| Seed catalogues often feature resistant varieties. What disease resistance is really crucial and which will increase profits? Here is a list of several vegetables, vegetable diseases worth worrying about, and some commercial varieties that may reduce the amount of loss from such misfortunes on the farm.
Resistance and tolerance are relative terms. One variety may be better at withstanding exposure to a particular disease than another most of the time, but may still succumb to the pest under adverse environmental conditions. Sometimes there are races of the disease in nature for which there are no resistances available, but some varieties may be available with resistance to the more common races. Also, some varieties may have resistance to more races of a disease than other varieties. Herein is a list of a few commercial varieties that usually perform “better than average” under southern New England or Northeastern conditions. In other words, they show some degree of resistance (fair-excellent) and yield well whether or not they are exposed to a disease. Of course, an IPM approach utilizing multiple techniques (sanitation, cultural control, resistance, chemicals) will almost always produce better results than relying on one or two control techniques. Utilize resistant varieties where feasibile on the farm, but take some time to research the disease(s) that is/are giving the most trouble to find other controls to plug into the management plan. |
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T. Jude Boucher, Vegetable IPM Coordinator, University of Connecticut
Originally published in Yankee Grower, University of Connecticut Journal for Profitable Horticulture
Volume 1, Number 1. January/February 1999
Reviewed 2012
This information was developed for conditions in the Northeast. Use in other geographical areas may be inappropriate.
The information in this document is for educational purposes only. The recommendations contained are based on the best available knowledge at the time of publication. Any reference to commercial products, trade or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended. The Cooperative Extension System does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any product referenced or imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others which also may be available. The University of Connecticut, Cooperative Extension System, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.