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 …
It Could Be Lights Out for Some Diseases and Pests in Strawberries
Natalia Peres envisions a day when light from a machine that resembles a spacecraft helps prevent powdery mildew from causing much damage to strawberries. Peres, a professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, works with a global group of scientists studying how to use ultraviolet light to suppress plant pathogens. Powdery mildew …
Pongamia: A Crop to Consider
As citrus greening disease continues to challenge the Florida citrus industry, many growers are looking toward alternative crops to grow. One former citrus grower seems to have found his niche. Peter McClure, chief agricultural officer of TerViva, describes himself as a “lifelong citrus grower.” He is a fourth-generation Florida grower who has been a champion for the state’s citrus industry …
Growing Multiple Crops on the Same Plastic Mulch
By Nathan Boyd Vegetable growers throughout the Southeast face intensive economic pressure from foreign competition, volatile markets and increased production costs. Alternative production systems are needed that reduce input costs and increase economic return. One potential approach is to grow more than one crop on the same plastic mulch. The vast majority of horticultural crops in the Southeast are grown …
Food Safety Advice
Although food safety is always on the minds of growers, 2018 was a notable year for this issue due to widespread E. coli outbreaks. Trevor Suslow, vice president of food safety with the Produce Marketing Association, recently gave some food safety advice to the produce industry. Suslow says that producers need to have a sound produce safety management plan. If …
Address Plant Stress to Manage Stem Blight
By Ernie Neff Stem blight is a problem for Florida blueberry growers “because our production is so intensive and subjects our plants to plant stress,” University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension plant pathologist Phil Harmon said recently. Those stresses include “drought stress and physiological stresses that can’t be avoided due to the nature of our production,” …
Sneak Peek: March VSCNews Magazine
Weeds can be one of the biggest nuisances for a grower. The March issue of VSCNews magazine will give growers tips on how best to get out of the weeds. University of Florida (UF) researchers Ramadas Kanissery and Camille McAvoy discuss hyrdrogels as herbicide carriers in this month’s issue. They explain how hydrogels work and the advantages of applying them …
The Pepper Weevil Problem
By Ernie Neff University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) entomologist Hugh Smith says the pepper weevil is a major challenge to growers because it’s “a primary pest that directly attacks the marketable part of the fruit.” Smith, associate professor at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, says the pepper weevil attacks all types …
Florida Hop Trials — Keeping Ahead of Pests and Diseases
By Gary Vallad, Johan Desaeger, Hugh Smith, Zhanao Deng and Shinsuke Agehara Like other crops, hops are susceptible to various pests and diseases. The goal of this article is to review findings from ongoing field studies conducted at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC). The presented findings should …
New Crops Provide New Hope
By Alison DeLoach Farmers and ranchers in Northwest Florida are looking to make a comeback after Hurricane Michael wreaked havoc on their crops. Glen Aiken, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC), is working to help growers affected by the hurricane. According to Aiken, the affected areas …