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 …
Southern Corn Leaf Blight Now a Problem Year-Round for Florida Producers
By Clint Thompson What was mainly a fall disease problem for sweet corn producers has transitioned into a concern for growers during winter and spring production as well. Southern corn leaf blight is an issue that now concerns Florida growers year-round, mostly due to warmer temperatures, said Richard Raid, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor …
Bacterial Spot: Tomato Disease a Problem in Various Fields in South Florida
A pair of tomato diseases are causing issues for South Florida producers. According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, bacterial spot disease has slowed in the Manatee Ruskin area but has flared up in other various locations. It continues to move up in tomatoes around Southwest Florida and is severe for some pepper varieties. Bacterial spot is reportedly …
Neopestalotiopsis Management: Send in Samples to Ensure Disease is Present
By Clint Thompson Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot in Florida strawberries is inevitable this year, based on previous years of production. But because symptoms manifest themselves similarly to other diseases, growers need to make sure the disease is actually present in their fields before taking action. Vance Whitaker, strawberry breeder at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, encourages …