Hail pounds parts of Dona Ana County

Hail in Las Cruces on May 18, 2016

On May 18, 2016 a storm moved through Dona Ana County dropping pea to marble sized hail. In some locations, crops and garden plants sustained significant damage from this storm. In addition to the physical injury created by the hail and wind, the plants are now vulnerable to infection by fungi and bacteria that can take advantage of the wounds. In some situations, the use of fungicides/bactericides may be helpful in preventing or reducing additional losses to these organisms.

Onion field one week before hail storm (left) and 2 days after hail storm (right)
(Photos: Jason French, NMSU - PDC)

Hail damage on grapes - approximately 30% of the grapes at the
Fabian Garcia Ag Science Center were damaged by the storm
(Vine photos: Jason French, NMSU - PDC;
Fruit photo: Daniel Goodrich, NMSU - Viticulture Program)

Pecan leaves damaged by hail (Photos: Jason French, NMSU - PDC)

Tomato leaf damaged by hail: photo on left was taken immediately
following the hail storm and the photo on the right, of the same leaf, was
taken 3 days later (Photos: Natalie Goldberg, NMSU - PDC)

Hail damage on tomato fruit
(Photo: Natalie Goldberg, NMSU - PDC)

Hail damage on sage
(Photo: Natalie Goldberg, NMSU - PDC)

First Detector Training & Field Pest Identification Workshops Offered by NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service

NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service is offering two plant health workshops the first week of June in Albuquerque. On June 7, there will be a First Detector Training Workshop for Master Gardeners, Pest Control Operators, landscape managers, crop producers and the general public. This training is part of the National Plant Diagnostic Network's education and training program. Participants who attend the training workshop will become a Certified First Detector and be part of a national registry of trained first detectors. The training will be conducted at the Albuquerque Garden Center from 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM. The cost for this is $20 - morning coffee and refreshments, and lunch is provided.

On June 8, there will be a Field Pest Identification Workshop which will allow participants to learn the process of identifying pest problems in the field. This hands-on training will be held outdoors at the Hubble House from 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM - participants are advised to dress appropriately and the bring a hat and sunscreen. This event is free - light refreshments and water will be provided.

The deadline to register for either or both of these events is June 1. For more information on these events, please view the Registration Form 

Three newly certified First Detector's proudly
display their First Detector Field Packs 

First Detector Training Class

Master Gardeners participating in a pest ID workshop

NMSU Plant Clinic Assists with Pest Identification

Spring has sprung and the plant are growing! If your plants start to look stressed, test, don't guess! Symptoms alone are usually insufficient for diagnosis, because they are not specific to the causal agent. Proper identification is important in developing management plans. The NMSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic is here to help. We can assist with disease, arthropod and weed identification. Submission of samples for diagnosis is facilitated through the County Extension Agents. Check here for the location of NM County Extension Offices

Test, don't guess! Symptoms caused by pathogens may look alike.
They are not specific to the causal agent!

Fall Rainfall an Indicator of a Potentially Significant Curly Top Outbreak Next Year

London rocket (Sisymbrium irio) (Photo: N. Goldberg, NMSU)

Beet Curly Top Virus  on chile peppers
(Photo: N. Goldberg, NMSU)

A wet fall, especially rainfall in October, helps to germinate winter annual weeds. Some of these weeds, particularly those in the mustard family, such as London rocket (Sisymbrium irio), provide an excellent overwintering habitat for the curly top insect vector, the beet leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus). Some of these weeds are also asymptomatic hosts for the Beet Curly Top Virus. Studies at New Mexico State University have shown that severe outbreaks of Beet Curly Top Virus occur in years  with excessive rain the preceding October. Within the last couple of weeks, huge populations of London rocket have developed in Dona Ana County (and probably most other counties in New Mexico). This weed can germinate in high numbers such that it appears like a ground cover. A significant effort to eliminate these weeds now, while they are small, should help to reduce the overwintering sites for the beet leafhopper and subsequently reduce the potential for Beet Curly Top Virus next year.

London rocket (Sisymbrium irio) in an empty lot
 (Photo: N. Goldberg, NMSU)

A dense population of London rocket growing along
a roadway (Photo: N. Goldberg, NMSU)

London rocket in an alfalfa field in the middle of winter
(Photo: N. Goldberg, NMSU)

A beet leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus), the insect vector of the
Beet Curly Top Virus (Photo: J. Shaughney, NMSU)

Beet Curly Top Virus on bean (upper left), pumpkin (upper right),
spinach (lower left), and tomato (lower right)
(photos: N. Goldberg and J. French, NMSU)

NMSU's Extension Service to Hold Plant Clinics in Belen and the Albuquerque Area

Specialist's from the Extension Plant Sciences Department will hold plant clinics at the Belen Growers' Market and two growers' markets in the Albuquerque area this coming weekend. Please come see us at one of the following locations and don't forget to bring your problem plants and insects for identification!

On Friday evening, October 16, the group will be present at the Belen Growers' Market located at Anna Becker Park, on Hwy 309 and Reinken Ave. The market begins at 4:30 PM.  The question-and-answer session will be hosted by four specialists: Carol Sutherland, entomologist; Leslie Beck, weed scientist, and Jason French and Natalie Goldberg, who are experts on plant diseases and disorders. In addition, the county Extension agent, Newt McCarty, will be available to help answer questions.

Belen Growers' Market Plant Clinic Flyer

On Saturday morning, October 17, the group will divide into two and provide plant clinics at two Albuquerque area growers markets. Leslie Beck, Jason French and, Bernalillo County Horticulture Agent, Graeme Davis, will be at the Los Ranchos Growers' Market located at 6718 Rio Grande Blvd. NW starting at 8:00 AM. Carol Sutherland, Natalie Goldberg, and Bernalillo County Agriculture Agent, John Garlisch, will be at the Downtown Albuquerque Growers' Market located at Robinson Park starting at 8:00 AM.

Downtown Albuquerque Growers' Market Plant Clinic Flyer

Los Ranchos Growers' Market Plant Clinic Flyer

Common Pests of Sunflowers

Sunflowers are garden favorites for their festive flowers and tasty seeds---that is, until some common insect pests hijack them.

Sunflower Moth

If a sunflower head looks distorted or ‘dirty’ with webbing and gritty beads on it, it could be infested with larvae of the sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum. The larvae consume the developing seedsas well as contaminate the entire head with their silk and frass (poop); this, in turn creates a great environment for fungus growth.

Sunflower moth larvae, Homoeosoma electellum.
(Photo: C. Sutherland NMSU)

Sunflower Stem Borer

The hatchling ‘sunflower stem borer,’ Dectes sp., bores into the pith of its host, weakening the plant and/or the flower stem. Parts of affected plants may wilt permanently, or entire plants may flop over in the wind. This particular larva is the immature stage of a ‘long horned beetle’---NOT a caterpillar.

Sunflower stem borer larvae Dectes sp.
(Photo C. Sutherland NMSU)

For more information about theses sunflower pests please contact Dr. Carol Sutherland.

NMSU's Extension Service to Host Plant Clinics in Lordsburg and the Mimbres Valley

New Mexico State University’s Extension Plant Sciences department will host a Plant Clinic at several farmers’ markets this summer and fall, to help educate the community about horticultural practices and pest management, including identification of insect, weed, and disease problems.

“We encourage anyone who is interested in gardening and has a question that they have not been able to get answered, to come out and visit with us,” said Natalie Goldberg, department head of NMSU’s Extension Plant Sciences. “If they have problem plants or pests that they would like to have identified, they are encouraged to bring us a sample of the plant or pest.”

The question-and-answer sessions will be hosted by three specialists: Carol Sutherland, Extension Entomologist; Leslie Beck, Extension Weed Scientist, and Goldberg, Extension Plant Pathologist. In addition, the county Extension agent will be available to help answer questions.

“Some problems people bring to the clinic might be resolved on the spot, but others might need more background information to complete an answer, so we’ll make sure we have the client’s contact information and specific question written down so we can contact them later,” said Sutherland, who will have a collection of insects on display for additional questions.

Goldberg added they hope to answer most questions but if they can’t, they will either take back samples for further analysis or connect clients with other experts.

“Plant Clinics are a great way to interact with people not familiar with the great variety of information available through the Cooperative Extension Service,” Sutherland said.

Flyer for farmers' Market plant clinic in Lordsburg, NM

Flyer for Mimbres Valley Harvest Festival plant clinic