Mites are widely present in crops across the South Florida region, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Spider mites have increased in cucurbits, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and potatoes around Southwest Florida. Some fields have even required treatments by farmers. Spider mite populations are also high in some cucumber, pepper, tomato and eggplant in fields on the east …
CP Shutdown Another Potential Blow to Agriculture
By Clint Thompson The ongoing labor dispute that shut down the Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway on Sunday could have a ripple effect down to the specialty crop sector in the Southeast. Andrew Walmsley, senior director for congressional relations at American Farm Bureau Federation, said the shutdown means approximately 140,000 barrels of oil are not being shipped out daily. Fertilizer shipments, …
Gummy Stem Blight Disease: Be Proactive, Not Reactive
By Clint Thompson The best defense against gummy stem blight disease is a good offense. Protectant fungicides are available for Alabama’s watermelon producers to guard against it, but growers need to be proactive in applying the fungicides and not be reactive, says Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University. …
Soil Health: UF Scientists Receive Grant to Study Fumigation
By Brad Buck, (352) 875-2641, bradbuck@ufl.edu Fumigants are an essential tool growers implement before planting to manage soil health. They reduce harmful diseases such as Fusarium wilt and pests like root-knot nematodes and weeds that compete for water and nutrients. Their effect on soil diseases, pests and weeds help sustain production. But how does it happen, especially considering there’s so …
UGA Extension Specialist: Fruit Farmers Not Out of the Woods Yet
By Clint Thompson Southeast strawberry and peach producers weathered the latest freeze event on March 13. However, they are not out of the woods yet. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist Phil Brannen says growers are yearning for warm temperatures and dry conditions over the next month. “We’ve got another full month before we’re out of the woods …
Disease Management Vital for Blueberry Producers Following Freeze
By Clint Thompson A dire situation could get worse for blueberry growers impacted by the freeze event during the weekend of March 12. The crop is susceptible to potential disease pathogens that require immediate action, says Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. “The blueberries were at green fruit stage for the highbush. If they …
Vidalia Onion Crop Recovering from Recent Freeze Event
By Clint Thompson Warmer temperatures for Southeast Georgia are just what the doctor ordered for Vidalia onion plants still recovering from the recent freeze event. Cliff Riner, crop production manager for G&R Farms in Glennville, Georgia, said the crop’s progress was delayed by the sub-freezing temperatures on March 13. “One or two bad days of cold weather like that takes …
Vidalia Onion Field Day to be Held April 6
Farmers and industry leaders are invited to the annual Vidalia Onion Field Day, scheduled for April 6 at noon at the University of Georgia Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. There will be a lunch, and attendees will be able to tour the research plots. The field day coincides with the beginning of harvest season. Georgia pesticide …
Management Strategies for Cucurbit Farmers Against Anthracnose
By Clint Thompson The best management strategies for cucurbit farmers in combating anthracnose disease occurs before the crop will be planted this season. Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University, discusses the importance of using varieties that are resistant to the pathogen. “Fortunately, we do have resistant varieties to …
Little Impact from Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot This Season for Florida Strawberry Growers
By Clint Thompson A calm disease year for Florida’s strawberry growers meant fewer instances of Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot disease. After the previous couple of seasons, producers welcomed the break, says Natalia Peres, professor of Plant Pathology at the University of Florida/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. “It’s been pretty quiet with few exceptions from growers that got plants that …