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 …
Pepper Weevils a Problem in South Florida
Pepper weevil populations continue to be high across South Florida. Growers should be scouting as populations are expected to intensify when warmer temperatures return to the region, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Populations are high around Southwest Florida and along the East Coast where weevils are being observed not long after fruit development. Respondents also report …
Blueberry Freeze Impact: More Accurate Assessment Expected Next Week
By Clint Thompson The impact from last week’s sub-freezing temperatures on Georgia blueberries will not be known until late next week. Jerome Crosby, chairman of the Georgia Blueberry Commission, said more detailed scouting next week should yield an accurate assessment of where the crop stands heading into the upcoming harvest season. “We’re trying to get some numbers together, field scouting …
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 …