Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV, tobamovirus) is a new virus that has been sporadically detected across the U.S. and in Kentucky. ToBRFV was first identified in Israel in 2014 and confirmed in the U.S. in 2018. It was first…
Commercial Strawberry Grower Survey
Do you grow strawberries commercially? If so, the University of Kentucky Extension Specialists need your help! In order to determine future priorities and grower needs for disease, insect, and weed management, more information about the current challenges that growers face…
Posted in Announcements, Fruit
Season of the Itch: Chiggers Are Out
Chiggers are one of the banes of summer here in Kentucky. The symptoms they induce can drive a person to the brink of itchy insanity, and some people react more strongly than others. They are also frustrating as their tiny…
Posted in Human Pests
What’s Wrong with My Taxus? (ID-52)
Taxus (yew) is an evergreen shrub commonly found in Kentucky landscapes. Numerous conditions can cause these shrubs to exhibit symptoms of yellowing and browning. Taxus troubles can be the result of diseases, insects, or adverse growing conditions. Pinpointing the specific…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
How NOT to Submit Plant Samples for Diagnosis
When landscape or garden plants begin to show symptoms of a problem, or when commercial crops start to decline, the two questions from home gardeners’ and commercial growers’ alike are: what is causing the problem and what can be done…
Posted in Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab Highlights
The following plant disease highlights have been compiled from samples submitted to the University of Kentucky Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory from May 31 to June 6, 2023. Diagnoses on agronomic crop samples have included fungal seed/seedling rots caused by species…
Posted in Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
2023 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
2023 Pest Management Field Day Slated for June 29 at Princeton
Don’t let plant diseases, weeds, and insect problems bug you this summer. Take action by attending the 2023 Pest Management Field Day. It’s an opportunity to receive the latest Integrated Pest Management research data and control recommendations while interacting with…
Posted in Announcements
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 it has been observed on apple, cherry, and viburnum. Other potential hosts include cotoneaster, dogwood, gooseberry,…
Posted in Fruit, Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Bacterial Canker of Tomato (PPFS-VG-06)
Bacterial canker is a potentially serious disease of tomato that can occur in commercial plantings and residential gardens. This infectious disease is capable of spreading rapidly, resulting in devastating losses. In addition, the pathogen can be difficult to eradicate once…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab Highlights
The following plant disease highlights have been compiled from samples submitted to the University of Kentucky Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory during May 2023. Diagnoses on agronomic crop samples have included flooding damage on corn; bacterial stripe/black chaff, take-all, and freeze…
Posted in Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
2023 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
Reports of True Armyworm in Hay in Central & Western Kentucky
This past week, there were a few reports of large numbers of armyworms in hay fields collecting on equipment as the fields were being cut. This is a different species from the fall armyworm that had an outbreak in soybeans,…
Posted in Grains
Bacterial Spot of Pepper
Bacterial spot is the most common and economically important disease of peppers in Kentucky. The disease occurs in commercial and homegrown production. Disease damage to leaves results in yield reduction, while diseased fruits become unmarketable. Cultural and sanitation practices can…
Posted in Vegetables
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
Kentucky Pest News 