Artillery Fungus Problems
By Sandra Jensen-Tracey, Extension Support Specialist, Cornell Plant
Disease Diagnostic Clinic
Although the artillery fungus, Sphaerobolus stellatus, is not
a plant pathogen, it has become a huge concern to homeowners in recent
years. The frequency of calls to the Cornell Plant Disease Diagnostic
Clinic has prompted us to maintain a fact sheet on this problem on our
website. View that fact sheet at:
http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/artfungus/artilleryfungus.htm
.
Sphaerobolus is one of many fungi involved in the natural breakdown
of woody plant material, and if not for the headaches it causes homeowners,
few might ever be aware of its presence. The problem stems from the
use of wood-based mulch products in the landscape.
Under certain conditions, the fungus colonizes suitable woody substrate
and produces tiny cup-like fruiting structures. Each contains a small,
dark, very sticky spore packet known as a “gleba”, which
is forcibly expelled under suitable conditions. As the opening of the
fruiting structure is phototropic--it points toward light, this causes
dismay when the gleba lands on a light colored house or car. As the
sticky substance on the gleba dries, the spore packet is effectively
glued to the surface of the target. There, it may remain viable for
a decade or more. Gleba also stick to leaves, needles, flower petals,
etc. and are returned to the mulch when those parts senesce.
Reports of the distance gleba may potentially be “shot”
start at about 6 feet but go as high as 30 feet. Currently, the only
sure way to prevent this problem is to avoid using susceptible mulches
in areas where the fungus may be a problem. This means replacing organic
mulch with some non-organic alternative such as crushed stone used over
landscape cloth. If only a natural wood or bark mulch is desired, take
heart, research at Penn State has shown that particular types of mulch
are less conducive to development of the fungus than are others; if
left in place long enough however, all wood and/or bark mulches were
eventually colonized.
From the Penn State research, some conclusions may be drawn. The fungus
may be minimized, but not necessarily prevented, by:
1. Using cypress mulch or using large (pine)
bark nugget mulches rather than other shredded mulches or mulch containing
any wood.
2. Frequently (approximately annually)
replacing the mulch with fresh mulch or covering old mulch with a new
layer of fresh mulch.
3. Frequently raking mulch to promote
drying.
For more information on this subject, see the article:
“Artillery Fungus Sporulation on 27 Different Mulches---A
Field Study”, by Donald D. Davis, Larry J. Kuhns, Kristen
Akina and T.L. Harpster, published Sept. 2004 in the Journal of Environmental
Horticulture 22 (3):117-123, funded through The Horticultural Research
Institute. This article may also be viewed online as a PDF file at:
http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/d/d/ddd2/images/artfungus_fullpaper.pdf
.
Dr. Davis maintains a web site responding to “Frequently Asked
Questions” about the artillery fungus. This is an excellent site
and should be visited by anyone who has had a problem with the artillery
fungus or who frequently interacts with homeowners who may have this
problem. See: http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/d/d/ddd2/artillery_fungus.html
.
Submitted by Tolly Beck, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County
Apple of Peru: Have You Seen This Weed?
Apple of Peru (AOP) is a weed that is of particular concern
to weed scientist Doug Doohan from Ohio State University. Based on what
he’s seen develop in the past ten years, Doohan is concerned that,
if left unchecked, this pest will become even more of an economic problem
in vegetable fields than it is currently. Doohan’s research has
shown that AOP is resistant to many of the limited number of herbicides
registered on vegetables. It is the most serious weed problem in Brazil’s
soybean producing region. Infestations in the U.S. have been documented
in Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia but are believed
to be me more widespread. This weed is often misdiagnosed with other
weeds such as nightshade or groundcherry, also in the Solanaceaes plant
family. This weed is also typically found along roadways or riversides
and is not listed in most common weed books. Germination occurs in late
spring and continues throughout the summer if moisture is sufficient.
The seedling has arrow-shaped leaves with purple coloration underneath;
mature leaves are also arrow-shaped and pointed at the tip with irregularly
toothed margins. The trumpet shaped flowers are usually purple (occasionally
white) and produce a single berry covered by a papery bladder-like casing.
If you believe you have AOP in your field, contact your local Extension
educator. If you have a digital camera, take a picture and e-mail it
to Doohan at doohan.1@osu.edu
Written by Teresa Rusinek, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster
County
Climate Change Indicators
in the Northeast
Growers are very tuned into the cycles of nature and they probably don't
need much scientific proof to acknowledge that climate is changing.
Over the past 12 years, many of my conversations with growers have demonstrated
this. Increased occurrences of frost damage, hail, drought, flooding,
and heat stress are just a few of the things growers have observed.
Scientific evidence leaves little room for doubt that our climate is
changing, and that agriculture will be affected. One area of climate
change research is in the study of indicators. Indicators allow researchers
to track changes in our climate over the past 100 years.
Researchers acknowledge that natural forces such as volcanic eruptions,
natural fluctuations in the sun’s intensity and natural changes
in ocean currents cause the earth’s climate to vary through time.
Prior to industrialization greenhouse gas concentrations remained fairly
constant. After 1900, the concentrations of greenhouse gases increased
exponentially. Human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels
and deforestation are responsible for increasing greenhouse gases, carbon
dioxide in particular, to levels not reached for hundreds of thousands
of years. Greenhouse gases trap heat around the earth’s atmosphere
and result in warming of the Earth’s temperature.
Evidence from observational and instrumental data sets indicates that
there has been recent, significant climate change as a result of increased
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Between 1899 and 2000 the average
northeast annual temperature increased by 1.8° F; winter temps by
2.8°F; spring temps by 1.9°F; summer temps by 1.7°F; and
fall by 0.7°F. Data shows that total annual precipitation has increased
by 3.3 inches since 1900. Since 1888 the frequency of extreme precipitation
events (intense storms) has also increased. Over the past 30 years,
snowfall in northern New England and northern New York has decreased
significantly with several locations showing a decrease of 60 inches
or more. For this same period of time, days with snow on the ground
decreased by 16 days. Records from 1850 to 2000 show ice–out (the
day the majority of lake ice is broken up in the spring) of lakes occur
9 days earlier in the northern/mountainous regions and 16 days earlier
in southern regions of New England. Records from 1965-2000 show that
lilac bloom dates occur 4 days earlier on average and bloom dates for
apple and grape is 8 dates earlier. Seven New England weather stations
indicate a long-term trend of an increase of 8 days in growing season.
It is unlikely that the emission of greenhouse gases into the Earth’s
atmosphere will slow in the near future. In fact, most projections indicate
increased emissions into the 21st century. This increase will likely
lead to additional increases in temperature. There is much debate as
to how much temperatures will increase. Many climate models exist. They
all show a warming by 2100. The only difference is in the magnitude
of the warming. Many of the model predictions are alarming, showing
an increase between 1.5 to 5.0 degrees Celsius!
Despite the variability of weather in the Northeast, indicators show
that our region has been warming over the last century, and that the
rate of warming has increased over the past thirty years. This article
only briefly describes indicators that are currently being studied.
For more information, you can download the entire Climate Change Indicators
for the Northeast report from the Clean Air- Cool Planet website ( http://www.cleanair-coolplanet.org).
You can also visit www.climateandfarming.org
for more information on this topic.
Written by Teresa Rusinek, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster
Count
Workshop for School Buildings-Grounds Professionals and Managers
For the past two years, three school districts in the lower Hudson River Valley have worked with Cornell Cooperative Extension and colleagues from other schools to further integrated pest management (IPM) policies and practices at the three districts.
On May 17, this "learning community" team will be hosting a half-day workshop highlighting the changes and improvements implemented. There will be an emphasis on grounds and athletic fields including an on-site tour and discussion of the grounds projects of the Monroe-Woodbury Central School District located in Orange County. The workshop is free, and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation pesticide applicator recertification credits have been applied for.
Pre-registration is requested but not required. To register or for more information, contact:
Mr. Lynn Braband
NYS Community IPM Program of Cornell University
249 Highland Avenue
Rochester, NY 14620
(585) 461-1000 ext. 241
e-mail: LAB45@cornell.edu
Branching
Out Subscription Forms Now Available!
2006 subscription forms for this popular publication are being made
available once again to green industry professionals. For more information
about this publication, or to request a subscription form, please contact:
Mail: Branching Out, 334 Plant Science Building, Cornell
Univeristy, Ithaca, NY 14853
Email / Telephone: ddo1@cornell.edu
/ 607-255-4162
OR contact your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office
(Green Industry Professionals working in Westchester County may contact
Cornell Cooperative Extension at 914-946-3005)
Submitted by Rick Harper, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County
USDA Lab Features
New Research Wing
A USDA laboratory whose mission includes finding non-chemical
solutions to agricultural pests across the nation's Midwest officially
unveiled a new research wing today.
This morning, officials at the North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory (NCARL) in Brookings, S.D., dedicated new laboratory and office space, part of which will serve as a technology transfer area for accommodating farmers, growers and other customers who benefit from the Brookings scientists' research. The lab is administered by the Agricultural Research Service, USDA's chief in-house scientific research agency.
"For more than 20 years, the NCARL through its world-class insect-rearing facility has provided critical support to national efforts to rein in the troubling pest known as the corn rootworm," said ARS Administrator Edward B. Knipling. "If left unchecked, this insect could inflict serious damage to the nation's Cornbelt."
The new addition will also help support another of the Brookings scientists' objectives: developing technologies that will make ethanol fuel production more efficient and profitable.
Formerly known as the Northern Grain Insects Research Laboratory, the expanded ARS research facility changed its name about a year ago to reflect a renewed and focused commitment to north central Plains crop production and soil and water conservation. The NCARL encompasses the Eastern South Dakota Soil and Water Research Farm, which is engaged in research projects concerned with clean water, clean air, soil stewardship and sustainable agriculture.
U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson delivered the keynote address. Other speakers included USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Merle Pierson, and Knipling.
The original Brookings research facility was built in 1960 and opened its doors the following year. Funds for the South Dakota laboratory had been set aside by the U.S. Congress in response to the persistent insect pests that were known to plague the region, including the destructive corn borer, wireworms, grasshoppers and aphids.
Since then, Brookings researchers have developed numerous biologically-based tools to help battle troubling insects. With their research partners, including South Dakota State University, they have developed recommendations to control soybean aphids and corn rootworms. They've also developed more diverse and ecologically friendly crop rotation systems for farmers across the north central region of the country.
Written by Erin Peabody, USDA-ARS
Submitted by Rick Harper, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester
County
Westchester County
Although there has been some much needed rainfall during the
month of April, numbers still show us receiving less than normal amounts
of precipitation for the season. Low rainfall combined with low humidity
levels will result in a general drying effect with ET (or Evapo - Transpiration
which refers to water loss through evaporation and transpiration) rates
sure to rise. Current totals for the month of April in the Hudson Valley
reflect that we have received 4.39" of precipitation
and accumulated 114 Growing Degree Day (GDD) Units.
A number of insects and arthropod pests have been noted hatching and becoming active on ornamental plants. Newly-hatched first instar European Pine Sawfly larvae have been noted on pines, Spruce Spider Mites (SSM) have been observed hatching and becoming active on conifers and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) crawlers have also been hatching. Early larval stage Eastern Tent Caterpillars have been seen beginning the process of putting together their "silken homes" on ornamental fruit-bearing trees (cherries, apples, etc.) and White Fly nymphs have been noted on hollies. Larvae of Boxwood Psyllid have also been active on boxwood plantings. Over the weekend of April 22, a number of the orange-colored fruiting bodies of Cedar-Apple Rust were noted on junipers - management options to protect the other susceptible host species (i.e. ornamental crabapples) from infection should be considered at the first appearance of the fruiting bodies on junipers.
The consumer call-in line has also been warming up with continued questions about managing white grubs in lawns (remember that it is generally not recommended to treat grubs at this late instar stage as most insecticide applications will be largely ineffective), questions about crabgrass prevention, and questions pertaining to the control of a wide variety of springtime weeds like onion grass.
Written by Rick Harper, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County
Sullivan County
Tent caterpillars are out in full force. It looks to be a very
bad year for trees. Warmer winter temperatures have contributed to a
low mortality rate for tents as well as Gypsy moths. Gypsy moths have
hatched out early in warmer protected spots around the county. In some
areas this will be the third year in a row for an infestation. High
mortality of favored species is a distinct possibility. Turf problems
are abundant this year due to the combination of last years drought
like conditions and possible grub damage. Needle cast and blight diseases
especially on spruce are evident this time of year.
If weather patterns continue as they are, we are in for another dry
season.
Submitted by Marianna Quartararo Sullivan County
Ulster County
We are seeing many tree defoliating caterpillars in Ulster County. So
far, we have seen lots of eastern tent caterpillars, a few canker worms,
one report and positive identification of forest tent caterpillar and
also reports of gypsy moth caterpillars. Protecting foliage (i.e., spraying
with a chemical or biological insecticide) may be critical if trees
were subjected to another major stress factor during the past 2-3 years.
Many of the areas that we are seeing caterpillars now also had high
populations and defoliation last year. This combined with lack of rainfall
has us very concerned over the health of woodland trees as well as landscape
plantings. Young caterpillars can be controlled by spraying Bt (Bacillus
thuringiensis), carbaryl (Sevin) or acephate (Orthene). The homeowner
can spray small trees and shrubs, but larger trees should be done by
a professional arborist. Municipalities, parks departments and owners
of woodlots are urged to consult with their regional DEC office before
taking action.DEC Region 3 covers Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland,
Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester Counties and the phone number is 845-256-3123.
Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using
any pesticides. Call your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office
if you have any questions about caterpillar identification, control
options, or pesticide use.
Written by Teresa Rusinek, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County
___________________________________________
This publication may contain pesticide recommendations. Changes in pesticide regulations occur constantly. Some materials may no longer be available, and some uses may no longer be legal. Read the label before applying any pesticide. Cornell Cooperative Extension and its employees assume no liability for the effectiveness or results of any pesticide usage. No endorsement of products, services or companies is made or implied.
____________________________________________
Return to Index
Programs
Of Interest
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hudson Valley Cornell Cooperative
Extension
Commercial Horticulture Education Program
2006 Horticulture Programs for Professionals
A printable version of the Hudson Valley 2006 Regional Horticulture
Program Calendar is available online at the following link:
http://www.cce.cornell.edu/ulster/Ag/AGEVENTS.htm
Christmas Tree Production Update
Tuesday, July 18th
Hudson Valley Growers Twilight Meeting
Shearing and Pest Update with Paul Shealer of Penn State & Rayanne
Lehman of the PA Department of Agriculture
Location TBA
Return to Index
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Tri-County
Nursery/Landscape Association ~
In Conjunction With
~Cornell Cooperative Extension ~ Present The 2006 Calendar of Events
June 13
Dig Safe
Mark Masseo (845) 658-9148, Anthony Monaco (845) 343-9772
July 11
*Turf Field Day
Rose Baglia (845) 344-1234, Kevin Shuback (845) 651-4074
September 12
Golf Outing At Winding Hills
Jim Presutti (845) 567-1611, Anthony Monaco (845) 343-9772
October 10
*Deer and Nuisance Wildlife Controls
Rose Baglia (845) 344-1234, Jim Presutti (845) 567-1611
November 14
*DOT Program Update
Kevin Shuback (845) 651-4074, Mark Masseo (845) 658-9148
December 2
Holiday Party
Jan Jansen (845) 651-4106, Gene Vidal (845) 255-1249
All Dates Subject to Change
* = Pesticide Recertification Credits pending DEC approval
If you're not already a member, please consider joining
the Tri-County Nurseryman/Landscape Association, Region 7 of the New
York State Nursery/Landscape Association. It's a great way to network,
learn and meet other people within our industry.
For more information contact: Kevin Shuback (845) 651-4074.
Return to Index
Other
Programs of Interest:
NYS ReLeaf Conference
July 13-15, 2006
Long Island, NY
For more information contact:
Mary Kramarchyk at 518-402-9412 or email: mckramar@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Join fellow urban and community foresters, municipal officials, community
organizations, arborists, and affiliated industry professionals for
a conference that offers workshops and tours on urban and community
forestry issues.
Certified Landscape Technician Training
Contact: New York State Turf and Landscape Association,
(914) 961-2535, Website: www.nystla.com
An optional national testing program to recognize proficiency of qualified
landscape professionals.
Certified Nursery Professional Training Program
Dutchess, Putnam & Westchester: Scott Olivieri, (914) 682-4224
Orange, Rockland & Ulster: Mark Masseo (845) 658-9148
By passing this exam you can earn the title Certified Nursery Professional
(CNP). Contact your New York State Nursery and Landscape Association
listed above for more details.
