Canadian efforts eliminate moth
Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed that eradication actions have been successful against the exotic noctuid moth, Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esper) or Chrysodeixis eriosoma (Doubleday), in Delta, British Columbia. Eradication actions in area greenhouse vegetable production facilities were implemented when the pest was detected in December 2005. The larvae of both species feed on plants, the foliage and fruit of field and vegetable crops and weeds. Greenhouse vegetable operations that could potentially overwinter this pest were placed under quarantine/compliance agreements from summer to spring 2007. These facilities were also required to carry out eradication activities. As of April 20, no detections were found at these operations and they were released from quarantine.
Syngenta acquires rights to abamectin manufacturing
Syngenta has been granted an exclusive license to use Merck & Co.'s manufacturing technology for the insecticide abamectin in turf and ornamentals, seed treatment and crop protection. The license enables Syngenta to expand manufacturing capacity of abamectin to support the growth of its abamectin-based products, including Avid.
Agency solicits plant health standards
Int'l. Plant Protection Convention, the primary int'l. standard-setting entity in the area of plant health, is requesting proposals for new standards or amendments to existing ones by July 20. Requests are only accepted every 2 years. IPPC's phytosanitary standards are recognized by the World Trade Organization as the benchmark for trade in plant products and for the protection of agriculture and the environment.
Look for powdery mildew on verbena
If you grow vegetative verbena, be aware that there is wide variability in cultivars' susceptibility to powdery mildew. Research has shown that some cultivars are less prone to the disease. Leanne Pundt, Univ. of Conn. greenhouse IPM specialist, said infected leaves may develop a purplish discoloration that can be confused with nitrogen deficiency. Turn over leaves and look for thin strands of the fungus on the undersides. Growers who produce both verbena and cucurbit transplants should separate these crops since powdery mildew can infect them both. Powdery mildews, although they can look similar, have specific host ranges.
Apply iron chelates to avoid iron deficiency
At pHs above 6.5, interactions with calcium and other ions in the growing media solution cause iron to precipitate out of solution and become unavailable to plants. Dean Krauskopf, with Mich. St. Univ. ext., said application of iron chelates can keep plants green and growing until you can drop the pH to proper levels. The strength of a chelate's hold on iron ions determines how long the iron ions will continue to be in solution. Krauskopf said the cheaper the chelate, the less useful it is. Krauskopf said some growers may encounter plants that show iron-deficiency symptoms when the medium pH is only slightly higher than desired. In these cases, phosphorus ties up iron and the combination of a weak chelate, slightly high pH and high phosphorus levels can cause iron to be unavailable.
OFA Short Course named 'large' trade show
OFA Short Course has been named No. 194 in a listing of the 200 largest U.S. trade shows in "Tradeshow Week 200." The Short Course, which has more than 139,000 net sq. ft. of exhibit space, will be July 14-17 in Columbus, Ohio. It will have more than 1,440 exhibit spaces and 10,000 attendees. The event is scheduled to be held at the Columbus Convention Center through 2013.
Worth a visit
Doug Cole, president of D.S. Cole Growers in Loudon, N.H., identifies some of his top picks in plant material and production aids. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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