Integrated Pest Management

Fruit and Vegetable News, Volume 12, Issue 2 (May 13, 2021)

The express purpose of this article is to share proposed and upcoming changes to pesticide regulations; the information provided does not supersede existing pesticide labels and regulations. *

Botrytis is a major disease threat as harvest approaches. Botrytis cinerea is a fungus that affects many plant species, especially wine grapes, where it is commonly known as Botrytis bunch rot or gray mold.

In July 2023, the EPA posted 10 years (2013-2022) of pesticide incident (see glossary) data on its website. This was done to increase transparency and provide a better understanding of pesticide exposures, including exposures to vulnerable populations.

At 3 to 4 weeks after bloom, the risks of black rot (BR), Phomopsis (Ph; including cane and leaf spot, and fruit rot), and powdery mildew (PM) are decreasing. Downy mildew (DM) will be the main threat. While most Botrytis bunch rot infections occur around bloom and fruit set, bunch closing and veraison may also be critical points for protection when weather conditions are favorable for infection, especially on susceptible varieties.

The growth period from 2 weeks pre-bloom until 3 to 4 weeks post-bloom is the most critical for protecting foliage, and especially flowers and newly set fruit from black rot (BR), Phomopsis (Ph), powdery mildew (PM), Downy mildew (DM), and Botrytis bunch rot infections.

Listed below are the corn trait packages to make it easier to understand seed guides, sales material and bag tags. It is an abbreviated version of the Bt trait table plus related extension materials free online at: https://www.texasinsects.org/bt-corn-trait-table.html. Information listed Includes the name of each trait package, bag tag code, Bt toxins expressed (Cry1 types and Vip3A for caterpillars, Cry3 types for rootworms), refuge requirement (RIB=% refuge in the bag or REF=% structured refuge) and herbicide tolerance (GLY= glyphosate /Roundup-Ready, LL=glufosinate/Liberty Link, 2,4D or group 1 ‘fops’ type herbicides). Note that older trait packages, with limited or no commercial availability, are listed, so you can look back and interpret previous year’s planting records, seed guides, and research results.

Take a look at the research happening here at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center in Upper Marlboro (CMREC-UM). Even though we are one of the smallest Research and Education Centers (RECs) in the State, our scope of research is quite vast.  Here at CMREC-UM you will find research on agronomy, cover crops, forestry, horticulture, irrigation, livestock, water quality and more.

Woodlands are under increasing pressure from both native and invasive insects or diseases. Insect or disease management providers are listed here.

Learn about the "blue paint law" that will make marking your woodland boundaries less time-consuming. There's news about two recent awards for the Woodland Stewardship Education program, and information about the native Southern Pine Beetle. Our regular features include the "Woodland Wildlife Spotlight," "Invasives in Your Woodland," plus the events calendar, the Brain Tickler challenge, and the News and Notes section.