By Arnold Schumann, Nathan Boyd, Shaun Sharpe and Jialin Yu In the March 2019 issue of VSCNews, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) smart sprayer technology using machine vision for Florida vegetable and strawberry crops (VSCNews.com/smart-sprayer-technology-for-better-weed-control) was introduced. Subsequently, a series of herbicide spray trials were conducted to prove that the smart sprayer performs well …
Using Steam for Weed Management
By Ramdas Kanissery and Yiannis Ampatzidis Weeds are a significant problem in horticultural production and must be controlled to maintain good crop yield. Concerns related to non-judicious use of herbicides, which include ground and surface water contamination and pesticide residues in food, have sparked public awareness and restrictions on herbicide use. For these reasons, alternative and integrated systems for weed …
Tools for Tomato Weed Management
By Nathan Boyd Weed management programs for plasticulture tomato production in the southeastern United States typically rely on an array of tools to achieve satisfactory weed control. This may include tools such as fumigants, plastic mulches, pre-emergence herbicides, post-emergence herbicides and hand weeding. THE CULPRITS Purple and yellow nutsedge can be especially problematic due to their ability to puncture the …
Hemp Diseases in Florida
By Nicholas Dufault Diseases will be a major concern for Florida’s hemp production systems as they can limit profitable production of the plants. There are more than 40 known hemp diseases listed on the American Phytopathological Society’s educational resources page. These diseases are caused by viruses, fungi and bacteria. Some southeastern states, such as Kentucky and North Carolina, that produce …
Factors Affecting Fruit Quality of Low-Chill Peach
By Tripti Vashisth Peach production in subtropical environments has increased significantly in the last 30 years. Interest continues to grow due to two factors. First, early flowering and fruit set result in growers being able to harvest fruit earlier in the domestic market window, giving higher economic returns. Second, breeding advances have resulted in the availability of low-chill peach varieties …
Sneak Peek: March 2020 VSCNews Magazine
Weeds have always been a menace to growers. The March issue of VSCNews magazine will give growers tips on how to best manage these nuisances. Two articles in the March issue offer ideas for organic weed control. In the Organic Corner column, Parmeshwor Aryal, a postdoctoral associate, and Carlene A. Chase, an associate professor, both in the Horticultural Sciences Department …
Tomato Fertilization Recommendations for Florida
By Phillip Williams Tomatoes are grown statewide in Florida in a diverse manner depending on the region of the state. Sandy soils make up the dominant soil type for tomato production in Florida. Sandy soils are prone to leaching mobile nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium and even phosphorus by heavy rain or excessive irrigation. Therefore, sandy soils must be managed …
What You Need to Know About Phony Peach Disease
By Kendall Johnson and Phil Brannen Peaches are one of the most economically important fruit crops for the state of Georgia. Growers provide a large variety of high-quality peaches for the fresh market not only in the Southeast, but for much of the United States. Recently, growers have reported an increase in a disease called phony peach, which threatens production. …
Rising to the Challenges of Florida Farming
Problem-solving skills and a thirst for knowledge allow Chuck Obern to run a thriving vegetable farm. By Kendal Norris To be successful in farming requires a good deal of stamina, flexibility and determination, along with a love of the art of growing things. Charles “Chuck” Obern, owner of C&B Farms, Inc., embodies all these qualities. He is also curious, with …
Nutsedge Control in Blueberries
By Peter Dittmar All weeds are problematic in blueberry production because they compete for water and nutrients, hinder harvest crews and decrease yields. One of the most problematic weeds in blueberry is nutsedge (Figure 1). The two species of perennial nutsedge in Florida are yellow (Cyperus esculentus) and purple nutsedge (C. rotundus). These weeds are difficult to control because of …