Bacterial Spot Presents Challenges for Peach Growers

Web AdminPeaches, Top Posts

Peach growers are currently in need of ways to control bacterial spot, a severe disease that is at its worst when rain is frequent. Dave Ritchie, a plant pathologist at North Carolina State University, spoke about the disease and management options for growers at the 2019 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Bacterial spot is particularly challenging because of the …

georgia pecan

Georgia Pecan Growers Conference and Trade Show

Web AdminGeorgia, Pecan

The 54th Annual Georgia Pecan Growers Conference and Trade Show has been taking place today at the UGA Conference Center in Tifton. Tyron Spearman stopped by and caught up with Georgia Pecan Growers Association President Brent Brinkley. Spearman also caught up with Lenny Wells, associate professor and Extension horticulture specialist for pecans with the University of Georgia. Finally, Spearman talked …

Artwork Helps Growers Better Understand Strawberry Diseases

Web AdminStrawberry, Top Posts

By Alison DeLoach To help growers better understand Extension materials, Madeline Dowling, a post-doctoral researcher at Clemson University under Guido Schnabel, created artwork showcasing the disease cycles of gray mold and anthracnose on strawberries. Dowling has a background in digital arts and studied plant pathology for her master’s and doctoral degrees. Dowling wants to combine her passion for plant pathology …

Herbicide Update for Growers

Web AdminProduce, Research, Top Posts

By Alison DeLoach Rely, an herbicide used as an alternative to glyphosate, has recently been transferred from Bayer to BASF. This transfer of rights has raised questions for growers about whether BASF will support use of the herbicide. Stanley Culpepper, a weed scientist with the University of Georgia, shared his thoughts on Rely.  Bayer, the previous manufacturer and marketer of …

Georgia Grape Growers Faced with Fungicide Resistance

Web AdminGrapes, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

The wine grape industry in Georgia is on the rise. While vineyards have been present in Georgia for the past four decades, the industry has been gaining significant traction in the last 10 to 15 years. Since the industry is relatively new, it is still fragile and some of the challenges, like downy mildew resistance, are unpredictable. Downy mildew is …

Blueberry Event Gives Growers Hands-On Experience

Web AdminBerries, Top Posts

By Alison DeLoach Pests and diseases are always top of mind for blueberry growers. To help growers better understand how to identify these issues, Juanita Popenoe, a University of Florida (UF) commercial fruit production Extension agent for Orange, Lake and Marion counties, hosted a hands-on event at the Lake County Extension center in Tavares. Blueberry growers had the opportunity to …

Roundup Presents Challenges for Growers

Web AdminCucurbits, Research, Top Posts

By Alison DeLoach A well-known herbicide for growers, glyphosphate (Roundup), can cause harm to crops if not properly applied. According to Stanly Culpepper, weed scientist with the University of Georgia, when applied too close to planting or when the application rate is too high, Roundup can severely damage a plant. When looking at the labels for Roundup PowerMAX II, there …

Avalon Protects Growers from Pecan Scab

Web AdminNuts, Pecan, Top Posts

By Alison DeLoach Hurricane Michael caused severe devastation to pecan growers in the Southeast, including the southern region of Georgia. Pecan orchards suffer from pecan scab when the leaves and shucks get wet. The wetter trees become, the more scab infection they develop. However, a new pecan cultivar, Avalon, may be able to help growers in the wake of future …

UAV-based Remote Sensing Can Help Avocado Growers by Detecting Asymptomatic Pathogen

Web AdminAvocado, Industry News Release, Research, Top Posts

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Remote imaging can effectively detect a pathogen that endangers the $100 million-a-year Florida avocado industry – even before the trees show symptoms — University of Florida scientists say. Yiannis Ampatzidis, an assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, led recently published research that shows that multispectral cameras can …

Southeastern Growers Kick Off 2019 at Industry-Wide Conference

Web AdminFruit, Organic, Produce, Top Posts, Vegetables

Every year, the southeastern fruit and vegetable industry starts a new year together at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference (SERFVC), and 2019 was no different. Thousands of growers, packers, shippers, industry leaders and educators gathered together in Savannah, Georgia, on Jan. 10–13 at one of the industry’s biggest regional events. Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit …