Scout for Aphids Before Conducting an Early Spray in Winter Wheat

Aphids in Wheat The bird cherry oat (Rhopalosiphum padi), English grain (Sitobion avenae), greenbug (Schizaphis graminum), and corn leaf (Rhopalosiphum maidis) aphids are key pest species in small grains (wheat, barley, and cereal rye) in Kentucky for their role as

Posted in Grains

Preemergence Herbicides for Kentucky Lawns (AGR-272)

Herbicides are used to control unwanted plants in many different locations. In turfgrass, several herbicides are used to control weeds before they germinate and begin to grow. These are called “preemergence herbicides” and are commonly sold as “weed preventers.” They

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 from February 1 to February 28, 2023.  Rodent injury was diagnosed on forage fescue.  On greenhouse vegetables and ornamental crops,

Posted in Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab

Critical time to Begin Sampling for Alfalfa Weevil

The University of Kentucky Ag Weather Center’s degree day model for alfalfa weevil indicates that many counties in Kentucky are likely to exceed the 190 Degree Days (DD) used as a starting point to begin scouting by early to mid-March.

Posted in Forages

Commercial Growers Vegetable Alert Listserv

Commercial vegetable growers can subscribe to the Veggie Alert Listserv. This e-mail distribution list allows growers to receive the most up-to-date information and notifications from University of Kentucky specialists. To subscribe to the listserv, go to this link, and enter

Posted in Announcements, Vegetables

Pesticide Storage Fire Preparation

While everyone would like to avoid a fire in a pesticide storage area, waiting to prepare until a fire incident occurs is too late. There are a number of steps to take to help avoid or to mitigate injury, losses,

Posted in Pesticide Topics

Downy Mildew of Grape (PPFS-FR-S-13)

Downy mildew is a significant disease of commercial and backyard grapes in Kentucky. This disease causes direct yield losses when flowers, fruit, and shoots become infected. Indirect losses result when premature defoliation impacts fruit quality, predisposes vines to winter injury,

Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos

EPA IPM Webinar: Fungal Biopesticides – A Growing Option in Pest Control

Biological pesticides, or biopesticides, are usually inherently less toxic than conventional pesticides and generally affect only the target pests and closely related organisms. This free webinar will discuss various fungal biopesticides —  Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium, Isaria (Cordyceps) — and their effective applications to manage pests,

Posted in Announcements, Pesticide Topics

Recommendations for Starting Disease-Free Vegetable Transplants

Home gardeners and commercial growers likely have placed their seed orders or have last year’s seed saved. Over the next few weeks, many will plant those seeds in order to establish transplants for spring and summer gardens. In some cases,

Posted in Vegetables

Pesticide Storage & Cold Weather

Pesticides are a significant investment for many ag producers, and cold weather during storage can ruin some pesticides. Pesticides also must be stored properly and in a secured place to meet regulations and to keep persons and the environment safe. 

Posted in Pesticide Topics

Submitting Turfgrass Samples for Disease Diagnosis (PPFS-OR-T-14)

Diagnosing turfgrass diseases can be challenging in the field, but it is even more problematic when relying on a small sample collected from the site.  However, proper collection and submission of turfgrass samples can enhance the accuracy and timeliness of

Posted in Featured Pubs & Videos

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

University of Kentucky’s 46th Annual Turf and Landscape Short Course

Registration is now open for the University of Kentucky’s 46th Annual Turf and Landscape Short Course, presented in partnership with the Kentucky Horticulture Council. The event will be held at the Hardin County Extension Center in Elizabethtown, KY on February

Posted in Announcements, Lawn & Turf

New Tomato and Pepper Virus Detected in Kentucky     

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

Posted in Vegetables

Winter Woes on Woody Landscape Plants: Winter Drying

The UK Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (PDDL) has received many broadleaf and needled evergreen samples with discolored foliage recently.  Despite relatively mild weather during much of the winter thus far, extremely low temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds during the

Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs