By Juan Carlos Díaz Pérez Vegetable growers know well about the importance of light to plants. Light is necessary for the process of photosynthesis through which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (sugars) needed for plant growth and development. LIGHT AND HEAT Light is electromagnetic radiation that comes from the sun. The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that can …
Georgia Produce Farmer: (Mexico) Doesn’t Care About Costs
What should be an advantage to Southeast producers against Mexico is anything but, believes Georgia vegetable farmer Dick Minor. Freight prices continue to spike, which has only worsened since gas prices continue to increase. But that doesn’t matter to produce originating out of Mexico, Minor added. “High freight rates are our friend or should be technically our friend from a …
Today is Pack Date for Georgia Vidalia Onions
Today is the pack date for Georgia Vidalia onions. An advisory panel comprised of industry leaders determined that April 19 be the first day of the year consumers could buy Vidalia onions. “A lot of growers were getting ramped up with harvest end of (two weeks ago) to really have onions that would be ready to sell for the pack …
February Freeze: Event Left Mark on Alabama Peach Crop
An Alabama freeze event has left its mark on the state’s peach crop. But it’s not the Alabama freeze event you might be thinking of. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, believes the freezing temperatures experienced in February when the trees were dormant did more damage than the late-season freeze …
Georgia Strawberry Farmer: Disease Wiped Out This Year’s Crop
Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot is not just impacting Florida strawberry producers. It has quickly made its way north. Just ask Georgia strawberry farmer Bill Brim. “It just wiped (my strawberries) out. As a matter of fact, we sprayed it with roundup (Wednesday),” Brim said. Brim’s strawberry production equated to 12 acres. “It’s a pile of money, too, the plants; about $60,000 …
Breaking Ground: Pecan Trials Planted at UGA’s VOVRC
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension is conducting pecan research at the UGA Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center (VOVRC) in Toombs County. Pecan trees were planted earlier this year and will be the basis for long-term research plots and short-term demonstration plots. Research will focus on low-input pecan varieties that can successfully grow in Georgia without incidence of pecan scab. …
AI: UF Researchers Using Artificial Intelligence to Study Nematodes
Artificial intelligence (AI) may help Florida producers combat one of the most destructive pests farmers encounter every year. University of Florida (UF) scientists are using AI to identify parasitic nematodes more rapidly. Some nematodes live in the ground and harm plants, while others are beneficial. It is important to distinguish which ones are which, said Peter DiGennaro, a UF/IFAS assistant …
Labor Shortage? Not According to Southeast Farmers, Industry Leaders
One of the focal points of the U.S. International Trade Commission hearing on the impact imports of cucumbers and squash have on the domestic industry is labor; how much it costs and the availability of it. Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of Americas, insists the lack of workers has led to a quality issue with produce grown …
Scab Disease: To Spray or Not to Spray?
The calendar may say it’s time for pecan producers to spray for scab but the weather conditions, combined with the current market season, say otherwise. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist, says it still early to start spraying for scab disease this week. Next week should present a more optimal timeframe. It would also coincide with growers’ …
Peachy: UF Scientists Find Rootstocks That Survive Flooding
Flooding can be problematic for Florida peach producers. It can cause permanent damage to peach trees and lead to tree death. Ali Sarkhost, a UF/IFAS Assistant Professor of Horticultural Sciences, said floods will increase as climate change continues to challenge growers across the world. “If peach farmers experience flooding, the fruit size and quality can be adversely affected, and the tree …