By Karla Arboleda To attract more watermelon pollinators, growers can use different types of wildflowers around their crops. That’s what Miriam Jenkins, a graduate of Clemson University’s Wildlife and Fisheries Biology program, determined from her recent study. For pollinator-dependent crops like watermelon, adding certain wildflowers to the surrounding landscape helps create a better area for pollinators to feed. Jenkins said …
Rising Temperatures Bad for Butterbeans in South Carolina
By Karla Arboleda In South Carolina, Clemson University researchers are working toward heat-tolerant butterbeans to preserve this staple crop. Tony Melton, an Extension agent at the Clemson Pee Dee Research and Extension Center, said rising temperatures have contributed to why butterbean production has been falling short in South Carolina. “When it’s hot, and as summers are getting hotter, (butterbean plants) …
Hemp Pesticides Get Approved in South Carolina
By Karla Arboleda Hemp growers in South Carolina received a list of pesticides permitted for use on their crops. Earlier this month, the Department of Pesticide Regulation approved a list of pesticides from section 25(b) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act administered through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Steve Cole, director for regulatory public service programs for Clemson …
New Watermelon Rootstock Proves Pest, Disease Resistant
By Karla Arboleda Southeastern watermelon growers have struggled with fusarium wilt and nematodes for decades. A new rootstock may be the light at the end of the tunnel. Carolina Strongback, a new watermelon rootstock, is resistant toward fusarium wilt and nematodes. Researchers developed the watermelon line at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Clemson University. They …
Novel Watermelon Rootstock Knocks out Disease and Pests
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA (USDA/ARS) — A new watermelon line, developed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Clemson University scientists, gets to the root of the problem of a major disease and pest of watermelon crops in the southern United States. Carolina Strongback is a rootstock watermelon that is resistant to Fusarium wilt and the southern root-knot nematode, according to William “Pat” …
Artwork Helps Growers Better Understand Strawberry Diseases
By Alison DeLoach To help growers better understand Extension materials, Madeline Dowling, a post-doctoral researcher at Clemson University under Guido Schnabel, created artwork showcasing the disease cycles of gray mold and anthracnose on strawberries. Dowling has a background in digital arts and studied plant pathology for her master’s and doctoral degrees. Dowling wants to combine her passion for plant pathology …
Peach Pest Forecast
By Alison DeLoach Brett Blaauw, assistant professor and Extension specialist at the University of Georgia and Clemson University, gave his peach pest forecast for the year during his presentation at the recent Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Regarding San Jose scale, Blaauw expects a tough year for growers. He said this winter has been relatively warm, creating a good …
Peach Pruning Improves San Jose Scale Control
By Alison DeLoach Recent research has shown that pruning peach trees can help growers reduce pests in their orchards. One pest in particular, San Jose scale, can cause difficulties for growers, including branch die back, and can ultimately lead to tree death if left untreated. Brett Blaauw, an assistant professor and Extension specialist at the University of Georgia and Clemson …
Watch Out for Sweet Potato Weevil
By Breanna Kendrick What’s small, black, has six legs and causes a lot of damage to sweet potato crops? The sweet potato weevil. Once this pest is present and fields become highly infested, it’s very difficult to control. The weevil causes unsightly effects to the outside and inside of the sweet potato, making it hard to move the product through …
Hurricane Florence Damage Protocols
By Breanna Kendrick As Hurricane Florence is knocking on the Carolinas’ doorstep, Tom Dobbins, director of Cooperative Extension Service for Clemson University, has some information to share with South Carolina farmers: “Our agents are prepared to go out and assist the farmers who experience damages from Florence,” he says. Agents will assure proper documentation of hurricane damage is recorded. “It’s …