By Clint Thompson Almost perfect weather conditions for Florida production of tomatoes should have had most growers reaping the rewards by now. But that’s not the case, due in large part to a multitude of factors, says Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and Executive Vice President of the Florida Tomato Exchange. “The weather throughout the Florida growing …
Rainfall Alleviates Dry Conditions in Southeast
By Clint Thompson Much needed rainfall this past week alleviated much of the dry conditions being felt across the Southeast, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. In Florida, much of the Panhandle now has sufficient moisture. Escambia County and Santa Rose County are either abnormally dry or moderately dry. Okaloosa County is also abnormally dry. …
Downy Mildew in Lettuce: Growers Need to be on Preventative Program
By Clint Thompson One of the most important diseases of lettuce was found last week in a Florida field in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Richard Raid, a professor in plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, discusses the disease’s impact and why he encourages growers to be on a preventative program. “Lettuce downy mildew …
Corteva Ridgeback™ Insecticide Effective Against Whiteflies
By Clint Thompson and Frank Giles Specialty crop producers can never have too many insecticides in their management system. Growers will soon be able to add a new insecticide to the toolbox from Corteva Agriscience. Ridgeback™ insecticide should provide farmers in the Southeast another weapon in the arsenal in their annual fight against one destructive pest, says Nathan Alonzo, product …
ABT Hotspot Reported in South Florida
A new hotspot of Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations was reported this week along the Lee County/Collier County line in Florida, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Scouts indicated a population of 0.5 ABT per bloom was observed in one planting with pods forming and some flowers remaining. Another planting experienced 2.4 ABT per …
Bacterial Spot Disease Problematic in Florida Fields
Bacterial spot disease continues to be prevalent in tomatoes and susceptible pepper varieties throughout Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. This is especially true in Southwest Florida where foggy conditions have helped increase the disease. It is also widespread in Homestead, Florida and is increasing in severity. Bacterial spot has flared in some pepper varieties on …
Dry Conditions Linger in Florida Panhandle
By Clint Thompson Dry conditions in Florida continue to persist along the Panhandle. It could linger amid the current La Niña weather pattern, says Florida State Climatologist David Zierden. “We are in the La Niña phase in the Pacific Ocean where it’s colder than normal water along the equator. The La Niña phase is opposite of El Niño, where it …
Effects of Heavy Rain on Pre-Emergent Herbicides in Vegetables
By Ruby Tiwari, Nirmal Timilsina and Ramdas Kanissery Heavy rainfall received in vegetable-growing regions of Florida frequently creates standing water in fields (Figure 1). These farms are often in an early or mid-growing season during such severe weather events. Pre-emergent (residual) herbicides that are integral to vegetable production to suppress weed emergence are applied during this period. Most pre-emergent herbicides …
Downy Mildew Discovered in Florida Lettuce
Richard Raid, a professor in plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), advises lettuce growers that downy mildew disease was found last week in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Downy mildew is a foliar disease of lettuce that impacts the crop’s yield and quality. In addition to losses in the field, downy mildew’s impact …
Caterpillar Pressure Varies Across Florida
Caterpillar pressure varies across southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Few loopers and fall armyworms have been reported along the East Coast. Worm pressure has been persistent around Southwest Florida, however. While southern armyworms are most being reported, there are also loopers, melon worms, beet armyworms, fruitworms and fall armyworms. This depends on the crop …