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 …
Recent Rains Alleviate Some Drought in Southeast Region
By Clint Thompson Recent rainfall helped alleviate much of the abnormally dry conditions being felt across the Southeast, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Georgia’s abnormally dry conditions are now mostly isolated to the northern part of the state, as far south as Heard County along the Georgia-Alabama line, across to Hart County along the Georgia-South Carolina line, and includes …
Sneak Peek: January 2021 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
By Clint Thompson A new year brings a new name to VSCNews Magazine. That’s right, the leader in specialty crop news will now be known as Specialty Crop Industry. The January issue of Specialty Crop Industry highlights the name change and what it means for its parent company, AgNet Media. The issue also focuses on blueberries and highlights different aspects …
Fertilization of Blueberries in Pine Bark Beds
By Doug Phillips and Jeffrey G. Williamson Blueberries have specific nutrient requirements that differ from other horticultural crops. They have shallow root systems and no root hairs, which limits the ability to take up nutrients. Blueberries grow best in acidic soils (ideal pH range of 4.5 to 5.5) with at least 3% organic matter and prefer the ammonium form of …
Rubio, Warnock Introduce Bill to Bolster Local Agriculture, Expand Access to Florida-Grown Products on Military Bases
Washington, D.C. — Two U.S. senators recently introduced bipartisan legislation that would help local agriculture and expand access to locally-grown products on military bases. U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) introduced the Farm to Base Food Security Act to help the federal government better understand the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) food procurement policies and bolster relationships …
ABT Population Update in South Florida
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) reports that higher Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations were reported across South Florida. However, these were observed only in more mature plantings with few blooms. Insecticide applications are not recommended unless scouting indicates populations are greater than 1.0 ABT per bud or bloom. Populations reached 0.6 per bloom in …
Fertigation Systems Efficient and Accurate – If Used Properly
By Clint Thompson Multiple factors impact the efficiency of a fertigation system in watermelons. Mark Warren, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension agent in Levy County, stresses the importance of being more efficient with your resources, especially when nutrients are expensive and in limited supply. “I think it’s tough to put an accurate economic dollar on …
Low to High: Whitefly Populations Vary in South Florida
Whitefly populations remain a problem in some vegetable crops in the Manatee Ruskin area, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Growers and scouts report that whitefly adult and immature numbers are high in tomatoes and squash. They have also reached moderate levels in cucumber and eggplant. Whitefly pressure is also increasing around the southwest Florida area. The …
Fundamentals of Plant Production: pH, Irrigation and Nutrient Management
By Craig Frey Sustainability of agricultural operations involves good stewardship of resources. Since at least the 1980s, sustainable nutrient management has been closely associated with the 4Rs — right source, right rate, right placement and right timing of nutrient applications. Over the last several decades, the grower, industry and research communities have continued to identify ways to reduce inputs while …
Lingering Drought? U.S. Drought Monitor to Show How Recent Rains Have Helped
By Clint Thompson Regions across the Southeast have received much-needed rainfall in recent days. But will it be enough to alleviate some of the drought conditions being felt in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and other Southeastern states? Growers will know more when the next U.S. Drought Monitor is released on Thursday. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist, believes the …