Thank you to Dr. Rick Bates and Tracey Olson!

Steve Hutton – President and CEO of Star Roses and Plants/Conard-Pyle
Dr. Michael Dobres – Managing Director of Nova Flora LLC
Kathleen Case, Facilitator, Cindy Zook Associates
Dr.Thomas Bewick – USDA NIFA, National Program Leader for Horticulture

A two day national Rose Rosette Disease Summit was held in Newark, DE April 15 and 16, with researchers from across the country meeting to discuss the disease, and plans for future research.  Rose rosette disease (RRD) is caused by the rose rosette virus, carried by a tiny eriophyid mite.  The Summit was organized by Dr. Michael Dobres of the Conard-Pyle Company and Dr. Tom Evans of University of Delaware, and sponsored by the All-America Rose Selections and the Garden Rose Council, Inc. The conference included a talk given by Nancy Gregory of UD Cooperative Extension on occurrence and mapping of the disease. RRD has been seen in Mid-Atlantic States since approximately 2001, originally observed on multiflora rose in the landscape. In recent years, RRD has been identified on cultivated roses, including Knockout rose, and has also been identified in public gardens.  University scientists, plant breeders, Cooperative Extension personnel, USDA representatives, private consultants, and rose growers discussed the need for good diagnostic tools, accurate mapping, cultural controls, as well as breeding for resistance. Current control strategies include keeping roses in good vigor, pruning, mite control, and cultural controls such as reducing water on leaves.

Steve Hutton – President and CEO of Star Roses and Plants/Conard-Pyle
Dr. Michael Dobres – Managing Director of Nova Flora LLC
Kathleen Case, Facilitator, Cindy Zook Associates
Dr.Thomas Bewick – USDA NIFA, National Program Leader for Horticulture

A two day national Rose Rosette Disease Summit was held in Newark, DE April 15 and 16, with researchers from across the country meeting to discuss the disease, and plans for future research.  Rose rosette disease (RRD) is caused by the rose rosette virus, carried by a tiny eriophyid mite.  The Summit was organized by Dr. Michael Dobres of the Conard-Pyle Company and Dr. Tom Evans of University of Delaware, and sponsored by the All-America Rose Selections and the Garden Rose Council, Inc. The conference included a talk given by Nancy Gregory of UD Cooperative Extension on occurrence and mapping of the disease. RRD has been seen in Mid-Atlantic States since approximately 2001, originally observed on multiflora rose in the landscape. In recent years, RRD has been identified on cultivated roses, including Knockout rose, and has also been identified in public gardens.  University scientists, plant breeders, Cooperative Extension personnel, USDA representatives, private consultants, and rose growers discussed the need for good diagnostic tools, accurate mapping, cultural controls, as well as breeding for resistance. Current control strategies include keeping roses in good vigor, pruning, mite control, and cultural controls such as reducing water on leaves.

Attendees at the 2013 NJDelMarVaPa Plant Pathology Meeting at UD in March

The 68^th annual meeting of the NJDelMarVaPa Extension Plant Pathologists was held in at the University of Delaware in Newark, DE on March 21, 2013. The one day meeting has been held at the University of Delaware for all of its 68 years, and was hosted this year by Nancy Gregory.  The meeting has traditionally been a day to share field trial results, interesting plant disease reports, and to allow graduate students to present research to a small group.  It has always been a chance for regional Extension professionals to network and interact on a day filled with scientific presentations and good conversation.

• Delaware Department of Agriculture, 2320 S DuPont Hwy, Dover, DE (Cost $10), Credits: 2 Pest, 1 CNP
• Learn to identify and control important insect pests and plant diseases that affect Christmas Tree Production
• Instructors: Brian Kunkel, Nancy Gregory, Jeff Brothers
• Guest Speakers— Dr. Rick Bates, Penn State University,  Tracey Olson, Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture

To Register: Contact any County Extension Office or just come join us on April 23 and pay at the door,  NCC 302-831-2506;  Kent 302-730-4000;  Sussex 302-856-7303

Stewart’s wilt – image courtesy of J. Pataky, University of Illinois

Winter Temperature Index For Predicting Stewarts Wilt 2013

Temperature indexes averaging 106 to 113 combined degrees for December, January, and February, indicate that flea beetle populations could be high. If flea beetles are carrying the bacterium that causes Stewart’s wilt in corn, the disease could be a problem this year. Please see the report by clicking the link. Resistant varieties are available, as are controls for flea beetle populations. See the 2013 Delaware Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations for control Suggestions.

Vegetable & Small Fruits Program Research Reports
2012 Watermelon Stress Mitigation Study
2012 Evaluation of Biodegradable Plastic Mulches for Watermelon Production in Delaware
2011 In-Row Watermelon Pollenizer Trial
2011 Watermelon Research Report: On-Farm Watermelon Survey
2010 In-Row Watermelon Pollenizer Demo
2010 Watermelon Research Report: Hollow Heart Observations and On-Farm Pollination Survey

Insect Management
Insect Sampling Guidelines and Action Thresholds
Monitoring and Management of Beet Armyworm and Other Rind-Feeding Larvae in Watermelon
Watermelon Spider Mite Management Trial

Weed Management
24c Label for Chateau on Watermelon

Watermelon Crop Budgets

Drip Irrigation Cost Calculator

Watermelon Variety Trials

Search Weekly Crop Update for “watermelon”

Select Weekly Crop Update Articles on Watermelon
Managing Bacterial Fruit Blotch of Watermelon in the Greenhouse
Revisiting Degradable Plastic Mulches
Comparison of Yields of Watermelon Varieties Tested in the UD Trials for Multiple Years
Seedless Watermelon Spacing and Pollenizer Placement
Watermelon Pollenizer Variety Selection Matters
Air Pollution in Vegetables
Fusarium Wilt on Watermelons
Producing Quality Seedless Watermelon Transplants