Vegetable Crop Update
Summary 2016
Pests:
In the spring, several growers reported high populations of flea beetles and cucumber beetles which
caused some crop damage to their brassica and cucurbit crops.
Although cases of late blight on potatoes were reported in the potato growing regions of the province,
only one vegetable producer from the rest of the province reported any problems with this fungal
disease.
Many New Brunswick growers have reported cases of powdery mildew on greenhouse and tunnel
tomatoes. The day and night temperature differences created ideal morning conditions for the
formation of dew (condensation) on the foliage which encourages the development of several
diseases including powdery mildew and leaf mould on greenhouse tomatoes. The powdery mildew is
caused by a fungal pathogen, Leveillula taurica. This white powdery mould can be found on the upper
side of the leaves and on the stem of the tomato plant.The affected tissue is associated with leaf
yellowing and lesions. This tissue may turn brown and eventually die. The symptoms usually start at
the base of the plant and make their way to the top of the plant: click here. It is important to control
this disease as soon as possible as it can spread through the greenhouse and cause severe crop
damage and significant yield loss. Few tomato varieties are resistant to powdery mildew. There are
several fungicides, including organic options, registered for the control of powdery mildew of
greenhouse tomatoes (see page 37 of this publication).
Later in the season, cases of leaf mould on greenhouse/tunnel tomato plants were also observed.
Leaf mould is a common greenhouse and high tunnel tomato disease caused by the fungal pathogen
Passalora fulva (synonym Fulvia fulva). Control strategies include cultural practices such as: using
resistant cultivars, providing ample ventilation, avoiding wetting the leaves when watering, avoiding
using over-dry soil or growing medium, trimming off some of the lower leaves once fruit has set to
encourage air circulation and picking off infected leaves as soon as they are seen. Pruning and work
in tomatoes should be done when the plants are dry. Tools need to be sterilized on a regular basis.
Growers who battle with leaf mould should consider selecting varieties that offer resistance. There
are many indeterminate varieties with such resistance. For disease description, images and
management refer to these links: Cornell University and University of Minnesota.
In the 2016 growing season, the bulb and stem nematode (Ditylenchus dipsaci), was found on
garlic and leek samples submitted to the NBDAAF’s plant diagnostic laboratory. The bulb and stem
nematode can infect onions, garlic, leeks, chives and shallots. Control measures include
preventing the intrusion of the nematode into a healthy field (start with nematode free sets, garlic
seeds or bulbs), rotation with non-related crops, and sanitation.
Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
Crop Development:
Most vegetable growers were pleased with the season. The weather conditions allowed for average
to good yields and good quality crops. However, a limited number of growers from across the
province indicated that the extended droughty period during the summer significantly impacted their
yields of potatoes, onions and carrots.
Most crops were harvested at a normal time of year. Some of the sweet corn growers have indicated
that even with multiple varieties and planting dates, the crop had a tendency to ripen at the same time
causing some marketing issues.
Sweet potato growers are reporting average to high yields.
Pumpkin growers were pleased with their crop. For most growers, it was an average to good crop
with good sizing and colour.
Fall seeded cover crops such as oilseed radish, tillage radish, oats and winter rye did very well this
season because of the excellent fall weather (i.e. oats between rows of strawberries, oilseed radish
mix, winter rye).
Weather:
Although the weather conditions observed this season were erradic at times, most vegetable growers
were satisfied with their crops.
Bathurst - Accumulated Growing Degree Days (GDD) above 5oC
January - October 2014, 2015, 2016, 5 and 30 yr ave
2015
2016
462
476
480
468
501
131
209
179
181
176
1000
500
2014
950
862
865
901
943
1500
1679
1692
1683
1676
1666
1349
1327
1321
1321
1351
2000
1587
1635
1582
1586
1586
2500
5 yr. Ave
30 yr. Ave
0
Jan - May
June
July
August
September
October
Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
500
196
264
251
252
231
1000
2014
2015
558
549
576
575
568
1043
985
1029
1039
1012
1500
1737
1833
1778
1781
1673
2000
1470
1471
1471
1485
1429
2500
1878
1911
1909
1902
1759
Fredericton - Accumulated Growing Degree Days (GDD) above 5oC
January - October 2014, 2015, 2016, 5 and 30 yr ave
2016
5 yr. Ave
30 yr. Ave
0
Jan - May
June
July
August
September
October
500
170
224
221
224
189
1000
2014
2015
491
486
528
515
493
988
905
973
970
914
1500
1676
1754
1708
1724
1554
2000
1394
1404
1410
1417
1314
2500
1822
1838
1841
1851
1643
Moncton - Accumulated Growing Degree Days (GDD) above 5oC
January - October 2014, 2015, 2016, 5 and 30 yr ave
2016
5 yr. Ave
30 yr. Ave
0
Jan - May
June
July
August
September
October
Saint John - Accumulated Growing Degree Days (GDD) above 5oC
January - October 2014, 2015, 2016, 5 and 30 yr ave
500
149
141
188
178
166
833
739
840
846
810
1000
452
374
448
451
436
1500
1585
1542
1613
1627
1501
1207
1165
1229
1237
1179
2000
1438
1467
1498
1502
1412
2500
2014
2015
2016
5 yr. Ave
0
30 yr. Ave
Jan - May
June
July
August
September
October
Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
Accumulated Growing Degree Days (GDD) above 5oC
January - October 2014, 2015, 2016, 5 and 30 yr Averages
2200
1878
1911
1909
1902
2014
1822
1838
1841
1851
2016
5 yr. Ave
1585
1542
1613
1627
1501
1643
1679
1692
1683
1676
1666
1800
2015
1759
2000
1600
30 yr. Ave
1400
Bathurst
Fredericton
Moncton
Saint John
Bathurst Rainfall (mm) 2014, 2015, 2016, 5 and 30 yr ave
92
97
89
70
107
2014
2015
2016
44
72
67
111
152
98
99
47
60
51
80
76
79
100
84
111
92
99
120
113
113
140
90
101
86
110
102
135
160
154
158
180
5 yr. Ave
40
30 yr. Ave
20
0
May
June
July
August
September
October
Fredericton Rainfall (mm) 2014, 2015, 2016, 5 and 30 yr ave
50
127
85
94
106
96
108
95
2014
2015
2016
5 yr. Ave
37
40
101
90
117
73
87
37
79
117
157
177
130
111
93
106
89
69
57
91
150
107
94
200
100
206
250
30 yr. Ave
0
May
June
July
August
September
October
Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
100
109
100
79
102
93
117
140
72
2014
2015
2016
38
65
96
69
80
66
81
84
111
103
113
128
92
83
75
85
92
47
57
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
153
147
Moncton Rainfall (mm) 2014, 2015, 2016, 5 and 30 yr ave
5 yr. Ave
30 yr. Ave
May
June
July
August
September
October
134
113
121
145
123
2014
2015
2016
58
52
56
90
90
117
132
83
70
44
50
149
177
113
102
111
78
74
66
100
109
116
150
101
200
147
200
176
250
225
Saint John Rainfall (mm) 2014, 2015, 2016, 5 and 30 yr ave
5 yr. Ave
30 yr. Ave
0
May
June
July
August
September
October
Rainfall (mm) from May to October 2014, 2015, 2016,
5 and 30 yr Averages
950
2014
2016
482
649
715
579
542
492
604
560
551
645
517
581
637
525
542
563
550
633
650
682
750
2015
753
773
850
Moncton
Saint John
5 yr. Ave
30 yr. Ave
450
Bathurst
Fredericton
Research:
Through funds received from the Enabling Agricultural Research and Innovation Program under the
GF2 programming and the collaboration of ACORN, the NBDAAF conducted a field and greenhouse
Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
tomato production project (Late Blight Resistant Tomato Cultivar Evaluation and Greenhouse Tomato
Production Monitoring).
Five NB growers were able to grow eleven tomato cultivars reported to have Late Blight Resistance.
Although none of the evaluation sites had any late blight, the growers and NBDAAF staff were able to
assess the cultivars for their agronomic attributes (fruit quality, yield, ease of picking, …) as well as
for their taste.
The project also allowed for the monitoring of six greenhouse/tunnel tomato production sites. Several
production aspects were monitored including plant density, pruning, irrigation, indoor/outdoor
temperatures and soil fertility. This project also allowed for the hiring of an experienced greenhouse
production consultant. Several production aspects were identified which will need some attention
such as, crop density and row spacing, pollination, quality and maturity of transplants, crop
fertilization and pruning. The consultant presented his findings and recommendations at the 2016
ACORN conference. A detailed project report will soon be available.
Field Days and Upcoming Events:
NBSCIA Annual Meeting and Conference: February 23, 2017 in Moncton.
Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries