Crop Update

Ginseng is continuing to emerge in older gardens. Now is the time to watch for patches of missing plants and investigate what is happening below ground. I have not received any reports of disease yet. I would appreciate hearing from you if you are finding disease in your gardens. 

Timing Fungicide Applications

At this time of year it is important to keep the young plant material protected from disease. During periods when rainfall is minimal you can expect protection for 10-14 days with Bravo and mancozeb products, but that is after the leaves have reached full size. During the period when leaves are unfolding and stems are elongating, the new tissue remains largely unprotected. Redistribution of product during light rain will occur but once there is 50% new growth, redistribution loses its protective effect. For the first month or so after emergence begins there will be new plants emerging under the canopy. More frequent applications will be necessary for the first several weeks in any garden. 

New Research on a Seedling Disease

In 2005, stunted ginseng seedlings were found in gardens in both British Columbia and Ontario. Examination below ground revealed areas where the roots were constricted and discoloured. Many of the side roots were heavily diseased or no longer present. Dr. Zamir Punja and colleagues at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia have recently published an article on this disease. The scientists found the fungus Fusarium oxysporum on most of the samples and suggest that it probably caused the disease. They also found the fungus on ginseng berries and seeds, suggesting that it is seed-borne. Fusarium is known to cause seedling disease in ginseng and is also one of the primary fungi suspected of causing rusty-root. This research serves as a reminder that the same fungus can cause many different symptoms on ginseng roots depending on the strain of the fungus, the weather and soil conditions, and the condition of the plants. Similar symptoms can also be caused by other fungi such as Cylindrocarpon. As ginseng growers know, it is very difficult to determine the cause of many root diseases. That is why it is often necessary to have the roots examined by someone trained in plant diagnostics who can look at the fungus under the microscope and culture the fungus in a laboratory. Let me know if you find ginseng with these symptoms in a ginseng garden. 

Ginseng Garden Walker Workshop

This workshop will discuss what we are finding this spring in ginseng gardens and how to deal with pest pressures this season

SIMCOE RESEARCH STATION AUDITORIUM
Tuesday, May 26^TH
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

NO CHARGE! 
Bring samples with you for diagnosis and discussion.
Bring a copy of publication 610 is possible.

To register, contact the Brighton Resource Centre at 613-475-1630 or the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300.

New Crops Workshop

New Crops, Old Challenges:
Non-traditional crops integrated crop management workshop.

Come out to the Simcoe Research Station to learn about:

• Non-traditional and specialty crops: demonstration plots of example crops  
• Pest management and sprayer technology: discuss with Provincial Specialists  
• Cover crops: opportunities to save your nitrogen dollars Current nitrogen research conducted by the University of Guelph  
• Enjoy refreshments, meet with other producers and take the opportunity talk with University of Guelph staff and OMAFRA specialists

Tuesday, August 18, 2009                         
(Rain Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009)
1:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Simcoe Research Station

Please RSVP by August 14^th by phoning (519) 426-7127 ext. 323

Questions about ginseng can be directed to Sean Westerveld, OMAFRA’s Ginseng and Medicinal Herbs Specialist at (519) 426-4323; E-mail: sean.westerveld@ontario.ca.