Biofertilizers encourage bigger vegetable roots By Clint Thompson Bigger is better when it comes to vegetable crop roots. Larger roots lead to greater exploration of the soil, where roots can capture more nutrients. A more robust root system leads to improved fertilizer efficiency and better crop quality. So how do growers achieve this kind of success? According to Mark Egan, …
Early Start: Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot Discovered in Georgia Field
By Clint Thompson It didn’t take long for Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot to rear its ugly head in Georgia strawberries. According to the UGA Extension strawberry blog, a Georgia strawberry field is confirmed to have the disease. Symptoms and presumptive spores of the pathogen have been observed. The infected plants were obtained from a nursery in Canada. Plants …
UF Research: Bags on Peaches Help Keep Pests, Diseases Away
Peaches are popular, especially in the Southeast, with annual national production of about 806,000 tons. Growers can help keep pests and diseases from damaging the fruit by placing bags around individual peaches, University of Florida researchers say. David Campbell, a UF/IFAS post-doctoral researcher, led new research, funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic Research and Extension Initiative grant. UF/IFAS …
Weekly Updates: Clemson Extension Agents Discuss Various Crops
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “We had a nice week of weather last week and are getting some rain this morning (10/25). Strawberry plants are arriving, and growers will be busy putting in plants this week. …
Change in Leadership: Hall to Step Down as GFVGA Executive Director
Starting Dec. 1, the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) will have a new leader. Charles Hall announced his intention to move into a semi-retirement role, beginning Dec. 1. Chris Butts, GFVGA Director of Public Affairs, has been named the association’s next executive vice president. Hall spent 25 years as the executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable …
Alabama Extension Agent to Strawberry Producers: Stay on Schedule
By Clint Thompson North Alabama strawberry producers need to stay vigilant in their management strategies this fall and winter. It will help protect against potential stress that might arise, which could lead to vulnerability against new diseases like Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot. That’s the message that Eric Schavey, Regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama “The talk has been that I’ve been …
CUPS Not for All Citrus Producers
By Clint Thompson One of the unique ways of managing citrus greening disease developed by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers is not for all producers. The citrus under protective systems (CUPS) is just too expensive for all growers to take advantage of, says Fred Gmitter, a University of Florida citrus breeder. “It’s an extremely expensive …
UF/IFAS Vegetable Production Handbook in Stock for Florida Producers
The University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) 2021-2022 vegetable production handbook is in stock for Florida producers. The 19-chapter handbook, which is updated every production season, provides guidance on vegetable production throughout Florida. The handbook also includes extensive pesticide tables for each crop that is covered. Growers are asked to contact Gene McAvoy, Regional Vegetable Extension …
GFVGA: Changes Need to be Made to Farm Workforce Modernization Act
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) recognizes the urgent need for the Senate to pass its version of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act before the end of the year. The GFVGA also acknowledges the need for necessary changes be made to the bill in its current format. Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit …
FFVA President: Input Costs are No. 1 Thing Farmers Talk About
By Clint Thompson Trade and labor used to top the concern list for Florida’s vegetable and specialty crop producers. Not anymore. It is input prices and input availability, says Mike Joyner, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) President. “As we talk to growers and we’re in the field a lot it is the No. 1 thing they talk about. Yes, …