UF Research Shows Best Fungicides for Downy Mildew

Web AdminCucurbits, Research, Top Posts

By Karla Arboleda Since downy mildew can cause major destruction, a proper use of fungicides is essential to a healthy crop. Gary Vallad, an associate professor at the University of Florida (UF), described the magnitude of downy mildew disease on specialty crops at the recent Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo. “It (downy mildew) just kind of jumps from crop to …

Using UV Light Against Plant Pathogens

Web AdminFlorida, Florida Ag Expo, Top Posts

Faculty members at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) provide cutting-edge research for Florida’s agriculture industries. Located in Wimauma, the 475-acre facility sits in the heart of Hillsborough County. The center includes large fields of research plots, laboratories, educational programs and space for student living. GCREC Center Director …

Whitefly and Diamondback Moth Management in South Florida

Web AdminPests, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Karla Arboleda Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are looking into products that are effective against whiteflies and diamondback moths in South Florida. Hugh Smith, vegetable entomologist at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), works to apply information growers share about their experiences toward better insect management in crops. …

Creating Blackberry Varieties for Florida

Web AdminFlorida, Florida Ag Expo, Fruit, Research, Top Posts

The team at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) works on a multitude of crops historically grown in the Central Florida region. However, GCREC researchers have also been dedicating their time to finding new alternative crops for Florida. One of those crops is blackberries. Zhanao Deng, professor of ornamental …

New UF Extension Specialist Aims to Assist Small Fruit Growers

Web AdminPests, Strawberry, Top Posts

By Karla Arboleda Southwest Florida growers can expect help from new small fruit Extension specialist Sriyanka Lahiri. At the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), Lahiri works with strawberries and blueberries to develop a pest management program that uses less broad-spectrum insecticides. Appointed in February, Lahiri helps the small …

Controlling Purple Nutsedge in Tomatoes

Web AdminResearch, Tomatoes, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

Purple nutsedge can be a tough nut to crack for many tomato growers. Nathan Boyd, weed scientist at the University of Florida’s Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), recently completed herbicide trials examining whether pre-emergent or post-emergent herbicides work better in controlling purple nutsedge in tomatoes. The trials took place at the GCREC in Wimauma. Purple nutsedge can be …

Florida Craft Beer Industry Growing With Hops

Web AdminFlorida, Hops, Top Posts

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. …

Tomato Bacterial Spot Management Begins with Transplant Health

Web AdminFlorida, Tomatoes, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

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 …

Nematodes in Florida Hops

Web AdminHops, Pests, Top Posts, Uncategorized

By Karla Arboleda Florida conditions can cause crops to have increased problems in comparison to other regions, and it’s no different for hops. Microscopic nematodes are common all over the world, specifically in vegetables. Across Florida, hops growers have found root-knot nematodes in their crops. Johan Desaeger, a nematode researcher at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural …

Managing Nematodes Without Methyl Bromide

Web AdminPests, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Johan Desaeger Plant-parasitic nematodes are some of the most difficult pests or diseases that growers in Florida are facing. They are difficult to recognize, are often confused with other biotic or abiotic problems, and can cause total crop loss in many fruits and vegetables. This is especially true in Florida’s warm and sandy soils, where nematodes, such as root-knot …