A joint research project between scientists at the University of Georgia and Clemson University has deduced that grafting reduces southern blight disease on tomatoes by 83%. According to the The South Carolina Grower, grafting reduced the percentage of diseased plants from 44% on nongrafted ‘Roadster’ varieties to 7% on ‘Roadster’ grafted on ‘Maxifort’ rootstock in a 2021 trial in Charleston, …
Growth Update: Vidalia Onions Further Along Than Previous Year
By Clint Thompson Normal harvest time for Georgia’s Vidalia onions is usually the beginning of April. That timeframe may be expedited a few days if the current growth of the crop is any indication. According to Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension Area Onion Agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia, the progression of this …
Be Alert for Citrus Canker in Alabama
Alabama Cooperative Extension implores growers to be on the lookout for symptoms of citrus canker disease in their trees. Commercial growers need to scout their trees regularly to stop the disease’s potential spread, says Kassie Conner, Alabama Extension specialist. “What we need people to do right now is look for these symptoms and report it if they find it,” Conner …
Warm, Cold Temperatures Expected for Foreseeable Future
By Clint Thompson Unpredictability is a common theme Southeast specialty crop growers are feeling this winter with regards to temperature fluctuations. It was warmer than usual in December. It’s been extremely cold in January. What does the future hold? Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist, provides a forecast for what producers can expect in the foreseeable future. “The …
Freeze Impact on Florida Peaches
By Clint Thompson Count Florida’s peaches among those crops impacted by the sub-freezing temperatures almost two weeks ago. The difference in the producers who protected their crop and those who did not was unmistakable, says Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “I can tell you that anybody north of central …
Drought Conditions in Certain Areas in Southeast
By Clint Thompson Abnormally dry conditions continue to be isolated to certain parts of the Southeast, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The northern part of Florida is abnormally dry. These include counties as far west as Jefferson to Duval along the Atlantic coast and as far south as Marion and Citrus counties. Portions of a few …
Sanitation, Documentation Key Management Strategies for Food Safety
By Clint Thompson Sometimes one bad apple can spoil a bunch. For a specialty crop producer, it can mean their livelihood. Proper sanitation and documentation are essential management practices to the long-term sustainability of a farming operation. Growers need to regularly clean their packinghouse equipment while maintaining adequate records. This can prevent the recall of a large amount of produce, …
Supply-Chain Woes Continue for Specialty Crop Growers
By Frank Giles One of the many ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has been significant supply-chain disruptions that have impacted the global economy. Agriculture has not been immune to these delays in shipping and availability of key tools growers need to produce crops. At the same time, prices are going up nearly across the board on products and inputs …
‘Smart’ Greenhouses Could Cut Power Expenses
An internet-connected lighting system for greenhouses could reduce a farmer’s power bill, according to University of Georgia research. The study showed that a predictive lighting control system could optimize lighting for plants by predicting sunlight and only utilizing lights when necessary. Farmers could reduce their greenhouse electrical costs by as much as 33% by optimizing their lights. Plants are given …
Pecan Nutrient Management: Cut Costs, Not Corners
By Clint Thompson Nutrient management is a way pecan producers can decrease their input costs heading into the 2022 harvest season, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. It starts with soil samples, which can be done any time of the year. But Wells stresses that growers do it at the same time every year. “If you take …