By Johan Desaeger Producing nematode-free plant material is one of the most important steps in nematode management. Many nematodes can hide in plant material such as tubers, bulbs, roots, cuttings and seed. The seed gall nematode (Anguina tritici), a seedborne pest infecting seed heads in wheat and rye, was the first plant-parasitic nematode ever to be described (by Needham in …
Integrated Pest Management of Chilli Thrips in Strawberries
By Sriyanka Lahiri Currently, strawberry production in Florida is particularly susceptible to infestation by chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis). Although chilli thrips had been reported as a pest of ornamentals in Florida before, it wasn’t until 2015 when strawberry fields started to be severely impacted by this invasive pest. CHEMICAL CONTROLSChemical control is the predominant tool to manage chilli thrips. However, …
Grafting in Tomato: A Practical Tool for Root-Knot Nematode Control
By Abolfazl Hajihassani Control of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) is a severe challenge for growers because the pests have abroad host range and can survive in the soil for several years. This makes crop rotation impractical and inefficient for nematode management. Other major management options for root-knot nematodes in tomato include chemical controls using fumigant and non-fumigant nematicides and resistant varieties/rootstocks. …
Downy Mildew Disease: Fungicide Resistance a Concern for Grape Producers
By Clint Thompson Downy mildew disease in Southeast grape production is bad enough. The problem is exacerbated as disease resistance continues to worsen. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist, explains the concerns that producers in Georgia and Alabama should have about the potential for further resistance developing. “There’s already been resistance to the strobilurin (quinone outside …
Bacterial Spot Remains Problematic for Tomato, Pepper Growers
Bacterial spot disease continues to be a significant problem for tomato and pepper in southwest Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. It has flared in susceptible varieties due to the few rain events that have occurred. Non-resistance pepper looks rough in most fields. Respondents in Homestead, Florida, indicate that disease pressure is widespread. It is starting …
Neopestalotiopsis Discovered in Alabama
The strawberry disease that has impacted Florida production since 2017 and also Georgia’s crop has finally been discovered on plants in South Alabama. The first report of Neopestalotiopsis leaf spot disease was confirmed recently, according to Alabama Extension. Kassie Conner, Alabama Extension Specialist II, said the disease appears to have traveled in on the transplants. The disease is important to …
Early Cucumber Planting Protects Against Downy Mildew Disease
Early cucumber planting helps avoid downy mildew disease and increases yields, according to Clemson plant pathologist Tony Keinath in The South Carolina Grower. Keinath said producers should plant within one month of recommended planting dates which avoids downy mildew disease that is most prevalent between May 15 and June 15. In an experiment in 2021 at Clemson’s Coastal Research and …
Vidalia Onion Growers Encouraged to Look Out for Downy Mildew
By Clint Thompson It is that time of year when Georgia’s Vidalia onion producers need to be monitoring their crop for downy mildew disease. It was not reported in any of the crop in 2021. But downy mildew is a concern every year for growers. It is mainly due to how quickly it spreads, says Chris Tyson, University of Georgia …
Joint Research: Grafting Reduces Southern Blight Disease By 83%
A joint research project between scientists at the University of Georgia and Clemson University has deduced that grafting reduces southern blight disease on tomatoes by 83%. According to the The South Carolina Grower, grafting reduced the percentage of diseased plants from 44% on nongrafted ‘Roadster’ varieties to 7% on ‘Roadster’ grafted on ‘Maxifort’ rootstock in a 2021 trial in Charleston, …
Be Alert for Citrus Canker in Alabama
Alabama Cooperative Extension implores growers to be on the lookout for symptoms of citrus canker disease in their trees. Commercial growers need to scout their trees regularly to stop the disease’s potential spread, says Kassie Conner, Alabama Extension specialist. “What we need people to do right now is look for these symptoms and report it if they find it,” Conner …