Pumpkins / Gourds
New York State ranks among the top 3 states (Illinois and Pennsylvania are the other two) in pumpkin production in the country with over 5,500 acres of production with an estimated value of $20.5 million each year (2014 Vegetable Summary). Nearly all of these are for fresh market use for either decorating or eating. The pumpkin industry is highly variable with fruit ranging from quarter pound to several hundred pounds each. Pumpkins are grown throughout NYS and are marketed through roadside stands, nursery centers and farmers markets and are also important in areas that have lots of agri-tourism. Included in this group are also other fall ornamentals such as gourds and ornamental squash. Pumpkins are susceptible to many different diseases, the most prevalent of those being Powdery Mildew, Downey Mildew and Phytopthroa blight. In the last eight years, plant breeders and seed companies have released a multitude of varieties resistant to Powdery Mildew and are widely used by growers. Another concern for growers are several different viruses which can cause plants to not produce fruit at all or results in poor fruit quality (size, color etc.). Striped Cucumber Beetles and Squash bugs remain the main insect pests. Aphids are also important because they are the primary vectors of those viruses mentioned above.Relevant Events
Fresh Market Minutes - Eden Valley
August 1, 2017
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Eden, NY
2017 Vegetable Pest and Cultural Management Field Meeting - Chautauqua County
August 8, 2017
6:00 PM
Frewsburg, NY
Fresh Market Minutes - Eden Valley
August 15, 2017
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Eden, NY
Fresh Market Minutes - Eden Valley
August 29, 2017
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Eden, NY
Sustainable and Organic Vegetable Pest Management Field Day
August 29, 2017
3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Portland, NY
Most Recent Pumpkins / Gourds Content
From Margaret McGrath, Cornell
Producing a high-quality cucurbit crop necessitates effectively managing downy mildew. This foliar disease is common in the northeast because the pathogen produces a large quantity of asexual spores that are easily dispersed long distances by wind, which enables it to spread widely. There has been no evidence that the pathogen is surviving between growing seasons where winter temperatures kill cucurbit crops (outdoors above the 30th latitude); however, recently both mating types have been found, albeit typically on different cucurbit crop types, thus there is the potential for the pathogen to produce oospores (sexual spores) that could enable the pathogen to survive in northern areas of the USA. The downy mildew forecasting program has documented based on downy mildew occurrence movement of the pathogen throughout the eastern USA each year via its wind-dispersed asexual spores. The pathogen does not affect fruit directly; however, affected leaves die prematurely which results in fewer fruit and/or fruit of low quality (poor flavor, sunscald, poor storability).
The most important component of an effective management program for downy mildew is an effective, properly-timed fungicide program. And the key to that is applying mobile fungicides targeted to the pathogen starting when there is a risk of the pathogen being present. Mobile (or translaminar) fungicides are needed for control on the underside of leaves. Each year there often are changes to the fungicides recommended as the pathogen develops resistance or new products are registered. Because these fungicides have targeted activity, additional fungicides must be added to the program when there is a need to manage other diseases such as powdery mildew. Most targeted fungicides effective for downy mildew are also effective for Phytophthora blight.
Flea beetles are a common vegetable pest affecting peppers, cucurbits, sweet potato, potato, peas, beans, beets, tomato, corn, turnip, pumpkin, melon, eggplant, and others. This short video gives you some general information about this pest.
Robert Hadad, Extension Vegetable Specialist
From Vegetable MD Online:
A chart of recommended storage conditions for different culinary types and their storage life expectancy.
2017 Cucurbit Downy Mildew Management Guidelines
Last Modified: July 5, 2017
From Margaret McGrath, Cornell
Producing a high-quality cucurbit crop necessitates effectively managing downy mildew. This foliar disease is common in the northeast because the pathogen produces a large quantity of asexual spores that are easily dispersed long distances by wind, which enables it to spread widely. There has been no evidence that the pathogen is surviving between growing seasons where winter temperatures kill cucurbit crops (outdoors above the 30th latitude); however, recently both mating types have been found, albeit typically on different cucurbit crop types, thus there is the potential for the pathogen to produce oospores (sexual spores) that could enable the pathogen to survive in northern areas of the USA. The downy mildew forecasting program has documented based on downy mildew occurrence movement of the pathogen throughout the eastern USA each year via its wind-dispersed asexual spores. The pathogen does not affect fruit directly; however, affected leaves die prematurely which results in fewer fruit and/or fruit of low quality (poor flavor, sunscald, poor storability).
The most important component of an effective management program for downy mildew is an effective, properly-timed fungicide program. And the key to that is applying mobile fungicides targeted to the pathogen starting when there is a risk of the pathogen being present. Mobile (or translaminar) fungicides are needed for control on the underside of leaves. Each year there often are changes to the fungicides recommended as the pathogen develops resistance or new products are registered. Because these fungicides have targeted activity, additional fungicides must be added to the program when there is a need to manage other diseases such as powdery mildew. Most targeted fungicides effective for downy mildew are also effective for Phytophthora blight.
Video: Flea Beetles
Last Modified: June 5, 2017
Flea beetles are a common vegetable pest affecting peppers, cucurbits, sweet potato, potato, peas, beans, beets, tomato, corn, turnip, pumpkin, melon, eggplant, and others. This short video gives you some general information about this pest.
Storage Conditions for Squash
Robert Hadad, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
Last Modified: December 13, 2016
From Vegetable MD Online:
A chart of recommended storage conditions for different culinary types and their storage life expectancy.
More Pumpkins / Gourds Content
Asparagus
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Onions
Parsnips
Peas
Peppers
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
Muck Donut Hour Every Tuesday
August 1, 2017
8:30 - 9:30 AM
Elba, NY
Meet with Cornell Vegetable Program Specialist Christy Hoepting every Tuesday morning to ask questions and share your observations.Fresh Market Minutes - Eden Valley
August 1, 2017
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Eden, NY
Meet with the Cornell Vegetable Program Specialist Darcy Telenko every other Tuesday morning to ask questions and share your observations in fresh market vegetables.2017 Vegetable Pest and Cultural Management Field Meeting - Chautauqua County
August 8, 2017
6:00 PM
Frewsburg, NY
This course will demonstrate pest management in fresh market vegetables in both field and greenhouse (high tunnel) vegetables; primarily for those growing for wholesale auction. A hands-on demonstration of weed, insect and disease identification in vegetables including management options such as inter-row cover crops, grafting and where appropriate, spray options will be used to educate growers. CVP Specialists Judson Reid, DarcyTelenko, and Robert Hadad will instruct participants and facilitate peer-based learning. Details on each topic will focus on field observations at the farm. Announcements
Late Blight Spreading Across WNY Counties
7/19/17 - Late blight (LB) was confirmed in Livingston County on potato this week (the genotype is still being determined). The sample from Erie County from last week was determined to be US-23 which is sensitive to metalaxyl. All of Western NY is at risk for Late Blight infection. Severity values continue build at all stations. The frequent and continuing rainfall has been extremely favorable for the development of LB. Scout fields twice a week. All tomato and potato growers, conventional and organic, should be applying a protectant fungicides and monitoring the DSS to determine spray intervals. Remember to rotate fungicide FRAC groups and use contact fungicides in your program to minimize the chances of fungicides resistance.If late blight is suspected act immediately! Under favorable environmental conditions late blight develops very rapidly and can spread many miles in a short period. Please take a sample for isolate identification. It is very important to track disease movement. Contact CCE Cornell Vegetable Program Specialists for assistance.
Cucurbit Downy Mildew Confirmed in WNY
Cucurbit downy mildew has been confirmed in Erie County. There have also been confirmed reports from OH, PA and Ontario Canada. If you're planning on spraying cucumbers to control downy mildew, now is the time to do it!Characteristic disease symptoms are angular, pale green areas bounded by the leaf veins. They will turn yellow and later necrotic. Under high humidity conditions sporulation will occur on the lower leaf surface. Apply targeted fungicides tank-mixed with protectant fungicides weekly and alternated among available modes of action (FRAC code), starting when there is risk for a specific crop based on forecasting program. Refer to the Cornell Vegetable Guidelines for a complete list of products available.
For more information about the disease, watch our new video Better Know a Pest: Downy Mildew or contact Robert Hadad or Darcy Telenko.
Better Know a Pest Video Series
The CCE Cornell Vegetable Program has created 3 new, short videos about common vegetable pests: flea beetles, swede midge, and downy mildew. The videos are part of a series called Better Know a Pest. Watch for more videos as the season progresses.2017 Cornell Vegetable Guidelines Available
The 2017 edition of the Cornell Integrated Crop and Pest Management Guidelines for Commercial Vegetable Production is now available. This annual publication provides up-to-date vegetable crop production information for New York State. It is designed as a practical guide for vegetable crop producers, crop consultants, ag chemical dealers, and others who advise vegetable crop producers.In addition to the annually revised pesticide and crop production information, highlighted changes in this edition of the Vegetable Guidelines include:
- Addition of Dickeya blackleg on potato as a disease of concern.
- Updated regulatory considerations for organic vegetable production.
- Revised European corn borer management strategies for beans and potatoes.
Cornell Vegetable Program - Cornell Cooperative Extension
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