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 …
Pepper Weevils Increasing in South Florida
One vegetable pest that has been a problem this fall is the pepper weevil. According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, pepper weevils are showing up in multiple areas around South Florida. Significant populations are being reported in the Fort Pierce area in early pepper plantings. Infestations have also increased significantly in peppers in Manatee and Hillsborough counties …
Improving Productivity of Florida-Grown Peaches
By Tripti Vashisth Unlike citrus, peaches are deciduous fruit trees. Deciduous trees shed their leaves during the late fall and early winter and undergo dormancy. During this dormant stage, a certain amount of cold weather (measured by an accumulation of chill units) is needed to resume normal growth in the spring. When the cold weather requirement for dormancy is fulfilled, …
Blueberry Gall Midge: UF/IFAS Scientists Studying Insect’s Behavioral Patterns
By Clint Thompson University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are studying one of blueberries’ main pests to provide better management options for Florida growers. The blueberry gall midge has become more problematic for blueberry growers in the past two decades. Its larvae feed on southern highbush blueberry and rabbiteye floral and vegetative buds. Severe feeding …
Hops on Display: See a Unique Crop at Florida Ag Expo
By Clint Thompson Hops research, seven years in the making at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma, Florida, will be on display at Florida Ag Expo on Nov. 18. Jack Rechcigl, GCREC center director, said one of the highlights of the Expo will be the hops …
Georgia Farmer: Not Going to Replace All These Truckers Overnight
By Clint Thompson One Georgia farmer believes there are changes that could be made to the current truck driving system that would attract more drivers. The first is reducing the minimum age required to drive on the roads, says Kent Hamilton, owner and CEO of Southern Valley in Norman Park, Georgia. “Some things I’ve heard is reducing the age requirement …
Whitefly Pressure Varies Across Florida
Whitefly pressure remains low to moderate in various locations throughout South Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Respondents in the Manatee Ruskin area report seeing widespread infestations across all vegetables. Growers and scouts in Southwest Florida report that whitefly numbers remain low in tomatoes, though adult numbers have increased in multiple places. Nymphs are being observed …
Caterpillar Update in South Florida
According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, scouts in southwest Florida continue to find southern and beet armyworms, tomato fruitworms, loopers, hornworms and melonworms. Worms are active in a variety of crops in the Manatee Ruskin area. There is an increase in armyworm egg masses, and melonworms are being found in cucurbits. Respondents on the east coast report …
Hops Research: UF/IFAS Scientist Discusses Challenges, Advancements of Crop
By Clint Thompson Hops research at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is still in its infancy, but progress has been made. In fact, the main hurdle for hops to become a sustainably viable crop is for investment into a processing facility, says Shinsuke Agehara, UF/IFAS assistant professor of horticulture. “Even if we find a …
ABT Populations: Insect Not High Enough in Florida to Warrant Insecticide Use
Asian bean thrips (ABT) are at such low populations that growers are not recommended to apply insecticides at this point, according to University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. ABT have been detected via traps in southeastern Hendry County, at a rate of less than 0.03 ABT per trap per week. It is 1/10 of last year’s levels. They …