- Author: Richard Smith
Pythium Wilt Project Underway
JP Dundore-Arias and Richard Smith, Professor of Plant Pathology, CSU, Monterey Bay and Farm Advisor UCCE, Monterey County
Pythium wilt is becoming an increasing concern in the Salinas Valley and has been responsible for significant lettuce yield losses. The disease appears to be spreading, and currently we have limited knowledge about its biology and epidemiology. The California Leafy Greens Research Board funded a project this year to explore the following aspects of the disease: 1) monitor the geographic distribution of Pythium wilt to better understand areas that may have greater incidence and the conditions that may lead to greater infection; 2) evaluate the sensitivity of isolates of Pythium to commercial fungicides; and 3) characterize Pythium isolates to confirm if previously identified Pythium uncinulatum is the lone species affecting lettuce or if other species are also involved. All of these objectives will feed into our ultimate goal of developing a rapid and accurate diagnostic technique for identification.
In order to carry out this project we need your help. We need Growers and PCA's to bring samples of suspected Pythium wilt to the UC Cooperative Extension office. Richard Smith will collect and prepare the samples for delivery to JP's lab at CSU, Monterey Bay. Given the current situation with COVID-19, we have a box in front of our office where the samples can be dropped off. Please fill out the green form and place the sample in a plastic bag. Be sure to provide a location where the sample was collected.
To help with distinguishing samples that are suspect for Pythium wilt, look for stunted plants that may have yellowing lower leaves (Photo 1). The older leaves of the plant may be yellowed or necrotic and may be wilted, particularly in the afternoon. Dig up the plants and look for dark discoloration on the feeder or tap root (often lower down on the tap root, Photo 2). If a plant has these symptoms, it is highly suspect for Pythium wilt and we would appreciate a sample.
We appreciate your help on this important project. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or text Richard at 831-596-7086.
Photo 1. Note small plants in foreground with wilted older leaves
Photo 2. Note dark colored and rotted main roots
20Pythium Wilt Project Underway 2
- Author: Jessica C Rodriguez
Here are useful links to practical information for addressing the Covid-19 Pandemic:
- Author: Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdivia
Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdivia is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: 2020 Salinas Valley INSV - Thrips Webinar
Time: Apr 22, 2020 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/93889577958
Meeting ID: 938 8957 7958
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Meeting ID: 938 8957 7958
Find your local number: https://ucanr.zoom.us/u/alORSqzor
- Author: Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdivia
Please, fill up the registration and survey form at:
http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=29983
- Author: Cheryl Reynolds
This spring if you are looking for options to obtain your continuing education units (CEUs) and not sure where to get them, why not check out the online options that the UC Statewide IPM Program (UC IPM) has to offer. For license and certificate holders from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) with last names beginning with the letters A through L, 2020 will be the year to renew.
UC IPM currently offers 16 online courses for DPR credit. Many of the courses are also accredited by the California Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB), Certified Crop Advisor (CCA), Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (WCISA), or Arizona Department of Agriculture.
If you are looking for CEUs in the Laws and Regulations category, check out these courses:
- Proper Pesticide Use to Avoid Illegal Residues (2.0 Pesticide Laws & Regs)
- Proper Selection, Use, and Removal of Personal Protective Equipment (1.5 Pesticide Laws & Regs)
- Providing IPM in Schools and Child Care Settings(1.0 Other and 0.5 Pesticide Laws & Regs)
Some of our courses do require a fee and are being offered at an early-bird price through October 31st. These courses can be purchased individually, or they can be purchased as a 4-course bundle for a special price of $85—a total discount of $20 versus purchasing each course separately.
In addition to offering online courses, UC IPM also hosts a monthly webinar series sponsored by
the Citrus Research Board. The UC Ag Experts webinar series is designed for growers and pest control advisers. It includes presentations on various pest management and horticultural topics, primarily for citrus and avocados. The next webinar will be held on April 8th from 3 PM until 4 PM with Dr. Elizabeth Grafton-Cardwell, UC Riverside Department of Entomology and Extension Specialist, speaking about citricola scale. This webinar has been approved for one hour of Other CEUs from DPR and 1 hour of IPM units from CCA. Registration is currently open. View past webinars on the YouTube UC Ag Expert Talk Playlist. CEUs are only available for attending the live webinar.
DPR always encourages license and certificate holders to avoid the last-minute rush and renew early to ensure your license will be renewed by January 1st. Take advantage of UC IPM's online courses and webinar series to get a jump start on your renewal today!
