By Clint Thompson Avoiding fungicide resistance in peach production is front and center of Phil Brannen’s presentation this week at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist cautions producers about overusing products like Miravis to protect against peach scab disease. “The thing about Miravis that’s tempting is it’s …
Cucurbit Downy Mildew: Disease Flares up in South Florida Area
Downy mildew disease remains a major problem for Florida’s cucurbit farmers, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. The disease has flared up drastically over the past couple of weeks in multiple cucumber fields. It is still active in squash and cucumbers in the southwest Florida area. Incidence and severity range from low to moderate. It is also …
Attention Florida Blueberry Producers: Pests, Diseases to Look Out for This Season
By Clint Thompson Florida’s blueberry crop is starting to bloom across the state. Harvests will commence in just a few months. Growers need to be mindful of multiple pests and diseases that could impact this year’s production, says Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences blueberry Extension coordinator. “The things that growers are concerned about or …
What Do We Know? The Latest Information on Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot Disease
By Clint Thompson To say that Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot has devastated Florida strawberries the past three growing seasons would be an understatement. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are researching ways to keep the disease from being as much of a problem in the future. One breakthrough that was discovered last season was the observance …
Bacterial Spot Disease a Significant Problem for Florida Producers
According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, bacterial spot disease remains a problem in tomato and susceptible pepper plants around the southwest Florida area. In some instances, bacterial spot and speck have been observed moving to the top of the plant and infesting stems, new growth and fruit. Bacterial spot also remains a significant issue in multiple locations …
Baldwin, Mobile Counties Added to Domestic Sweet Orange Scab Quarantine
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in cooperation with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), is establishing a quarantine for Elsinoë australis, the fungal causal agent of sweet orange scab (SOS), in all of Baldwin and Mobile counties to prevent the spread of the disease. The quarantine area encompasses seven nurseries and 60 acres of citrus …
Minimal Diseases so far for Florida Strawberry Producers
By Clint Thompson The extended dry period in South Florida has been a boost for strawberry production. Natalia Peres, Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of Florida/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, believes weather conditions have been favorable for strawberries early in the season and diseases have been minimal so far. “It’s been pretty quiet. We’re good, I …
Anthracnose Awareness: UF/IFAS Encourages Growers to be Wary of Disease
By Clint Thompson Incidences of anthracnose are on the rise in cucurbits in the Southeast. They’ve already impacted production in Georgia. Experts in Florida want producers to be wary of the disease. While this past season’s dry spring spared Florida production, anthracnose is still a concern for Gary Vallad, professor of Plant Pathology at the University of Florida Institute of …
Analyzing Anthracnose: Cucurbit Disease a Major Issue for Growers
By Clint Thompson One disease that Southeast cucurbit producers need to have on their radar this upcoming season is anthracnose. It is rapidly becoming a major issue for growers, says Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable plant pathologist. “It’s now a major problem after Pcap (phytophthora capsici). It has been an emerging issue in our cucurbits including …
Citrus Greening Detected in Leon County, Florida
Citrus greening disease has been detected in a backyard in Tallahassee, Florida. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recommended to the homeowner to have the tree removed. It’s the first occurrence in Leon County, according to Xavier Martini, UF/IFAS assistant professor at the North Florida Research and Education Center. According to the UF/IFAS, citrus greening or …