By Clint Thompson Cooler fall temperatures in South Carolina have delayed the development of some of the state’s strawberry crop. It is evident in most of the crop, says Bruce McLean, Clemson Extension Area Commercial Horticulture Agent in the Pee Dee Region. “The strawberry crop, for the most part, is looking behind from where it should be. There’s a lot …
Ideal Weather Last Week for North Alabama Production
By Clint Thompson Colder temperatures and additional rainfall were just what the doctor ordered last week for North Alabama specialty crop producers. Temperatures in Guntersville, Alabama where Alabama Regional Extension agent Eric Schavey works, were as high as 79 degrees on Jan. 1. But rain helped dropped temperatures to the 30s and 40s this week. This week’s wet weather also …
Strawberry Disease Alert: Florida Growers Be on the Lookout
By Clint Thompson Florida’s strawberry producers have more than just Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot to worry about from a disease management standpoint. Natalia Peres, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida/ Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, highlights a couple of additional diseases that growers need to be wary of as production continues this year. “There’s some Phytophthora out …
Challenges of Florida Strawberry Production
By Clint Thompson Strawberry production in Florida is not for the faint of heart. So many challenges exist that growers must overcome to remain sustainable. Just ask Florida farmer Dustin Grooms. “If you’ve got a berry field, you’ve got a problem,” Grooms said. Grooms and other farmers are in the middle of another strawberry season. Production has increased some this …
UF Research: Environmentally Friendly Way to Control Pest in Strawberries
BALM, Fla. — University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers have discovered a more environmentally-friendly way to control the chilli thrips in strawberries. It includes using less pesticides. With a new, biological control method, farmers could save up to 5,000 gallons a year in pesticides that would be used on the crop, said Sriyanka Lahiri, a …
What Do We Know? The Latest Information on Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot Disease
By Clint Thompson To say that Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot has devastated Florida strawberries the past three growing seasons would be an understatement. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are researching ways to keep the disease from being as much of a problem in the future. One breakthrough that was discovered last season was the observance …
Dry Conditions Helping Georgia Strawberry Producers with Disease Pressure
By Clint Thompson The extended dry conditions before this past weekend across various parts of Georgia benefited the state’s strawberry producers. The less rain and wet conditions meant fewer instances of diseases being a factor, says Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties. “If it gets dry, they can water …
Minimal Diseases so far for Florida Strawberry Producers
By Clint Thompson The extended dry period in South Florida has been a boost for strawberry production. Natalia Peres, Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of Florida/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, believes weather conditions have been favorable for strawberries early in the season and diseases have been minimal so far. “It’s been pretty quiet. We’re good, I …
Strawberry Growers: Scout for Spider Mites
According to the University of Georgia Strawberry blog, it is important for strawberry growers to scout their fields for possible spider mites, especially this early in the production season. “Early detection is important since research has proven that even low numbers of mites can reduce yields,” according to Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent …
Strawberry Breeder: Positive Outlook for Industry’s Future
By Clint Thompson The many challenges facing Florida’s strawberry industry does not dampen the optimism held by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (UF/IFAS) breeder Vance Whitaker. He shares a positive outlook, even amid rising costs, increased trade and a persistent new disease. The quality of the state’s crop is a big reason why. “I think we’re …