Targeted outreach to growers and service providers dealing with disease introduced by 2011 flooding

Abstract

Flooding in 2011 spread Phytophthora capsici into fields with no history of the disease. Growers who have not managed P. capsici previously could inadvertently and permanently spread the disease to additional fields and could experience high rates of crop loss due to improper management of the disease. A series of three webinars and articles on identification and proper management of this disease will reduce the probability of these negative outcomes on eastern NY farms. This efficient outreach, combined with traditional field meetings and the development of a management checklist will help us reach growers quickly and effectively.