By Andi Anderson
Michigan vegetable producers are navigating a season marked by uneven rainfall, cooler temperatures, and ongoing pest and disease challenges.
During the past week, temperatures remained 2 to 6 degrees below normal across much of the state. While some areas received significant rain, others, particularly the central Lower Peninsula, continue to face dry conditions.
Weather forecasts indicate mostly dry conditions with limited rainfall expected over the coming week. Temperatures are forecast to gradually warm before cooling again early next week. Longer-range outlooks suggest near to above-normal temperatures through mid-August, with normal to above-normal precipitation levels.
In asparagus fields, disease severity values increased in monitored locations, prompting recommendations for timely fungicide applications to help protect crop health.
Carrot and celery growers are reporting several concerns. Anthracnose has been observed in celery fields, while scouts have also detected increased numbers of variegated cutworms, celery leaftier activity, and aphid colonies in some areas.
In carrot fields, symptoms linked to aster yellows, including bronzed foliage and distorted growth, have been identified in scattered locations. Ongoing leafhopper monitoring continues to support disease management efforts.
Cucurbit crops, including melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash, are progressing through harvest and production stages. Machine harvesting of cucumbers is underway, while melon harvests continue. Squash bug egg masses remain present, and growers are encouraged to monitor fields carefully.
Cucurbit downy mildew spores have also been detected through monitoring networks, though field infections on cucumbers have not yet been confirmed. Recent heat stress has affected flower development in some squash varieties, resulting in reduced fruit set.
For fruiting vegetables such as peppers and tomatoes, bacterial spot has been detected in peppers, highlighting the importance of crop rotation, sanitation, and quality seed selection. Broad mite activity has also been observed in greenhouse peppers. Tomato crops have experienced challenges from hail damage, early blight, Septoria leaf spot, and Tomato Necrotic Spot Virus (TNSV), which has been linked to thrips activity.
Sweet corn fields are showing signs of weather-related stress, including premature tasseling, leaf scorching, and discoloration caused by heat and drought conditions. Wildlife damage has also been reported in some fields.
Corn smut infections are being observed, while pest monitoring programs continue tracking corn earworm and western bean cutworm populations. Corn earworm numbers remain relatively moderate, although western bean cutworm captures have increased in several locations.
Overall, Michigan growers continue using monitoring programs, scouting efforts, and crop management strategies to address changing weather conditions and protect vegetable production.
As the season progresses, careful observation of pests, diseases, and environmental conditions will remain critical for maintaining crop quality and yields across the state.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zbynek-pospisil
Categories: Michigan, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables