Crop diseases endanger Pennsylvania farms in wet weather

Pennsylvania's agricultural landscape faces mounting challenges as wet and humid weather conditions foster the proliferation of crop diseases.

The sudden shift from drought to abundant rainfall has rejuvenated grasslands, but it has also set the stage for a surge in plant diseases.

Adapting to these changing conditions is a constant demand in agriculture. With the increase in moisture and humidity, it is crucial for farmers in Pennsylvania, especially in the southeastern region, to implement a regular disease scouting program for their crops.

While the dry weather initially offered respite from diseases, the arrival of downy mildew, a particularly destructive pathogen affecting vine crops like cucumbers, is imminent. Reports confirm the presence of downy mildew in two counties in southern New Jersey, indicating its likely spread to southeastern Pennsylvania.

Farmers with cucumber or cantaloupe crops must be vigilant in scouting for this disease and promptly apply fungicides if it is detected.

Another disease to be wary of is powdery mildew, which thrives in high humidity. Although there haven't been reports of its occurrence yet, early squash plantings are at risk.

Regular scouting and timely fungicide applications are vital to prevent its spread.

Even tomato crops will not be spared from disease issues. The combination of rainfall and high temperatures creates favorable conditions for bacterial diseases.

These diseases pose a challenge as effective fungicides for bacterial control are limited. Farmers should consider copper products, plant activators, or resistance inducers to manage bacterial diseases.

Fungi-related leaf diseases, such as early blight and septoria leaf blight, are common during crop maturation. Implementing a disease management program that incorporates at least two fungicides with different modes of action is crucial.

Resistance management is equally important, and including protectant fungicides in the mix can aid in this aspect while controlling other potential diseases.

Farmers must refer to the fungicide labels for approved usage on specific crops and adhere to preharvest intervals.

By remaining proactive and employing effective disease scouting and management strategies, Pennsylvania's farmers can mitigate the impact of crop diseases during these challenging weather conditions.

Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic