"News You Can Use"
August 2011
Common Corn Smut
Common Smut Appearing in Corn Fields across the State - If you have noticed swollen, blackish-blue, kernels on your corn ears, you are not alone. Over the last few weeks, common smut has been appearing in corn fields across New Mexico. Common smut, caused by the fungus Ustilago maydis, is a common plant disease associated with developing ears of corn. While the appearance of the disease can by quite alarming, the disease usually affects only a few ears and is generally more of a curiosity than a real concern. In fact, in Mexico, after proper preparation, common smut is considered an edible delicacy and not a plant disease. Click here for more information on common smut. Contact: Natalie Goldberg
June 2011
Cucumber Mosaic Virus
Cucumber Mosaic Virus - Are some of your vegetable plants deformed, twisted or elongated? Are the leaves mottled, wrinkled or curled? Are the plants stunted and not producing any fruit? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then your plants may be suffering from Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV). This spring we have had a significant number of plants submitted to the NMSU - Plant Diagnostic Clinic (NMSU-PDC) which have tested positive for CMV. This is a common virus, worldwide, and is present every year in New Mexico; but it usually appears later in the growing season and very sporadically. Already this year, we have had a number of greenhouse or hoop-house grown plants infected with the disease. Click here for more information. Contact: Natalie Goldberg
May 2011
Freeze Damaged Plants
Freeze Damaged Plants - To save or not to save, that is the question! The freeze of February 2011 was significant indeed - many areas in New Mexico reported record or near record lows. Las Cruces recorded a low of -5 F and over two days when the temperature did not rise above freezing! Now that spring has arrived, we can start to assess the damage to plants from this event. Perhaps surprisingly, many plants have come out of the winter with no signs of any damage. Unfortunately for others, the story is not so bright. Some plants were killed. Others are struggling to survive. Plants that are still alive, but severely damaged, need to be assessed individually to determine the most appropriate fate. These damaged plants are predisposed to attack by pathogens and insects. In some cases, it may be best to remove these plants than to deal with disease and insect infestation later. If a decision is made to try and save these plants, damaged tissue should be removed in order to eliminate tissue that is attractive to pests. Click here for more on this story. To view videos on how to manage freeze damaged plants featuring the Dona Ana County Extension Agent, click here. Contact: Natalie Goldberg
Curly Top Virus
Curly Top Watch - It's that time of year again, Beet Curly Top Virus may soon be appearing in your gardens. Are your tomato plants curly and not producing fruit? Are your pepper plants stunted and yellow? How about your spinach, squash or beans? Are they deformed, stunted and/or yellow? If you answered yes to any of these questions, your plants might be infected with a disease called Beet Curly Top Virus (BCTV). BCTV is a common disease in many vegetable crops, including tomatoes, peppers, beans, pumpkins, squash, and spinach. It also infects many weeds, which serve as important alternate hosts allowing the virus to survive between growing seasons. The virus is spread from plant to plant by the beet leafhopper. The disease can start appearing in gardens shortly after planting and may continue to infect plants throughout the growing season. Although the lack of significant fall rain would generally indicate that the level of BCTV this year would be relatively low, we have already noticed a significant infection (over 50%) in a spinach planting in the Mesilla Valley. Click on the link above for a publication on this disease. Click here for more photos. Contact: Natalie Goldberg