Cooperative Extension Service  ________________________________________________ Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

Hard on the heels of a strong cold front which front plunged the mercury to well below freezing on New Years Eve and New Years day, Southwest Florida was slammed two successive fronts on January 4 - 5 and January 9 –10, which again dropped temperatures below freezing causing further damage to vegetable crops across the area.

On January 5th, temperatures fell as low as 24^o F around Immokalee and remained below freezing for seven hours resulting in further crop damage to already damaged crops.  Crop damage was greatest in normally colder interior and northern sections of the region.  On January 10th temps again dipped below freezing for a brief period with lows of 31^o F recorded in Immokalee.

Unprotected vine crops were a complete loss.  Damage to other crops was significant and varied widely from complete loss to varying degrees of injury.  Covers and overhead irrigation freeze protection systems definitely proved their worth and protected crops were spared major damage and should grow out as temperatures improve.

Cool weather continued during the early part of the past two weeks, with temperatures averaging four to seven degrees below normal.   Low temperatures have slowed plant growth and recovery. Temperatures have improved with highs approaching 80 degrees and low in the upper 40’s to mid 50’s.

The National Weather Service is predicting a cold front to push through the area over the next day bringing with it breezy conditions and a good chance of showers and thunderstorms today and tomorrow.  Following the front temperatures are expected to turn colder dropping to the mid 30’s to low 40’s Sunday night and gradually warming as we approach mid-week.

The FAWN Weather Station in Immokalee received 0.57 inches of rain over the past two weeks.

Crops are slowly recovering from the recent freezes with some acreage lost. Vegetables available include snap beans, tomatoes, squash, eggplant, sweet corn, peppers, endive, escarole, lettuce, radishes and specialty crops.  Crop condition is variable depending on the extent of weather related damage.  Growers are making salvage harvests and cleaning up plants hurt by the recent freeze, as well as preparing land, laying plastic and transplanting .

IMMOKALEE Weather Summary:
 

Date	Air Temp o F		Rainfall	Hours Below Certain Temperature          (hours)
	Min	Max	(inches)	40 o F	45o F	50o F	55o F	60°F	65°F	70°F	75°F
1/4 – 1/18	27.0	82.0	0.57	30.7	42.7	100.9	153.8	211.2	248.3	289.6	326.2

Water restrictions imposed on November 29th, by the South Florida Water Management District remain in place and have been extended to east coast production areas.  Restrictions vary by area.  More detailed information about water-use restrictions is available on the District's web site at http://www.sfwmd.gov.   Maps of the affected areas are also on the web site under "water shortage."

Phase 2 restrictions for water use, are now in effect for South Florida. This includes; Palm Beach, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Collier, Hendry, Lee, and parts of St. Lucie, Glades, Charlotte, and Okeechobee counties.  Agricultural users dependent on Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee River remain under Phase 3 restrictions.

In addition to the announced water use restrictions, SFWMD has advised growers to check their water use permits and make sure they are up to date.  The district has warned that un-permitted use of water will be dealt with severely with possible fines of up to $10,000 per day.

Cold weather has held pest and disease pressure to very low levels over the past few weeks.

Reports indicate that leafminers are rebounding from the effects of recent freezes.  Activity was quiet for about a week but respondents are indicating that they are beginning to see a significant number of adults and fresh stippling as temperatures warmed this week.  Reports indicate that growers are keeping populations under control but pressure is constant.

Scouts report seeing some parasites but at levels too low to adequately maintain leafminers below threshold levels.  (Are parasites more affected by low temps?)   Crops affected include beans, leafy vegetables, peppers, potatoes, cucurbits, and tomatoes.  A number of respondents have indicated that they are managing to keep the situation under control but that pressure has been constant over the past few weeks.

Growers have obtained good results with abamectin (Agri-Mek), cyromazine (Tri-gard), spinosad (Spintor) and azadirachtin (Neemix). These materials are relatively soft on beneficials.  There are a number of other labeled materials that will give good control.

Respondents indicate that armyworms are also beginning to reappear with egg masses and adult moths being widely reported across the area.  Reports indicate seeing both beet and southern armyworms.  Pressure is generally low although in at least one location significant numbers were reported.  A few tomato fruitworms have also been reported.

A new round of winged aphids is being encountered widely across the area in a variety of crops. Numbers are low and incidence is spotty.

Reports indicate that adult whiteflies remain low levels across SW Florida although several respondents indicate finding some eggs and immatures in older crops.  Cold temperatures have undoubtedly reduced populations to some extent, although the whiteflies will probably reemerge as conditions begin to warm up.  Growers are encouraged to burn down old crops and cleanup fields as soon as harvest is completed.

Growers should be alert for spider mites in eggplants, which have been freeze damaged and which are being mowed down and allowed to re-sprout.  Recent field surveys have indicated signs of mite activity on lower foliage, which after mowing represents the only foliage left, and a potential source of infestation.

Field sanitation is an important component of a complete integrated pest management program.  Crops in fields that have been harvested or where planting have been destroyed by freezing weather should be cleaned up as soon as possible to prevent the carry over of insect populations and disease innoculum.

Growers have been actively spraying to control disease in freeze-damaged crops although few diseases have been noted.  There have been reports of significant post-harvest problems related to the cold resulting in a higher than average cull rate at the packinghouse.

Several reports have indicated that fusarium crown rot has flared dramatically in some locations.  This is particularly true in fields where water levels had been held at high levels for a long period to provide cold protection. Some reports have indicated crown rot incidence approaching 10% in many tomato fields with some scattered fields showing over 50% infection rates.

Reports indicate target spot is causing some serious foliage loss to inner foliage in some tomato fields.

Several respondents indicate observing some new early blight activity in both tomato and potato fields.

Plant Disease Management Principles

Nearly any crop is susceptible to disease, but as with other problems, an enlightened management approach can prevent or mitigate negative effects.

Effective disease management utilizes an integrated approach incorporating multiple tactics. Management strategies will vary depending on location, crop, and the pathogen involved.  Consultation with a local specialist may help growers develop a sound management plan including specific control strategies.

Generally recommended practices may be grouped under the following headings: before planting, at planting, and after planting.

Before Planting:

Prevention is key. The longer a crop can be maintained disease free, the lower the risks and costs of having to confront disease conditions.

Practice sanitation.  Avoid possibilities of transferring soil or plant material from an infected area to a non-infected area.. Clean and sanitize equipment. Clean off personal gear such as boots

Practice crop rotation with other crops where possible. Continuous culture allows pathogens to perpetuate and multiply. Rotation reduces the likelihood of pathogen survival and increase within a field.  Incorporate crop free periods in the rotation.

Use deep plowing to bury plant debris. Many pathogens survive on crop debris left in an area between cropping seasons. Burying the debris hastens its decay and removes it from the planting zone.

At Planting:

Select disease-resistant cultivars. Plant resistance is the most efficient and least expensive disease management practice, although resistance to all known diseases is not available, and resistance may not last forever.

Select and plant high quality, preferably certified seed or plants. Superior quality, certified seeds/plants reduce the possibility of introducing pathogens into an area, and also produce vigorous seedlings/plants that sustain less decay and disease.

Prepare a proper seed bed. Assure correct planting depth, seeding rates, or other steps to promote rapid seedling emergence and vigorous seedling growth so that seedlings/young plants avoid seed decay and seedling disease.

After Planting:

Practice sound horticulture. That is, provide for moisture delivery and drainage; fertilize appropriately; and, manage weeds and pest insects to encourage vigorous healthy growth enabling young plants to escape disease and be more tolerant of pathogens.
 
Apply a fungicide seed treatment (as needed). Fungicide seed treatments are relatively low cost and initially protect the seed and seedlings from seed-borne and soil-borne pathogens.

Apply nematicides (as needed or recommended). Control of nematodes may be linked to disease prevention or reduction.

Apply foliar fungicides (as needed). When disease pressure is high, foliar fungicide application, based on use of proper timing and application rates as specified on the container label, may be warranted and economically justified.

Scout for pests and diseases.  Timely recognition and control will help avoid major problems.  It is often too late when you can easily recognize a problem from your pickup moving at 25 MPH through a field.

     --excerpted with thanks from:. http://www.IPMnet.org/IPMnet_NEWS

Methyl Bromide Update

As growers in the US and other developed countries enter into 2001 and face the imposition of a 50% reduction in the use and availability of methyl bromide.  China has become the leading producer and consumer of methyl bromide in the developing world. China's consumption of methyl bromide is expected to increase from less than 500 tons in 1995 to over 4,000 tons in 2002, more than a 10-fold increase. In 1998, China produced 2,320 tons methyl bromide, making that country the largest producer by far in the developing world.

The Linhai Jianxin Chemical Co. Ltd. (based in Zhejiang, China) is conducting an aggressive worldwide marketing effort for the product, which is currently being phased out in industrialized nations. Wonder where it will be sold?  You merely have to look to our competition. Talk about a level playing field??

Quote of the Day - Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain - and most fools do. -- Dale Carnegie
Restricted-Entry Intervals (REI’s) for Vegetable Pesticides

Vegetable Insecticides

Product         REI*  (hours)              Product         REI* (hours)
 
Admire            12                            Fulfill                      12
Agree                4                            Furadan (G)           48
Agri-mek         12                           Guthion                   48
Ambush           12                           Holdem                   48
Ammo             12                           Imidan                     24
Asana              12                           Javelin                      4
Azatin              12                           Kelthane                  12
Azinphos-M     48                           Kryocide                 12
Aztec                0                            Lannate                   48
Baythroid         12                           Larvin                     12
Biobit                4                           Lepinox                   12
Capture        1-18 days                  Lorsban (G)             12
Carbaryl           12                         Lorsban (EC, WP)    24
Condor             4                           Malathion                 12
Confirm            4                           Mattch                        4
Counter            48                         Metaldehyde              12
CryMax            4                           Metasystox-R           48
Cryolite            12                         Methoxychlor            12
Cutlass              4                          Methyl parathion       48
Danitol             24                         Mocap                      48
Deadline           12                        Monitor                     48
Diazinon          12/24                    M-Pede                     12
Dibrom            24                         M-Peril                       4
Dicofol            12                          M-Trak                      4
Dimethoate      48                          Mustang                   12
DiPel               4                            MVP                          4
Di-Syston        48                         MVP-II                      4
Dyfonate         48                          Mycotrol                   12
D-Z-N (G)      12                         Neemix                     12
D-Z-N (EC, WP)   24                  Nemacur                   48
Endosulfan        24                       Nolo-Bait                    4
Force               48                        Novodor                     4
Fortress            48                       Orthene                      24
Furadan (F)    48 (or 14 days)     Paraspray                6 days
Penncap-M     48                        Sniper                        48
Phaser             24                        SpinTor                       4
Phorate            48                        Temik                        48
Pounce            12                        Thimet                        48
Proclaim          48                        Thiodan                      24
Provado          12                        Thirethrin                    24
Proxol             24                        Trigard                       12
Pyrellin            12                        Vendex                       48
Raven               4                        Vydate                        48
Scout X-tra     24                       Warrior                       24
Sevin               12                       XenTari                        4
 
*Note: for some soil-applied products, the re-entry interval is reduced if the product is soil-incorporated.
*Note: Inclusion on this list does not indicate this material is necessarily labeled for use on vegetables in Florida.
*Note: Be certain to read the entire label before applying any pesticide.

Vegetable Fungicides

Fungicide                 REI   (hours)         Fungicide             REI    (hours)

Aliette 80 WDG                  12                      Ridomil Gold PC               48
Apron 25 W, 50 W             na*                    Ridomil Gold MZ               48
Basic Copper 53                 24                      Ridomil Gold/Bravo 80W  48
Benlate 50 W                      24                      Ridomil Gold EC               48
Botran 75 W                       12                      Ridomil Gold GR               48
Bravo 500, 720, 90 DF       48                      Ridomil Gold Copper        48
Bravo Ultrex, Weather Stik  48                      Ronilan 50 DF                  12
Captan                                 na*                    Rovral 50 W, 4 F              12
Dithane F45, M45               24                      Terrachlor                         12
Echo                                   48                       Terranil 6 L                      48
Fixed Copper                     **                        Thiram                             na*
Kocide                               24                       Tilt                                   24
Maneb 75 DF                     24                       Topcop S                         24
Manzate 200 DF                 24                      Topsin M 85WDG, 4.5 F  12
Penncozeb                           24                      Ziram 76 DF                     48
Quadris 2.08F                     12
Reach                                   48

*Note: na = REI does not apply if the material is on treated seed; if seed is treated at planting REI may apply to these pesticides. Be certain to read the entire label before applying any pesticide.
*Note: Fixed copper fungicides differ in regard to REI. Labels of individual fungicides should be consulted. In general, tribasic copper sulfate and copper oxychloride fungicides are 24 hr and copper hydroxy-type fungicides are 48 hr.
*Note: Inclusion on this list does not indicate this material is necessarily labeled for use on vegetables in Florida.

Vegetable Herbicides

Trade Name              REI (hours)             Trade Name              REI (hours)
 
Aatrex                         12                           Kerb                            12
Alanap                         48                           Laddock                      48
Basagran                      48                           Lasso                          12
Bladex 4L, 90DF         12                           Lentagran                     12
Caparol                        12                           Lexone                        12
Command                    12                           Lorox DF                    24
Curbit                           12                           Partner                       12
Dacthal W75                24                           Poast                          12
Devrinol                        12                          Prefar                          12
Dual 8E & II                 12                          Prowl                          12
Eptam                           12                          Pyramin RB                 12
Genep                           12                          Ro-Neet 6E                12
Eradicane extra 6.7E     12                          Roundup                     12
Formula 40                    48                         Roundup Ultra Max       4
Fusilade                        12                          Sencor 4, DF               12
Goal                              24                         Sutan + 6.7E                12
Gramoxone Extra          12 preplant, 48       Tillam                           12
Karmex                        12                           Treflan EC                    12
Trific    12
 
*Note: Inclusion on this list does not indicate this material is necessarily labeled for use on vegetables in Florida.
*Note: Be certain to read the entire label before applying any pesticide.

Vegetable Nematicides

Trade Name              REI (hours)             Trade Name      REI (hours)

Nemacur                   48                           Vydate L           48
Telone II                   72

A World of Insects

Insects make up more than half of all species alive today.

It is estimated that there are about 10 quintillion (that's 10,000,000,000,000,000,000) insects alive at any time.

It is estimated that herbivorous insects eat about 20 percent of crops, grown for human consumption.

No wonder it is so difficult to stay on top of the little buggers.

Up Coming Meetings:

January 24, 2001          *  Production and Utilization of Composted Waste Materials to Improve Soils
                                            for Horticultural Cropping Systems
                                          Tropical Research and Education Center
                                          18905 SW. 280 St.
                                          Homestead Florida
                                          Contact Dr Monica Ozores-Hampton at 305-246-6340
                                         * Note the date of this workshop has been changed from January 23rd.

February 2, 2001         *  Florida Certified Crop Advisor Exams (International and Southeast Regional)
                                     South Florida Community College
                                    Avon Park, Florida  8 AM. until 4 PM.
                                    *Note: the registration deadline for the exam was December 15, 2000

February 8 – 9, 2001  Marketing Produce in the New Millennium

These FFVA sponsored workshops are designed to assist members of the produce industry in the development of strategic marketing plans, category management programs and marketing support initiatives.

Feb 8 - Ramada Inn, Fort Myers  10 AM – 4 PM
Feb 9 - Clayton Hutchinson Ag Center, West Palm Beach  10 AM – 4 PM

Registration fee: FFVA members - $100 ($75 for multiple attendees)       Non-members - $125

Contact 407-894-1351 for more information
Brochures are available at the Hendry County Extension Office

March 17-19, 2001      United 2001 Annual Conference & Trade Show
                                     Tampa, Florida.

This is a great opportunity to meet with your colleagues and counterparts in the vegetable industry from around the world!  Highlights include a comprehensive educational program including produce technology, food safety, packaging, and commodity specific workshops. Vegetable growers, shipper, packers and others in the vegetable industry can take advantage of special discount registration rates by calling Gene McAvoy at the Hendry County Extension Office at 863-674-4092 or Claire E. Kratch at the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association 703-836-3410 ext.125.

 
April 22-26, 2001      85th Annual Meeting of the Potato Association of America (PAA 2001)
                                   St. Augustine, Florida.

Hosted by the University of Florida/IFAS Hastings Research and Education Center, the conference will provide a forum for the presentation of new scientific information, conduct business of the association and facilitate fellowship among colleagues. The conference theme is Potato Plant Health into the New Millennium. Three days of stimulating paper sessions will be kicked off with a dynamic symposium entitled, "Impact of New and Emerging Diseases and Technologies on Potato Seed Certification" co-sponsored by the Certification and Pathology Sections of the PAA. Emphasis will be on challenging soil-borne diseases.
Oral and poster abstracts are being accepted through January 10, 2001. For more information visit the conference website: http://www.ifas.ufl.edu/~conferweb/paa/ or contact the University of Florida, IFAS Office of Conferences by phone (352) 392-5930 or by fax (352) 392-9734, or by Email: mtatlock@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu

August 3, 2001         Florida Certified Crop Advisor Exam
                                 South Florida Community College
                                Avon Park, Florida
                                Call FFAA at (863) 293-4827 for registration information.

Web Sites:

Vegetable Transplant Production: Growth Enhancement and Systemic Acquired Resistance - A transplant technology that has shown promise is the phenomenon of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and its associated plant growth promoting (PGP) effects.  Keep abreast of research on these materials currently underway at the SW Florida Research and Education Center. http://www.imok.ufl.edu/veghort/SAR/index.htm

IPMnet News- a good web based global IPM information resource published monthly - http://www.IPMnet.org/IPMnet_NEWS/archives.html

The Phytopathology Dept. at the Swiss Institute of Plant Sciences sponsors a plant "Disease of the Month" contest with those correctly identifying the pathogen (from a description and photos) winning a bottle of wine.  The website is http://www.pa.ipw.agrl.ethz.ch

Vegetable Crop Budgets – considering a new crop – here are links to a range of vegetable budgets from A – Z to help your planning efforts.  http://www.imok.ufl.edu/liv/groups/economic/budglnks.htm

Alligator Warning

The Florida State Department of Fish and Wildlife is advising farmers, hunters, fishers, and golfers to take extra precautions and keep alert for alligators while in Charlotte, Collier, Glades Hendry and Lee Counties.

They advise people to wear noise-producing devices such as little bells on their clothing to alert but not startle the alligators unexpectedly.

They also advise the carrying of pepper spray in case of an encounter with an alligator. It is also a good idea to watch for fresh signs of alligator activity. People should recognize the difference between small young alligator and large adult alligator droppings.

Young alligator droppings are smaller and contain fish bones and possibly bird feathers.

Adult alligators droppings have little bells in them and smell like pepper spray.

Contributors include: Karen Armbrester/SWFREC, Jim Connor/SWFREC, Bruce Corbitt/West Coast Tomato Growers, Marty Gross/SWFREC, Ed English/Pacific Tomato Growers, Fred Heald/Farmers Supply, Sarah Hornsby/AgCropCon, Cecil Howell/H&R Farm, Leon Lucas/Glades Crop Care, Gene McAvoy/Hendry County Extension, Alice McGhee/Thomas Produce, Tim Nychk/Nychk Bros. Farm, Chuck 0bern/C+B Farm, Dr. Pam Roberts/SWFREC, Wes Roan/6 L's, Kevin Seitzinger/Gargiulo, Jay Shivler/ F& F Farm, Ben Stanaland/Pacific Tomato Growers, Mike Stanford/MED Farms, Dr. Phil Stansly/SWFREC, Eugene Tolar/Red Star Farms, and Dr. Charlie Vavrina/SWFREC.

The SW Florida Pest and Disease Hotline is compiled by Gene McAvoy and is issued on a biweekly basis by the Hendry County Cooperative Extension Office as a service to the vegetable industry.

Gene McAvoy
Extension Agent II
Vegetable/Ornamental Horticulture             863-674-4092 phone
Hendry County Extension Office                863-860-8811 mobile
PO Box 68                                                863-674-4097 fax
LaBelle, FL 33975                                    gmcavoy@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu

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