Sneak Peek: February 2018 VSCNews Magazine

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The February issue of VSCNews magazine is packed with information about protecting your crops against disease. Included in the issue is the latest research on diseases like target spot, fusarium wilt, center rot and more. Gary Vallad, University of Florida associate professor, explores target spot in tomatoes. He discusses what to look for as well as methods for management. Bhabesh …

Combating Fire Blight in Alabama Pears

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Auburn University researchers are studying the most resistant varieties of pears for combating fire blight in Alabama. A publication by Alabama A&M University and Auburn University describes fire blight as a common and destructive pome fruit disease in the Southeast. “The fire blight pathogen … is a rod-shaped bacterium that overwinters in tissues around the edge of cankers on large …

Battling Blueberry Diseases

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Predictive systems and preventing new diseases in blueberries were topics Phil Brannen addressed at the 2018 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Ga., in January. Brannen is a professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Georgia. Predictive systems can benefit growers by letting them know when their disease risks are highest and lowest. Brannen said a …

Taste Test Shows Luffa’s Potential

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This emerging Asian vegetable is one to watch in Florida. By Yucong Xie, Guodong Liu, Bala Rathinasabapathi and Muhammad A. Shahid Luffa is a genus of tropical and subtropical plants in the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae). Native to Asia, particularly in China and Vietnam, luffa is cultivated for its immature fruit, which is consumed as a cooked vegetable (Figure 1). Mature …

Critical Organic Insecticides

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Auburn University Extension entomologist Ayanava Majumdar says for organic growers, the use of organic insecticides can make or break a production system. “Organic insecticides are critical for organic producers; we shouldn’t forget about them,” Majumdar says. Southeastern weather conditions are among the most unique in the nation, making pests a year-round issue. For starters, the southeast has heat, humidity and …

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Experimental Crop Bed Design Survived Hurricane Irma

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While producers and growers across Florida lost some, if not all, of their crops due to Hurricane Irma, a University of Florida researcher saw his experimental bedding survive the storm. “We were testing for flooding, and didn’t expect to have winds strong enough the effects of wind force on crops,” said Sanjay Shukla, UF/IFAS professor in the agricultural and biological …

FAMU Center Boosts Florida Viticulture Industry

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“When the grapes are out, we are out,” said Violeta Tsolova, professor and director of the Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). She was referring to the researchers and students at the center working to help grape growers be successful in the Southeast viticulture industry. NATIVE GRAPES Growers in the Southeast have …

Studying Insect Behavior for Pest Control

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Controlling insect behavior might lead to better pest management for growers in the Southeast. Xavier Martini, assistant professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy, studies insect behavior to help growers control pests. One part of his research uses natural enemies to combat major pests in the field. …

Georgia Grown Reveals New Slogan

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Georgia Grown was well represented at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference (SERFVC) in Savannah this past week. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black was excited to be representing Georgia Grown at the conference and to release its brand-new slogan. Georgia Grown is ready to begin 2018 with its new slogan: Nature’s Favorite State. The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s “Georgia …

Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference is Underway

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The Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference kicked off today with exhibitor set up and a few educational sessions. AgNet Media Founder and President Gary Cooper caught up with Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, to discuss this year’s event. Hear Hall’s comments below: Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundNovember 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: …