Insecticides are available for growers managing whitefly populations. But they need to be applied early in the season when whiteflies are young and immature. “Most of the things we use primarily target immatures. That’s where our best control is. We’ve only got a couple of products that are really good on adults,” said Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension …
Identification Key in Managing Stink Bugs in Tomatoes
Stink bugs are a diverse species that can wreak havoc on Florida’s tomato crop. With a piercing-sucking mouthpart, stink bugs pierce the fruit and suck out fluids. They also secrete enzymes while doing so, which damages the cells right under the skin of the fruit. This leads to little spots forming all over the fruit. It is more visible once …
UF/IFAS Updates ABT Populations
According to UF/IFAS, high population densities of Asian Bean Thrips (ABT) continue to appear only in isolated locations. ABT populations have reached 1.0 per bloom early bloom plantings across multiple farms in southeastern Hendry County. In some cases, populations reached as high as 1.7 per bloom. Populations reached 8.5 per bloom in plantings within a week of harvest. It’s the …
Vegetable Weed Management a Complicated Practice for Producers
Weed management in vegetable crops across the Southeast remains a diverse and complicated practice that all producers need to be reminded of. “There are so many components that a vegetable grower has to consider, especially when it comes to weed control. Some production systems you can use tillage. Some you can’t. Some you have plasticulture in a fumigant system. Some …
Winter Weather Conditions Challenging for Alabama Vegetable Producers
A cold and rainy winter has been challenging so far for Alabama vegetable producers. Joe Kemble, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist, cautions growers that though it may be chillier, that does not eliminate certain diseases that can be problematic. “I will say on the vegetable side, things are a bit slow. Weather’s been not exactly ideal. The rainfall we’ve been having, …
Whitefly Management: Sanitation Key Especially for Watermelon Producers
Stormy Sparks’ message regarding whitefly management remains the same: If you’re done with the crop, get rid of that crop. Sanitation remains the best defense against whitefly buildup in Southeast vegetable and cotton crops. Even watermelon producers, who don’t have to contend with whiteflies as much as cantaloupe and cucumber farmers, are encouraged to do their part in preventing potential …
Weed Management a Key Factor in Vegetable Production
Weed management remains a vital strategy all vegetable producers need to implement in order to have a successful season. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension weed scientist Stanley Culpepper implores farmers to stay vigilant in keeping weeds out of their fields. “What you want to do is you want to remove weeds from the field because they compete with the crop. …
USDA Provides More Than $70 Million to Protect Agriculture and Natural Resources from Plant Pests and Diseases
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating more than $70 million to support 383 projects under the Plant Protection Act’s Section 7721 program to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, threat mitigation, to safeguard the nursery production system and to respond to plant pest emergencies. Universities, states, federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, nonprofits, and …
Chilli Thrips: An Increasing Threat for Blueberry Growers
By Oscar Liburd Chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis, was first detected in southern highbush blueberries in Florida in Orange, Sumter and Hernando counties during the summer of 2008. It is a major pest of many host plants, including vegetable, ornamental and fruit crops. FEEDING DAMAGE In blueberry, chilli thrips feed on young leaves, causing leaf bronzing (Figure 1) and shoot dieback in …
Whiteflies Still Problematic for Some Florida Farmers
According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, whiteflies continue to be problematic for some Florida farmers. Around SW Florida, whiteflies continue to bounce up and down, as heavy rains and cool nights slowed them down a few days in most places. Population numbers and nymphs are building in a number of mature fields. Growers should increase monitoring efforts as pressure …