Due to frequent rains, cloudy weather and high humidity, Choanephora blight or wet rot was found throughout a one-acre planting of green bean cultivars and breeding lines at Coastal Research and Education Center last week, according to The South Carolina Grower. Growers and home gardeners may see similar symptoms on late-planted beans throughout South Carolina. Choanephora blight is a common …
Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus on Rise in North Carolina
By Clint Thompson High populations of thrips meant a surge in tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in North Carolina tomatoes this season. Inga Meadows, North Carolina (N.C.) State Extension specialist, discusses the uptick in thrips activity this year. Since thrips vector the virus, that meant more incidences of TSWV. “In some parts of North Carolina, we’ve had quite a bit …
Rain’s Impact on Diseases in Peaches
By Clint Thompson The increase in rainfall across the Southeast is having minimal impact on diseases in the region’s peach crop. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Extension fruit disease specialist, discusses the current scenario facing producers as harvests continue. “Thankfully, we’re no longer drought stressed in a lot of the locations, which is good. There’s been an increase in disease …
Tomato Season: Prepare for Bacterial Spot
By Clint Thompson Tomato season may have just ended in North Florida, but the fall crop will soon be planted. Josh Freeman, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor in horticultural science, estimates planting will begin around July 20-23. But growers should be mindful of one disease that could threaten the fall crop, especially amid …
UF/IFAS Research: Diseases Minimal in Hops
By Clint Thompson Potential hops producers in Florida can rest easy knowing diseases are minimal, if they start with clean material. Gary Vallad, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, discusses what findings his research has yielded so far in this up-and-coming commodity. “The only …
Blueberry Management for July
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) reminds Florida producers about what blueberry management tactics they need to consider as the calendar turns to July. Growers should scout for algal stem blotch, a key disease in southern highbush blueberries. It can stunt growth and cause yellowing in leaves. Farmers should also monitor and manage leaf diseases. They …
Biopesticides (Seem to) Perform Poorly Against Black Spot on Kale
From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath in The South Carolina Grower . As part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic Transitions Program grant, we tested 10 biopesticides on organic kale ‘Oldenbor’ to determine if any product controlled Alternaria leaf spot, a.k.a. black spot on kale. None look promising. No biopesticides reduced black spot on kale compared to the non-treated …
Lingering Drought Impacts Georgia Peaches
By Clint Thompson Count Georgia peaches as another crop impacted by the current hot and dry weather. Fewer disease instances with higher pest infestations are a common theme during this summer’s harvest season, says Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties “Diseases have definitely been at a minimum. Insects have …
Heat’s Impact on Grape Production
By Clint Thompson The lingering heat wave sweltering the Southeast could impact grape production this season. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist Phil Brannen discussed the impact that temperatures approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit could have on grape production, especially the younger vines. “I suspect there’s a good bit of stress going on with the vines right now. Unfortunately, …
Charcoal Rot Showing Up in Cantaloupe
Charcoal rot was identified in a cantaloupe crop in South Carolina last week, according to The South Carolina Grower. The fungus responsible for the disease is Macrophomina phaseolina. It is a soil-borne fungus that survives as microsclerotia. Typically, the disease is more prevalent in hot, dry conditions, which has been the norm across the state in recent weeks. In cantaloupes, …