Planting is in full swing and growers have taken advantage of the weather conditions to catch up with field operations. Cole crop caterpillars are active in the area, so continue scouting to determine treatment thresholds.
Posted on May 28, 2014 by Lina Rodriguez Salamanca, Michigan State University Extension
Weather
In the past week, rainfall recorded in the Southeast averaged 0.18 inches. Air temperatures in the Southeast have ranged from 43 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit with dry and sunny days.
Based on the average of the southeast Michigan State University Enviro-weather stations, we currently have reached 352 growing degree days (GDD) base 50 F (GDD50). We are only behind by 68 GDDs when compared with the five-year average.
Regional rainfall summary for the Southeast region, according to MSU Enviro-weather
|
Enviro-weather station
|
GDD42
|
GDD45
|
GDD50
|
|
Petersburg
|
700
|
570
|
388
|
|
Commerce Township
|
604
|
483
|
320
|
|
Romeo
|
625
|
499
|
327
|
|
Hudson
|
672
|
545
|
371
|
|
Average for region
|
650
|
524
|
352
|
Weather outlook
Temperatures are forecasted to range from 51 to 81 F for the next week, with the chance of rain for Monday and Tuesday, June 2-3.
Seeding of fall cabbage in the greenhouse has started. Additional cabbage fields continue to be planted. Over the long weekend, caterpillar eggs hatched and small larvae have been observed in several cabbage fields in the area. Cabbage white adults continue to be active and laying eggs. Cabbage caterpillar damage has been observed; most of the fields visited have low number of larval units.
Scouting should continue by inspecting whole plants, sampling in an “X” or “W” transect throughout the field. Insecticide application may be needed on fields that have reached threshold. For additional information and action thresholds, read “Cole crop insect management” from Michigan State University Extension.
Caterpillars observed on cabbage foliage. Photo credit: Lina Rodriguez Salamanca, MSU Extension
Sweet corn planting continues and no cutworm damage has been observed. Potato planting is almost complete in the area. Volunteer potatoes have been observed in fields previously planted to potatoes. According to the Michigan Late Bight Risk Monitoring website, the weather has not been conducive to accumulate disease severity values (DSV), and therefore the late blight risk remains in the green level.
Tomato and pepper transplanting is in full swing and will continue. Nutrient imbalances in tomato transplants are commonly found as growers were withholding nutrients to avoid leggy transplant plugs in the greenhouse. Spots in the foliage have been found in tomato leaves with the look of a bacterial disease, but confirmation is needed. Winged aphids were observed on a tomato field in low numbers. Stakes are been set in fresh market tomato fields.
Cucumber, squash and watermelon planting continues.
Winged aphid on tomato plant in the field. Photo credit: Lina Rodriguez Salamanca, MSU Extension
For more information on commercial vegetable production, contact Lina Rodriguez Salamanca at 517-264-5310 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.cnchemicals.com/. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://www.cnchemicals.com/, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).