By Karla Arboleda Clemson University researchers are studying the productivity of different specialty eggplants to determine their value over common eggplants. Anthony (Tony) Keinath, an Extension vegetable pathologist at Clemson University, is conducting fall trials on several eggplant cultivars. Their size and appearance determine their potential market success. “We are doing this with a minimal amount of pesticide inputs. The …
Hurricane Helene Impact: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Hurricane Helene cast tropical storm forced winds over most of South Carolina Friday as she tore through Florida and Georgia. The western part of the state took the brunt of the damage and large …
Georgia Blueberry, Vegetable Growers Vote to Extend Assessments
Atlanta, GA – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced in April that Georgia blueberry growers voted to extend the $5 per ton assessment on marketed blueberries for an additional three years. The balloting was conducted from March 1 to March 30, 2024, and the extension passed with 71% voting in favor. Georgia Growers marketing 2,000 pounds or more of blueberries …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Row-Middle Weed Control in Vegetable Plasticulture
By Ramdas Kanissery Battling weeds is a real struggle in vegetable plasticulture production — not just in the plastic mulched planting beds but also in the row-middle spaces between beds (see Figure 1). Weeds in the row middles can compete with the main crop while playing host to insect pests, nematodes and pathogens. Tackling row-middle weeds comes with its own …
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Mite Pressure Update
Mite pressure is low but increasing in southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Southern red mites were reported in blueberries in central Florida. Broad mites were reported in a few pepper fields across Southwest Florida. Broad mite infestation increased to low levels in pepper fields along the east coast. In eggplants, two spotted spider mites …
South Georgia Whitefly Populations Currently High
By Clint Thompson Whitefly populations are not at abnormally high levels, but they are high according to one expert. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension vegetable entomologist, talked about the insect and what it might take to decrease the current populations. “They’re pretty high. We’re hoping as it cools off, it’s going to stretch out the life cycle and …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes Midlands Rob Last Sarah Scott Upstate Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundNovember 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024SECURE FUNDING NOW | USDA-Sponsored Farming Project Underway …
Caterpillar Pressure Varies in South Florida
Caterpillar pressure varies across southern Florida, according to the latest release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Scouts report low to moderate infestation levels of beet armyworms and loopers in the Southwest Florida region. Scouts have also indicated a high level of corn earworm egg hatch outs in some fields. An increase of beet armyworm pressure was reported on …
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Caterpillar Pressure Varies in Florida
Caterpillar pressure varies across southern Florida, according to the latest release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Scouts report low to moderate infestation levels of beet armyworms and loopers in the Southwest Florida region. Scouts have also indicated a high level of corn earworm egg hatch outs in some fields. An increase of beet armyworm pressure was reported …
Thrips Levels High in Parts of South Florida
South Florida vegetable producers should be wary that thrips levels are high in certain parts of the region, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Population levels vary in Southwest Florida. Melon thrips populations are problematic in certain fields. Levels were medium to high in beans, though most of the crop have been harvested. Most of the beans have …