According to The South Carolina Grower, fusarium wilt disease is becoming more widespread in watermelon fields in South Carolina. Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath said fusarium wilt symptoms include wilting of leaves at the crown of the plant, wilting of one vine on a plant or wilting without yellowing of a small plant. The Fusarium fungus is most active when …
Alabama Extension Offers Weed Management Tips for Fruit Producers
By Clint Thompson Weeds can be a problem no matter what vegetable or specialty crop a farmer is producing. They contend for nutrients and water and can present major problems for a producer once harvest time arrives. Steve Li, Alabama Extension weed specialist, offered tips for Alabama fruit producers in a recent Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Facebook webinar. Blueberries for …
UF Strawberry Breeder: We’re Shifting A Lot of Effort Toward Neopestalotiopsis
By Clint Thompson Yield and quality remain at the forefront of Vance Whitaker’s focus as University of Florida/IFAS strawberry breeder. But not far behind is Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot. “We always have to pay attention to yield and quality, but we’re definitely shifting a lot of effort toward it for sure,” Whitaker said. “It certainly has leapfrogged, probably most traits, at …
Good Weather Contributes to Successful Vidalia Onion Season
By Clint Thompson A successful Vidalia onion season is nearing an end for producers in Southeast Georgia. Cliff Riner, crop production manager for G&R Farms in Glennville, Georgia, said his farm’s production should end between May 15-18, depending on how much rain the region receives this week and slows down harvests. Ironically, the lack of rain has helped producers enjoy …
Insecticide Resistance a Concern Against Diamondback Moths
By Clint Thompson Diamondback moths are a problem for Georgia vegetable producers. According to Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Vegetable Agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth Counties, the main concern is insecticide resistance. “I have periodically been taking samples, getting Stormy (Sparks) to come out and take samples of caterpillars. He’ll run a screen basically of all the …
Year Two for Florida Hemp
By Clint Thompson One year into commercial production, hemp continues to flourish in popularity in Florida. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), there are 895 licenses issued, equating to 1,086 locations and 22,755 permitted acres in 65 of Florida’s 67 counties. In April, 109 licenses were added, and more is expected this month, says Holly …
Florida Farmer: Consumer, Ultimately, Will Have to Pay for This
Freight costs have doubled. Input prices have risen. These increased expenses will have a snowball effect, believes Florida watermelon farmer Laura Land. Land said the pallet shortage is a serious shortage and a serious problem, especially as she prepares for the upcoming harvest for her North Florida watermelons. She still doesn’t have enough pallets to ship on with harvest less …
Statistically Speaking: Imports Increasing Dramatically
Imports are a real concern for vegetable and specialty crop producers across the Southeast and were the basis for a couple of U.S. International Trade Commission hearings. A closer look at the most recent USDA data explains why. According to the USDA Vegetable and Pulses Outlook: April 2021, the value of all vegetable and pulse imports totaled $16.1 billion in …
Fresh Produce: How UF Scientists Are Using AI to Cut Food Waste, Loss
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Fresh produce can look a lot different on your table than it did when first harvested from the field. What was once fresh and vibrant looks wilted and moldy. Tie Liu feels your pain. “Everybody has this problem: Which of these vegetables or fruits should I use first? Guess wrong, and you end up throwing out the …
Blueberry Weed Control in Florida
By Peter J. Dittmar Weeds are problematic throughout the entire year in Florida. Annual weeds (separated into summer and winter annual weeds) germinate, grow and produce seeds in a single year. Summer annual weeds begin to germinate in March when temperatures begin to warm. Winter weeds begin to germinate when temperatures are cool (around October) and continue to emerge through …