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
2025 Muck Onion Growers Twilight Meeting in Oswego

June 26, 2025
Oswego, NY
Open to all Onion Enthusiasts, the Muck Onion Growers Twilight Meeting will include new fungicide recommendations for Botrytis leaf blight and Stemphylium leaf blight, onion maggot seed treatment update, herbicide demonstration tour, and more. This educational event is immediately followed by a catered dinner; both are FREE thanks to generous sponsors!
2.0 DEC recertification credits available in categories 1a, 10 and 23.
Vegetable Pest and Cultural Management Field Meeting for Auction Growers -- Ontario Produce Auction

July 15, 2025
Stanley, NY
This evening meeting 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. Details on each topic will focus on field observations at the farm.
Orleans Summer Vegetable Meeting, 2025

July 16, 2025
Waterport, NY
Meeting themes are pest management in a wide array of produce and best practices for pesticide use. Professor Brian Nault will cover allium leaf miner and thrips in onions, garlic, and leeks, and discuss insect challenges in other crops. Bring your questions! We'll also have a field walk that includes high tunnel tomato and cucumber.
DEC credits available: 0.5 in CORE plus either 1.25 in 1a and 23, or 0.75 in 24.