By Clint Thompson Many elements factor into a successful pecan production season. What were the weather conditions like? Was scab disease a problem? One of the most important factors is irrigation and keeping the trees watered especially during prolonged dry periods and nearing harvest. University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells stressed the importance of keeping trees irrigated during …
When Will it End? Pallet Shortage Continues
By Clint Thompson One of the most challenging aspects of vegetable production this season doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon. In fact, it may only worsen when South Florida’s fall production comes back online. The idea of a pallet shortage was unfathomable for producers prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic. But it’s a continuing problem with no end in …
Managing Whitefly-Transmitted Viruses in Georgia
By Bhabesh Dutta and Rajagopalbabu Srinivasan The silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), also known as sweetpotato whitefly, is a pest of several horticultural and agronomic crops in southern Georgia. While direct feeding can injure plants and lead to problems such as silvering of leaves, deposition of honeydew and formation of sooty mold, whiteflies also can transmit numerous devastating plant viruses. Transmission …
Wet Weather Could Lead to Disease Issues in South Carolina
By Clint Thompson Increased rainfall the past couple of weeks in South Carolina means more potential for disease development in crops that are just getting ready for harvest. That is a concern for growers, says Clemson Extension agent Zack Snipes. “We got a bunch (of rain) here in Charleston for sure. We got a bunch the previous week, too. It’s …
Growing Calabaza: Crop Perfect for Summer Gardening in Florida
MIAMI-DADE, Fla. – Attention Florida vegetable producers and homeowners: Don’t let the summer go by without trying your hand at producing the calabaza. New crop on the block, Calabaza Pumpkin in Florida is the latest video led by Geoffrey Meru, a vegetable geneticist at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center. The video guides homeowners and interested growers with the background …
Grower Awareness: Hemp Producers be Mindful of Disease Development
By Clint Thompson Alabama’s hemp season is still in its early stage, but crop disease is quickly becoming a concern for the state’s producers. Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, said weather conditions have been ripe for disease development. “We hadn’t had rain in maybe about a week, then in some spots we got six inches in …
Pecan Cultivars: Scab, Crop Load Main Factors in Farmers’ Selections
By Clint Thompson The first rule in cultivar selection for pecan growers is there is no perfect cultivar. What may work for one producer may not for another, believes University of Georgia (UGA) pecan breeder Patrick Conner. “The difficulty is we don’t have one way of growing pecans. We have small growers, medium-sized growers; growers with hundreds of acres. We …
4Rs Key to Nutrient Management
By Clint Thompson Nutrient management in Florida’s vegetable and specialty crop fields is a process. In fact, if growers don’t implement the 4Rs strategy – right rate, right source, right placement and right timing – they risk not applying the right amount and losing essential nutrients to the environment. “By just having a seasonal number, let’s say the fertilizer recommendation …
Wet Summer? July Through September Could Receive More Rain Than Normal
According to the University of Georgia Extension Climate and Agriculture Blog and National Weather Service, July through September is expected to better wetter than normal due to the active tropical season. It has already been a wet June for parts of Georgia. According to the University of Georgia Weather Network, Tifton, Georgia received 4.88 inches from June 1 to June …
Japanese Beetles: Insects a Concern for Grape Producers
Grape producers in Georgia and Alabama need to be on alert: Japanese beetles are starting to show up in vineyards. According to the University of Georgia Extension Viticulture Blog, if there is a severe infestation, the Japanese beetles can be severe pests of grapes this summer, feeding mostly on the foliage. What’s of most concern is their impact on young …