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By Clint Thompson If history is any indication, downy mildew can happen any time in Georgia’s Vidalia onion crop. Growers can ill-afford to get behind the eight-ball with regards to managing this “destructive” disease, says University of Georgia Extension Vegetable Plant Pathologist Bhabesh Dutta. “There’s a reason people named it a destructer, because it destroys pretty much everything in three …

By Clint Thompson Georgia Vidalia onion growers must prioritize thrips control with harvest season approaching. Since thrips vector center rot disease, producers must be diligent in their scouting and insecticide sprays, says Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent. “February is usually the time we start worrying about thrips, February and March, really. They are the two …

By Clint Thompson Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent, is optimistic about this year’s Vidalia onion crop halfway through the season. That optimism speaks volumes considering the weather challenges that have threatened production this year. “We’ve had several obstacles in our way this year. First was Hurricane Helene which caused some plant losses and stand losses …

By Clint Thompson University of Georgia research in Vidalia onions has yielded a new approach to planting the crop. Ted McAvoy, University of Georgia Extension vegetable specialist, wants growers to maximize their area to produce more plants per acre. Because of the threshold of the recommended spacing between plants, McAvoy offered an alternative method. “Most all of the work that’s …

By Clint Thompson Downy mildew remains the biggest disease concern for Georgia’s Vidalia onion farmers. It won’t be long before producers must protect their year’s investment, says University of Georgia Extension Vegetable Plant Pathologist Bhabesh Dutta. “This disease is so aggressive and can damage the crop so fast, all of these programs need to be initiated right (in late February). …

The University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension will host the Vidalia Onion Crop and Disease Update on Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. The meeting will start at 10 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m. The agenda will include a crop update, variety trial walk-through and disease management update provided by UGA …

By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion industry was not immune to the damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene when it moved through the region in late September. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia, said plant stands were impacted; especially those planted right before the storm’s arrival on …

By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion industry is currently strong for the state’s farmers. For one farming operation, it just shipped what remained of last year’s crop. That explains why Steven Shuman, GM/VP of sales at G&R Farms in Glennville, Georgia, was all smiles when he discussed the state of the industry at last week’s Global Produce and Floral Show …