Hendry Countyextensionpo Box 68 Labelle, Florida 33975-0068Phone (863) 674-4092

Hendry CountyExtensionPO Box 68 LaBelle, Florida 33975-0068Phone (863) 674-4092

September 19, 2008

The 2008 – 2009 got off to a soggy start with the arrival of Tropical Storm Fay in mid-August which crisscrossed the state dropping over 2 foot of rain or more in little over a week in some areas. Fortunately the storm came before substantial acreage had been planted reducing potential crop damage, however growers reported flooded field, damaged plastic and had to patch or relay some plastic already down.

In September, many growers watched Hurricane Ike with some trepidation and delayed some plantings as at one point it appeared that it would impact South Florida. Mostly dry conditions over the past week or so have helped growers start to get back on track with planting schedules.

Daytime highs have been running in the low to mid 90’s in most locations with night temps mostly in the 70’s.

FAWN Weather Summary

Date / Air Temp °F / Rainfall / Ave Relative Humidity / ET (Inches/Day)
Min / Max / (Inches) / (Percent) / (Average)
Balm
8/1 – 9/18/08 / 66.74 / 96.66 / 8.02 / 79 / 0.15
Belle Glade
8/1 – 9/18/08 / 65.68 / 94.98 / 16.54 / 82 / 0.15
Clewiston
8/1 – 9/18/08 / 67.71 / 95.16 / 18.13 / 78 / 0.16
Ft Lauderdale
8/1 – 9/18/08 / 70.93 / 95.77 / 10.95 / 82 / 0.15
Fort Pierce
8/1 – 9/18/08 / 69.37 / 94.41 / 19.45 / 84 / 0.16
Homestead
8/1 – 9/18/08 / 67.75 / 94.01 / 17.53 / 83 / 0.15
Immokalee
8/1 – 9/18/08 / 67.77 / 98.46 / 17.32 / 83 / 0.16

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COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN AGRICULTURE, FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES, SEA GRANT AND 4-H YOUTH, STATE OF FLORIDA, IFAS, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND BOARDS OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COOPERATING

Over all crops are looking good – around Ruskin early plantings are setting fruit while in Immokalee most planting are off to a good start but growers report heavy deer feeding in places due to flooding in surrounding woods and wild areas.

The short-term forecast from the National Weather Service in Miami calls for a 40 – 50% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms through next week. For additional information, visit the National Weather Service in Miami website at

Insects

Worms

Around Immokalee, worm pressure is moderate, mostly beet armyworm and fruitworms with a few southern armyworms and hornworms showing up in places. Some melon worms are showing up in squash.

Scouts in the Manatee area report that hornworms, fruitworms, and beet armyworms have been active and note that many pastures are loaded with a mix of caterpillars. Scouts also report finding egg masses as well.

On the East Coast respondents are reporting a mixed bag of worms depending on the crop and location including beet armyworms, southern armyworms and hornworms in tomato, a few southern armyworms in pepper and some loopers attacking basil.

Whiteflies

Growers and scouts on the east coast report variable whitefly numbers – mostly low around Palm Beach but higher in St Lucie where some nymphs are showing up in early plantings.

Around SW Florida, whitefly pressure overall seems to be low with some exceptions where they are reaching moderate levels in some tomato, squash and eggplant fields.

In the Manatee County area reports indicate that whiteflies are mostly low in tomato but cucurbit producers are advised to be extra vigilant of whitefly populations as there are already some fields in Manatee County with high incidences of Cucurbit Yellow Stunting Disorder Virus (CYSDV). Some plants have also tested positive for vine decline (SqVYV) in ManateeCounty.

Broad mites

Broad mites are present in Palm BeachCounty primarily on basil and eggplant.

Around SW Florida broad mites are beginning to show up in pepper and eggplant.

Leafminers

Respondents in all areas report that leafminers remain low below actionable thresholds.

Diseases

Pythium

Some losses from pythium are being reported in all areas especially in the earliest plants affected by wet conditions in August.

Bacterial leafspot

Respondents in Southwest Florida report scattered problems with bacterial spot, mostly in the oldest tomato plantings that went through Fay. Low incidence of bacteria is also being to show up in pepper in a few places some only a few days in the ground.

Around ManateeCounty is bacterial leaf spot is scattered around mostly on early planted round and grape tomatoes.

Scouts in PamBeachCounty report mostly low incidence of bacterial spot except a few isolated places where it is said to be rampant.

TYLCV

Very low levels of tomato yellow leaf curl virus are present in tomato around ManateeCounty.

Cucurbit Viruses

Reports from around Manatee County indicate a number of cucurbit viruses are present including Cucurbit Yellow Stunting Disorder Virus (CYSDV),squash veinyellowing virus (SqVYV), cucurbit leaf crumple and papaya ring spot in cantaloupes, watermelons and pumpkin.

Southern Blight

Low levels southern blight on tomato is being reported from scattered locations around ManateeCounty.

Gummy Stem Blight

Gummy stem blight is present on some melons around Southwest Florida.

Tomato Spotted Wilt

Some tomato spotted wilt is being reported on pepper transplants in Palm BeachCounty. It is suspected that this came on plants from Georgia.

News You Can Use

EPA Rule Threatens Use of Vital Tool - Soil Fumigants at Risk

EPA is requiring important new safety measures for soil fumigant pesticides to increase protections for agricultural workers and bystanders – people who live, work, or otherwise spend time near fields that are fumigated. These measures are included in risk management Reregistration Eligibility Decisions (REDs) forthe soil fumigants:

• chloropicrin
• dazomet
• metam sodium/potassium (including methyl isothiocyanate or MITC)
• methyl bromide

Although these soil fumigant decisions are final, public comments on implementation of the risk mitigation measures are due to EPA by September 15, 2008 - July 16, 2008, FR Notice. See info on how to comment at the end of this note.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Soil Fumigant Pesticides Subject to New Safety Measures

Contact (news media only): Dale Kemery, (202) 564-4355 /

(Washington, D.C. - July 10, 2008) New safety measures for soil fumigant pesticides will increase protections for agricultural workers and bystanders - people who live, work, or otherwise spend time near fields that are fumigated.

For the soil fumigants methyl bromide, chloropicrin, dazomet, metam sodium, and metam potassium, EPA will require a suite of new mitigation measures that will work together to protect human health.

"The new restrictions protect workers and bystanders against inadvertent exposure to soil fumigants and are practical to implement," said Jim Gulliford, EPA's Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances.

When fumigants dissipate from the soil, workers or bystanders who are exposed to these pesticides may experience eye or respiratory irritation, or more severe and irreversible effects, depending on the fumigant and level of exposure. The following mitigation measures are designed to work together to protect bystanders and workers.

• To help ensure safe fumigation practices, users must complete written, site-specific fumigant management plans before fumigations begin.

• Buffer zones around treated fields will reduce the chances of immediate harmful effects to bystanders from fumigant concentrations in air. Buffers can be adjusted based on the use of other good management practices that also reduce risks to bystanders.

• Posting requirements will inform bystanders and field workers about the location and timing of fumigations and associated buffer zones so people do not enter these areas.

• To ensure emergency preparedness, registrants must provide first responders with fumigant-specific safety information and training. Fumigant applicators must monitor buffer zone perimeters or provide emergency response information directly to neighbors.

• Fumigant registrants must conduct outreach programs to educate community members about fumigants, buffer zones, how to recognize early signs of fumigant exposure, and how to respond appropriately in case of an incident.

• Fumigant registrants must adopt more stringent worker protection measures, and develop training for fumigation handlers and workers to enhance their knowledge and skills and to promote product stewardship.

• All soil fumigant products will be classified as restricted-use pesticides, to ensure that only specially trained individuals can apply and oversee fumigant operations.

EPA's decision will also halt the use of methyl bromide on sites where alternatives are available. The newly registered fumigant iodomethane will be reexamined later this year to determine what new mitigation or restrictions are necessary. The soil fumigant 1,3-dichloropropene, which was evaluated previously, may be subject to similar provisions when the soil fumigants are evaluated together again in 2013.

Soil fumigants are pesticides that, when injected or incorporated into soil, form a gas that permeates the soil and kills a wide array of soil-borne pests, providing an important tool for American agriculture. Fumigants are used on a wide range of crops, primarily potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries, carrots, and peppers. EPA is providing 60 days for public comments on implementation of these measures and will refine the measures as needed - now extended (GM).

Comments will be accepted on implementation of the risk mitigation measures in EPA’s soil fumigant risk management decisions until - now October 30, 2008(GM).

All comments should be identified by the relevant Docket ID number, which EPA has established for these actions.

Additional information about the rule is posted on the agency's website at

More information on the proposed requirements and how to comment is available at:

The Federal Register notice can be found at

ACTION: make comments and send a message to EPA asking them to reevaluate this proposed rule.

Please take time to do this it will help our industry. Remember - the saying the Good Lord helps those that help themselves - plan on expressing your concerns and let EPA know how this might potentially impact your business.

Managing Western Flower Thrips

Thrips are tiny insects with fringed wings. There are over 5,000 described species with about 87 species of thrips that are pests of commercial crops due to their feeding on leaves, fruits, and flowers causing discoloration, deformity, and reduced marketability.

The western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) was spread over many parts of the world during the 1980’s and 1990’s due to the global trade in ornamental plants. Originally from the southwestern US, it is now largely cosmopolitan, and it is the key vector of Tomato spotted wilt virus. The insect and the virus have become the key pest problems of tomato, pepper, and other crops in northern Florida, but they were not, until 2006, serious pests in central and southern Florida. In northern Florida, the eastern flower thrips (Frankliniella tritici) is more common than the western flower thrips. In central and southern Florida, the Florida flower thrips (Frankliniella bispinosa) is the more common. All of the above-mentioned species of thrips have a broad host range that includes many crops, weeds and other plants in and around crop fields.

The pest status of individual species of flower thrips differs in tomato and pepper. The adults of the western flower thrips inhabit the flowers where they feed on pollen and flower tissues. The females lay eggs individually on the small developing fruit in the flower, and the larva hatches in about six days. A small dimple sometimes surrounded by a halo remains on the developing fruit of pepper and tomato. Direct feeding by the western flower thrips larvae also can cause cosmetic fruit damage referred to as ‘flecking’. Both types of damage can result in cull-out and lowering of grade of the harvested fruit, with tolerance based on price and demand in the marketplace.

The eastern flower thrips is virtually a non-pest. It does not damage fruit and it is an incapable vector of Tomato spotted wilt virus. The Florida flower thrips is not damaging to fruit. Although it is a capable vector of Tomato spotted wilt virus, epidemics are rare in central and southern Florida where it is the predominate species. In fact, they compete with the western flower thrips, and in high numbers they out-compete the populations of western flower thrips. The eastern flower thrips and the Florida flower thrips are suppressed by insecticides in many chemical classes with different modes of action. The adults of these species are much more active than the adults of western flower thrips. They are capable of rapidly re-colonizing insecticide treated crops and sometimes there is an apparent lack of control for these species under field conditions.

There is an unusual virus-vector relationship between the thrips and the Tomato spotted wilt virus. The virus is acquired only by the larvae, and the adults can transmit to host plants. Primary spread is due to infections caused by incoming viruliferous adults to a crop (such as tomato and pepper) from outside sources that are usually host weed species. Adults persistently transmit, and their control with insecticides does not prevent transmission due to the short time of feeding for infection to occur. Secondary spread is caused by viruliferous adults that acquired the virus as larvae feeding on an already infected plant in the tomato or pepper field. For secondary spread, thrips need to colonize and reproduce on that season’s crop. Most viral infections in northern Florida usually are the result of primary spread, although some secondary viral infections occur late in the season.

The invading populations of western flowers thrips were largely resistant to most organophosphate, carbamate, pyrethroid, and organochlorine insecticides. Further, insecticidal control of the viruliferous adults proved ineffective in preventing spread of Tomato spotted wilt virus. Even though ineffective, growers in most parts of the world responded by spraying insecticides on a calendar schedule. This sometimes resulted in an economic and environmental disaster with growers suffering uncontrollable damage due to high thrips populations and epidemics of tomato spotted wilt. Application of broad-spectrum insecticides may suppress western flower thrips initially, but their numbers can increase rapidly a few days after application in numbers that are many-fold greater than untreated pepper. This was the situation in northern Florida and southern Georgia beginning the 1980’s. Eventually, integrated pest management programs were developed and once adopted these proved to be effective, economic, and sustainable.

Natural infestations of a predatory bug, the minute pirate bug (Orius insidiosus) are very effective predators of thrips in pepper. Their effectiveness is predictable based on the number of the predator relative to the number of thrips prey. Suppression occurs when there is one predator for approximately 180 thrips. Control occurs when there is one minute pirate bug per 50 thrips. A conservation biological control program was implemented in northern Florida and this program has been adapted to local conditions throughout the world. This integrated pest management program employs reduced-risk insecticides, natural infestations of minute pirate bugs, and cultural control tactics including ultraviolet-reflective mulch. SpinTor (Dow AgroSciences, Indianapolis, Indiana) is the most effective insecticide able to suppress populations of western flower thrips, and it is a reduced-risk insecticide that does not suppress populations of minute pirate bugs at labeled rates. In pepper and other fruiting vegetables, this product is being replaced by another spinosyn insecticide, Radiant, with the same mode of action.

Minute pirate bugs do not prefer tomato and numbers remain too low in tomato fields to suppress thrips. Other management tactics are highly beneficial. Ultraviolet-reflective mulch (aluminum layered) is very effective in reducing the colonization of all thrips species onto tomato plants and in reducing the incidence of primary infections of Tomato spotted wilt virus. This is the most effective tactic in northern Florida tomatoes. Development of the larvae is about 5 days, and weekly applications of insecticides are sufficient to prevent successful larval development and subsequent secondary spread of

Tomato spotted wilt virus on tomato.

Monitor (Valent USA Corp., Walnut Creek, California) and Radiant are in different chemical classes with different modes of action. Few other insecticides are efficacious against the western flower thrips.

The predominate thrips in central and southern Florida is the Florida flower thrips. The western flower thrips has been established in very low population levels for over two decades. Recently, populations have increased in a number of crops grown during the winter and spring. Large, damaging populations have occurred in peppers and tomatoes throughout Palm BeachCounty. Damaging populations have been noted in more isolated occurrences in other locations throughout central and southern Florida. There appear to be several factors responsible for this increase including the unusually dry conditions which favor the western flower thrips over the native species. Calendar sprays of broad-spectrum insecticides in attempts to control pests have caused outbreaks of the western flower thrips. Populations resurge when natural enemies and competing thrips are killed. Also, some insecticides especially pyrethroids have beneficial effects on the development and reproduction of western flower thrips. Growers need to be aware that the western flower thrips is resistant to most broad-spectrum insecticides and their use can only serve to induce outbreaks. Bioassays of western thrips in central and southern Florida reveal a mix of resistant and susceptible populations to Radiant. There are increased incidences of Tomato spotted wilt virus in central and southern Florida, although epidemics have remained localized.