Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2022 - 108

2. Spray preemergence herbicides on the soil and the shoulders
of the plastic strips in bands before weeds germinate.
DO NOT APPLY HERBICIDE TO THE SURFACE OF
THE PLASTIC. Herbicides may wash from a large area
of plastic into the plant hole and result in crop injury.
3. Incorporate preemergence herbicide into the soil with
0.5 to 1 inch of rainfall or overhead irrigation within
48 hours of application and BEFORE PLANTING OR
TRANSPLANTING.
4. Apply selective postemergence herbicides broadcast or in
bands to the soil strips between mulch to control susceptible
weeds.
Minimum Tillage. No-tillage is the most commonly used minimum
tillage practice with pumpkins. No-till planters currently in
use with row crop production will plant pumpkin seed but seed
plates or feed cups need to match up with seed size. Improper
seed plates or cups will break pumpkin seed. Type of winter
cover crop residue can affect pumpkin seed depth. Inspect seed
placement and adjust for correct depth. Early spring planting
with no-tillage in pumpkin may delay growth and days to harvest.
Planting after soils warm in the spring will improve vigor
(pumpkins are normally planted after soil warms so this may not
be a management problem). Use of small grain cover residue
may require additional nitrogen fertilizer (20 to 30 lbs N/acre in
addition to the normal recommendation) if cover crop is fairly
mature when killed. Normal pumpkin nitrogen fertilizer recommendations
can be used if a legume cover crop (hairy vetch,
winter peas, or crimson clover) is used as residue.
SPECIAL NOTES FOR PEST MANAGEMENT
DISEASE MANGEMENT
Cucurbit Downy Mildew Forecasting System: Cucurbit downy
mildew (CDM) is a devastating foliar cucurbit disease. While
difficult, if not impossible to control, CDM can be prevented by
using effective IPM practices. A useful tool for prevention of
CDM is the CDM forecasting system. This program depends on
the accurate reporting of CDM in the field as well as the monitoring
of over 50 strategically placed sentinel plots. These plots
are monitored by Plant Pathologists at multiple Land Grant Universities
throughout the United States and Canada. Forecasts of
the epidemic movement of the disease are generated 3 times a
week. Risk maps are produced from these forecasts. For forecasts,
maps, local contacts and other helpful information please
visit our website, http://cdm.ipmpipe.org. If you think you
have CDM, please contact your local Extension office.
INSECT MANAGEMENT
Cucumber Beetle: Cucumber beetles cause direct feeding damage
to the foliage. Young plants need to be protected with insecticide
as soon as they emerge or are transplanted. Cucumber
beetles also cause direct damage to pumpkin and winter squash
rinds. Fall treatments with foliar insecticides to prevent feeding
damage may also reduce incidence of bacterial wilt. While
Hubbard squash, butternut squash and processing pumpkins are
susceptible to bacterial wilt, Jack-o-lantern pumpkins and most
other varieties of squash are rarely susceptible to bacterial wilt.
Squash Vine Borer: Pheromone baited sticky traps can be used
soon after planting to monitor the activity of the adult moths.
Start inspecting plants closely for squash vine borer eggs (1mm
108
[1/25 inch] diameter oval, flattened, dull-red to brownish) as
soon as moths are caught in the traps. The first application of insecticide
should occur when eggs begin to hatch or just prior to
hatching. Applications should be made in afternoons or evenings
after flowers close to reduce the spraying of valuable pollinators,
especially bees. If pheromone traps are not used, a preventive
treatment should be applied when vines begin to run. Re-apply
insecticide every seven days for four weeks. Continue monitoring
the pheromone traps into August to detect the emergence of
the new moths. When moths are caught, inspect plants for second-generation
eggs, and begin the insecticide applications when
eggs first begin to hatch or just prior to hatching.
Aphids: Aphid feeding can delay plant maturity. Thorough spray
coverage, especially on the underside of the leaves is important.
Treat seedlings every five to seven days, or as needed. The
transmission of plant viruses by aphids has the potential to be
the most damaging to the crop. Unfortunately, insecticide use for
aphids does not reduce the spread of virus. A better approach is
the application of Stylet Oil to fill tiny grooves between the leaf
cells. When the aphid probes the leaf surface, its stylet must pass
through a layer of oil. This reduces the infectivity of the virus
resulting in less disease in the squash plant. The application of
Stylet Oil can delay virus infection, but requires application every
other day, thorough coverage and high pressure sprays. Also,
refer to the preceding " Mulches " section for information on metallized
reflective mulch used to repel or disorient aphids that can
spread viruses.
Squash Bug: Begin scouting shortly after plant emergence.
Treat every 7 to 10 days when adults or nymphs appear. The
control of squash bugs is particularly important where yellow
vine disease occurs since squash bugs vector the pathogen responsible
for this disease.
Spider Mites: Mite infestations generally begin around field
margins and grassy areas. CAUTION: DO NOT mow these areas
after midsummer because this forces mites into the crop. Localized
infestations can be spot-treated. Note: Continuous use of
pyrethroid sprays may result in mite outbreaks.
POLLINATION
Honey bees are important for pollination, high fruit yields, fruit
size, and quality. Populations of pollinating insects may be adversely
affected by insecticides applied to flowers or weeds in
bloom. Use one hive per acre to get good pollination. Apply
insecticides only in the evening hours or wait until blooms have
closed before application. See section on " Pollination " in the
General Production Recommendations.
HARVESTING AND STORAGE
Use clean storage bins and sanitize. Be sure to thoughly clean
and santize bins prior to usage and subsequent storage.
Harvest as soon as fruits are mature and prior to frost. Use
care in handling fruit to prevent wounds. Cure after harvest at
temperatures between 80° to 85°F with a relative humidity of
75% to 80% for 10 days.
Temperatures below 50°F cause chilling injury. The hardshelled
varieties, such as Butternut, Delicious, and the Hubbard
strains, can be stored for several months. Store at 55°F and 55%
relative humidity. See Table 14 for further postharvest information.
2022
Vegetable Crop Handbook for Southeastern United States
http://cdm.ipmpipe.org
Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2022

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