By Nicholas S. Dufault Gummy stem blight (GSB) and fusarium wilt (FW) can be common problems for watermelon producers in the Southeast. These two diseases are caused by fungal pathogens from the same taxonomic subphylum, but that is where the similarities end. GSB tends to be more of a foliar pathogen that can move to the petioles and vines, and …
Meetings on Algae, Citrus and Water Management Ring Alarms for Florida Agriculture
Three meetings this week in three different areas of the state brought more discussion that should wake up producers and others in agriculture who have remained mostly silent for decades. As the state’s population continues to swell by a 1,000 new residents each day, Florida’s population will likely exceed 22-million next year. As the nation’s third most populous state, there’s …
Farm Bureau Leader: UF/IFAS Analysis Shows the Destructive Effects of Mexican Farm Imports
Gainesville, Fla. (FFBF) – A new economic analysis conducted by a University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) team has confirmed that Mexican imports have significantly harmed fruit and vegetable producers in the Sunshine State. A steadily increasing surge of Mexican products has entered the U.S. domestic market during Florida’s peak winter seasons since the North American Free Trade …
Fried Rallies Support for Hemp Industry
TALLAHASSEE (NSF) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Friday encouraged supporters of a new state hemp industry to tell Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign a bill that would lead to a regulatory framework for the crop. Fried said an envisioned hemp “revolution” needs the governor’s signature on the bill (SB 1020), which would create a hemp program within the Department …
Florida Craft Beer Industry Growing With Hops
By Karla Arboleda Breweries and drinkers alike can thank researchers for the way craft beer is turning out in Florida. While the deep Southeast normally does not have an ideal climate for growing hops, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) has been on a mission to make it work. …
The 2019 Georgia Watermelon Season Starts
America’s favorite summertime treat in stores now LAGRANGE, GA – Sweet, refreshing Georgia watermelon is in a store near you! The 2019 watermelon crop is expected to have the crisp, sweet flavor and high quality unique to Georgia watermelon. Georgia growers report that after two years of unpredictable and extreme weather patterns, this growing season has been smooth. While initial …
Tomato Bacterial Spot Management Begins with Transplant Health
By Gary Vallad Few diseases present a persistent year-to-year challenge to tomato production like bacterial spot. Under ideal conditions, the disease can cause massive defoliation leading to yield losses through lost photosynthetic capacity and fruit exposure to the elements. This increases sunscald and raincheck as well as direct fruit infection by the pathogen. DISEASE SPREAD AND SYMPTOMS Xanthomonas perforans is …
Working Toward Disease-Resistant Sweet Corn
By Karla Arboleda Northern and southern corn leaf blights (NCLB and SCLB) are global problems. Caused by different fungi, these diseases have a history of devastating results in the United States. While the fungi that cause NCLB and SCLB have been heavily researched in field corn, scientists have only just gained traction when it comes to resistance in sweet corn. …
Crucial Cabbage Diseases
Florida’s unique climate can create the optimal environment for a multitude of cabbage diseases. Nick Dufault, plant pathologist with the University of Florida (UF), says white mold and black rot have historically been common cabbage diseases that can cause serious damage. WHITE MOLD White mold, caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum,can be somewhat easy to identify since one of the …
Georgia-Grown Campaign Kicks Off
By Karla Arboleda As Georgia growers export peaches and squash, they hope more in-state consumers pay attention to the food they buy. Heavy season is underway in Georgia, and the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) wants to make sure no fruit gets left behind. Its new campaign encourages consumers to take a picture of their Georgia- or USA-grown …