Attacking Anthracnose: UGA’s Dutta Highlights Research in Watermelon Disease

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson University of Georgia (UGA) research aimed at managing anthracnose disease in watermelons continues on the Tifton Campus. Project director Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia Extension vegetable plant pathologist, outlined various aspects of the grant during a recent Extension agent training. Dutta emphasized the importance of trying to reduce the disease’s impact from all angles. “We’re trying to …

UGA Extension Coordinator Discusses Challenges Facing Watermelon Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Watermelon

John Bennett: “Everything is conducive right now for everything to go wrong.” By Clint Thompson Watermelons produced in Wilcox County, Georgia, are at baseball to softball size in most fields. Considering the late start to the planting season for most growers, that development is not far off for this time of year. John Bennett, University of Georgia (UGA) Wilcox County …

UGA Climatologist: More Storm Activity Expected in the Gulf, Along East Coast

Clint ThompsonWeather

By Clint Thompson Colorado State University’s forecast of 23 named storms and 11 hurricanes for this tropical season are significantly more than the average from the previous 30 years. Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, noted in her UGA Climate and Agriculture Blog that the average number of storms from 1991-2020 was 14.4 and hurricanes were 7.2. …

UGA Studying Water Spinach as Potential Crop

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson University of Georgia is engaging in research that could lead to the production of a new crop for Georgia’s specialty crop producers. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, describes the early process of researching water spinach, a crop that is produced throughout Southeast Asia. “We are looking at …

Under the Microscope: Scab Resistance Remains Top Priority for UGA Pecan Breeder

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson One trait remains the focus of the University of Georgia (UGA) pecan breeding program. As UGA pecan breeder Patrick Conner continues to study cultivars of the future, they must possess scab resistance on some level. “It has to have at least good resistance, if not excellent resistance, before we’ll go forward,” Conner said. “Good resistance to me …

Costly Input: UGA Extension Pecan Specialist Discusses Scab Spray Expenses

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Fungicide applications are one of the most important and costly expenses that pecan producers must make. If they can’t or won’t protect their crop from scab disease, yields will be drastically reduced. It is a message that Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, emphasized during the UGA Pecan School on March 20 in Perry, …

UGA School: Reminder About How Costly Pecan Production Can Be

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson The University of Georgia (UGA) Pecan School on Wednesday educated potential producers and served as a reminder to veteran growers about the costly expenses associated with pecan production. Costs for required equipment have risen from $533,000 in 2019 to $873,000 in 2023. Input prices have also increased, while pecan prices floundered to an average of $1.69 per …

UGA Research Centered on Anthracnose in Cucurbits

Clint ThompsonCucurbits, Disease, Georgia

By Clint Thompson A research grant targeting anthracnose disease in cucurbit crops has one University of Georgia scientist studying irrigation timing and leaf wetness. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, outlined the details of his part of the research. “To document periods of leaf wetness and how that really influences the …

Whitefly Research: UGA Vegetable Specialist Discusses Management Option for Growers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Whiteflies are almost a guarantee for South Georgia vegetable producers in the fall. Growers need protection against whitefly-transmitted viruses which can devastate cucurbits. Ted McAvoy, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension vegetable specialist, is researching multiple cucurbit crops to see which ones are more tolerant of the different viruses that frequently accompany whitefly pressure. “Since about 2017, we’ve …