The AZ Department of Agriculture issued a crisis exemption for the use of Dual herbicide in spinach. Dual provides good control of several grass weeds and some of the smaller seeded broadleaved weeds. Testing has shown that Dual has limited activity against the mustard weeds and cheeseweed. Contact the Arizona Department of Agriculture at 542-0466 for further information about obtaining a permit to use Dual herbicide. Seedling diseases that may occur could be caused by Pythium spp.
Downy mildew occurs when there is persistent cool and wet weather.
There are about a dozen new fungicides that are representative of new chemistries and modes of action that are actively being developed for potential future use in vegetable crops. M. Matheron, Extension Plant Pathologist, is conducting field evaluations of these low use rate and reduced risk chemicals in Yuma. The fall produce will soon be available and with the arrival of winter visitors, the guide is also still available in hardcopy from our office by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope. The web page provides specific insect monitoring information in Yuma County on a timely basis. Additional research updates on seed quality and stand establishment, disease and weed management, soil fertility, and irrigation will be provided by UA personnel.