Crop Rotations for Prevention of Phytophthora capsici Infection in Solanaceous and Cucurbit Crops

Presentation Created by,

Michelle InfanteAgricultural Agent

Rutgers Cooperative Extension

of Gloucester County

1200 North Delsea Drive

Clayton, NJ 08312

609-863-0110

minfante@aesop.rutgers.edu

Crop Rotation: Planting different type crops in succession in the same field.

• Rotating crops helps to:

– utilize nutrients in the soil

– control disease organisms

– control weed species

– control nematode populations

– control insect populations

Solanceous CropsFamily: Solanaceae

– Susceptible to Phytophthora capsici• Tomato• Pepper• Eggplant• Tobacco

Michelle Infante, Agricultural Agent

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County

Cucurbit CropsFamily: Cucurbitaceae

• Susceptible to Phytophthora capsici– Squash– Cucumbers– Pumpkins– Melons

Grower Reasons for Lack of Using Crop Rotations

• Limited Land Resources

• Farm Specializes in a Few Crops

• Limited Markets for Alternative Crops

• Unfamiliarity with Plant Families and

Disease Susceptibility

Crop Rotation Plan to reduce Phytophthora capsici

• Plant non-susceptible crops for 3-5 years

• Plant winter cover crops to increase soil organic matter

• Plant summer cover crops rather than leaving field fallow

Plant Families Not Susceptible to Phytophthora capsici

Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)• “The Bean and Pea Family”

• Beans• Peas• Clovers• Vetches

Plant Families Not Susceptible to Phytophthora capsici

Family: Brassicaceae (Cruciferae)

• “The Cole Crops”• Greens: Collards, Kale, Mustards• Cauliflower • Turnip• Broccoli• Cabbage• Radish

Plant Families Not Susceptible to Phytophthora capsici

Family:Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)

• Carrots• Celery• Florence Fennel• Parsley• Cilantro• Parsnip

Plant Families Not Susceptible to Phytophthora capsici

Family: Alliaceae (Amaryllidaceae)

• Onions• Garlic• Leeks• Shallots• Scallions• Chives

Plant Families Not Susceptible to Phytophthora capsici

Family: Asteraceae (Compositae)

• Lettuces• Dandelion• Jerusalem Artichoke• Endive/Escarole• Globe Artichoke

Plant Families Not Susceptible to Phytophthora capsici

Family: Chenopodiaceae

• Spinach• Swiss Chard• Beets

Plant Families Not Susceptible to Phytophthora capsici

Family: Poaceae (Gramineae)

• FOR HARVEST OR GREEN MANURE• “The Cereals”

– Rye– Wheat– Corn– Sudangrass– Sorghum

Other Plants Not Susceptible to Phytophthora capsici

Medicinal Herbs

• Purple Cone Flower• St. John’s Wort• Chamomile• Yarrow• Golden Seal

Other Plants Not Susceptible to Phytophthora capsici

Culinary Herbs

• Basil• Oregano• Mint• Thyme• Sage

Additional Tools to Control Phytophthora capsici

• FIELD WATER MANAGEMENT

– Irrigation

– Raised Beds

– Field Water Flow

– Swails at Field Ends

– Cultivate to the Swail

Additional Tools to Control Phytophthora capsici

• CHEMICAL CONTROLS - FUNGICIDES

– Soil fumigation

– Soil Applied Fungicides

– Foliar Applied Fungicides

Additional Tools to Control Phytophthora capsici

• PRACTICE GOOD SANITATION– Clean Equipment

– Work Contaminated Field Last– Do Not Work Contaminated Areas

– Remove Infected Plants

Additional Tools to Control Phytophthora capsici

• ENHANCE SOIL HEALTH– Increase Organic Matter

• green manure

• off-farm supplements

– Stay Off Wet Fields– Break up hard pans

– Eliminate fumigation if possible

Summary: Controlling Phytophthora capsici

• Use proper crop rotations

• Practice good water management

• Utilize fungicides correctly

• Practice good sanitation

• Enhance Soil Health

CONCLUSIONS• Crop rotation can help to control

Phytophthora capsici

• Rotations must be used with other tools to be successful

• Know susceptible and non-susceptible crops to plan rotations

• Rotating crops will show more benefits than just controlling Phytophthora capsici

Michelle Infante, Agricultural Agent

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County