Bacterial Spot Observed in Alabama Tomatoes

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Alabama vegetable growers must be aware that bacterial spot disease has been observed in tomatoes in South Alabama. Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the department of entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University, discussed the disease and its propensity to becoming widespread. “One (disease) I saw down in the Wiregrass is bacterial spot. It’s …

Bacterial Spot’s Long Impact on Southeast Tomatoes

Clint ThompsonFlorida

This is the first in a two-part series on the disease and UF/IFAS research. By Clint Thompson One tomato disease has long been a thorn in the side of producers throughout the Southeast. Gary Vallad, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, discussed bacterial spot …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Compact Bed Design Tested in North Carolina Tomatoes

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Frank Giles Southeastern tomato growers largely rely on plasticulture to produce commercial-scale crops. Production practices are well established, but some growers are considering new bed designs based upon recent research. Sanjay Shukla, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor of water quality, initiated research several years ago to examine potential benefits of a new bed …

Late Blight Confirmed in South Florida Tomatoes

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Florida vegetable farmers should be wary that late blight disease has been confirmed in tomato in Southwest Florida. Craig Frey, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Hendry County Extension Director Craig Frey, reported via email that Glades Crop Care confirmed the detection, though the race identification is ongoing. The disease can spread quickly and devastate a …

Herbicide Plus Fertilizer Equals Fewer Weeds, More Tomatoes

Clint ThompsonFlorida

A combination of herbicide and fertilizer can prevent nutsedge from impacting tomatoes, according to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). That should mean more of the vegetable going to the grocery store and your kitchen. An increase or decrease in tomato production is critical because it’s a $400 million-a-year industry in Florida. Growers want to control …

AI May Help Kill Weeds, Preserve Peppers and Tomatoes

Clint ThompsonFlorida

First, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers developed technology to kill weeds, instead of strawberries. Now, UF/IFAS researchers are designing a machine that can surgically eliminate weeds while preserving the tomatoes and peppers around them, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and sensor fusion. Vinay Vijayakumar, a doctoral student working under the supervision of Yiannis Ampatzidis, created …

Citizen Scientists Help UF/IFAS Researchers Find Best Tasting Tomatoes

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Tomatoes

People with a green thumb for growing tomatoes are giving University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers data to help them find tastier tomatoes. Through a citizen science program, Denise Tieman, a UF/IFAS research associate professor of horticultural sciences, and her lab are retrieving viable data from residential gardeners about which tomato varieties grow and taste …

UF/IFAS Study: Genetic Insights Could Lead to Machine Harvests of Muscadines, Tomatoes

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Grapes

A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) study discovered new insights into how fruit detachment happens in muscadine grapes, paving the way for the possibility of mechanical harvesting. The research, aimed at reducing the high costs of manual labor associated with muscadine production, identified critical characteristics of the fruit’s genetics that make them easier to pluck …

Chitwood-Brown Discusses Machine Harvesting of Tomatoes

Web AdminUncategorized

Earlier this year, Jessica Chitwood-Brown took over the lead tomato breeding post at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida. The center has a long history of tomato breeding success. One of her objectives is to continue the effort to breed stakeless tomatoes, which could facilitate mechanical …

Machine-Harvestable Tomatoes Available from UF/IFAS

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Tomatoes

Ever since Florida farmers have been producing tomatoes, they’ve picked them by hand or hired laborers. It’s painstaking work that might be made easier soon with machine-harvestable tomatoes developed by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers. Now that the varieties are available, growers in Florida’s $400 million-a-year industry hope they can use mechanized harvesting, but doubts …