Tomato Wilt

TOMATOES WILTING This last month or so I have had a number of people bring me in wilting tomatoes, It was not curly top virus which causes purple veins and starts at the top of the plants. The NMSU Plant Pathology Laboratory identified and isolated Verticillium wilt. This is a soil fungal disease of tomatoes and potatoes can be caused by two different soil-borne fungi, Verticillium albo-atrum or Verticillium dahliae. The samples we sent in were V. dahlia. These fungi have a very broad host range, infecting up to 200 species of plants. In addition to tomatoes and potatoes, these fungi can infect cucumber, eggplant, Chile pepper, bell pepper, rhubarb, watermelon, artichoke, beet, broad bean, strawberries, raspberries, and a number of weedy plants. They may also infect several woody species such as maple, ash, lilac, smoke bush and roses. Wilting is the most characteristic symptom of infection by Verticillium spp. In Eddy County symptoms usually appear on the lower leaves in mid-May to mid-August when infected plants wilt during the warmest part of the day, and then recover at night. Leaf edges and areas between the veins turn yellow and then brown. In addition, infected plants often have a characteristic V-shaped lesion at the edge of the leaf occurring in a fan pattern. These foliar lesions can enlarge, resulting in complete browning and death of the leaves. Verticillium wilt can be detected by looking for the presence of vascular streaking in stems near the ground. When cut longitudinally, Verticillium-infected stems show a light tan discoloration of the vascular tissue. These symptoms are similar to those caused by another fungus, Fusarium, but vascular streaking caused by Fusarium is generally darker and progresses further up the stem than streaking caused by Verticillium. Infected potato tubers may also show similar vascular discoloration occurring in rings, especially near the stem end. Although discolored, the tubers are safe to eat. Wilt caused by this disease may be differentiated from drought-stress based on the portion of the plant that is wilting and on the location of wilted plants. Diseased plants often have only a portion of the plant wilting, such as one or two stems which is different than curly top. In addition, diseased plants usually appear in patches within the growing area. So you may have some plants that are doing great and a spot where they are all wilting. Plants suffering from drought, however, are uniformly wilted and occur throughout the growing area. The fungi causing this disease overwinter in the soil as mycelium or on plant debris as microsclerotia. The fungi infect a susceptible host through wounds in the roots caused by cultivation, nematodes (microscopic worms), or the formation of secondary roots. This disease is considered a cool-weather disease, developing between 65° and 83°F. Management of this disease is difficult since the pathogen survives in the soil and can infect many species of plants. As with many diseases, no single management strategy will solve the problem. Rather, a combination of methods should be used to decrease its effects. When a positive diagnosis has been made, the following recommendations may be followed: • Whenever possible, plant resistant varieties. There are many Verticillium-resistant varieties of tomatoes. These are labeled "V" for Verticillium-resistance. There are no potato varieties that are resistant to Verticillium, though some varieties are tolerant. Note: Verticillium-resistant plants may still develop Verticillium wilt if there is a high population of nematodes in the soil. • Remove and destroy any infested plant material to prevent the fungi from overwintering in the debris and creating new infections. • Keep plants healthy by watering and fertilizing as needed. • Gardens should be kept weed-free since many weeds are hosts for the pathogen. • Susceptible crops can be rotated with non-hosts such as cereals and grasses, although 4 to 6 years may be required since the fungi can survive for long periods in the soil. • Alternate garden spots, pulling clear plastic over one to heat the soil with sunlight, every few week you can pull the cover off and stir the soil up to expose more to the high heat. This will help reduce the amount of inoculum in the soil. Which give resistant varieties more of a chance. Resistance is proportional to the challenge. If there is a lot of inoculum in the soil it can overcome the ability of the plant to resist. • Container gardening is also an option. Verticillium-resistant tomato varieties Verticillium-tolerant potato varieties • Better Boy • Big Beef • Celebrity • Daybreak • Early Girl • First Lady • Floramerica • Husky Gold • Husky Red • Italian Gold • Jet Star • Miracle Sweet • Pink Girl • Roma • Sunstart • Super Sweet 100 • Ultra Sweet • Viva Italia • Century Russet • Gold Rush • Itasca • Ranger Russet • Reddale • Targhee Don’t plant any variety of tomato that does not have VFN after the name. The smaller the tomato the more heat resistant they are. We don’t have a good handle on green chile that are resistant. A recent study from Ruggers University indicated that some protection of the roots using Ammonia Sulfate fertilizer (21-0-0). Subscribe to Eddy County Ag news at: http://nmsueddyag.blogspot.com/ Eddy County Extension Service, New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. New Mexico State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Eddy County Government Cooperating.

Sheriff working on Comunity Policing for Rural Eddy County

Mark Gage the sheriff of Eddy County is working on developing a rural community policing. It is difficult with a force of only about 60 officers to have a presence in a county 4,184 square miles or 2,677,760 acres big with thousands of miles of back county gravel roads. The attached form is so that patrol officer on sheriff deputies can respond to rural areas better. For location you can use rural addressing system, Range Township section ¼ of the ¼ , GPS lat and long. Whatever you have the more the better. You can also include information like Elderly in residence, Heart condition, and diabetic whatever you think will help a first responder. This is 100% voluntary and is to help them help you. You can mail, fax, scan and e-mail, or drop it by the Eddy County Sheriff’s office or the Extension Office and I will make sure he gets it. Send this to your friends or give them a form. Right now he is concentration is on ranches but he will want to do the same with farms I am sure in the near future. If you have question or concerns call Mark or the Under Sheriff. Share this form with other Rural residents, and help Sheriff Gage help us.

Wildlife Service published a proposed rule to delist the Gypsum Wild-Buckwheat

Woods note: Gypsum wild buckwheat has two populations in Eddy County. On January 6, 2017, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a proposed rule to delist the Gypsum Wild-Buckwheat as a threatened species throughout its range under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. On June 13, 2017 the Service reopened a 30-day public comment period. The Gypsum Wild-Buckwheat proposed listing rule can be found here: http://www.regulations.gov , entering FWS–R2–ES–2016–0119 in the Search box. The proposed rule reassesses all available information regarding status of and threats to the Gypsum Wild-Buckwheat. We intend that any final action resulting from this proposed rule will be based on the best scientific and commercial data available and be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, we are particularly seeking comments and information concerning these categories: 1) Current and ongoing threats. 2) Current regulatory protections. 3) The need for post delisting management and protections for the species. The Service is requesting comments or information on this proposal. Comments must be received on or before July 13, 2017 and can be submitted by one of the following methods: 1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS–R2–ES–2016–0119 for Gypsum wild-buckwheat, which is the docket number for the rulemakings. Then, in the Search panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, click on the Proposed Rules link to locate this document. You may submit a comment by clicking on “Comment Now!”

Public infromation and Hearing on Texas Hornshell mussel in Back River, Eddy County NM

Today, it is the only native mussel remaining in New Mexico and is scarce in Texas, occupying only 15% of its historical U.S. range. Habitat fragmentation and loss as a result of impoundments and reduced water quality and quantity are negatively impacting the Texas hornshell and other freshwater mussels across the Southwest. After thoroughly reviewing the best available science, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to protect the mussel as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We are seeking comments from academia, the public, industry, local and federal agencies, states and other stakeholders. “The Texas hornshell and other mussels across the Southwest are struggling because the waterways they call home are being altered and impacted by declining water quality and quantity,” said Dr. Benjamin N. Tuggle, the Service’s Southwest Regional Director. “Declining freshwater mussel populations are signs of an unhealthy aquatic system, which has negative implications for the fish, wildlife and communities that depend upon those rivers and streams.” “By working closely with private landowners, states and federal agencies we will improve water quality and quantity to benefit both the species and communities that rely upon those flowing waters.” The Texas hornshell can grow to more than 41⁄2 inches long and live up to 20 years. Like other freshwater mussels, it uses fish to complete its life cycle. Fertilized hornshell eggs develop into larvae and are released from the adults into the water where they are consumed by fish. The larvae then form parasitic cysts in the host fish’s gills, face or fins where they transform into the juvenile form and are released. If they are released in a suitable area, they can attach to a substrate and complete their development, becoming reproductive adult mussels. In the Rio Grande, the Texas hornshell has been found downstream of Big Bend National Park and near Laredo in Webb County, Texas, in the Pecos River near Pandale, Texas, and the Devil’s River in Val Verde County, Texas. Historically, the Texas hornshell was widely distributed in Gulf Coast rivers in Mexico, however, its present status there is unclear.

From USFWS news release August 9, 2016 Contact(s): Chuck Ardizzone, 281-286-8282, chuck_ardizzone@fws.gov Lesli Gray, 972-439-4542, lesli_gray@fws.gov Jeff Humphrey, 602-242-0210, jeff_humphrey@fws.gov A public informational session from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., followed by a public hearing from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on June 15, 2017, Pecos River Village in Carlsbad, New Mexico

Eddy County Sheriff to meet with Eddy County Ranchers.

The Eddy County Sheriff's office is holding a meeting to share some news with us. Here is the press release: Eddy County Ranchers Assocation Meeting When: June 15, 2017 @ 2:00 P.M Where: Eddy County Sheriff's Office (1502 Corrales Drive, Carlsbad New Mexico) Sheriff Mark Cage cordially invites you to the Eddy County Rancher's Association meeting at the Eddy County Sheriff's Office located at 1502 Corrales Drive. The meeting will be held on June 15, 2017 at 2.P.M. The Rancher's Association will be discussing various law enforcement topics that ranchers are dealing with in Eddy County. Several different law enforcement agencies will be present at this meeting. All citizens of Eddy County are welcome to attend. There will be refreshments provided. Since we are gathering together anyway for this, we will have an official meeting too and kill two birds with one stone. We do have a few quick business things to take care of. Hope to see you there. Invite your neighbors. Sandi Wilkie

NMDA hold public hearing on adoption and amendement on Organic Agriculture and Pasterurized Milk.

NMDA to hold public rule hearings across New Mexico For Immediate Release: June 13, 2017 Contact: Shelby Herrera 575-646-3007 office (LAS CRUCES, N.M.) - The New Mexico Department of Agriculture will hold public hearings in four locations across the state to discuss the adoption and amendment of two rules. The hearings will be held to propose the repeal and adoption of 21.15.1 NMAC – “Organic Agriculture,” and amendments to 21.34.3 NMAC “Pasteurized Milk Ordinance,” and receive public comment on each proposal. The hearings will be as follows: • In Las Cruces at the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 from 1–2 p.m., and 2:30–3:30 p.m. • In Portales at the Roosevelt County Extension Office on Thursday, July 6, 2017 from 2–3 p.m., and 3:30–4:30 p.m. • In Santa Fe at the State Capitol building in room 326, on Friday, July 7, 2017 from 8–9 a.m., and 9:30–10:30 a.m. • In Albuquerque at the Bernalillo County Extension Office, on Friday, July 7, 2017 from 1–2 p.m., and 2:30–3:30 p.m. During the Organic Agriculture hearings, the new fee structure for the Department’s Organic Program will be proposed. During the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance hearings amendments will be proposed. These amendments add a reference to additional documents that are used to regulate milk and milk products in New Mexico. The Organic rule hearings will be held first at each location, with the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance rule hearings to follow. A copy of the proposed rule is available on the webpage at www.nmda.nmsu.edu, or at the New Mexico Department of Agriculture located at 3190 S. Espina, Las Cruces, NM 88003.

NEW MEXICO HEALTH ALERT NETWORK (HAN) ALERT Plague Information for New Mexico Healthcare Personnel

Please freely distribute this alert. NEW MEXICO HEALTH ALERT NETWORK (HAN) ALERT Plague Information for New Mexico Healthcare Personnel June 7, 2017 An adult male from Santa Fe County recently was diagnosed with pneumonic plague, requiring admission to an intensive care unit. Clinicians in New Mexico should consider plague in their differential diagnoses when dealing with febrile patients -- particularly if they live in or have spent time in northern New Mexico, present with swollen lymph node/s, or do not have an obvious cause of their illness -- because untreated or improperly treated patients have a high risk of mortality. SEE THE ATTACHED ALERT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.