By Clint Thompson
There is minimal disease pressure in watermelons across the Suwanee Valley region of North Florida. With dry weather conditions expected in the near future, risk of new infections of bacterial or fungal diseases is currently low, according to Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida.
Hochmuth noted in his weekly email what watermelon growers should be thinking when considering fungicide applications.
“We may still be on a chlorothalonil or mancozeb cover spray this week,” Hochmuth said. “We know our disease time, as always, will come later this season. If you choose to add tebuconazole to that cover spray, it may be useful. Also, if you like to switch to Miravis Prime, as it is best positioned ahead of disease infections, this week or next week would be the proper timing. But one more week of chlorothalonil is as good as any choice based on our current situation. With this dry warm weather, we need to be on the lookout for powdery mildew next.”
Downy mildew disease was confirmed in a North Florida watermelon field last week. Hochmuth noted in his email that the lone infected field was impacted from movement onto the area on either the transplants or workers.
“We are on high alert for other infections, but none are reported yet,” Hochmuth said.