P. 3 Squash Bugs andDiagnostic Lab HighlightsP. 4 Tomato Diseases to Scout forP. 5 Neem Oil- Oregon Department of Ag. Stops Sale of Some Pesticides P. 7 Deer Management Workshop P. 2 Hemp Pesticides and Southern Blight of HempP.3 Diagnostic Lab HighlightsP.9 Soybean Foliar Fungicide Considerations P. 6 Timely Tips P. 8 Bermudagrass Pasture Walk P. 10 Balsamic Veggie Pasta

IN THIS ISSUE:

Nikki's NEWSLETTER

CROPS

The Post July 2019 Edition of:

HORTICULTURE

Cooperative Extension ServiceUniversity of Kentucky 

Marshall County 1933 Mayfield Highway 

Benton, KY 42025(270) 527-3285

extension.ca.uky.edu

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Marshall County’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Update

FORAGE

x-

Hunting

The 2019 Hemp Field Day at Spindletop Farm in Lexington is on August

21st for 9am- 3pm. Registration for this event is closed but if you want to

attend then contact Nikki and she can register you as her "grower guest”.

They will not accommodate walk-ups who have not registered.

LIVESTOCK

2019 Hemp Production Field Day August 21, 2019

University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment

North Farm Complex

Event Schedule:9:00-10:00 Check in and registration

10:00-10:45 Opening Remarks10:45- 11:45 Tour 1 (all tours run concurrently)

11:45-12:45 Lunch12:45- 1:45 Tour 22:00- 3:00 Tour 3

Tour A: Economic Potential/Risk for Hemp Products

Economics for Fiber and Grain Production- Jonathan Shepard Economics for cannabinoid (CBD)Production- Tyler Mark

What is known about pharmacology of CBD- Jim Pauly

Tour B: Agronomy 1: Stand Establishment Seed Quality Concerns and how to determine seeding rate using PLS- Tom KeeneImpact of Temperature on Hemp Seed Germination- Bob Geneve/Derrick Davis

Seed Emergence and Mortality- Patrick Perry

Tour C: Agronomy 2 Varieties for Fiber and Grain- Wade Turner/ Bob Pearce

N Rates for Fiber/CBD Dual Model- Bob PearceHemp as Part of Organic Crop Rotations- Shawn Lucas

Tour D: Pest Management 1

Diseases of Kentucky Hemp, Scouting and Identification- Nicole Gauthier Insect Pests Observed on Hemp in Kentucky- Raul Villanueva

Weeds of Concern in Hemp Production- Paul Woosley

Tour E: Pest Management 2Pesticide Registration Process and IR- Program- Ric Bessin

IR-4 Herbicide Protocol- Sara Carter/ Bob Pearce Differential Variety Response to Herbicide Applications- Todd Willian

Tour F: Hemp Regulation: What Every Grower Should Know.

Implications of 2018 Farm Bill for Hemp Producers and Markets- Will Snell Kentucky's Hemp Plan Under the 2018 Farm Bill- Doris Hamilton

Testing for CBD and THC- Frank Sikora

July 23, 2019Two weeks ago, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) posted their statement on Kentucky hemp and pesticides here:https://www.kyagr.com/consumer/documents/ES_AGR_PesticidesandHemp.pdf With this notification, the KDA listed criteria required in order for a pesticide to be available for use on hemp. A list of products that can be used is also provided. These products are from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) section 25b Minimum Risk Pesticide list. The active ingredients on the 25b Minimum Risk Pesticide list are active ingredients derived from commonly consumed food commodities, animal feed items, or edible fats and oils. It is likely that the list of available pesticides for hemp will change over time as new approvals are issued, so producers are encouraged to check this site periodically for updates. Use of products not falling under the provisions of the KDA Hemp and Pesticides statement is not permitted. July 16, 2019In 2018, there were significant increases in confirmed cases of southern blight in hemp.  The fungal disease affects a wide range of plant species, as well as hemp. When stems and roots become infected, plants can wilt, decline, and/or die, resulting in yield loss.The southern blight pathogen survives in upper soil layers for many years, increasing the risk for subsequent susceptible crops planted in the same area. No fungicides are labeled for hemp, so management relies on an intensive cultural program. Southern Blight of Hemp FactsThe first observed symptoms often include wilting, dieback, and decline. With closer inspection, brown lesions on lower stems, crown rot, and/or root decay may be visible. Under conditions of warm temperatures and high humidity, white fungal mats (mycelia) and tiny round fungal structures called sclerotia (white when immature, and tan when mature) may be present (Figure 1).This soil-borne pathogen survives as sclerotia in soil and as mycelia on plant residues. Sclerotia can persist for many years in upper layers of soil.Conditions favoring disease development include high moisture in soil and plant canopies and relatively high temperatures (81° to 95°F). This summer was hot and wet across much of the Commonwealth, and disease increased as a result.Spread can occur by running water and movement of infested soil, plant debris, tools, equipment, and transplants.Caused by the fungal organism Sclerotium rolfsii. Management Options- Avoid planting hemp in areas with a history of southern blight.- Plant only healthy, disease-free transplants into field sites.- Rotate to a non-host plant, such as corn or small grains, for 3 to 4 years.- Manage weeds to reduce alternative hosts.- Remove and destroy infected plants. Remove soil surrounding infected plants, when possible.- Deep till affected sites to move sclerotia and infected plant debris deeper into the soil profile.- Increase plant spacing to improve air circulation.- When infection occurs in greenhouses or high tunnels, solarization can be used to reduce pathogen levels in ground beds.- No fungicide options are available for hemp growers at this time. Additional Information- Southern Blight (PPFS-GEN-16)- Kentucky Hemp Disease Website- Plant Pathology Publication Webpage

Hemp and Pesticides

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Ric Bessin, Extension Entomologist

DaffodilsSouthern Blight of HempNicole Ward Gauthier, Extension Specialist and

Kim Leonberger, Extension Associate

Figure 1: A fungal mat of mycelia (white fungal strands) with tan-colored sclerotia develop on infected hemp stems. (Photo: Clint Walker, grower, photo courtesy of Alan Windham, University of Tennessee)

July 23, 2019Squash bug is one of the more difficult insects to control on vegetables. It is a common pest of squash, pumpkin, and zucchini. This bug extracts plant juices with its piercing-sucking mouthparts and potentially transmits the pathogen that causes yellow vine decline. In Kentucky, we have one or two generations of this pest each year, depending on seasonal temperatures. Squash Bug BiologySquash bug overwinters as an unmated adult and begins to colonize fields in late May or early June. While we typically don’t see overt signs of damage from overwintering adults early in the season, this is one of the stages that needs to be controlled. By mid-June, they begin laying eggs on upper and lower leaf surfaces; eggs will hatch in about a week. Young nymphs are initially green with black legs, but soon turn gray as they produce wax to cover their bodies. As these nymphs get older, it gets more difficult to control them with insecticides because it takes a larger dose to kill them. The plants become much larger making thorough coverage with sprays more difficult, and the larger nymphs and adults tend to be found in the lower parts of the plants. For these reasons, early effective control of squash bugs facilitates better season-long control. ManagementIn terms of threshold for control, an average of one adult per 2 plants or an average of one egg mass per plant can be used to determine the need for sprays. While one egg mass per plant is used as the threshold, sprays need to be timed to coincide with egg hatch. As nymphs are found on flowering plants, it is important to spray late in the afternoon when flowers are mostly closed and pollinator activity is low. With conventional insecticides, pyrethroids and neonicotinoids are among the most effective, while for organic growers a mixture of pyrethrin and azadirachtin or spinosad are the most effective. July 16, 2019The following plant disease highlights have been compiled from samples submitted to the University of Kentucky Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratories from July 2-8, 2019. Diagnostic samples of agronomic crops have included Northern leaf blight and common rust on corn; Rhizoctonia root rot on alfalfa; anthracnose and rust on fescue; anthracnose and leaf streak on orchardgrass; Cercospora leaf spot, powdery mildew, and Pythium root rot on hemp; Phytophthora root/stem rot and brown spot (Septoria) on soybean; angular leaf spot, frogeye, target spot, black shank, and soreshin on tobacco. On fruit and vegetable crops, we have diagnosed Phytophthora root/crown rot on blueberry; anthracnose on blackberry; bacterial spot on cherry; Phytophthora crown rot and deep planting on peach; Cercospora leaf spot on bean; Cercospora leaf spot on cantaloupe; anthracnose on cucumber; Pythium rot and bacterial spot on pepper; Sclerotinia rot on pumpkin; Fusarium wilt, Rhizoctonia root rot, black dot root rot, southern blight, Septoria leaf spot, and buckeye rot on tomato; gummy stem blight and anthracnose on watermelon. On ornamentals, we have diagnosed Rhizoctonia root rot on petunia; Phytophthora blight on catharanthus; bacterial leaf spot and Pythium root rot on chrysanthemum; tomato spotted wilt virus on dahlia; boxwood blight, Volutella canker, and Macrophoma dieback on boxwood; anthracnose on beech, oak, and yellowwood; Verticillium wilt on magnolia, lilac, and redbud; tip blight on pine; Rhizosphaera needle cast on spruce; and brown patch on bluegrass.

Squash Bug Attacking Squash

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Ric Bessin, Extension Entomologist

Daffodils

Figure 1. Squash bugs overwinter outside of production fields and migrate to new fields in late spring (Photo: Ric Bessin, UK).

Figure 2. Newly emerged squash bug nymphs are often mistaken for aphids (Photo: Ric Bessin, UK).

Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab HighlightsJulie Beale and Brenda Kennedy, Plant Disease Diagnosticians

Kentucky vegetable growers, as well as gardeners, will be seeing early blight and Septoria leaf spot of tomato in their plantings at this time. As the most common diseases of tomato in Kentucky, homeowners or growers not on a preventative spray program always have at least some Septoria leaf spot and early blight. Both diseases are worsened by wet, humid field conditions. These diseases may also occur in greenhouses or high tunnels, particularly near side walls or when plants are grown in natural soil without plastic mulch. Prevention, early identification, and management will help reduce plant losses.Here are the symptoms to look for, preventative tactics, and brief suggestions on how to treat crops once disease is confirmed. Early BlightCause and Disease DevelopmentEarly blight is caused by the fungal pathogens Alternaria solani and A. tomatephila. These pathogens overwinter in plant debris from the previous season, or sometimes in association with solanaceous weeds. Spores are initially splashed onto the lowest leaves, where symptoms first become apparent, but frequent rain or overhead watering can spread disease further into the plant canopy. Leaves, stems, and fruit may become infected at any stage of the growing season, but disease is most common on aging plant tissue.  Early blight is favored by moderate temperatures, high humidity, and frequent rainfall. Once established, the disease can spread rapidly in dense plantings. Most potatoes are also very susceptible to early blight, and symptoms, preventative tactics, and management are similar to tomato. SymptomsEarly blight appears as dark-brown lesions with concentric ring patterns on leaves or occasionally stems, sometimes with a chlorotic (yellow) halo around lesions (Figure 1). Older leaves are usually affected first, with the disease spreading up the plant to affect newer growth. Lesions enlarge and may coalesce to result in blight (rapid dieback). Affected fruit develop dark-brown lesions with concentric ring patterns, most commonly at the stem end (Figure 2). Septoria Leaf SpotCause and Disease DevelopmentSeptoria leaf spot is caused by the fungal pathogen Septoria lycopersici. The pathogen overwinters in plant debris or in association with solanaceous weeds. Disease initiates on the lowest leaves, but frequent rain and overhead watering will spread the disease throughout the plant. Only leaves, stems, or petioles may become infected, which can result in significantly reduced plant vigor and overall blighting. Because Septoria leaf spot and early blight are benefited by similar environmental conditions, the two diseases often co-occur. SymptomsSmall circular lesions with darkened borders and tan-brown centers are characteristic of this disease. Septoria leaf spot is typically first observed in the lower plant canopy, but eventually spreads to new, younger growth. The number of spots increases as disease severity increases. Blighting (rapid dieback) may occur in severe cases, which may kill plants while leaving a few unblemished fruit (commonly occurs in garden tomatoes). Septoria cannot infect tomato fruit. The fungus produces additional spores in pycnidia, which can be seen as small, black specks in the centers of older lesions.

Figure 1: Early blight results in the development of dark-brown lesions with a concentric ring or bulls-eye pattern. (Photo: Kim Leonberger, UK)

Vegetable Diseases to Scout for

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Kim Leonberger, Extension Associate and Emily Pfeufer, Extension Plant Pathologist

Daffodils

Figure 2: Fruit affected by early blight develop dark-brown lesions with concentric rings. (Photo: University of Kentucky Vegetable IPM Scouting Guide Team, UK)

Management for Early Blight and Septoria Leaf Spot Cultural practicesSelect varieties with resistance or tolerance to early blight and/or Septoria leaf spot. Cherry and grape tomatoes are usually less susceptible than slicer or Roma-style tomatoes.Do not set transplants with visible leaf spots.Remove plant debris or weeds from growing areas.Remove and destroy heavily infected, lower leaves from indeterminate tomatoes (gardens only). Do not remove leaves above tomato fruit.Use drip irrigation (instead of overhead watering) to reduce leaf wetness.Improve greenhouse ventilation to reduce humidity.Use recommended plant spacing to facilitate air movement and leaf drying.Practice crop rotation. Chemical approachesStart plants on a preventative fungicide program within 2 weeks (field) or3 weeks (greenhouse) of setting plants. Greenhouses: Apply mancozeb and/or copper on a 10- to 14-day schedule early in the season. If moderate disease pressure continues as harvest approaches, replace mancozeb with a systemic fungicide; otherwise continue with copper every 7 to 10 days. For specific systemic fungicide options with shorter preharvest intervals, see ID-36, page 18. Field: Apply mancozeb or chlorothalonil on a 7- to 10-day schedule early in the season; incorporate copper for bacterial disease management. Use shorter spray intervals under rainy conditions. Use a systemic fungicide tank-mixed with a protectant (mancozeb, chlorothalonil) at the third spray, and alternate between protectants and systemic fungicides as the season continues. A sample fungicide program for tomatoes may be found on page 100 in ID-36. As always, all label recommendations must be followed when applying fungicides to crops. Pay particularly close attention to pre-harvest intervals. ResourcesIPM Scouting Guide for Common Pests of Solanaceous Crops in Kentucky (ID-172)Home Vegetable Gardening (ID-128)Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers (ID-36)Managing Greenhouse & High Tunnel Environments to Reduce Plant Diseases (PPFS-GH-1)Greenhouse Sanitation (PPFS-GH-4)Resources can be acquired at the Marshall County Extension Office

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Daffodils

Figure 3: Tomato plants infected with Septoria leaf spot develop circular lesions with darkened boarders and tan-brown centers on stems, petioles, and leaves. (Photo: Kenny Seebold, UK)

June 25, 2019This past week, the Oregon Department of Agriculture has expanded a Stop Sale, Use and Removal Order (SSURO) to include six neem oil products from various manufacturers/registrants.  This follows an SSRUO for a single insecticide product last winter. The problem arose through tests that have found active ingredients of other synthetic insecticides including malathion, chlorpyrifos, and permethrin in these neem oil products. Many neem products are used in organic agriculture, so having non-organic insecticide contaminant presents a serious issue as consumers expect neem oil to be a natural product. More information is available through the Oregon Department of Agriculture website 

Neem Oil- Oregon Department of Ag

Stops Sale of Some PesticidesRic Bessin, Extension Entomologist

Spring-Calving Cow Herd· Remove bulls from the cow herd by the end of the month and keep them away from the cows.  A short calving season can concentrate labor during the calving season; group calves by age so that it is easier to find a convenient time to vaccinate, castrate, dehorn, etc.; and provide a more uniform group of calves at market time.· Mid-July (when the bulls are being removed) is a good time to deworm cattle, use a product that is effective against inhibited ostertagia.  Re-implant calves which were implanted at birth if the type of implant and amount of time indicate.  Calves which haven’t been vaccinated for blackleg should be.  Spraying or using a pour-on for flies while cattle are gathered can supplement other fly control methods.  Remember to work cattle early in the morning when it is cool and handle them gently to minimize stress.· Watch for pinkeye and treat if necessary.  Minimize problems by clipping pastures, controlling face flies and providing shade.  Monitor the bulls’ activity and physical condition as the breeding season winds down.· Fescue pastures tend to go dormant in July and August, so look for alternatives like warm season grasses during this period of time.  Try to keep the young calves gaining weight.  Go to pastures which have been cut for hay to have higher quality re-growth when it is available.· Consider cutting warm season grass pastures for hay, if reserves have not been restored yet. Fall-Calving Cow Herd· De-worm cows in mid-July with a product that is effective against inhibited ostertagia.· Fall-calving cows should be dry and pregnant now.  Their nutrient needs are minimal and they can be maintained on poor pasture to avoid over fattening.  Keep a good free-choice mineral mix available at all times. You can use a lower phosphorus mineral supplement now, if you want to save a little money.  These cows are regaining body condition after a long winter feeding period.· Get ready for fall calving and plan to have good pasture available at calving and through the breeding season. Stockers· Sell heavier grazing cattle before rate of gain decreases or they get into a heavyweight category.  This will also relieve grazing pressure as pasture growth diminishes.  They can be replaced with lightweight calves after pastures recover.· Lighter cattle which are kept on pasture need to be rotated to grass-legume or warm-season grass pastures to maintain a desirable level of performance.  Re-implant these calves and deworm with a product that is effective against inhibited ostertagia. General· Check pastures for downed wild cherry trees after storms (wilted wild cherry leaves are toxic to cattle).· Be sure that clean water is always available, especially in hot weather.  Make routine checks of the water supply.  Cattle need 13 to 20 gallons of clean water in hot weather.  Cattle should have access to shade.· Maintain a weed control program in permanent pastures and continue to “spot-spray” thistle, honey locust, etc.· Have forage analyses conducted on spring-cut hay and have large, round bales covered.  Begin planning the winter feeding program now.  Most of the hay was cut late due to a wet spring.· Start soil testing pastures to determine fertilization needs for this fall.

Cattle Timely Tips

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Dr. Les Anderson, Beef Extension Professor, University ofKentucky

Daffodils

Deer Management

Workshopwith

September 5th from 5PM TO 8PM

Dr. Matt Springer, UK Wildlife Management Professor

Location: Marshall County Extension Office: 1933 Mayfield Hwy in Benton

Food Plot Demo Location:Larry Neal's Farm: 1211 New Harmony Road in Benton

Free!

Live on farm food plot

establishmentdemonstration

RSVP by Calling:  270-527-3285Mossy Oak Break-Up Country

Boone and CrocketScoring

Demonstration

How to plan and grow successful

food plots

Topics:

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Sharpening a Lawn Mower Blade

Daffodils

Bermudagrass Pasture Walk

Date: August 26

Time: 5:30 pm

Location:

Jake Shadowen's Farm

1391 Old Olive Road

Benton, KY 42025

Join Forage Specialist, Chris Teutsch and ANR Agent, Nikki Bell,

for a pasture walk on a newly seeded bermudagrass pasture!

Get all your forage related questions answered at this informal field day!

A soybean disease “score card” is available in the resources section of the Take Action website, that is titled, “Know Your Disease Risk in Soybeans: What’s Your Score?”.  This score card can be used on a field-by-field basis to help determine what the risk is for foliar disease development and can help make fungicide application decisions. If the decision is made to apply a foliar fungicide, it is important to choose a product that has efficacy against the spectrum of diseases that might affect your field.  It is also important to choose a product that contains multiple modes of action to help manage the potential of fungicide resistance.  Isolates of the frogeye leaf spot pathogen and the Septoria brown spot pathogen that are resistant to strobilurin (QoI) fungicides are present in Kentucky, and isolates of the Cercospora leaf blight pathogen that are resistant to strobilurin fungicides have been confirmed elsewhere in the U.S., so fungicide resistance is an important consideration.  To help make a decision on which fungicide products might work best for the diseases you intend to manage, the “Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Soybean Foliar Disease” publication on the Crop Protection Network can provide information that will help with that decision. 

Many soybean fields in Kentucky are approaching the R3 (beginning pod) developmental stage, which generally is a time to consider an application of a foliar fungicide to protect against foliar diseases.  In areas of the state that have received frequent rainfall, the risk of foliar diseases has increased.  Besides rainfall, the risk of foliar diseases also is affected by other factors, such as the soybean variety planted, and the cropping history in a field. The primary foliar diseases of concern in Kentucky are frogeye leaf spot (Figure 1), Septoria brown spot (Figure 2), Cercospora leaf blight (Figure 3), and target spot (Figure 4).  Of these diseases, frogeye leaf spot has been the most important in terms of causing yield reductions in Kentucky.  The incidence and severity of frogeye leaf spot is influenced greatly by the soybean variety being grown.  Some varieties are highly resistant to frogeye leaf spot, while others may be susceptible; therefore, it is important to be aware of the disease ratings of the varieties planted in your fields.  In general, Septoria brown spot often is not an economic concern, as symptoms often are only on leaves in the lower canopy.  However, in years with frequent rainfall throughout the season, spores of the Septoria brown spot pathogen may splash up to the upper canopy and cause some upper leaves to prematurely defoliate.  When this happens, some yield loss can be attributed to Septoria brown spot.  Although target spot and Cercospora leaf blight may occur in Kentucky, the appearance of these diseases generally has been later in the season, which has often been too late to cause yield reductions.

Soybean Foliar Fungicide Considerations

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Carl A. Bradley, Extension Plant Pathologist

Sharpening a Lawn Mower Blade

Figure 1. Symptoms of frogeye leaf spot on soybean leaves (Photo: Carl Bradley, UK).

Figure 2. Brown lesions and yellowing on the leaf edges caused by the Septoria brown spot pathogen of soybean (Photo: Carl Bradley, UK).

Figure 3. “Purpling” of soybean leaf caused by the Cercospora leaf blight pathogen (Photo: Carl Bradley, UK).

Figure 4. Symptoms of target spot affecting a soybean leaflet (Photo: Carl Bradley, UK).

For more information go to: http://marshall.ca.uky.edu/AgNaturalResourcesor follow us on Facebook @marshallcountyanr

Marshall County Agriculture and Natural 

Resources Agent

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Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or

mental disability. UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND KENTUCKY COUNTIES, COOPERATING