below to select a control option appropriate for operation. Apply according to label directions.
For cultural controls prune out shoot strikes in the late spring and early summer as soon as they are detected to prevent these larvae from completing development and contributing to summer generations of the pest. If old shoot strikes are observed during pruning in late winter to early spring, plan to apply early season controls. Old strikes hold onto the dead leaves and appear as “flagged” terminals.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/peach-nectarine/peach-nectarine-peach-twig-borer
https://climate.usu.edu//includes/pestFactSheets/Peach-Twig-Borer.pdf
ISDA Spanish Pesticide Applicator Pre-License Training & Exam
All Crops Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
Pesticide Training ISDA
Posted on: May 31, 2023 by Brad Stokes
ISDA will be hosting a Pre-License Training and Exam sessions in Spanish on June 6th & 7th at the Idaho Fish and Game Southwest Regional Office (15950 N Gate Blvd, Nampa ID 84687). See flyer for details and for registration.
2023 Parma Field Day Tour
All Crops All Locations
all
Posted on: May 31, 2023 by Ronda Hirnyck
The Agricultural Field Day Tour will be held at the University of Idaho Parma Research and Extension Center Wednesday June 21, 2023.
Registration: 8:00 AM
Field Tour and Speaker Presentations: 8:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Tour includes: Soilborne diseases of crops, cover crops, cereal nurseries, straw mulch, temperature/irrigation on onion bulb rots and the new experimental hop yard.
Pesticide recertification credits have been applied for with ISDA, ODA and CCA.
For further information please contact:
James Woodhall jwoodhall@uidaho.edu
Olga Walsh owalsh@uidaho.edu
Brad Stokes bstokes@uidaho.edu
REMINDER! 2023 Snake River Weed Control Tour--Malheur Experiment Station
All Crops All Locations
Weeds
Posted on: May 31, 2023 by Ronda Hirnyck
It is that time of the year when we embark on field tours to learn
about research studies being conducted to advance our knowledge of weed control
in various crops. The 2023 Snake River Weed Research Tour at the Malheur
Experiment Station, Ontario, OR is planned as follows.
Date: June 15, 2023
Event: The 2023 Snake River Weed
Control Research Tour - Malheur Experiment Station
Venue: Malheur Experiment
Station, 595 Onion Ave, Ontario, OR 97914
Registration: 8:00 to 8:30AM
Tour: 8:30 to 12:00 PM MT
Complementary lunch will
follow as soon as tour is completed.
Pesticide Recertification Credits
Idaho
– 3 credits
Oregon
– 3 credits
Featured Weed Studies
First Stop:
1.
Herbicides for weed control in
dry bulb onion
Second Stop:
1.
Herbicides for weed control in
potato
2.
Evaluation of adjuvants used
with Roundup (glyphosate) to manage weeds in sugar beet
3.
Timing of first irrigation to
activate Sequence and Nortron herbicides for effective management of weeds in
sugar beet
4.
Herbicides for wild oats and
kochia control in winter wheat
Please save a date and share this notice with those on your
mailing list. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at the Malheur Experiment Station.
Joel Felix
Forecast is for cloddy with a chance of weeds
Potato All Locations
Weed control in cloddy fields
Posted on: May 19, 2023 by Pamela Hutchinson
All will agree that weather conditions spring 2023 have been
unusual: wide ranging snow cover, snow melt runoff and water pooling in fields,
and short bursts of intense wind and rain. One of the impacts on soil conditions
after potato growers were finally able to get into the fields for tillage and planting
has been the formation of clods.
What happens: Some preemergence herbicides applied
and sprinkler incorporated, or even chemigated, might not get below the clods,
resulting in patches of weeds emerging though the untreated soil.
What can be done: Questions have arisen about what
can be done proactively and the answer can be keeping herbicide solubility in
mind when designing a tank mixture. A more soluble herbicide might move through
and/or around ending up below clods resulting in better coverage. than a
herbicide with relatively less solubility.
What you need to know: In general, with the medium-
to coarse-textured, moderate organic matter content, neutral to high pH soils
in the PNW, potato herbicide solubility ranging from high to low: Matrix (rimsulfuron)
>> metribuzin, Outlook (dimethenamid-p) > Dual Magnum (s-metolachlor),
Eptam (EPTC) >> Linex (linuron), Reflex (fomesafen), Zidua
(pyroxasulfone) >> Chateau (flumioxazin), Sonalan (ethalfluralin),
Treflan (trifluralin), and Prowl H2O (pendimethalin). NOTE: Sulfentrazone
solubility is similar to that of Outlook unless soil pH is above 7.5, then it
is more soluble than the any of the other herbicides. Use of Trade Names is
not an endorsement for one product over another with the same active ingredient.
Put it together: Design a tank mixture for the weed
species in a field with inclusion of soluble herbicides that can move below the
clods for the best coverage possible.
Example: Control hairy nightshade, common
lambsquarters, and green foxtail in a cloddy field. Tank mix soluble Matrix or
Outlook for h. nightshade + soluble metribuzin for c. lambsquarters + moderately
soluble Linex for both** of the broadleaves. All provide green foxtail control.
Get out the crystal ball and the umbrella: If “unusual”
amounts of rainfall occur within 1 or 2 weeks after application and incorporation,
the “soluble” herbicides could move too far below the weed seed germination
zone.
Bulletin 950 https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/publications/bul/bul950
of Action (SOA) controlling the same weed species (“overlapping” control) is highly
recommended for herbicide resistance management. In the example given, Matrix, Outlook,
metribuzin, and Linex all have different SOAs. Without Linex, there is no
overlapping SOA for hairy nightshade and no overlapping SOA for common
lambsquarters. Linex as the third partner in the mix controls c. lambsquarters and has activity on h. nightshade. As a
result, there is more than one SOA on both weeds. The overlap is necessary for
herbicide resistance management. That one-in-a-million plant in the population naturally
tolerant to one SOA does not survive because the other SOA in the tank mixture will
provide control. If the tolerant plant survives and produces seeds because
overlapping herbicide SOA are not tank mixed and/or not rotated, then resistance
in the population could develop over time if only the one herbicide SOA is used.
Examples of Potato
Herbicide Sites of Action and weeds controlled - herbicides within [ ]
have the same SOA:
Hairy nightshade - Matrix, [Outlook/Dual Magnum/Zidua],
Eptam, [Reflex/Chateau], Linex;
Common lambsquarters – metribuzin, [Prowl H2O/Sonalan/Treflan],
Linex;
Redroot pigweed – all of these herbicides except metribuzin
when the population in a field is resistant to metribuzin;
Green foxtail – all of these herbicides.
then getting satisfactory SOA overlap is challenging. Linex seems to be the
only herbicide in that situation that can provide overlapping SOA for hairy
nightshade AND overlapping SOA for common lambsquarters.
2023 Apple-Codling Moth, First Generation- Home & Landscape
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
Apple-Codling Moth
Posted on: May 15, 2023 by Ruth Givens
Pest: Codling Moth Cydia pomonella
Currently the degree day model is reporting 206 degree days (DD) as of May 18. There are different management options to consider when controlling this pest.
Option A: Starting at 200 DD, forecasted to be May 17, apply a mixture of water and horticultural oil at 1% concentration to smother egg infestation. Follow with first application of insecticide at 350 DD. Reapply insecticides based on the protection interval stated on the label.
Option B: Starting at 220-250 DD, forecasted to be May 18, apply insecticides that target newly hatched larvae. Reapply insecticides based on the protection interval stated on the label.
Reference publication links to view insecticide options for commercial or residential sites. Commercial products with the active ingredients including; spinetoram, acetamiprid, chlorantraniliprole, etc. Residential products with active ingredients including; lambda-cyhalothrin (restricted use pesticide), or esfenvalerate and Spinosad (general-use pesticides). Non-spray option is to bag the fruit.
This pest needs prevention all season long for clean fruit.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/apple/apple-codling-moth
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1879&context=extension_curall
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/codling-moth-control-in-home-plantings-5-613/
2023 Apple-Codling Moth, First Generation
All Crops Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
Posted on: May 15, 2023 by Ruth Givens
Pest: Codling Moth Cydia pomonella
Currently the degree day model is reporting 206 degree days (DD) as of May 18. There are different management options to consider when controlling this pest.
Option A: Starting at 200 DD, forecasted to be May 17, apply a mixture of water and horticultural oil at 1% concentration to smother egg infestation. Follow with first application of insecticide at 350 DD. Reapply insecticides based on the protection interval stated on the label.
Option B: Starting at 220-250 DD, forecasted to be May 18, apply insecticides that target newly hatched larvae. Reapply insecticides based on the protection interval stated on the label.
Reference publication links to view insecticide options for commercial or residential sites. Commercial products with the active ingredients including; spinetoram, acetamiprid, chlorantraniliprole, etc. Residential products with active ingredients including; lambda-cyhalothrin (restricted use pesticide), or esfenvalerate and Spinosad (general-use pesticides). Non-spray option is to bag the fruit.
This pest needs prevention all season long for clean fruit.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/apple/apple-codling-moth
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1879&context=extension_curall
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/codling-moth-control-in-home-plantings-5-613/
Billbugs In Lawngrasses (Turf)
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
Billbugs
Posted on: May 15, 2023 by Brad Stokes
The term grub is used to designate the larvae of lawn damaging insects, typically the larvae of beetles. In Idaho, the most common and destructive is the billbug. There are four species of billbugs in Idaho: Bluegrass, Rocky Mountain, Phoenix and Hunting.
Current degree day modeling indicates that 30% of adult billbugs are present with a forecasted 50% adult billbug activity on May 30th. If you commonly experience billbug damage, your neighborhood experiences billbug damage, or you have Kentucky Bluegrass this timeframe can be used to apply a systemic insecticide for controlling billbugs if you desire.
Non-chemical control methods include selecting turf varieties of tall fescue, fine fescue and perennial ryegrass. Select endophytic cultivar(s) in which a fungus produces a compound toxic to grubs.
Systemic insecticide control is most effective for billbug infestations. Choose a product that lists one of the following active ingredients: chlorantraniliprole, clothianidan, imidacloprid or thiamethoxam. Follow label instructions to ensure safety and success.
https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/Extension/publications/cis/cis1204.pdf?la=en
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1860&context=extension_curall
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/billbugs-and-white-grubs-5-516/
2023 Fire Blight
Apple Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
Fire Blight
Posted on: May 3, 2023 by Ruth Givens
Fire blight is a bacterial plant disease that causes infections through open flowers on apple and pear (Rosaceae family). Infections occur during warm, wet days. A model is used to predict fire blight risk.
Based on the model, there is a very high potential for infection on open blossoms April 27 – early June. Fire blight is a disease that needs moisture (rain, dew) to cause infection. Higher upcoming temperatures increase the chance for infection with precipitation or dew moisture. Protect the blossoms of young trees and trees that had fire blight last year.
Monitor trees closely starting two weeks after bloom and prune out new infections immediately during dry conditions.
Refer to publications below for additional information for your application.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/pear-pyrus-spp-fire-blight
https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/apple-malus-spp-fire-blight
http://treefruit.wsu.edu/crop-protection/disease-management/fire-blight/
Ag Talk Tuesdays resume in 2023
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: April 17, 2023 by Kasia Duellman
Mark your calendars for every first and third Tuesday in May, June, July and August, 11:00 AM to Noon for Ag Talk Tuesday - live, online sessions (via Zoom).
Presented by University of Idaho Extension, the 2023 sessions of Ag Talk Tuesday continue with the second session of the season, this Tuesday, May 16. Sessions start at 11:00 AM with crop updates (everyone is invited to contribute). Following crop updates, enjoy a Featured Topic presented by a Guest Speaker. For this second session, we have invited Albert Adjesiwor with University of Idaho to discuss the Pacific Northwest Herbicide Resistance
Initiative and Idaho.
» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday
» https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwoceuqpzgrHtcuo-JwYrywKfEBP_jNgMcE#/registration
Lions and Tigers and Bears? Not quite, but Snow mold, dwarf smut and voles...
All Crops All Locations
Snow molds, dwarf bunt and voles
Posted on: March 30, 2023 by Juliet Marshall
Spring is…. Here? According to the calendar, yes. But
looking out at additional snow this morning in southeast Idaho and reviewing
the extended forecast, mother nature has stubbornly dug in her heels on winter.
The implications are that winter cereals are likely to be at
risk for damage and spring grain will never get planted. Or maybe it just seems
that way.
The extra moisture we are receiving with these consistent
spring snows and rain events makes so many of us relieved and happy. Our
subsoil moisture has been replenished and the reservoir system is recharging.
What a stroke of fortune!
Some areas in southeast Idaho haven’t seen bare ground since
early November. A mild fall facilitated the establishment and early growth of
winter wheat until cold temperatures rapidly shut down the season. However, what
is the outlook for the crop health of winter grain given how long we’ve had
snow cover?
Like any “good scientist”, I will say – That depends. When
we have long periods of time where snow covers the ground, two diseases can
become a major problem: snow mold and dwarf bunt. Snow can insulate the ground,
keeping the surface moist, preventing the soil from freezing and allowing these
cold-tolerant fungi to infect and grow on winter wheat. While difenoconazole seed
treatments are effective against dwarf bunt on susceptible varieties, there is
very little fungicide protection that is effective for snow mold when the snow
coverage exceeds three months – or in this year, up to five months!
Several years ago, I participated in a study that examined
the genetics of snow mold resistance up at the University of Idaho Tetonia
R&E Center. There were varieties that had a much higher tolerance for
fungal attack based on their genetic traits – the varieties that accumulated
more complex carbohydrates were less susceptible to being killed by snow mold
fungi. That meant that varieties when planted early enough to establish a
strong crown and high carbohydrate reserves survived long periods of time under
snow where there is very little sunlight. That was quite a while ago, and those
tolerant varieties are no longer grown.
Snow mold fungi feed off leaves, slowly depleting the
carbohydrates (or complex sugars) that plants need to survive – kind of like a
slow death by a thousand paper cuts. The longer the time spent under the snow,
the less the likelihood that the plants can survive. One of the stories I used
to hear was that growers would have fly ash flown on the fields to increase
rapid melting of the snow. That would require sunny days without additional
snow accumulation. That hasn’t happened this year. However, wheat can make a
recovery as long as the crown survives. After snow melt, check to see if the
crowns are white and firm. If they are soft and brown, then the plant is dead.
To add insult to injury, a healthy wheat stand under long
periods of snow cover allows voles to proliferate like mad! While worse in alfalfa,
stands can be significantly reduced in winter wheat as well. See the Feb 8
article written for “Catching up with CALS” with strategies and advice by
Danielle Gunn and Joseph Sagers: https://www.uidaho.edu/news/news-articles/colleges/cals/2023/020823-vexed-voles
As I head further south from Idaho Falls, I see large areas
of water ponding in low areas of the fields. The freeze-thawing cycles that
occur with substantial water saturation reduces plant survival as plants suffer
from frost-heaving, which rips and severs roots, and from anoxia – no oxygen
under flooded areas.
My best advice for spring grain, is to plant as soon as you
can (and not to bury the tractor in the low spots!) and to be sure the spring
grain is protected with fungicides that are effective against Pythium. These
fungal-like pathogens love cool and wet conditions and require specialized
“fungicides” that include metalaxyl. With the prevalence of metalaxyl-resistant
Pythium in the area, you may also need to consider the relatively new products
ethaboxam (Intego from Valent) and picarbutrazox (Vayantis from Syngenta).
In the meantime, we sit and wait. Good luck.
» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/cereals/scseidaho
» https://www.uidaho.edu/news/news-articles/colleges/cals/2023/020823-vexed-voles
First Lso-positive psyllid of the season
Potato All Locations
potato psyllid
Posted on: July 15, 2023 by Erik Wenninger
Apologies! This alert was posted on Friday, but an alert was not sent.
This week we received traps from all 55 fields that we are monitoring. We captured a total of 14 psyllids across 10 fields. Seven of the fields were in Canyon County; the remaining 3 fields were in Owyhee, Twin Falls, and Minidoka counties.
One of the psyllids we collected last week from Canyon County was positive for Lso, the bacterium associated with zebra chip disease (ZC). The other psyllids from last week were shipped to us late, so results are expected by Monday (and will be posted to the Idaho Pest Monitoring Dashboard, below). A positive psyllid this early in the season is somewhat concerning. ZC risk is in part a function of psyllid numbers and Lso incidence, so it is fortunate the psyllid numbers have been low so far. Nevertheless, we urge growers to watch psyllid captures closely and to have their IPM programs in place. More information on management can be found here: https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news/psyllid-management
Please visit our new site, the Idaho Pest Monitoring Dashboard, for graphical summaries of our psyllid captures for this season and the previous three seasons: https://idahopestmonitoring.org/
We will be posting and archiving our weekly updates on this site. In addition to the graphical summaries, you will be able to look back on all the weekly “blog” summaries for this year and easily compare captures among counties, regions, and years over 2020 to 2023.
To view the weekly data by site in the old spreadsheet format: https://tinyurl.com/potatopsyllid
» https://idahopestmonitoring.org/
» https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news/psyllid-management
» https://tinyurl.com/potatopsyllid
2023 Miller Research Potato Pest Management Field Day
Potato All Locations
Posted on: July 11, 2023 by Jeff Miller
» https://millerresearch.com/event/2023-miller-research-potato-pest-management-field-day/
» 2023_MR_Field_Day_Announcement.pdf
Want Pesticide Credits?
All Crops All Locations
Pesticide Credits
Posted on: July 10, 2023 by Kimberly Tate
Enroll in the University of Idaho (UI) Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) for the 2023 Summer Series Webinars (via Zoom; no camera/no account required). Each webinar is $10 per applicator. Completed webinar(s) receive multi-state pesticide credit(s). ISDA, ODA & WSDA credits available for completed webinar*. Note: ALL webinars are held at Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).
- Aug. 8 at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (MDT) — Desireè Wickwar: Turf insect management
- Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (MDT) — Doug Finkelnburg: Seed bank dynamics for grassy weed control in agricultural systems
- Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (MDT) — Dr. Pam Hutchinson & Dr. Albert Adjesiwor: Weather conditions and herbicide performance
*For pesticide credit: Pesticide applicators must answer questions within the webinar session. This requires individual computer and internet access for each user. Answers will be collected to confirm attendance was maintained for the entire webinar. Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) credits approved. Please register with your state license number(s).
Register Today: https://marketplace.uidaho.edu/C20272_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=53&SINGLESTORE=true
Need more information? Contact Kimberly Tate, University of Idaho Extension PSEP Sr. Instructor by phone (208) 364-4581 or email ktate@uidaho.edu.
» UI Extension Pesticide Safety Education Summer Series Poster
2023 Potato psyllid monitoring program underway in Idaho
Potato All Locations
potato psyllid
Posted on: July 7, 2023 by Tasha Stanzak
The University of Idaho and our crop consultant collaborators across the state are once again monitoring for potato psyllids, zebra chip disease (ZC), and liberibacter (Lso), the bacterium associated with ZC. The monitoring program covers commercial potato fields throughout southern Idaho and is funded in part by the Idaho Potato Commission and generous in-kind contributions by our cooperators.
Our official monitoring season began with wide deployment of traps last week and will continue for 10 to 12 weeks. We have 55 fields across the state this year, using 4 sticky traps per field at all sites.
This week we received traps from 52 of the 55 fields that we are monitoring. We captured a total of four psyllids across three fields, all in Canyon County. In addition, a limited number of fields was monitored prior to the official start of the monitoring program. We captured one psyllid in a field in Canyon County last week and zero so far over four weeks of monitoring at the Kimberly Research & Extension Center.
It is still early, but thus far we are seeing relatively low numbers of psyllids, similar to the numbers we observed in 2022.
We expect to have results on Lso incidence next week.
Please visit our new site, the Idaho Pest Monitoring Dashboard, for graphical summaries of our psyllid captures for this season and the previous three seasons: https://idahopestmonitoring.org/
We will be posting and archiving our weekly updates on this site. So in addition to the graphical summaries, you will be able to look back on all the weekly “blog” summaries and easily compare this year’s captures to previous years.
» https://idahopestmonitoring.org/
Southern / Southeastern Cereals Field Days coming up!
All Crops Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Eastern Idaho, Magic Valley
CEREALS ARE NOT A PEST!
Posted on: July 7, 2023 by Juliet Marshall
That's the name of our field days this year? Yes, it's true - come learn about the wheat and barley varieties that available to our area producers, cropping systems, fertility management and yes, those dang pests! What can be more fun that talking about smut? (Dwarf, loose, flag and cover your smut!) Scalds? Head blight?
Representatives from private industry, commissions and University of Idaho will be there, so hope to see you at one of the events!
» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/cereals/scseidaho
» Schedule for Extension Variety Trials
Western Cherry Fruit Fly (Rhagoletis indifferens) Detected In Canyon and Gem Counties
Cherry Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
Western Cherry Fruit Fly (Rhagoletis indifferens)
Posted on: June 23, 2023 by Brad Stokes
Tree Fruits Treasure Valley
Western Cherry Fruit Fly (Rhagoletis indifferens)
Idaho State Department of Agriculture
On June 21st the first 2023 Western Cherry Fruit Fly was captured in an Idaho State Department of Agriculture WCFF trap was reported from Canyon and Gem County. With traps being placed in north Marsing and south Emmett cherry trees.
Historically we expect to find WCFF in Gem County traps about a week after the first one is found in Canyon County, this year they arrived on the same week.
» https://extension.usu.edu/pests/research/western-cherry-fruit-fly
» https://treefruit.wsu.edu/crop-protection/opm/western-cherry-fruit-fly/
Thinning Fruits - Cultural Practices
Tree Fruits Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Eastern Idaho, Magic Valley
Posted on: June 21, 2023 by Brad Stokes
2023 Fruit Thinning – June 21, 2023
Cultural Alert
Fruits which are crowded on limbs should be thinned. Apples, pears, Asian pears, apricots, plums, and peaches all respond positively to thinning. Cherries and nut trees are usually not thinned. Thinning fruit will 1) increase fruit size, 2) improve the trees productivity in the year to come, and 3) reduce limb breakage as fruits begin to size. Too many fruits on a tree translates into small fruit that is often of poor quality.
General rules for thinning: 1) the earlier the better, 2) remove smaller fruits and leave the larger ones, 3) remove fruits with disease spots, hail damage, or other defects, 4) aim for even spacing.
General guidelines by fruit – see links below for additional detail.
Apples & pears: Almost always need thinning. Should be thinned to one fruit per spur with a good spacing of one fruit per 6” of branch. Asian pears spaced at one fruit per 6-8” of branch. Be careful not to break off spurs while thinning – spurs produce flowers and fruit for many years if not broken. Recommend to thin apples within 40 days of full bloom and pears within 60 days of full bloom.
Peaches & nectarines: Should be spaced at one fruit per 6-8” of branch. Fruits that are joined should be removed. Recommend to thin peaches about 70 days past full bloom.
Plums: Should be thinned to have spacing at 6” between fruit along the branch.
Apricots: If tree experiences heavy fruit set thin fruit spaced to 3” along branch.
Trees will exhibit “June Drop” which is when the tree will naturally drop fruit. Some prefer to wait until this event happens to thin, however there are great advantages to thinning early. More details can be found in the links below.
https://extension.wsu.edu/maritimefruit/fruit-thinning-for-high-quality/
http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/8047.pdf or attach as PDF from complete reference library
Other reference:
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/berries-fruit/fruit-thinning
Importance of scouting for late blight in potato
Potato Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Magic Valley
Late blight (potato)
Posted on: June 21, 2023 by Brad Stokes
Importance of scouting for late blight in potato
Kasia Duellman, Jeff Miller, Nora Olsen, Mike Thornton, Phill Wharton and James Woodhall
It has been several years since we have had an outbreak of late blight in Idaho. It is easy to forget that late blight can be a threat in this region given all the other issues that growers have to deal with during the growing season. However, history tells us that the most widespread late blight outbreaks have been associated with two factors: 1) presence of volunteer potatoes from the previous crop and/or planting of seed potatoes sourced from regions where late blight frequently occurs, and 2) frequent rain events throughout the growing season.
We want to stress that late blight has not been found in Idaho so far this year. However, the unseasonably wet and moderate weather we’ve had recently has created conditions for potential late blight outbreaks in many locations. For example, in western Idaho where the crop is just closing the rows, we have had several weeks of intermittent showers as shown by records from the Parma Agrimet site.
Although many areas of Idaho experienced a colder than normal winter, higher snow falls across the Snake River Valley mean that the soil temperatures in many areas remained above freezing. The University of Idaho Volunteer Survival Model (https://cropalerts.org/volunteer-survival/), shows the risk of volunteer potato survival this year was high in most areas in southern Idaho. Infected volunteer potatoes, cull piles and seed tubers along with the recent wet weather conditions can all potentially contribute to the development of a late blight this year. As such, it would be prudent to plan ahead for the management of any potential late blight outbreaks.
Effective management of late blight requires the implementation of an integrated disease management approach, including strict sanitation practices (e.g. management of cull piles), good irrigation management, and the proper timing and application of effective fungicides. All these practices together can reduce the chances of a late blight outbreak.
Scouting is the first line of defense against late blight. Field scouting should begin after emergence when the first plants are 4 to 6 inches tall. In potato fields after plants close across the rows, look for late blight in the lower portions of the plant where the foliage stays wet longer. Scouting should be concentrated in areas of the field most likely to remain wet for the longest period of time, such as the center tower of pivot irrigation system, irrigation overlaps, and areas missed by fungicide applicators such as the edges of fields. Low spots where soil moisture is highest and parts of the field shaded by windbreaks are examples of areas where scouting should be intensified. The symptoms of late blight (see pictures at the end of this article) can be confused with other diseases and physiological disorders. If you find plants displaying symptoms of late blight, we recommend you take them to a local expert than can confirm the diagnosis.
Scouting allows growers to make informed disease and pest management decisions and provides early detection of other problems that may be present in the field, such as nutrient deficiency or herbicide injury. By using information collected by scouts, growers can time fungicide applications for optimal effectiveness. This is especially important for the control of late blight as fungicides are most effective when applied to foliage before infection occurs or when the disease is in its very earliest stages of development and no symptoms are visible. In the irrigated fields of southern Idaho, late blight can be very difficult to manage once infections become established as the humid microclimate within the canopy favors further disease development after irrigation.
There are a wide range of fungicides labeled for use against potato late blight. Each fungicide is different and will have specific conditions for use listed on the label with additional details regarding application rates, re-entry intervals and total product amounts that can be applied in a season. Some may even include information on how to minimize the risk of fungicide resistance developing. Fungicides that are effective for the control of late blight tend to have one of three modes of action: germination inhibition (they prevent germination of spores and thus plant infection), inhibiting mycelial growth (they block pathogen colonization of the plant cells), anti-sporulation activity (they prevent the pathogen from sporulating and thus limit spread of the disease). For more information on properties of fungicides registered for use in potatoes go to the following link: https://cropalerts.org/2020/04/24/potato-late-blight-control-recommendations-for-southern-idaho-in-2020/.
In years when late blight has been confirmed in Idaho it has usually appeared after mid-July. In the last wide scale outbreak that occurred in SE Idaho, late blight was first reported in Bingham County on July 10. On that date, the high temperature recorded at Aberdeen R&E Center was 67oF and it had been a wet June with daily rainfall totals as high as 0.5 in. (see below). These are ideal disease conditions. If you suspect late blight please contact your local county UI Extension office or Kasia Duellman, Jeff Miller, Nora Olsen, Mike Thornton, Phill Wharton or James Woodhall.
To provide additional information on the threat of late blight the University of Idaho operates a spore trapping network in cooperation with the Idaho Potato Commission. Weekly updates from this network will be on the IPM website (https://idahopestmonitoring.org) starting the week of July 3rd.
Master Gardeners Confirm Squash Bugs are Active!
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
Squash Bug (Anasa tristis)
Posted on: June 20, 2023 by Brad Stokes
2023 Squash Bug – June 20, 2023
Squash Bug (Anasa tristis)
Squash bugs have been reported in Canyon County by an Idaho Master Gardener. It is time to check the underside of cucurbit (pumpkins and squash are the most attractive) leaves for the bronze-colored egg clusters. In addition, monitor plants for nymphs, adults and plants wilting due to feeding injury.
MANAGEMENT
Wooden boards, shingles, or heavy cardboard can be placed on the ground next to the host plant. Squash bugs tend to move under the board/object at night. In the morning, turn the object over and destroy the pest.
Hand-pick and destroy adults, nymphs or egg clusters. Other options include rolled duct tape around fingers to pull off egg clusters, cutting off the egg part of the leaf or applying petroleum jelly directly to the eggs. Increased success is achieved when started early in the season and done every 2 to 3 days to keep numbers low.
Cultural methods include sanitation, plating squash varieties that are more tolerant of squash bug feeding, crop rotation and time of planting.
Additional control methods can be found in the linked publications:
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/vegetable/vegetable-pests/common-vegetable/vegetable-crop-squash-bug
https://extension.usu.edu/pests/ipm/notes_ag/veg-squashbug
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74144.html
» Squash Bug Eggs (Photo by: Hai Longworth)
» Squash Bug Adult (Photo by: Hai Longworth)
Ag Talk Tuesday - June 20, 2023 session
All Crops All Locations
General announcment - all crops
Posted on: June 19, 2023 by Juliet Marshall
The ATT is very pleased to announce that tomorrow’s special guests include commission members of the Idaho Wine Commission! Join us for Mark Pasculli and Jake Cragin’s perspective on grape production in Idaho and the role the Idaho Wine Commission plays in the grape and wine industries!
The Ag Talk Tuesday format starts with crop updates from extension specialists and industry partners at 11 AM Mountain (10 AM Pacific) lasting 20-30 minutes, followed by an introduction to our highlighted speakers. By that time, the irrigation pipes should have been moved, the cows fed, and morning chores complete - perfect timing to jump online prior to lunch!
More information can be found on the Ag Talk Tuesday website: https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday
Registration is required. To register, copy and paste this link in your web browser: https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwoceuqpzgrHtcuo-JwYrywKfEBP_jNgMcE#/registration
See you June 20 - 11:00 AM!
Courtesy of your Ag Talk Tuesday coordinators:
Juliet Marshall
Kasia Duellman
Doug Finkelnburg
Pamela J.S. Hutchinson
Olga Walsh
» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday
» https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwoceuqpzgrHtcuo-JwYrywKfEBP_jNgMcE#/registration
UI Extension Parma Field Day Tour
All Crops Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Magic Valley
Field Tour - Parma
Posted on: June 13, 2023 by Brad Stokes
UI Extension Parma Research and Extension Center Agricultural Field Day is next Wednesday June 21st 2023 beginning at 8:00 a.m. with registration of participants. The Field tour located at the UI Parma Research & Extension Center (29603 U of I Ln, Parma, ID 83660) will last until 11:15 a.m. with 2 CEU credits from Oregon Department of Agriculture and Certified Crop Assistants, 1 CEU credit from Idaho State Department of Agriculture. No need to pre-register and this is a FREE event. For further information contact James Woodhall, Olga Walsh or Brad Stokes.
2023 Peach Tree Borer
All Crops Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
Posted on: June 7, 2023 by Ruth Givens
Peachtree bores are predicted to emerge between June 15 and July 18. This pest is a concern for stone fruits: Peach, nectarine, apricot, cherry, and plum. Key symptoms of peachtree borer infestation is the presence of sawdust and frass mixed with the gummy substance near the base of the trunk. Prevention is the best method of control.
Larvae injure the fruit tree primarily by burrowing into the tree trunks just at or below the soil line but may enter trunk up to 12” above the soil line. Larvae feed in the cambium beneath the bark girdling the tree.
Chemical Control, Home Use: For orchards less than 1 acre, or for home yard trees, preventative trunk sprays are the primary control. Apply the first application immediately after first trap catch and repeat application based on product label guidelines. Follow the required pre-harvest interval (time between last application and allowed harvest of fruit) of insecticide product. Apply insecticide as a bark drench at a rate of 1⁄2 to 1 gallon of spray mix per tree. Thoroughly cover the lower 12 inches of trunk and soak the ground at the base of tree. Do not allow the sprays to contact fruit. For chemical option review the PNW handbook link below.
Chemical Control, Commercial: Reference the PNW handbook link below to see spring and summer application recommendations.
Cultural Control: Larvae inside the trunks can be killed by inserting a wire into entry holes. Kill larvae in the late summer and fall before they spend the winter and inflict their most extensive feeding damage the following spring. Keep base of tree free of vegetation – heat and dryness reduce the survival of eggs and larvae.
The following links have information about the life cycle of peachtree borer and control methods.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/peach-nectarine/peach-nectarine-peachtree-borer
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/peach-tree-borer-5-566/
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1651&context=extension_curall
UI Extension 2023 Cereals Field Days (Southern/Eastern Idaho)
All Crops Eastern Idaho, Magic Valley
Posted on: June 6, 2023 by Brad Stokes
UI Extension Cereals Field Days Schedule for 2023 (Southern/Eastern Idaho).
» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/cereals/scseidaho
» 2023 Cereal Schools Field Days Flyer (Schedule)
2023 Ag Talk Tuesday - June 6 session
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: June 5, 2023 by Kasia Duellman
Welcome to the 2023 season of Ag Talk Tuesday, presented by University of Idaho Extension every first and third Tuesday May-August, 11:00 AM to Noon (via Zoom).
» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday
» https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6g6ZYcM47s85ASnhBlMHbFMD-x-zAGt6
2023 Peach Twig Borer
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
2023 Peach Twig Borer
Posted on: May 31, 2023 by Ruth Givens
It is time for management of the peach twig borer, based on degree days. This pest is a concern for those growing peach, nectarine, apricot, plum and prune. Adult moths are 0.3 – 0.5 inches long, with light and dark gray mottled wings. Scales on the front of head cause the head to appear pointed. The larva is a caterpillar, about 0.5 inch long, with a dark brown head and distinctive, alternating light and dark bands on the body.
Larvae injure fruit trees by feeding on the buds and twigs early in the season, then the larvae bore into the shoots, causing a characteristic "flagging" or wilting of the new growth. Later generations of larvae feed within shoots or even on the fruit itself. Flagging of twigs indicates an infestation.
For chemical control management options review the PNW Handbook link below to select a control option appropriate for operation. Apply according to label directions.
For cultural controls prune out shoot strikes in the late spring and early summer as soon as they are detected to prevent these larvae from completing development and contributing to summer generations of the pest. If old shoot strikes are observed during pruning in late winter to early spring, plan to apply early season controls. Old strikes hold onto the dead leaves and appear as “flagged” terminals.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/peach-nectarine/peach-nectarine-peach-twig-borer
https://climate.usu.edu//includes/pestFactSheets/Peach-Twig-Borer.pdf
ISDA Spanish Pesticide Applicator Pre-License Training & Exam
All Crops Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
Pesticide Training ISDA
Posted on: May 31, 2023 by Brad Stokes
ISDA will be hosting a Pre-License Training and Exam sessions in Spanish on June 6th & 7th at the Idaho Fish and Game Southwest Regional Office (15950 N Gate Blvd, Nampa ID 84687). See flyer for details and for registration.
2023 Parma Field Day Tour
All Crops All Locations
all
Posted on: May 31, 2023 by Ronda Hirnyck
The Agricultural Field Day Tour will be held at the University of Idaho Parma Research and Extension Center Wednesday June 21, 2023.
Registration: 8:00 AM
Field Tour and Speaker Presentations: 8:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Tour includes: Soilborne diseases of crops, cover crops, cereal nurseries, straw mulch, temperature/irrigation on onion bulb rots and the new experimental hop yard.
Pesticide recertification credits have been applied for with ISDA, ODA and CCA.
For further information please contact:
James Woodhall jwoodhall@uidaho.edu
Olga Walsh owalsh@uidaho.edu
Brad Stokes bstokes@uidaho.edu
» Parma_Field_Day_Tour_Flyer.pdf
REMINDER! 2023 Snake River Weed Control Tour--Malheur Experiment Station
All Crops All Locations
Weeds
Posted on: May 31, 2023 by Ronda Hirnyck
It is that time of the year when we embark on field tours to learn
about research studies being conducted to advance our knowledge of weed control
in various crops. The 2023 Snake River Weed Research Tour at the Malheur
Experiment Station, Ontario, OR is planned as follows.
Date: June 15, 2023
Event: The 2023 Snake River Weed
Control Research Tour - Malheur Experiment Station
Venue: Malheur Experiment
Station, 595 Onion Ave, Ontario, OR 97914
Registration: 8:00 to 8:30AM
Tour: 8:30 to 12:00 PM MT
Complementary lunch will
follow as soon as tour is completed.
Pesticide Recertification Credits
Idaho
– 3 credits
Oregon
– 3 credits
Featured Weed Studies
First Stop:
1.
Herbicides for weed control in
dry bulb onion
Second Stop:
1.
Herbicides for weed control in
potato
2.
Evaluation of adjuvants used
with Roundup (glyphosate) to manage weeds in sugar beet
3.
Timing of first irrigation to
activate Sequence and Nortron herbicides for effective management of weeds in
sugar beet
4.
Herbicides for wild oats and
kochia control in winter wheat
Please save a date and share this notice with those on your
mailing list. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at the Malheur Experiment Station.
Joel Felix
Forecast is for cloddy with a chance of weeds
Potato All Locations
Weed control in cloddy fields
Posted on: May 19, 2023 by Pamela Hutchinson
All will agree that weather conditions spring 2023 have been
unusual: wide ranging snow cover, snow melt runoff and water pooling in fields,
and short bursts of intense wind and rain. One of the impacts on soil conditions
after potato growers were finally able to get into the fields for tillage and planting
has been the formation of clods.
What happens: Some preemergence herbicides applied
and sprinkler incorporated, or even chemigated, might not get below the clods,
resulting in patches of weeds emerging though the untreated soil.
What can be done: Questions have arisen about what
can be done proactively and the answer can be keeping herbicide solubility in
mind when designing a tank mixture. A more soluble herbicide might move through
and/or around ending up below clods resulting in better coverage. than a
herbicide with relatively less solubility.
What you need to know: In general, with the medium-
to coarse-textured, moderate organic matter content, neutral to high pH soils
in the PNW, potato herbicide solubility ranging from high to low: Matrix (rimsulfuron)
>> metribuzin, Outlook (dimethenamid-p) > Dual Magnum (s-metolachlor),
Eptam (EPTC) >> Linex (linuron), Reflex (fomesafen), Zidua
(pyroxasulfone) >> Chateau (flumioxazin), Sonalan (ethalfluralin),
Treflan (trifluralin), and Prowl H2O (pendimethalin). NOTE: Sulfentrazone
solubility is similar to that of Outlook unless soil pH is above 7.5, then it
is more soluble than the any of the other herbicides. Use of Trade Names is
not an endorsement for one product over another with the same active ingredient.
Put it together: Design a tank mixture for the weed
species in a field with inclusion of soluble herbicides that can move below the
clods for the best coverage possible.
Example: Control hairy nightshade, common
lambsquarters, and green foxtail in a cloddy field. Tank mix soluble Matrix or
Outlook for h. nightshade + soluble metribuzin for c. lambsquarters + moderately
soluble Linex for both** of the broadleaves. All provide green foxtail control.
Get out the crystal ball and the umbrella: If “unusual”
amounts of rainfall occur within 1 or 2 weeks after application and incorporation,
the “soluble” herbicides could move too far below the weed seed germination
zone.
Bulletin 950 https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/publications/bul/bul950
of Action (SOA) controlling the same weed species (“overlapping” control) is highly
recommended for herbicide resistance management. In the example given, Matrix, Outlook,
metribuzin, and Linex all have different SOAs. Without Linex, there is no
overlapping SOA for hairy nightshade and no overlapping SOA for common
lambsquarters. Linex as the third partner in the mix controls c. lambsquarters and has activity on h. nightshade. As a
result, there is more than one SOA on both weeds. The overlap is necessary for
herbicide resistance management. That one-in-a-million plant in the population naturally
tolerant to one SOA does not survive because the other SOA in the tank mixture will
provide control. If the tolerant plant survives and produces seeds because
overlapping herbicide SOA are not tank mixed and/or not rotated, then resistance
in the population could develop over time if only the one herbicide SOA is used.
Examples of Potato
Herbicide Sites of Action and weeds controlled - herbicides within [ ]
have the same SOA:
Hairy nightshade - Matrix, [Outlook/Dual Magnum/Zidua],
Eptam, [Reflex/Chateau], Linex;
Common lambsquarters – metribuzin, [Prowl H2O/Sonalan/Treflan],
Linex;
Redroot pigweed – all of these herbicides except metribuzin
when the population in a field is resistant to metribuzin;
Green foxtail – all of these herbicides.
then getting satisfactory SOA overlap is challenging. Linex seems to be the
only herbicide in that situation that can provide overlapping SOA for hairy
nightshade AND overlapping SOA for common lambsquarters.
» Solubility of herbicides labeled for use in potatoes
2023 Apple-Codling Moth, First Generation- Home & Landscape
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
Apple-Codling Moth
Posted on: May 15, 2023 by Ruth Givens
Pest: Codling Moth Cydia pomonella
Currently the degree day model is reporting 206 degree days (DD) as of May 18. There are different management options to consider when controlling this pest.
Option A: Starting at 200 DD, forecasted to be May 17, apply a mixture of water and horticultural oil at 1% concentration to smother egg infestation. Follow with first application of insecticide at 350 DD. Reapply insecticides based on the protection interval stated on the label.
Option B: Starting at 220-250 DD, forecasted to be May 18, apply insecticides that target newly hatched larvae. Reapply insecticides based on the protection interval stated on the label.
Reference publication links to view insecticide options for commercial or residential sites. Commercial products with the active ingredients including; spinetoram, acetamiprid, chlorantraniliprole, etc. Residential products with active ingredients including; lambda-cyhalothrin (restricted use pesticide), or esfenvalerate and Spinosad (general-use pesticides). Non-spray option is to bag the fruit.
This pest needs prevention all season long for clean fruit.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/apple/apple-codling-moth
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1879&context=extension_curall
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/codling-moth-control-in-home-plantings-5-613/
2023 Apple-Codling Moth, First Generation
All Crops Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
Posted on: May 15, 2023 by Ruth Givens
Pest: Codling Moth Cydia pomonella
Currently the degree day model is reporting 206 degree days (DD) as of May 18. There are different management options to consider when controlling this pest.
Option A: Starting at 200 DD, forecasted to be May 17, apply a mixture of water and horticultural oil at 1% concentration to smother egg infestation. Follow with first application of insecticide at 350 DD. Reapply insecticides based on the protection interval stated on the label.
Option B: Starting at 220-250 DD, forecasted to be May 18, apply insecticides that target newly hatched larvae. Reapply insecticides based on the protection interval stated on the label.
Reference publication links to view insecticide options for commercial or residential sites. Commercial products with the active ingredients including; spinetoram, acetamiprid, chlorantraniliprole, etc. Residential products with active ingredients including; lambda-cyhalothrin (restricted use pesticide), or esfenvalerate and Spinosad (general-use pesticides). Non-spray option is to bag the fruit.
This pest needs prevention all season long for clean fruit.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/apple/apple-codling-moth
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1879&context=extension_curall
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/codling-moth-control-in-home-plantings-5-613/
Billbugs In Lawngrasses (Turf)
General Landscape and Garden Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
Billbugs
Posted on: May 15, 2023 by Brad Stokes
The term grub is used to designate the larvae of lawn damaging insects, typically the larvae of beetles. In Idaho, the most common and destructive is the billbug. There are four species of billbugs in Idaho: Bluegrass, Rocky Mountain, Phoenix and Hunting.
Current degree day modeling indicates that 30% of adult billbugs are present with a forecasted 50% adult billbug activity on May 30th. If you commonly experience billbug damage, your neighborhood experiences billbug damage, or you have Kentucky Bluegrass this timeframe can be used to apply a systemic insecticide for controlling billbugs if you desire.
Non-chemical control methods include selecting turf varieties of tall fescue, fine fescue and perennial ryegrass. Select endophytic cultivar(s) in which a fungus produces a compound toxic to grubs.
Systemic insecticide control is most effective for billbug infestations. Choose a product that lists one of the following active ingredients: chlorantraniliprole, clothianidan, imidacloprid or thiamethoxam. Follow label instructions to ensure safety and success.
https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/Extension/publications/cis/cis1204.pdf?la=en
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1860&context=extension_curall
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/billbugs-and-white-grubs-5-516/
2023 Fire Blight
Apple Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho
Fire Blight
Posted on: May 3, 2023 by Ruth Givens
Fire blight is a bacterial plant disease that causes infections through open flowers on apple and pear (Rosaceae family). Infections occur during warm, wet days. A model is used to predict fire blight risk.
Based on the model, there is a very high potential for infection on open blossoms April 27 – early June. Fire blight is a disease that needs moisture (rain, dew) to cause infection. Higher upcoming temperatures increase the chance for infection with precipitation or dew moisture. Protect the blossoms of young trees and trees that had fire blight last year.
Monitor trees closely starting two weeks after bloom and prune out new infections immediately during dry conditions.
Refer to publications below for additional information for your application.
https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/pear-pyrus-spp-fire-blight
https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/apple-malus-spp-fire-blight
http://treefruit.wsu.edu/crop-protection/disease-management/fire-blight/
https://utahpests.usu.edu/ipm/notes_ag/fruit-fire-blight
Ag Talk Tuesdays resume in 2023
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: April 17, 2023 by Kasia Duellman
Mark your calendars for every first and third Tuesday in May, June, July and August, 11:00 AM to Noon for Ag Talk Tuesday - live, online sessions (via Zoom).
Presented by University of Idaho Extension, the 2023 sessions of Ag Talk Tuesday continue with the second session of the season, this Tuesday, May 16. Sessions start at 11:00 AM with crop updates (everyone is invited to contribute). Following crop updates, enjoy a Featured Topic presented by a Guest Speaker. For this second session, we have invited Albert Adjesiwor with University of Idaho to discuss the Pacific Northwest Herbicide Resistance
Initiative and Idaho.
» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday
» https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwoceuqpzgrHtcuo-JwYrywKfEBP_jNgMcE#/registration
Lions and Tigers and Bears? Not quite, but Snow mold, dwarf smut and voles...
All Crops All Locations
Snow molds, dwarf bunt and voles
Posted on: March 30, 2023 by Juliet Marshall
Spring is…. Here? According to the calendar, yes. But
looking out at additional snow this morning in southeast Idaho and reviewing
the extended forecast, mother nature has stubbornly dug in her heels on winter.
The implications are that winter cereals are likely to be at
risk for damage and spring grain will never get planted. Or maybe it just seems
that way.
The extra moisture we are receiving with these consistent
spring snows and rain events makes so many of us relieved and happy. Our
subsoil moisture has been replenished and the reservoir system is recharging.
What a stroke of fortune!
Some areas in southeast Idaho haven’t seen bare ground since
early November. A mild fall facilitated the establishment and early growth of
winter wheat until cold temperatures rapidly shut down the season. However, what
is the outlook for the crop health of winter grain given how long we’ve had
snow cover?
Like any “good scientist”, I will say – That depends. When
we have long periods of time where snow covers the ground, two diseases can
become a major problem: snow mold and dwarf bunt. Snow can insulate the ground,
keeping the surface moist, preventing the soil from freezing and allowing these
cold-tolerant fungi to infect and grow on winter wheat. While difenoconazole seed
treatments are effective against dwarf bunt on susceptible varieties, there is
very little fungicide protection that is effective for snow mold when the snow
coverage exceeds three months – or in this year, up to five months!
Several years ago, I participated in a study that examined
the genetics of snow mold resistance up at the University of Idaho Tetonia
R&E Center. There were varieties that had a much higher tolerance for
fungal attack based on their genetic traits – the varieties that accumulated
more complex carbohydrates were less susceptible to being killed by snow mold
fungi. That meant that varieties when planted early enough to establish a
strong crown and high carbohydrate reserves survived long periods of time under
snow where there is very little sunlight. That was quite a while ago, and those
tolerant varieties are no longer grown.
Snow mold fungi feed off leaves, slowly depleting the
carbohydrates (or complex sugars) that plants need to survive – kind of like a
slow death by a thousand paper cuts. The longer the time spent under the snow,
the less the likelihood that the plants can survive. One of the stories I used
to hear was that growers would have fly ash flown on the fields to increase
rapid melting of the snow. That would require sunny days without additional
snow accumulation. That hasn’t happened this year. However, wheat can make a
recovery as long as the crown survives. After snow melt, check to see if the
crowns are white and firm. If they are soft and brown, then the plant is dead.
To add insult to injury, a healthy wheat stand under long
periods of snow cover allows voles to proliferate like mad! While worse in alfalfa,
stands can be significantly reduced in winter wheat as well. See the Feb 8
article written for “Catching up with CALS” with strategies and advice by
Danielle Gunn and Joseph Sagers: https://www.uidaho.edu/news/news-articles/colleges/cals/2023/020823-vexed-voles
As I head further south from Idaho Falls, I see large areas
of water ponding in low areas of the fields. The freeze-thawing cycles that
occur with substantial water saturation reduces plant survival as plants suffer
from frost-heaving, which rips and severs roots, and from anoxia – no oxygen
under flooded areas.
My best advice for spring grain, is to plant as soon as you
can (and not to bury the tractor in the low spots!) and to be sure the spring
grain is protected with fungicides that are effective against Pythium. These
fungal-like pathogens love cool and wet conditions and require specialized
“fungicides” that include metalaxyl. With the prevalence of metalaxyl-resistant
Pythium in the area, you may also need to consider the relatively new products
ethaboxam (Intego from Valent) and picarbutrazox (Vayantis from Syngenta).
In the meantime, we sit and wait. Good luck.
» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/cereals/scseidaho
» https://www.uidaho.edu/news/news-articles/colleges/cals/2023/020823-vexed-voles
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