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2022 Blossom End Rot

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Northern Idaho

Blossom End Rot

Posted on: August 8, 2022 by Ruth Givens

Blossom-end rot is showing up on tomato plants. Pepper, eggplant, squash, and watermelon can also be affected.

Blossom-end rot is a physiological disorder due to a shortage of calcium in young fruit. Blossom-end rot often occurs when soil moisture fluctuates as water stress interferes with calcium uptake in the plant.  Most Treasure Valley garden soils have enough calcium and additions are not recommended. Refer to soil test results.

Cultural control practices: Use infrequent deep irrigation to keep the soil uniformly moist and avoid water stress or fluctuating soil moisture. Organic mulch can be used to prevent wide fluctuations in soil moisture. Avoid over fertilizing and hoeing or cultivating near the roots.

https://utahpests.usu.edu/ipm/notes_ag/veg-blossom-end-rot

https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/tomato-solanum-lycopersicum-blossom-end-rot

https://extension.usu.edu/vegetableguide/tomato-pepper-eggplant/blossom-end-rot

University of Idaho, Parma R and E Center Field Day

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: August 5, 2022 by Jerry Neufeld

The University of Idaho Parma Research and Extension Center
is hosting a Field Day on August 18 in the morning.  Click on the pdf below for more information.

» Parma_R_and_E_Field_Day_2022.pdf

more Lso-positive psyllids found

Potato    All Locations

potato psyllid

Posted on: August 4, 2022 by Erik Wenninger

This week we received traps from 68 of the 72 fields that we are monitoring this year. We found a total of 18 psyllids across 12 (18%) of the 68 fields observed. 

Psyllids were captured in the following counties: Canyon (5 fields), Payette (1 field), Jerome (2 fields), Twin Falls (1 field), Cassia (1 field), Minidoka (1 field), and Power (1 field).

Interestingly, 14 of the 17 psyllids collected last week tested positive for Lso, the bacterium associated with zebra chip disease (ZC). Positive psyllids were found in all counties in which we recorded psyllid captures last week.

We continue to see low captures of psyllids this season, but relatively high incidence of Lso. We urge growers to watch psyllid captures and Lso incidence closely and to have their IPM programs in place. 

More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news

--Click on the link under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.

--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.

To view contour maps that illustrate relative psyllid abundance across the landscape, you can set up a free account here: https://potatoes.decisionaid.systems/ Updated maps will be generated every Friday morning.

» http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news

Ag Talk Tuesday - August 2

All Crops    All Locations

General announcment - all crops

Posted on: August 1, 2022 by Kasia Duellman

Please join us for the next Ag Talk Tuesday session, August 2, 2022 (tomorrow) at 11:00 AM (MT). 

Registration is required (you only need to register once for the whole season). Register here:

https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElce6uqTwpH9CuQSsCTa_7B01HC8gfuGXn

Share or listen to crop updates, then enjoy our featured topic:

How Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) are set for potato products and Potato variety acceptance for French fries by quick service restaurants (QSR); Presenters: Tom Salaiz and Paul Watson, McCain Foods 

This is our second to last session for 2022. The final session will be August 16. 

Check out our website for more information: https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday 

» https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElce6uqTwpH9CuQSsCTa_7B01HC8gfuGXn

» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday

Psyllid Update July 28, 2022

Potato    All Locations

potato psyllid

Posted on: July 29, 2022 by Tasha Stanzak

This week we received traps from 66 of the 72 fields that we are monitoring this year. We found a total of 17 psyllids across 11 (17%) of the 66 fields observed. Psyllids were captured from three fields in Canyon County on traps that had been deployed for two weeks. 

Psyllids were captured in the following counties: Canyon (5 fields), Jerome (1 field), Twin Falls (3 fields), Cassia (1 field), and Minidoka (1 field).

Thankfully, none of the psyllids collected last week tested positive for Lso, the bacterium associated with zebra chip disease (ZC).

Psyllid numbers this week ticked up a bit from last week’s very low count, but overall captures continue to lag far behind the total captures that we observed by this time last year. 

Despite the low psyllid captures, given the incidence of Lso observed in previous weeks, we urge growers to watch psyllid captures closely and to have their IPM programs in place. 

As promised last week, we can share one of the figure summaries of psyllid captures over the season compared among years. Visit our site, below, to see one such figure illustrating this year’s low captures relative to the last two years. We hope to be able to show you more in the coming weeks as we work out the “bugs” on our new psyllid monitoring page. 

More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news

--Click on the link under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.

--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.

Also, to view contour maps that illustrate relative psyllid abundance across the landscape, you can set up a free account here: https://potatoes.decisionaid.systems/ Updated maps will be generated every Friday morning.

» psyllid_capture_comparison_by_week_2020_2021_to_26_july_2022.pdf

July 21, 2022 psyllid update

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: July 22, 2022 by Erik Wenninger

This week we had traps deployed in 64 of the 72 fields that we are monitoring this year, though traps from two fields were not submitted. We found a total of 12 psyllids across 10 (16%) of the 62 fields observed. 

Psyllids were captured in the following counties: Canyon (2 fields), Jerome (1 field), Twin Falls (2 fields), Cassia (2 fields), Minidoka (2 fields), and Power (1 field).

Three of the four psyllids collected last week tested positive for Lso, the bacterium associated with zebra chip disease (ZC). Positive psyllids were collected from both of the fields in which we found psyllids last week (in Canyon and Bingham counties).

Psyllid numbers this week ticked up a bit from last week’s very low count, but overall captures remain far behind the 100+ psyllids that we were capturing each week by this time last year. 

Despite the low psyllid captures, given the incidence of Lso observed over the last two weeks, we urge growers to watch psyllid captures closely and to have their IPM programs in place. 

In other news, we have a new site in development that allows you to explore our psyllid captures by county and region in Idaho over time and to compare this year’s captures with those from recent years. It’s still in the testing phase, but we expect to be able to share at least part of that functionality next week. 

More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news

--Click on the link under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.

--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.

A BIG Week for Cereals Field days! Let's GO, Idaho!

Small Grains    Eastern Idaho

Cereals

Posted on: July 18, 2022 by Juliet Marshall

See the Attached PDF file for locations and directions

» UI_Extension_2022_Cereals_Field_Days_For_Southern_Eastern_ID.pdf

Ag Talk Tuesday - Cancelled for Tuesday July 19th

Small Grains    Eastern Idaho

Wheat, barley, etc

Posted on: July 18, 2022 by Juliet Marshall

Ag Talk Tuesday Registrants,

Thank you for registering for the University of Idaho Ag Talk Tuesday sessions.

Please note that the July 19^th session is cancelled. All organizers will be at different meetings and unavailable.

Ag Talk Tuesday sessions will return for August 2 and August 16. You can view the scheduled topics here: https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday

First Lso-positive psyllids of the 2022 season

Potato    All Locations

potato psyllid

Posted on: July 15, 2022 by Erik Wenninger

This week we had traps deployed in 64 of the 72 fields that we are monitoring this year. We found a total of only 4 psyllids across 2 (3%) of the 64 fields. 

Psyllids were captured in the following counties: Canyon (1 field) and Bingham (1 field).

5 of the 12 psyllids collected last week tested positive for Lso, the bacterium associated with zebra chip disease (ZC). Positive psyllids were collected from fields in Canyon, Owyhee, Twin Falls, and Cassia counties.

So far this has been a quiet season for psyllid captures in Idaho; by this time last year we were trapping well over 100 psyllids per week. However, the incidence of Lso observed last week is somewhat concerning. Risk of ZC is a function of both psyllid numbers and Lso incidence, so it is fortunate that psyllid numbers have been low thus far. In all of the fields in which a positive psyllid was found last week, no psyllids at all were found this week.

To view contour maps that illustrate relative psyllid abundance across the landscape, you can set up a free account here: https://potatoes.decisionaid.systems/ Updated maps will be generated every Friday morning.

More information can be found here: http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news

--Click on the link under “Updated weekly reports” for details on trap captures.

--Click on the “Psyllid Management” link on the left panel for information on psyllid and zebra chip biology and management.

» http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news

Need Pesticide Credits?

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: July 12, 2022 by Jerry Neufeld

The University of Idaho Pesticide Safety Education Program will be offering a three credit webinar recertification series on August 2, 9, and 16.  Click on the pdf below for more information.

» 2022_UI-Extension-PSEP-Summer_Series.pdf

2022 Miller Research Potato Pest Management Field Day

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: July 8, 2022 by Jeff Miller

Miller Research will be holding its annual potato pest
management field day on Wednesday, August 17. The event is open to the public
and there is no cost to attend but
please RSVP so we can plan appropriately for the event. This can be
done on our website or by responding to cheryn@millerresearch.com or (208)
431-4420.

The field day will begin at the field located at the main
office at Miller Research at 422 E 200 N in Rupert (42.649075 N, -113.585594
E).

A detailed agenda and additional information can be found at the link provided here.

» https://millerresearch.com/event/2022-miller-research-potato-pest-management-field-day/

» 2022_MR_Field_Day_Announcement.pdf

2022 Potato psyllid monitoring program underway in Idaho

Potato    All Locations

potato psyllid

Posted on: July 7, 2022 by Erik Wenninger

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 72 fields across the state this year, using 4 sticky traps per field at all sites. 

This week we had traps deployed in 64 fields, though we are still waiting for traps to come in from three fields. We found a total of 12 psyllids across 7 (11%) of the fields for which we have data. We have been monitoring three fields at the Kimberly Research & Extension Center since mid-May, and, interestingly, this week is the first that we have found potato psyllids. In previous years we nearly always captured psyllids here before the end of May. 

Psyllids were captured in the following counties: Canyon (3 fields), Owyhee (1 field), Twin Falls (2 fields), and Minidoka (1 field).

We expect to have results on Lso incidence next week in addition to “heat maps” and additional details.

More information on psyllid monitoring and management can be found here: 

https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news/psyllid-management

Details on weekly trap captures can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1av-jeEKrbDfYis-eS9nB-ZcKzazXyMWmz7NSAiyt3Go/edit?usp=sharing

» https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/news/psyllid-management

» https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1av-jeEKrbDfYis-eS9nB-ZcKzazXyMWmz7NSAiyt3Go/edit?usp=sharing

2022 Turfgrass Mowing Height & Watering

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Northern Idaho

Turfgrass Mowing Height & Watering

Posted on: July 6, 2022 by Ruth Givens

MOWING

The weather is warming and now is the time to check the mowing height at which your turfgrass is cut. Increasing the length of grass blade encourages a deeper root growth and provides more shade cover of the soil surface reducing water evaporation.

For summer mowing height Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue are recommended to be maintained at 3 inches, perennial ryegrass at 2 inches, and tall fescue at 4 inches. Ensure that the mower blade is sharp and follow the one-third rule; remove no more than one-third of the leaf growth each mowing.

Grass clipping which are left on the lawn by mulching decompose quickly, feed soil organisms, recycle plant nutrients, and increase organic matter in the soil.

WATERING

The goal of irrigation is to keep the lawn healthy when rainfall is not dependable. The key is to moisten the top 12 inches of the root zone. Watering deeply (10 to 12 inches) but infrequently produces healthy turf. Practicing deep watering reduces weed populations, benefits landscape trees and shrubs, increases water use efficiency, and forces an exchange of soil atmosphere with each irrigation. Early morning is the best time to water.

Determining how deep irrigation water goes can be done by using a soil probe or shovel to check soil moisture the day after irrigation. At 10 to 12 inches deep the soil should feel slightly damp. If the soil feels dry at the 10- to 12-inch depth increase the duration of water application to fill the root zone. As weather conditions change adjust the frequency of irrigation to maintain plant available water in the root zone.

Identifying or knowing soil type will help to determine the frequency of water application, rate of water infiltration, and the soils water holding capacity. For example, heavy clay soils have a greater water holding capacity, but have a slower infiltration rate (speed at which water enters the soil). These soils can be watered less frequently (once a week or less) and may need multiple application of water on day of watering to allow water to move into the soil.  Sandy soils have less water holding capacity and a greater infiltration rate. These soils need to be watered more frequently to maintain comparable turf.

For a more calculated approach to water application reference the publication links below.

https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/CIS/CIS1098.pdf

https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/CIS/CIS1157.pdf

Ag Talk Tuesday - next session July 5

All Crops    All Locations

General announcement - all crops

Posted on: June 29, 2022 by Kasia Duellman

The next session of the University of Idaho's Ag Talk Tuesday series features Travis Youngberg (NRCS), who will present on "Sustainable, regenerative and other buzz words." The session starts at 11:00 AM (MT) and registration is required to attend (register once to attend all 2022 sessions). 

Current season crop updates precede the featured presentation, and all ag-related (soil, water, nutrient, pest, weed, disease) issues for all crops large or small (throughout Idaho and the region and even the world!) may be represented in these engaging, interactive round-table discussions.

Join us July 5 at 11:00 AM (MT).

Registration information is available by following this link: https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday

» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday

2022 Peachtree Borer

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Northern Idaho

Peachtree Borer

Posted on: June 29, 2022 by Ruth Givens

Peachtree bores are predicted to emerge between July 2 and July 5. 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 ½ 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

2022 Peach Twig Borer

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Northern Idaho

Peach Twig Borer

Posted on: June 22, 2022 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

Ag Talk Tuesday - June 21, 2022

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: June 17, 2022 by Kasia Duellman

» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday

TOUR DATE CHANGED to JUNE 28TH - Aberdeen Snake River Weed Mg Tour and Field day

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: June 17, 2022 by Pamela Hutchinson

CHANGE THE DATE OF THE Aberdeen Snake
River Weed Mg Tour and Field day

Tuesday JUNE 28^TH 
instead of June 21^st.

Please pass the word

• Registration
  8:30 to 9aTour
  9a to noon
• Followed
  by a sponsored lunch.
• You
  do not need to Pre-register / RSVP

 Three
Idaho pesticide recertification credits will be available.

 EMAIL phutch@uidaho.edu WITH QUESTIONS.

Kimberly does NOT change – will still be held Wednesday June 22nd.

Featured
on the Aberdeen R&E Center Tour Tuesday June 28th

• Herbicide tank mixtures for use in potatoes; Potato variety herbicide tolerance; Simulated Excess
  Rainfall Effects on Herbicides and Potato Crop Safety; Herbicide site of action
  demonstration.
• Weed control in quinoa; Herbicide management in Litchi tomato; Fiber hemp herbicide tolerance.
• In
  addition - Updates from: USDA/University of Idaho potato breeding, Potato disease management, Seed potatoes, Barley and Wheat production and varieties.