Specialty crop growers are always thinking long-term to prepare for upcoming production seasons. Insecticide resistance is a concern all growers have pertaining to specific pests. Will certain chemistries against certain insects continue to be effective years from now? Some farmers are already encountering resistance issues. Michael Hull, technical services manager at Kemin Crop Technologies, speaks with growers on this subject …
Biological Control: UF Research Testing New Measures for Mites in Blueberries
By Clint Thompson Biological applications may be Florida blueberry growers’ best management strategy for long-lasting control of mites. Oscar Liburd, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Professor and Fruit and Vegetable IPM Program leader, said resistance concerns are forcing researchers to consider alternative control measures. “One of the problems is that if we continue using the …
Making Sense of Biologicals: Sponsored Content
Biofertilizers encourage bigger vegetable roots By Clint Thompson Bigger is better when it comes to vegetable crop roots. Larger roots lead to greater exploration of the soil, where roots can capture more nutrients. A more robust root system leads to improved fertilizer efficiency and better crop quality. So how do growers achieve this kind of success? According to Mark Egan, …
Making Sense of Biologicals: Multiple Modes of Action for Plant Protection
By Clint Thompson The life of a synthetic fungicide is not everlasting. Vegetable and specialty crop producers need alternatives to remain sustainable. As resistance continues to build up in different fungi, some conventional chemistries could become ineffective and obsolete. Biologicals provide growers another option with a different mechanism, says Alex Cochran, chief technology officer for Douglas Plant Health. Resistance Problem …
Making Sense of Biologicals: Prolonging Resistance
By Clint Thompson Conventional chemistries are required to produce a profitable and sustainable crop in the Southeast. However, the lifespan of such chemistries is not always known. At some point, they will not be effective. At the rate vegetable and specialty crop growers use available fungicides and insecticides, resistance is a concern. A Sustainable Option A way that growers can …
Making Sense of Biologicals: Crop Optimization With Seaweed
Sometimes vegetable and specialty crop growers must think outside the box to remain sustainable amid high input costs and devastating diseases. What if seaweed could be used to aid in the quality of strawberries, bell peppers or tomatoes? Seaweed is a biostimulant that is part of the biological crop protection products that vegetable and specialty crop producers are increasingly using …
Making Sense of Biologicals: Biologicals Meet Grower Needs
Sponsored Content The use of biological crop protection products or “biologicals” in vegetable and specialty crops is not a new idea, just one that is increasing in popularity. The name sells itself. Biologicals represent a group of products derived from living organisms. Growers utilize environmentally friendly biologicals in combination with appropriate chemical applications to provide added protection against pests, diseases …