Powdery Mildew Powdery mildew is being observed in some wheat fields in the state (Figure 1). My general historical observations of powdery mildew of wheat in Kentucky have been limited, with very few observations in commercial fields over the past…
Sanitation Recommendations for Small-Scale Field Hemp Plantings
Hemp is often considered a disease-free plant. However, research is being done to determine whether certain pathogens can increase to problematic levels in the field. Should disease become a significant problem in field-planted hemp, the result can be premature leaf…
Posted in Hemp
Vegetable Scouting Guides Available Online
The IPM Scouting Guide publications for vegetable crops are valuable resources for growers. This information can also be easily accessed through the Veggie Scout Website. Be sure to bookmark this website for easy access in the future. This website provides…
Posted in Vegetables
The Rotten Truth about Bitter Rot
While fruit rots have a variety of causes, the most common fungal fruit rot of apple in Kentucky is bitter rot. The disease results in rotten, inedible fruit. Fungicides are available for management; however, sanitation is critical for disease prevention.…
Posted in Fruit
Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook
The 2024 Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook is now available. This handbook represents a joint effort of vegetable production Extension specialists and researchers from 12 land-grant universities in the U.S., including the University of Kentucky. The latest information on cultivars,…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
2024 Insect Trap Counts
Trap counts for major insect pests are provided by the Kentucky IPM Program. Traps are located at the UK Research and Education Center in western Kentucky and the UK Spindletop Farm in Lexington. Below are trap counts for the current…
Posted in Insect Trap Counts
Watch for Thrips in High Tunnels
There have been several reports of thrips on high tunnel vegetables this past week. As thrips feed on developing tissues in the bud of the seedlings, infested plants often display distorted new growth emerging from the growing point. Ideally, producers…
Posted in Greenhouses/High Tunnels
Bagging Fruit for Disease & Insect Management
In Kentucky, pest management in home orchards can be challenging, and fungicide and insecticide applications are often necessary for management of certain pests. Fruit bagging, however, can eliminate certain sprays by physically protecting fruit during development. This method can be…
Posted in Fruit
Hanging by a Thread
Dead, curled leaves dangling by fungal “threads” are typical of a disease called thread blight. This disease is more common in eastern Kentucky, where sites are more prone to heavy fog or lack morning sun. Thread blight has been observed…
Posted in Fruit, Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Fruit Grower Alert Listservs
Kentucky fruit growers can subscribe to crop-specific e-mail listservs in order to receive up-to-date information and important alerts from University of Kentucky Extension Specialists. Separate listservs are available for: Contact Kim Leonberger (kimberly.leonberger@uky.edu) or Delia Scott (delia.scott@uky.edu) to be added…
Posted in Fruit
IPM Scouting Guides for Common Problems of Vegetable Crops
Scouting and monitoring crops to determine potential problems before they result in serious economic loss is key to the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. University of Kentucky Extension Specialists in Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Horticulture have collaborated to create IPM…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab Highlights
The following plant disease highlights have been compiled from samples diagnosed in the University of Kentucky Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory from April 24 to May 7, 2024. Diagnoses on agronomic crop samples have included alfalfa weevil feeding on alfalfa; dry…
Posted in Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
2024 Insect Trap Counts
Trap counts for major insect pests are provided by the Kentucky IPM Program. Traps are located at the UK Research and Education Center in western Kentucky and the UK Spindletop Farm in Lexington. Below are trap counts for the current…
Posted in Insect Trap Counts
Pre- and Post-emergence Strike of Slugs & Snails on Soybeans
Abundance of Slugs & Snails in 2024 The warmer winter in 2024, along with rains and foggy conditions during several days in March and April, have been conducive to the presence of slugs and snails in commercial and research plots…
Posted in Grains
Sclerotinia Diseases of Vegetable Crops
Sclerotinia diseases can infect numerous vegetable crops and can be known by many different names. The most commonly affected vegetable hosts include beans (white mold), cabbage (head rot), lettuce (drop), and tomato (timber rot). Vegetable crops in commercial production (field…
Posted in Vegetables
Kentucky Pest News 