By Clint Thompson University of Georgia (UGA) research has shown that biochar applications help vegetable farmers improve their soil’s profile. Ted McAvoy, an assistant professor and vegetable production Extension specialist, has studied biochar’s use on the UGA Tifton Campus. He talked about its impact in vegetable production “Biochar is charcoal essentially. Unlike other organic matter from cover crops and chicken …
On the Cusp of Another Season: Watermelon Institute Meeting Provides Timely Information
By Clint Thompson Florida’s sweet and highly productive watermelon crop was the topic of conversation at the Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute meeting in Fanning Springs, Florida, on Thursday, Nov. 30. Producers and industry leaders across the Suwanee Valley Region met to discuss production in a crop that thrived in quality and quantity this past season. Mark Warren, University of Florida …
Celebrating 50 Years of Growth
Chemical Dynamics is a leading provider of crop nutrition solutions, focused on helping farmers grow specialty crops in Florida, the Southeast and across the US. Our company was founded in 1973 by W.B. “Hap” Carson in Plant City, FL and has been a family-owned and operated business for three generations. For the past 50 years, we have developed a diverse …
Cold-Hardy Citrus Growers Gather for Field Day
Production in the cold-hardy citrus region was under the spotlight during a recent field day in Quincy, Florida. Growers and industry leaders visited the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) to learn about various facets of citrus production. Topics like controlled-release fertilizers, crop diversification and implementation of artificial intelligence …
$3.2 M USDA Grant: CAES Leads Research to Improve Organic Onion Production
A team of researchers from the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is partnering with colleagues from Texas A&M University to find more effective production practices for organic onion growers in the southern United States where short-day onions — those that bulb with 11 to 12 hours of sunlight each day — are primarily grown. …
Replacing Chemical Fertilizer With Nitrogen From Soil Bacteria
By Kristen Van Gelder The invention and use of chemical nitrogen fertilizer starting in the early 20th century have led to a phenomenal gain in agricultural output. For example, typical maize yields in the U.S. have risen from 2 tonnes per hectare in the early 1940s to about 11 tonnes per hectare today — a 450% increase that is in …
The Role of Root and Leaf Age in Blueberry Water Relations
By Gerardo H. Nunez Blueberry bushes have a complicated relationship with water. Too little water can limit blueberry growth and productivity, while too much water can lead to root diseases and loss of vigor. This article focuses on the role that leaf and root age plays in irrigation success. WATER UPTAKE AND ROOTSBlueberry bushes take up water through their shallow …
Agriculture’s Share in Florida’s Blockbuster Budget
By Frank Giles The Florida Legislature passed a record budget of $116.5 billion as it wrapped up its work on May 5. It was an active session for agriculture. It also was a session in which Gov. Ron DeSantis was looking to score wins prior to announcing his run for president in 2024. DeSantis announced his presidential bid on May …
What to Do About Pepper Diseases in Georgia
By Bhabesh Dutta Anthracnose in pepper is caused by a fungal group of pathogens belonging to mainly Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and C. acutatum. TWO TYPES OF ANTHRACNOSEAnthracnose in pepper is a common issue that pepper growers face, particularly after sun scalding of fruits. This type of anthracnose is called “secondary anthracnose” as the fungal pathogen needs some kind of injury to …
Everglades Ag Area Vital to America’s Food Security
By Frank Giles The region south of Lake Okeechobee, comprised largely of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), is one of the most unique farming landscapes on the planet. Its wide-open vistas can be seen from space, and the land’s dark, rich soils contribute to the production of a significant portion of America’s specialty crop supply. Over the years, farming expanded …