Demonstration and Evaluation of Integrated Crop Scouting on Pumpkins in Southern NJ

Demonstration and Evaluation Demonstration and Evaluation of Integrated Crop Scouting of Integrated Crop Scouting on Pumpkins in Southern NJon Pumpkins in Southern NJ

Demonstration and Evaluation Demonstration and Evaluation of Integrated Crop Scouting of Integrated Crop Scouting on Pumpkins in Southern NJon Pumpkins in Southern NJ

Sally WalkerSally Walker

Rutgers Cooperative ExtensionRutgers Cooperative Extension

Vegetable IPM ProgramVegetable IPM Program

Investigators

Joe Ingerson-Mahar Vegetable IPM Coordinator

Kris Holmstrom IPM Program Associate

Michelle Infante-Casella Gloucester County Ag Agent

Ray Samulis Burlington County Ag Agent

Bill Sciarappa Monmouth County Ag Agent

Steve Johnston Specialist in Vegetable Pathology

Frank Spieker Garden State Pest Management

Objectives

• On-farm demonstration• Evaluate jack-o-lantern pumpkins

(powdery mildew susceptible and resistant varieties)

• Test and compare the North Jersey IPM scouting protocol vs. grower’s usual practices

5 farms, 6 comparison blocks/fields(Cumberland, 2-Gloucester, Burlington, Monmouth)

Methods

IPM - pest management based on field scouting information

Control - grower follows normal practices

Evaluate yields and field pest levels

Field Layout

ControlIPM

1.5 acres

1.8 acres

2.5 acres

0.4 acres

2.3 acres

0.5 acres

ControlIPM

4.8 acres

4.5 acres

2.0 acres

2.9 acres

1.8 acres

1.8 acres

Methods• Scout twice a week from emergence

to start of fungicide schedule

• 2 leaves, 5 plants, 10 locations– Insects, mites– Foliar and fruit diseases– Weeds, other problems noted

Scouting Form

Cucumber Beetles

Threshold:>2 per 6 sites

Aphids Spider Mites

Squash Bug

Threshold:>20 leaves w/colony

Threshold:1 nymph group/plant

Threshold: increasing # leaves infested

Powdery Mildew

Threshold:1 lesion/50 mature leaves

Phytophthora

Threshold:Presence of disease

Downy Mildew

Threshold:Presence of disease orDisease forecasted for our region

(Cucurbit Downy Mildew Forecast)

Bacterial Spot

Threshold:Presence of disease

Virus

Watermelon mosaic virus 2Potyvirus

Protocol for IPM fields• Admire at planting or scout for

cuke beetles and treat as needed• Initiate fungicide treatments at

powdery mildew threshold (1 lesion/50 mature leaves) – Bravo+Nova alt. Quadris 7-10 day

schedule

• Modify schedule based on scouting results– Add insecticide if needed– Modify fungicide if needed

Marketable Yield

23.18

16.52

21.64

8.67

25.42

18.8

17.32

7.13

16.23

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

G1 (Merlin)

G1 (AutumnKing)

C (Howden)

M (Howden)

G2 (Howden)

tons per acre

IPM

Control

Average Fruit Weight

10.4

17.7

14.3

13.1

12.3

17.8

16.6

12.5

0 5 10 15 20

G1 (Merlin)

G1 (Autumn King)

C (Howden)

M (Howden)

G2 (Howden)

pounds

IPM

Control

ResultsLocation Variety Plot

# Foliar Fungicides

# Foliar Insecticides

Glouc 1 MerlinControl 8 8

IPM 7 6

Glouc 1Autumn King

Control 8 8

IPM 7 6

BurlMagic Lantern

Control 3 2

IPM 3 2

Glouc 2 HowdenControl 6 3

IPM 6 1

Cumb HowdenControl 6 2

IPM 6 2

Monmouth HowdenControl 4 0

IPM 4 0

Fungicide Reduction

Location Variety Fungicide

Reduction

Compared to Standard Rec

(vine run)

Glouc 1 Merlin 1 3

Glouc 1Autumn King

1 3

BurlMagic Lantern

0 1

Glouc 2 Howden 0 2

Cumb Howden 0 2

Monmouth Howden 0 4

Insecticide Reduction

Location Variety Insecticide

Reduction

Compared to Scouting Results

Glouc 1 Merlin 2 6

Glouc 1Autumn King

2 6

BurlMagic Lantern

0 0

Glouc 2 Howden 1 2

Cumb Howden 0 2

Monmouth Howden 0 0

Bottom Line

Pesticide Costs: Potential Savings:

Fungicides: 1-2 applications each:$17 - Bravo OR = $17-$34

$27 - Bravo+Nova = $27-$54

$31 - Quadris = $31-$62

Insecticides/Miticides: 2 applications:$7-10/acre/appl. = $14-$20

Scouting costs:$25 per acre

Conclusions

• Disease scouting worked well for timing and choice of fungicide

• Potential for pesticide reduction and cost savings:– 1-4 fungicide applications– 2+ insecticide applications

• Overall grower response has been positive

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