By Seonghee Lee Strawberry is a genetically complex fruit crop. The use of conventional breeding approaches to combine many important characteristics in a single variety is difficult and takes a long time. These characteristics can include disease resistance, fruit quality attributes such as sugar content or aroma, or any other trait that naturally occurs in cultivated strawberry. Traditionally, University of …
USDA to Survey Fruit Growers about Chemical Use
Athens, GA (USDA/NASS) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey fruit growers in 11 states, including Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, for its biennial Fruit Chemical Use Survey. The survey will collect information on bearing acreage, pest management practices, pesticide application, acres treated and rates applied for more than 12 fruit crops. “Pesticide data …
New UF Extension Specialist Aims to Assist Small Fruit Growers
By Karla Arboleda Southwest Florida growers can expect help from new small fruit Extension specialist Sriyanka Lahiri. At the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), Lahiri works with strawberries and blueberries to develop a pest management program that uses less broad-spectrum insecticides. Appointed in February, Lahiri helps the small …
‘Harvesting Is Just the Beginning’
By Ernie Neff An experimental robotic strawberry harvester appears to barely creep through a field in Duette, Florida. That belies a flurry of activity occurring out of sight. “It’s walking speed as it moves through the field, but the robots are moving at a good clip inside,” says Scott Jantz. “These robots are spinning underneath … furiously picking plants.” Jantz …
Florida Strawberries Support Latest UF Studies on USMCA
The following information was written by the Florida Strawberry Growers Association and expresses that organization’s views. DOVER, Fla. (FSGA) – The significance of the latest studies from the University of Florida/IFAS cannot be understated as they confirm what Florida growers have been saying for years about the negative impacts of subsidized fruit and vegetable imports from Mexico during our winter …
Studying K-Pam Efficacy for Post-Harvest Protection
After harvest, field work remains. Fungi, weeds and leftover crop are sitting in the soil and need to be cleared out to prepare for the next season. Nathan Boyd, associate professor of weed science, recently studied the efficacy of K-Pam soil fumigant on crop destruction and weed management after harvest. According to Boyd, K-Pam was injected through drip tape following …
Tips for Dual-Season Strawberry Production
By Ashley Robinson Joshua Mays, regional agronomist with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, discussed dual-season production of strawberries at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in January. Mays believes the most important factors for growers to consider before starting fall production of strawberries is their market and their ability to market strawberries to buyers that would cost them …
‘If I Take Care of the Land, the Land’s Going to Take Care of Me’
A Florida strawberry grower went above and beyond to be a steward of the land, earning the 4R Advocate Award. Agricultural producers pride themselves on being stewards of the land. Dustin Grooms, farm manager of Fancy Farms, is an excellent example of that. Grooms is a 2019 recipient of the 4R Advocate Award. This national award is given to five …
Nematode Management in Strawberries
By Alison DeLoach Nematodes, worm-like pests found all over the globe, can damage strawberry growers’ crops. Johan Desaeger, a professor in nematology at the University of Florida, presented his research on nematodes at the Strawberry Growers Symposium last month. In his presentation, he discussed integrated management of nematodes in Florida strawberries. Desaeger touched on the different types of nematodes growers …
Artwork Helps Growers Better Understand Strawberry Diseases
By Alison DeLoach To help growers better understand Extension materials, Madeline Dowling, a post-doctoral researcher at Clemson University under Guido Schnabel, created artwork showcasing the disease cycles of gray mold and anthracnose on strawberries. Dowling has a background in digital arts and studied plant pathology for her master’s and doctoral degrees. Dowling wants to combine her passion for plant pathology …