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…
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
Kentucky Pest News 