Ginseng Crop Update for May 31

With the hot and dry conditions over the past two weeks, Alternaria problems have increased in ginseng gardens over the past week. Much of the damage is currently along the stem with tan, brittle lesions covered in black conidia (spores). Tops will not recover from this type of damage. Once infection is noted in a garden, calendar sprays of a rotation of registered fungicides are recommended. Adjust the interval between sprays based on weather conditions. Alternaria prefers warm temperatures with high humidity, but does not require an extended wet period for infection.

Confirming Nozzle Output for Agricultural Sprayers

From Dr. Jason Deveau, Application Technology Specialist, OMAFRA

You may think your sprayer is set up to deliver a specific output. In fact, the output may be different than expected – even with brand new nozzles. One way to check is to fill the sprayer with enough water to spray one hectare and then go spray the hectare. If the tank is empty, the sprayer is operating correctly. Most operators, however, do not have a test hectare marked off. Furthermore, this may give a false positive if some nozzles are occluded while others are worn.

Alternately, and preferably, the operator can measure the actual output-per-minute of each nozzle. This does not capture travel speed issues, but does double-check nozzle accuracy. Here are the steps for the timed-output test:

Ontario, Quebec and Alberta Basil Growers Receive Emergency Use Registrations for Downy Mildew

From Jim Chaput, Minor Use Coordinator, OMAFRA, Guelph

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of emergency use registrations for CONFINE FUNGICIDE (potassium salts of phosphorous acid) and REVUS FUNGICIDE (mandipropamid) for control of an outbreak of basil downy mildew on greenhouse and field grown basil inOntario, Quebec and Alberta. Both Confine and Revus fungicides are already labeled in Canada for control of diseases on several crops. Furthermore a complete minor use submission is underway with the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Pest Management Centre (AAFC–PMC) minor use program and U.S. IR-4 program to seek eventual, full registration of Revus for control of basil downy mildew in Canada and the U.S.

Emergency Use Registration of Maestro DF Fungicide for Control of Phytophthora on Ginseng

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency has approved an Emergency Use Registration for Maestro 80 DF (captan) fungicide for control of Phytophthora rot of ginseng. Many thanks are due to Jim Chaput, Provincial Minor Use Coordinator, OMAFRA, Arysta LifeScience North America, and the Ontario Ginseng Growers Association for their efforts in securing this Emergency Use Registration.

Application Rates

For the control of Phytophthora rot (Phytophthora cactorum) of ginseng, apply Maestro 80 DF as a broadcast foliar spray at a rate of 4.2 kg/ha (3.36 kg ai/ha) with a maximum of 4 applications in 2012 with a minimum interval of 7 days between applications. Ground application only. Applications can be made up to 16 days before harvest. This Emergency Use expires on December 31, 2012.

The application rate should be based on 4.2 kg/ha applied in the appropriate volume of carrier to achieve thorough coverage of all plant surfaces. For example, if you apply 1000 L water/ha, thoroughly mix 4.2 kg of product in 1000 L water and thoroughly cover all above-ground plant surfaces for optimal disease control. Use care in mixing and application to avoid exceeding rates of 4.2 kg product/ha regardless of spray volume.

Ginseng Crop Update May 24

Conditions over the past week have been conducive for the development of Alternaria stem and leaf blight. Look for tan-coloured lesions along the stem that are brittle and eventually form black spores. Lesions on the leaves are often circular, tan in colour with a yellow halo and concentric rings. Alternaria will often develop first in older gardens next to infected stems from last year. Consult OMAFRA Publication 610 Production Recommendations for Ginseng and the 2012 Supplement for a list of products to control Alternaria.

Insect issues usually begin to affect ginseng at this time of year. Insects are often patchy problems in ginseng and do not always require a control. However, occasionally cutworms (Figure 1) four-lined plant bug (Figure 2), leaf rollers (Figure 3), and aphids (Figure 4) reach sufficient populations to warrant a control. These insects require close monitoring of gardens for early growth stages. By the time damage becomes noticeable in a ginseng garden, it may be too late to adequately control the pest. Spot application in problem areas may be sufficient for some insect pests. Aphids and the nymphs of four-lined plant bug are beginning to show up in the landscape and may affect ginseng over the next few weeks. Permethrin products (Pounce 384 EC, Perm-Up EC, Ambush 500 EC) are the only registered products for control of cutworms and four-lined plant bug in ginseng (Only four-lined plant bug for Ambush 500 EC). Dipel 2X DF is the only product registered for control of leaf rollers. Beleaf 50SG is the only product registered for control of aphids in ginseng. Consult the product label before applying any pest control product.

Figure 1. A severed top lying upside-down on the straw is a common symptom of cutworm feeding.

Ontario Hop Growers Association Membership and Educational Forum – May 26, 2012

On Saturday May 26th, 2012, the Ontario Hop Growers Association will be having it’s first Membership and Educational Forum.  The forum will run from 11 am to 7 pm at Wind Dance Stable & Farm, the farm of hop grower Larry Roche, located at 1166 North Big Island Road Prince Edward County.  The following is an outline of speakers and events for the day:

11:00 am: Welcome/Opening remarks from the OHGA president

• Overview of OHGA status - Constitution/Incorporation
• Meet the OHGA executive body
• Membership Logo Contest
• OHGA 2012 events agenda

11:30 am: Educational Seminars (3 – 90 minute sessions)

Session 1 – Soils and soil management – from soil testing to cover crops, Anne Verhallen, OMAFRA

Session 2 – Pest management for hops, Melanie Filotas, OMAFRA

Session 3 – Hop Yard & Processing Facility Tour, Larry Roche, Hop Grower

Q & A opportunity, plus open discussions in the field amongst hop growers.  Topics covered will include:

• Harvesting Rhizomes – Hugh Brown, Hop Grower
• Trellis Structures – Shane Eby,  Hop Grower
• Stringing of Bines - Nicholas Schault, Hop Grower
• Irrigation – Evan Elford, OMAFRA

4:30 pm – Logo Contest Winner Announced

4:45 pm – Closing Remarks

5:00 pm – Craft Beer Tasting

5:30 pm – Potluck and BBQ

OHGA will be providing hamburgers and sausages for the group.  Please Note: We are asking each participant to bring the following items:

• Reusable plates/utensils/glasses
• Chair(s)
• Some food to share – a salad (compound or tossed) and/or a dessert
• Something to drink
• Mid-­day snack
• A cooler for your food and drink
• Sunscreen and a hat (for warm weather)
• Umbrella and warm clothes (for rainy weather)

IMPORTANT: The OHGA does not encourage drinking and driving, so if you plan on participating in the craft beer tasting, please do so responsibly. The proprietor of the farm  has offered an area for OHGA members to camp; so if you think you might be imbibing too many glasses of beer, you are more than welcome to stay. If you do plan on camping, please remember to bring the appropriate equipment with you (IT WILL NOT BE PROVIDED). Please RSVP by Wednesday May 23 to the Ontario Hop Growers Association  ontariohopgrowersassociation@gmail.com

Ginseng Crop Update for May 17

The frost on Wednesday night has caused damage to ginseng in some areas. The damage has appeared on all ages of plants. The extent of the damage will not be known for a few days. The first symptoms of damage will be kinking and softening along the stem. Seedlings will not recover from kinked stems (Figure 1). Older plants can survive stem kinking but will likely be stunted and deformed (Figure 2). The developing flower head may appear green after a frost (Figure 3), but will likely senesce over the next few days if the stem is kinked or split. As a result of this damage, growers should delay de-budding until the extent of the damage is known. Growers may need to retain a larger area for seed production to compensate for the loss of some seed heads. With warmer and more humid weather forecast over the weekend, the risk of Botrytis will remain high on damaged tissues. Dry and warm conditions will also increase the risk of Alternaria.

Figure 1. A kinked seedling stem on May 17. Seedlings rarely survive this type of damage.