Nightshade Management Reduces Crop Loss
Julie Kikkert, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program

For processing pea growers, nightshades can turn to nightmares as many fields with bountiful pea crops can be rejected by processors at harvest time because nightshade berries have similar size and shape as peas. Similar crop loss can occur in beans where nightshade berries stain and cause soil to stick to pods. Nightshades should be managed in other crops as well because they reduce crop yields, and harbor diseases of Solanaceous crops such as early blight and late blight of potatoes and tomatoes. Nightshades may become more of a problem in NY if early, warm spring weather becomes a more frequent pattern.
Download a complete report on the species of nightshades in NY, physiological difference between them, emergence and growth data, and control strategies.
See nightshade complete report (pdf; 871KB)

Upcoming Events
Genesee Valley Winter Produce Meeting
January 20, 2026
Farmersville, NY
Fresh market production meeting for small to mid-sized farms. Topics include: fundamentals of plant disease management, keeping yourself safe while spraying (organic & conventional), mushrooms, white mold management, selling at auction, and soil health.
Chautauqua Region Winter Vegetable Meeting
January 30, 2026
Randolph, NY
Fresh market production meeting for small to mid-sized farms. Topics include: vegetable disease management, keeping yourself safe while spraying (organic & conventional), soil and water sampling, managing soil organic matter, grower panel, industry and programmatic updates.
DEC credits available: 1.0 in CORE plus 1.5 in 1a and 23.
Eden Area Winter Vegetable Meeting
February 4, 2026
North Collins, NY
Join us for a mix of industry updates, crop protection talks, pesticide safety programming, and fertility management discussions. This meeting is jointly hosted by the Cornell Vegetable Program and Timac Laing-Gro.
1.25 DEC credits available in CORE plus 1.75 in 1a and 23.