By Clint Thompson Dry weather in the Southeast is inevitable. Those conditions could bring a resurgence of whitefly pressure, says Roy Morris, senior technical sales rep at Bayer. “When it’s wet, although your plants are lush, you start getting some fungi and things that’ll naturally occur and take out the (whitefly) populations. When it’s hot and dry, they can turn …
Plant Breeding Remains Key to Fusarium Wilt Management
By Clint Thompson The key to eliminating fusarium wilt disease’s impact on watermelons in the Southeast is developing disease-resistance cultivars, says Nick Dufault, University of Florida/IFAS plant pathologist. “Where we stand is we’re trying to work with breeders and get new lines of resistance out there,” Dufault said. “We’re gaining a new understanding of the pathogen. I think we made …
Another Scab Management Spray or Two Projected for Pecan Crop
By Clint Thompson Pecan producers in Alabama and Georgia need to stay vigilant with their scab management sprays this late in the production season. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist, said due to the crop lagging behind in development this year, growers will need to apply fungicides later than normal. “The crop is a little behind what …
Southeast Still Relatively Drought Free
The Southeastern United States remains relatively drought free, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Alabama, Florida, Georgia each has sufficient moisture. Only a small portion of Greenville County and Spartanburg County are abnormally dry in South Carolina. A stretch of counties in western North Carolina remains abnormally dry. The counties stretch as far west as Henderson County …
Tropical Storm Fred’s Potential Impact on Pecan Production
By Clint Thompson The looming landfall of Tropical Storm Fred could impact pecan production in Georgia and Alabama. But it could have a positive effect. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist, said extra rainfall at this stage of production would benefit the crop heading into harvest. As for the wind effect, that’s a different matter. “We’re just …
Pollinator Protection While Using Organic Insecticides
Organic Corner By Ayanava Majumdar, Dani Carroll and Olivia Fuller As the summer temperatures soar, insect activity in vegetable crops rises dramatically with several overlapping generations of pests feeding on crops. During this time, need-based insecticide applications may be necessary when other pest management measures like trap crops and exclusion systems are exhausted or unfeasible. Tremendous strides have been made …
Bed Formation Key to Vegetable Producers’ Management System
By Clint Thompson A key to vegetable producers’ success this fall starts before they even plant their crops. Forming the perfect bed in vegetable crop systems helps growers facilitate the movement of fumigants to control nematodes and weeds, as well the movement of water and fertilizer through the drip system. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension weed scientist Stanley Culpepper stresses …
Hemp Alert: Alabama Growers Watch out for Corn Earworms
By Clint Thompson Alabama hemp producers need to be wary of high insect pressure across the region. Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, said growers especially need to watch out for corn earworms. “The biggest thing that people need to be aware of that we’re dealing with right now is corn earworm. We started finding them in …
Optimistic Outlook: Sunnier Days Ahead for North Alabama Produce
By Clint Thompson The calm after the storm seems to have hit north Alabama. In a summer highlighted by persistent rains, the north Alabama region has experienced sunnier days recently. It has Doug Chapman, Alabama Extension agent for Commercial Horticulture in North Alabama, optimistic for what remains for his farmers’ vegetable and specialty crops. “It rained on the first of …
Added Burden: Input Costs a Concern for Vegetable Producers
By Clint Thompson Freight and other input costs continue to be on the mind of vegetable and specialty crop producers heading into the fall season. It is especially concerning for Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms in North Georgia, who is in the middle of a 20-acre watermelon harvest and will pick as much as 200 acres of pumpkins this …