Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state.
Midlands
Justin Ballew reports, “We had a few rain events last week, and temperatures were a little cooler. Fall planted crops are growing really well right now, but due to the recent moisture, we need to pay close attention to our disease management programs. In pecans, I’m not seeing many additional nuts dropping. Hopefully, we won’t lose any more between now and harvest. Scab is still being managed really well, though we are seeing some signs of black aphids showing up. The treatment threshold for black aphids from now to harvest is 15% of terminals (check all the leaflets on a terminal bud) and have one adult aphid and nymph cluster present.”
Phillip Carnley reports, “We’ve had some much-needed rain in Orangeburg and Calhoun counties. Field corn is currently being cut with yields varying between irrigated and non-irrigated. With the cloudy, cool weather, cottony leak (pythium) has been observed in cucumbers but has been limited to the wettest of low spots in fields. The wet weather has also delayed some cucumber harvests and pushed others forward depending on fruit maturity. In tomatoes, Southern stem blight is still a problem. In cases where it is seen, remove the infected plant and treat accordingly with a preventative fungicide. Pecan orchards are looking great with little in the way of scab until recently. But overall, it is a much better year than last. Still keep a close eye out for black aphids. If you haven’t started prepping for the strawberry season, now is the time to get your fumigant and prep your beds. Ideally, your fumigant should be applied by Sept. 1. With prices fluctuating, planning a budget/ mapping projected cost is a must. NC State has a great budget tool that can be found here.”
Upstate
Kerrie Roach reports, “Apples are finally starting to ripen! It’s a long season of disease, insect and crop management that is culminating into what looks like a great crop for South Carolina growers this year. Some growers report mutsu and cameo varieties are a little short, which would correspond to a major cold event in spring when those varieties were flowering. In general, the crop load looks good and is overall clean, if Mother Nature would cooperate and slow down on the rain.”
Andy Rollins reports, “Muscadines beginning to come in across the upstate. I continued harvesting new seedless variety ‘Razzmatazz’ in an on-farm demo, and we also began picking a few ‘Supreme’ last week. Some growers went with me to visit a plant breeder in North Carolina to learn about seedless cultivars in development. This past week I sent tomato disease samples of bacterial spot to an Auburn researcher. I also continue to find high numbers of stinkbug immatures on vegetable and fruit farms. I am seeing damage to tomato fruit from this insect. Strawberry land is being prepared now for planting. Bigred is an excellent peach to ask for now in the upstate.”