By Bhabesh Dutta Cucurbit production in Georgia is affected annually by a variety of pests and diseases. Two diseases in particular, fusarium wilt and cucurbit anthracnose, have been a cause of concern for the last five years. This article gives a brief update on the progress the University of Georgia (UGA) vegetable team1 of scientists has made studying these diseases …
Disease Management Recommendations for Florida Melon Growers
By Clint Thompson University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences recommends North Florida watermelon producers continue a weekly application of Bravo or other chlorothalonil product. This helps protects against early disease development, said Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “Early in the season, we suggest that they continue with a weekly application of chlorothalonil,” …
Early Season Disease Management Options for North Florida Melon Growers
By Clint Thompson University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences recommends North Florida watermelon producers continue a weekly application of Bravo or other chlorothalonil product. This helps protects against early disease development, said Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “Early in the season, we suggest that they continue with a weekly application of …
Alabama Update: Growers Be Wary of Insect-Transmitted Diseases
By Clint Thompson The current drought-like conditions sweeping across the Southeast should have specialty crop producers wary of insect-transmitted virus diseases. The hot and dry weather favors pests like aphids and whiteflies. Growers should be concerned about subsequent diseases, says Ed Sikora, Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University. He discussed …
No Rain, Minimal Disease Pressure for Vegetable Growers
By Clint Thompson The lack of rainfall in recent weeks means increased irrigation usage for Georgia’s specialty crop producers. It has also meant reduced disease pressure, which is normally prevalent this time of year. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, discusses the current scenario facing vegetable production. “Thus far, as …
Expo Specialty Crop Sessions Educate Growers
By Clint Thompson A highlight of the annual Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is the seminar program that focuses on the vegetable and specialty crop industry in Florida. This year’s sessions covered a range of topics, including pest management, alternative crops that growers can take advantage of, and various other research updates from University of Florida Institute of Food and …
Peak of Whitefly Pressure? Growers Hope Populations Start to Decline
By Clint Thompson Whitefly populations have spiked across the Southeast. One university specialist hopes they have peaked, and specialty crop producers will soon start seeing a decline. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, describes what farmers and other specialists are seeing in their fields. “We’re hoping we have peaked. The trap lines that Phillip’s (Roberts) group …
Expo Specialty Crop Sessions Educate Growers
By Clint Thompson A highlight of the annual Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is the seminar program that focuses on the vegetable and specialty crop industry in Florida. This year’s sessions covered a range of topics, including pest management, alternative crops that growers can take advantage of, and various other research updates from University of Florida Institute of Food and …
New Viruses to Watch for in Watermelon and Other Cucurbits
By Pamela D. Roberts Whitefly-transmitted viruses are the major disease problem for watermelons grown in South Florida. For the past few decades, whitefly-transmitted viruses have included squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV), cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV) and cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV). A HISTORY OF VIRUSESAlthough SqVYV was first identified from squash in Florida in 2005, it had most likely been …
Cucurbit Farmers: Two Diseases Already Observed in North Florida
By Clint Thompson Cucurbit farmers in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama need to be wary of certain diseases that are already present in some fields. Mathews Paret, associate professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), describes what growers should be concerned about with regards to angular leaf spot and …