By Johan Desaeger Florida strawberry season is right around the corner, and nematodes are lying in wait. Sting Nematode Belonolaimus longicaudatus (literally “long-tailed arrow-like plague”), or simply sting nematode, is one of the most dreaded pests for Florida strawberry growers. If not managed, it can cause severe plant stunting and up to 100% yield loss (Figure 1). Sting nematodes are …
Organic Corner: Do’s and Don’ts of Using Hubbard Squash Trap Crop
By Ayanava Majumdar, Olivia Fuller, David Lawrence and Jacob Kelley Have you faced the full onslaught of squash bugs and been frustrated with dead squash plants? Have you battled cucumber beetles and squash vine borers on your farm? If you answered “yes” to one of these questions and are looking for sustainable integrated pest management practices, then it is time …
Comments Needed: OSHA Developing Workplace Heat Standard
By Clint Thompson According to the Federal Register, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is initiating rulemaking to protect indoor and outdoor workers from hazardous heat. But they are soliciting additional information about the extent and nature of hazardous heat in the workplace and nature of effectiveness of interventions and controls used to prevent heat-related injury and illness. This …
Turf Breeding: UGA, UF Collaborate to Develop Better, Tougher Turf
By Maria M. Lameiras, Kirsten Romaguera for CAES News When the University of Georgia (UGA) Bulldogs take the field against the University of Florida (UF) Gators for their annual football game on Saturday, the teams will be playing in neutral territory at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. But the grass they are playing on could be considered home turf …
Alabama Pecan Production Still Reeling From 2020 Hurricanes
By Clint Thompson The hurricanes that wiped out pecan production in two Alabama counties last year are still having an impact on pecan yields this season. Alabama Extension Research Associate Bryan Wilkins confirmed that even though pecan harvests have begun across the state, there is minimal, if any, production in Mobile and Baldwin counties. “There’s not a lot to get. …
How Much Longer? Future GFVGA Leader Discusses Current Supply Chain Crisis
By Clint Thompson The future leader of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) believes the current supply chain crisis is temporary. At least that is what economists are saying and what his hope is. “I think we’ll continue to see supply chain issues into next year for sure,” said Chris Butts, GFVGA director of legislative affairs who will …
Additional Fungicides Available for Strawberry Disease
Additional fungicides are available for management of Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot disease in strawberries. According to University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Strawberry Blog, Rhyme and Tilt, which are DMI fungicides, provide some suppression of the disease. It is not as much as Thiram and Switch but it’s better than nothing. “If the disease is confirmed, I would consider adding one or …
Dry Conditions Starting to Persist Across Southeast Region
Drought conditions are starting to persist across the Southeast region. In Florida, abnormally dry conditions are present across the north-to-northeast part of the state; as far west as Hamilton County, stretching to Nassau County. Dry conditions are present along the Atlantic Coast, stretching as far south as Brevard County and Indian River County. In Georgia, abnormally dry conditions are located …
Spotlight: Setting Strawberries up for Success
By Jeff Cook Growing quality plasticulture strawberries begins with an understanding of your soil and proper fertilization of the crop. Start with a Soil Sample A soil sample should be taken a minimum of two months prior to fumigation and bed formation. This is critical to be sure you have enough time to adjust the pH up to between 6.0 …
Specialty Crop Industry: USDA Announces More Than $243 Million in Grants
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today an investment of more than $243 million in grants to support specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and nursery crops through two USDA programs – the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Specialty Crop Research Initiative grants program. USDA is investing $169.9 million through the Specialty Crop Block …