Late in the day on July 31, cucurbit downy mildew was found on cucumber in south-central Kentucky. Microscopy was used to confirm presence of the pathogen, by identifying its dark sporulation on the leaf surface (Figure 1) and oval, dark…
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
Bacterial Leaf Scorch Can Torch Landscape Trees
Kentucky’s landscapes are populated by many trees that are susceptible to bacterial leaf scorch. This disease may not kill trees instantly, but over time, it can have devastating effects. Pruning and reducing stress can prolong the life of infected trees;…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Giant Wasps Swarming My Lawn!
The UK Department of Entomology receives numerous calls about large wasps swarming over lawns in late July through August. These are often very large cicada killer wasps. While a nest is made by a single female cicada killer wasp, they…
Posted in Human Pests
Cleaning & Sanitizing Commercial Greenhouse Surfaces (PPFS-GH-07)
Greenhouse and nursery sanitation practices help prevent the introduction and spread of plant diseases and pests. Being proactive in maintaining a clean growing environment will often be less expensive and more effective than reacting to a disease or pest issue…
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 Laboratories from July 15 to July 31, 2020. Diagnostic samples of agronomic crops have included Rhizoctonia crown rot, summer black stem…
Posted in Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
2020 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
Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab Operations Update
The University of Kentucky Extension Plant Pathology Team would like to provide the following updated guidelines for managing Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab operations during COVID-19 and the re-opening phases in Kentucky. Lexington PDDL Laboratory Until further notice, operations of the…
Posted in Announcements, Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
Beware of Unsolicited Gifts (Seeds)!
People in several states, including several residents in Kentucky, have received unsolicited small packages of foreign seeds in the mail from China. Potentially these can pose a threat to Kentucky agriculture and the environment through the introduction of invasive plants…
Posted in Announcements
New Disease Severity and Insect Defoliation Training Tool
Crop scouts and field researchers now have a new tool at their disposal to help correctly estimate disease severity and insect defoliation in field crops. The new online tool has been developed by the Crop Protection Network and can be…
Posted in Grains
Threecornered Alfalfa Hopper Found Cutting Soybeans
Problem In response to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent in Butler County (Gregory K Drake), we visited a soybean field that had plants cut off or lodged at 1 to 3 inches above ground (Figure 1). This field, which…
Posted in Grains
Southern Blight of Hemp
In 2018, there were significant increases in confirmed cases of southern blight in hemp. The fungal disease affects a wide range of plant species, as well as hemp. When stems and roots become infected, plants can wilt, decline, and/or die,…
Posted in Hemp
Cucurbit Downy Mildew Creeping Closer to Kentucky
Cucurbit downy mildew was confirmed on winter squash in central Tennessee on July 24, so all Kentucky cucurbit growers should be on alert for this disease in their crops. Symptoms are shown in Figures 1 and 2, on cucumber and…
Posted in Vegetables
How Dry Seasons Affect Woody Plants
Water is an essential component to plant mass and is vital to growth, carbohydrate production, and nutrient transport. During periods of below-average rainfall or when rain distribution is uneven, plant health may decline (Figure 1). Drought conditions or inadequate water…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Grape Powdery Mildew (video)
Dr. Nicole Gauthier, Plant Pathology Extension Specialist, has created a short video (3:04 minutes) focusing on grape powdery mildew. This video provides information on disease appearance and prevention. Grape Crown Gall is available online. For additional publications on small fruit…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
