Mechanical Harvesters a Key Focus of UF/IFAS Tomato Breeding Research

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Tomatoes

By Clint Thompson Sustainability in the tomato industry likely will rely on automation. It only makes sense for tomato breeding research at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) to focus on developing varieties that can be harvested mechanically. Edgar Sierra, a post-doctoral researcher at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, discussed tomato breeding …

Nutsedge Management in Vegetable Plasticulture Production

Web AdminAgriculture Research, Research, Weed Management

By Ruby Tiwari and Ramdas Kanissery Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) and purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) are perennial weeds that resemble grass. They commonly appear in raised bed vegetable plasticulture systems every year. These weeds spread and reproduce through rhizomes, bulbs and small tubers called nutlets. Just one tuber can generate hundreds of shoots, forming a dense patch that can span …

Wait and See: Florida Tomato Industry Unsure How New Law Will Impact Labor Force

Web AdminLabor, Tomatoes

By Clint Thompson Florida’s controversial immigration law could affect the labor force available for the state’s specialty crop producers this year. That includes the tomato industry. Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, spoke during Wednesday’s Tomato Conference in Labelle. He highlighted the law and how growers could be impacted. …

Wait and See: Florida Tomato Industry Unsure How New Law Will Impact Labor Force

Web AdminFlorida

By Clint Thompson Florida’s controversial immigration law could affect the labor force available for the state’s specialty crop producers this year. That includes the tomato industry. Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executivevice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, spoke during Wednesday’s Tomato Conference in Labelle. He highlighted the law and how growers could be impacted. “As …

North Carolina Tomato Growers Association Plans Referendum

Web AdminNorth Carolina, Tomatoes

RALEIGH – The North Carolina (N.C.) Tomato Growers Association will conduct an August referendum on continuing the $20 per acre assessment on harvested commercial tomatoes. Funds generated by the assessment would support research, education and programs to promote N.C. tomatoes. The proposed assessment term is six years, beginning with the 2023 crop. All North Carolina farmers engaged in the production of tomatoes …

Florida Tomato Conference Scheduled For Sept. 13

Web AdminEvents, Tomatoes

Florida tomato growers should mark their calendars for the upcoming Tomato Conference, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the Labelle Civic Center in LaBelle, Florida. The conference is presented by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Florida Tomato Committee. Attendees will hear from industry leaders and university scientists about the latest trends and …

Mark Your Calendar: Florida Tomato Conference Scheduled For Sept. 13

Web AdminTomatoes

Florida tomato growers should mark their calendars for the upcoming Tomato Conference, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the Labelle Civic Center in LaBelle, Florida. The conference is presented by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Florida Tomato Committee. Attendees will hear from industry leaders and university scientists about the latest trends and …

Protect Your Production

Web AdminAgribusiness, Crop Insurance

By Clint Thompson Florida’s climate allows growers to produce more than 300 different specialty crops. Unfortunately, that same environment can lead to various factors which can negatively impact production every year. Producers should prepare for the possibility every season that their crop could be impacted by weather events like hurricanes or tornadoes, as well as invasive species, plant diseases and …

A New Ilarvirus in Florida Tomatoes

Web AdminTomatoes

By Ozgur Batuman and Salih Yilmaz Ilarviruses can infect both herbaceous and woody plants and are known to be transmitted by pollen and seed with varying efficiency. Thrips have been associated as vectors of ilarviruses since they create wounds during feeding that can serve as entry points for virus particles carried in or on infected pollen. Tobacco streak virus (TSV) …

A New Ilarvirus in Florida Tomatoes

Web AdminDisease, Florida, Tomatoes

By Ozgur Batuman and Salih Yilmaz Ilarviruses can infect both herbaceous and woody plants and are known to be transmitted by pollen and seed with varying efficiency. Thrips have been associated as vectors of ilarviruses since they create wounds during feeding that can serve as entry points for virus particles carried in or on infected pollen. Tobacco streak virus (TSV) …