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By Clint Thompson Fusarium wilt disease in watermelon fields causes Southeast growers to consider alternative management tactics to overcome this yearly challenge. Grafted plants is one of those options, though, it is not intended for all producers, explains University of Georgia Extension Vegetable Disease Specialist Bhabesh Dutta. “This is not for everybody, and this is not for every situation,” Dutta …
The Florida Legislature has approved a budget and now wait for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature before the start of the next fiscal year beginning July 1. As constructed, the budget would provide funding for multiple programs that would benefit the state’s farmers. It was announced that the state legislature approved a $114.5 billion budget following the regular session and special …
Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent for commercial vegetable crops, has reported downy mildew has shown up in the Suwannee Valley region of North Florida this week. “It was seen in small areas at the end of last week but as downy mildew can do, it spread rapidly over the …
By Clint Thompson Downy mildew’s confirmation in North Florida watermelons was later than normal this year. But it still could impact certain watermelon fields in the Suwanee Valley Region. Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, talks more about the disease in an interview with AgNet Media. “Some (farmers) are, you know, maybe one harvest away …
By Clint Thompson The prolonged drought impacting the Southeast region has quickly become a weather event of the past. “Looks like we’re getting back into that regular summertime pattern where it’s like it’s been the last couple of years. June gets here and it starts raining so much that it gets hard to keep (pecans) sprayed,” said Lenny Wells, University …
By Clint Thompson Poor fruit set in tomatoes is a bi-product of the heat and humidity felt across Alabama this time of year; when daytime temperatures exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit (F) or nighttime temperatures exceed 70 F. Wade Hummer, Alabama Extension agent, discussed poor fruit set during a webinar on Facebook. “Once you start seeing the nighttime temps above 70 …
By Clint Thompson The time is now for Southeast grape producers to prepare for the initial emergence of grape root borer (GRB) adults. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, noted in the UGA Viticulture Blog that GRB adult activity starts to pick up in late June or early July. Weed …
In late May, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma hosted its annual tomato field day. Attendees were able to see new varieties that are in development and attend seminar presentations after the field tour concluded. Jessica Chitwood-Brown, UF/IFAS assistant professor of horticulture and tomato breeding, guided tours …
Hurricane season officially began on June 1. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is imploring producers to stay prepared for potential impacts and explore recovery resources. Be Prepared Growers should protect their families and production operations. This includes: USDA Assistance for Hurricane Recovery Source: USDA
Strawberry growers across the country aren’t just tending fields – they’re often running a quiet race against fast-moving plant diseases. When trouble strikes, their first call is often to the plant pathologists at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC). The latest culprit has entered the scene in the form of Fusarium wilt disease, which is popping up along …
