We, the members of the University of Kentucky Extension Plant Pathology Team, appreciate the high regard Kentuckians have for our plant diagnostic services. Year-round, we work hard to support our fellow citizens in their diverse plant production systems. The COVID-19…
Monthly Archives: March 2020
Last Year’s Hemp Diseases Equal This Year’s Disease Risk
Disease presence last year can indicate a risk for the same disease this year. Many pathogens overwinter on infected plant material or as pathogen survival structures. Poor sanitation practices can lead to an increased risk of these diseases in the…
Posted in Hemp
Fire Blight Alert and Risk Map Overview
Apple and pear trees are at bloom or approaching bloom across Kentucky. Infection by the fire blight bacterium occurs during bloom, thus, protectant antibiotics should be applied when risk is high. Risk for infection can be assessed using the Fire…
Posted in Fruit
Bugs of Boxwoods
Boxwoods are incredibly common ornamental shrubs in the state of Kentucky. Unfortunately, they are also popular with some of our insect pests. Two in particular, the boxwood leafminer and the boxwood psyllid, show up most often. Boxwood leafminer Leafminers are…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Pesticides, Respirators, and Covid-19
There is a critical need for N95 respirators for health care workers to deal with the increasing threat of Covid-19, which means that there are few, if any, respirators available in the marketplace for agricultural pesticide applications. Some herbicide, fungicide,…
Posted in Pesticide Topics
Plant Diseases of Fruit Prediction Models for Kentucky Counties (PPFS-FR-T-07)
Numerous plant diseases impact fruit crops throughout Kentucky. Factors such as plant growth stage, as well as rainfall, temperature, and other weather conditions, can be used to determine risk for plant disease. Disease prediction models can aid growers in assessing…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
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
Warrior II with Zeon Technology® Approved for Control of Crane Flies in Alfalfa
In 2019, we reported that an alfalfa field was affected by crane flies in Muhlenberg County. Similar issues have been observed this year in the same field. Alfalfa plants showed signs of severe injuries to stems, foliage, and roots. A…
Posted in Forages
Fire Blight Alert and Risk Map Overview
Apple and pear trees are approaching bloom. Infection by the fire blight bacterium occurs during bloom, thus, protectant antibiotics should be applied when risk is high. Risk for infection can be assessed using the Fire Blight Disease Prediction Model. Growers…
Posted in Fruit
Covid-19 and Pesticide Certification and Licenses
Due to the emergency situation caused by the Covid-19 outbreak and suspension of all face-to-face training meetings and testing for Private Applicators at county Extension offices in Kentucky, we are using the following procedures to certify new private applicators. Similarly,…
Posted in Pesticide Topics
Black Shank of Tobacco (PPFS-AG-T-06)
Black shank is one of the most important diseases of burley and dark tobacco in Kentucky. Management is dependent on the successful combination of crop rotation, resistant varieties, and soil-directed fungicide applications. This new publication discusses symptoms, cause, disease development,…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
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
Scout Now for Tobamovirus Symptoms in Greenhouse Vegetables and Tobacco
Tobamoviruses, including tobacco mosaic virus, cucumber green mottle mosaic virus, tomato mosaic virus, and tomato brown rugose fruit virus, are threats to greenhouse vegetable and tobacco production. Here are some quick facts about tobamoviruses: Most can be seed-transmitted. Typical seed…
Posted in Tobacco
Begin Scouting Fields for Alfalfa Weevil
The UK Ag Weather Center’s degree day model for alfalfa weevil indicates that some counties in southern Kentucky have exceeded the 190DD used as a starting point to begin scouting. Other counties will exceed that total within the next few…
Posted in Forages
Last Year’s Ornamental Diseases Equal This Year’s Disease Risk
Disease presence last year can indicate a risk for the same disease this year. Many pathogens overwinter on infected plant material or as pathogen survival structures. Poor sanitation practices can lead to an increased risk of these diseases in the…
Posted in Ornamentals
Kentucky Pest News 