Understanding herbicide injury in tomatoes can help growers protect their investment. By Ramdas Kanissery, Nathan Boyd and Camille McAvoy Herbicides are designed to control undesired plants within a cropping system. Crop injury can occur when herbicides are applied incorrectly. For example, injury can be the result of drift, volatilization, runoff, tank contamination or misapplication of a product. INJURY SYMPTOMS Injury …
Sneak Peek: April VSCNews Magazine
The April issue of VSCNews magazine is packed with information for conventional and organic growers. Readers will learn about pest management methods and ongoing challenges faced by an organic commodity in Georgia in next month’s issue. An article by researchers with the University of Georgia and the U.S. Department of Agriculture — Bhabesh Dutta, Carroll Johnson and Jason Schmidt — …
Florida Tomato Exchange Wants Pact with Mexico Terminated
On March 21, the Florida Tomato Exchange appeared in front of the U.S. Trade Commission to argue why a pact known as the Tomato Suspension Agreement should be terminated. The pact was put in place to help Florida’s and Mexico’s tomato industries coincide peacefully. It’s no secret that Florida growers have struggled due to heavy competition from Mexico, and the …
Early Developing Peach Varieties Take a Hit
Early-developing varieties of peaches took a hit from recent freezing temperatures. Some parts of Alabama reached temperatures as low as 21 F from March 4 to 7. Depending on the area and conditions, early peach crops could be affected by this stretch of freezing weather. Edgar Vinson, an Alabama Extension commercial horticulture specialist, said early varieties took the major hit …
Nematode Management in Strawberries
By Alison DeLoach Nematodes, worm-like pests found all over the globe, can damage strawberry growers’ crops. Johan Desaeger, a professor in nematology at the University of Florida, presented his research on nematodes at the Strawberry Growers Symposium last month. In his presentation, he discussed integrated management of nematodes in Florida strawberries. Desaeger touched on the different types of nematodes growers …
Drone Technology on the Rise
Many growers are adopting new technologies, including drones, to aid their production systems. According to Jim Fletcher, a University of Florida (UF) regional water specialist and interim BMP coordinator, drones could bring growers to the next level. Currently, Fletcher says drones can fly over fields and identify areas where there may be an issue with the plants. Then the grower …
Managing Phytophthora Blight in Peppers
By Alison DeLoach Phytophthora blight is a disease that can destroy pepper crops. Mary Hausbeck, a professor and Extension specialist in plant pathology from Michigan State University, spoke at the Southeast Fruit and Vegetable Conference about research she is conducting to help growers better understand this disease. Hausbeck tells growers site selection is one of the most important factors to …
Improving Fruit Quality in Strawberries
By Alison DeLoach Plant geneticists are always searching for ways to improve fruit quality. At the recent North American Strawberry Growers Symposium Conference in Orlando, Florida, Kim Lewers, plant geneticist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, presented her research and the methods she uses to breed strawberries. Lewers discussed in detail how she breeds for certain traits, such as disease …
Peach Training and Pruning Pointers
By Ali Sarkhosh The excessive vegetative growth of low-chill peaches under tropical and subtropical climates can be one of the major problems negatively impacting fruit size and quality. Growers need to spend a significant amount of money and time for manual thinning and pruning to meet the market window. Factors affecting fruit quality include distribution of light in the canopy, …
Alternative Crops for Hastings
By Ernie Neff Farmers in the Hastings area of St. Johns County have traditionally grown potatoes and cabbage. But Bonnie Wells, commercial agriculture Extension agent for the county, says, “Potato growers have been looking for other things to grow to diversify their farms.” She reports on some of the alternative crops that are being tried in the area or that …