Rhizosphaera needle cast is often to blame for brown or thin spruce in the landscape. In Kentucky, Rhizosphaera needle cast is the most common disease of spruce; it also affects some pine species. This disease causes needle drop on lower…
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Downy Mildew of Grape
Downy mildew is an important disease of commercial and backyard grapes in Kentucky. Warm, wet, humid weather conditions favor infection and disease development. When flowers, clusters, and shoots become infected by downy mildew, yield losses result. This disease may also…
Posted in Fruit
Vegetable Diseases to Scout for: Southern Blight
Southern blight, or basal stem rot as it is sometimes called, most commonly affects tomato, pepper, cucumbers, beans, and cabbage, but has a very wide host range and can infect many crops. The disease can occur in any system where…
Posted in Vegetables
Ornamental Pear Damaged by Fire Blight
During March or April, pathogenic bacteria infected flowers or young shoots. Now, shepherd’s crooks (Figure 1) and spur dieback (Figure 2) are becoming more prominent. Often, damage is not noticed until later in the season when branches die completely. …
Posted in Fruit
Avoid Introduction of Boxwood Blight into the Landscape
Boxwood blight can be devastating to American boxwood cultivars, which are common in the Kentucky landscape. Complete defoliation can occur within a week and plants can die within a single growing season. Use of tolerant cultivars, cultural practices, and fungicides…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Dogwood Anthracnose Spotted
Anthracnose of dogwood is a common problem in Kentucky. Symptoms on landscape and forest dogwoods often first appear during wet periods in late spring. If left unmanaged, the pathogen spreads, eventually resulting in plant death. Selection of resistant varieties and…
Posted in Forest Trees, Landscape Trees & Shrubs
EPA Cancels Sale and Use of Some Pesticides
Last week the EPA announced the cancelation of the registration for several pesticide registrations. These cancellations were voluntarily requested by the registrants. What this means is that any distribution, sale, or use of these products is subject to this cancellation. …
Posted in Pesticide Topics
