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…
Monthly Archives: May 2023
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
Start Monitoring for Garden Pests Today
Whether it’s slugs, squash vine borer, or Colorado potato beetle, home gardeners know that every year some creepy crawly is looking for a free meal in their vegetable patch. Unfortunately, pest management in home gardens often relies on a reactive,…
Posted in General Pests
Pesticide Calculations for Small Acreages (EntFact-800)
Most agricultural pesticide labels list use rates on a per acre basis, but this can pose an issue for many producers of specialty crops. In these cases, often only a small fraction of an acre needs to be treated, and…
Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos
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
An Iridescent Purple Carabid (Ground Beetle) Found in Field Crops of Kentucky
Beetles have hard forewings that may partially or totally cover their membranous flight wings. These wings can be dull, very colorful, or covered with small hairs (as in Dectes stem borer). Many have a bright metallic color, and in many…
Posted in Grains
Botrytis Gray Mold of Vegetable Crops
Botrytis gray mold can affect numerous vegetable crops resulting in damage to plants and fruit. The disease occurs in field, high tunnel, and greenhouse production; however, conditions in protected agriculture environments (greenhouses and high tunnels) often lead to greater disease…
Posted in Vegetables
Black Rot of Grapes
Black rot is a common disease of grapes in Kentucky. Due to the prevalence of this disease, it is also one of the most economically important diseases of grapes. Black rot can affect all young, developing, above ground plant tissues.…
Posted in Fruit
Fire Blight Symptoms Now Visible on Fruit Crops
Fire blight is the most important disease of apple and pear in Kentucky. Symptoms may now be visible; however, initial infections occurred at bloom. The pathogen survives winter in dead, dying, and diseased wood and in cankers. Removal of these…
Posted in Fruit
Kentucky Pest News 