By Nathan Boyd Weed management programs for plasticulture tomato production in the southeastern United States typically rely on an array of tools to achieve satisfactory weed control. This may include tools such as fumigants, plastic mulches, pre-emergence herbicides, post-emergence herbicides and hand weeding. THE CULPRITS Purple and yellow nutsedge can be especially problematic due to their ability to puncture the …
Sneak Peek: March 2020 VSCNews Magazine
Weeds have always been a menace to growers. The March issue of VSCNews magazine will give growers tips on how to best manage these nuisances. Two articles in the March issue offer ideas for organic weed control. In the Organic Corner column, Parmeshwor Aryal, a postdoctoral associate, and Carlene A. Chase, an associate professor, both in the Horticultural Sciences Department …
Nutsedge Control in Blueberries
By Peter Dittmar All weeds are problematic in blueberry production because they compete for water and nutrients, hinder harvest crews and decrease yields. One of the most problematic weeds in blueberry is nutsedge (Figure 1). The two species of perennial nutsedge in Florida are yellow (Cyperus esculentus) and purple nutsedge (C. rotundus). These weeds are difficult to control because of …
High-Performance Computing for Breeding Better Crops
By Tong Geon Lee Vegetable and specialty crop yields have steadily increased throughout the years as a result of advances in genetics and agronomic practices. Nevertheless, a significant improvement in crop performance remains necessary, particularly given the predicted shifts in climate, pathogen outbreaks and other challenges. The continued genetic improvement of crops is, therefore, a focus for crop researchers. During …
Steaming for Weed Management
By Ramdas Kanissery and Yiannis Ampatzidis Weeds are a significant problem in horticultural production and must be controlled to maintain good crop yield. Concerns related to non-judicious use of herbicides, which include ground and surface water contamination and pesticide residues in food, has sparked public awareness and restrictions on herbicide use. For these reasons, alternative and integrated systems for weed …
Growers of Organic Vidalia Onions Face Challenges
By Bhabesh Dutta, Carroll Johnson and Jason Schmidt Vidalia onion ranks first in terms of farmgate value among vegetables in Georgia, making it the most important vegetable crop in the state. Among the spring-grown onions in the United States, Georgia ranks first because Vidalia onions are predominantly grown in spring. Although most of the acreage is conventional, nearly 20 percent …
Student Learning Opportunities at UGA
By Breanna Kendrick UGArden is a program at the University of Georgia that began in 2011. The purpose of the program is to grow medicinal herbs for use in products. Noelle Fuller, UGArden manager, began her involvement with the program as an undergraduate student and then as an intern. After her internship, she did her master’s degree research on medicinal …