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Ontario vegetable updates 8/19

Here’s the latest vegetable crop updates from the vegetable crop specialists at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA).

In brassica crops, late broccoli transplanting has concluded. Alternaria has emerged in some fields and watch for black rot symptoms such as ‘v’ shaped lesions or, in systemically infected plants,  chlorotic areas on leaves.

For garlic bulbs headed to storage with stained wrappers, this could be due to Pseudomonas. See the report for a list of precautions recommended by OMAFA to reduce Pseudomonas symptoms next year .

In onions, transplant harvest is underway. Direct-seeded onions are lodging, with stemphylium leaf blight and tipburn observed. Once 50 per cent of the crop has lodged and green tops are still present, plant growth regulator Royal MH can be applied to control sprouts.

In peppers, phytophthora is still a concern. In wilting plants, check for lesions on the crown and stem, as well as for brown, unhealthy roots. The final peak of European corner borer (ECB) should be almost reached across the province. It’s recommended to start thinking about an insecticide application to manage ECB.

Early varieties of tomatoes are ready for harvest. Remain aware of late blight risks and apply fungicides as needed (if symptoms present in field or neighbouring fields). Phytophthora capsici is still of concern – watch out for wilting plants, buckeye rot on green fruit and ballooning red fruit.

See full details from the August 18 report here.