By Frank Giles
Hurricane Ian will have far reaching impacts on Florida agriculture. An initial estimate released by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) puts farm losses at between $787 million and $1.56 billion. The storm brought hurricane-strength winds to nearly 1.2 million acres agricultural lands in Florida.
Vegetable growers are reporting varying degrees of damage. We asked Gary Vallad, UF/IFAS professor of plant pathology at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, what he’s been hearing about storm damage and what growers need to do post-storm to manage potential disease problems.
What are you hearing about damage to vegetable crops?
VALLAD: The extent of damage varied based on location depending on intensity of storm conditions, flooding afterwards and age of the crop. While some fields were heavily damaged, others will require more time to fully assess losses. All crops were fairly vulnerable, but the stage of growth at the time will likely be a big factor in determining the extent of damage.
For vegetable crops that made it through the storm, how do growers need to approach management in terms of disease control?
VALLAD: Fortunately, the weather following Ian was cool and dry, which is ideal for crop recovery. Applications of labelled broad-spectrum fungicides containing macozeb, chlorothalonil and even copper are ideal for managing potential opportunistic infections of damaged plant tissues. Growers should focus attention on new growth. Increased scouting would be ideal, especially as more rain is in the forecast.
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
VALLAD: Growers should pay particular attention to those diseases that were present in the field prior to the storm, since these will likely be more widespread due to wind-driven rains. Remember these disease symptoms can be easily masked by wind damaged tissues.
