Insects are active in North Florida watermelon fields. According to his weekly email, Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said rindworms remain a problem. Growers need to maintain a good preventative program up until the last week of harvest. There have also been various reports of whitefly populations. This is especially concerning because they vector …
Update on Florida Industrial Hemp Diseases
By Nicholas Dufault and Zach Eldred Industrial hemp diseases have continued to be identified in Florida’s production fields and greenhouses across the state. As researchers learn more about how to grow this crop, they are identifying the diseases that will affect the state’s industrial hemp production systems. There is a list of more than 40 currently know hemp diseases; 16 …
Powdery Mildew: Conditions Ripe for Disease
By Clint Thompson North Florida’s watermelon season is nearing an end in multiple fields, but one disease continues to persist. Growers in the region still need to be wary of powdery mildew disease. Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said in his weekly email that if growers have a couple of harvest weeks left, they …
Tasty Treat: Exceptional Quality Expected for Watermelons This Year
By Clint Thompson Ideal weather conditions contributed to “exceptional” quality of this year’s watermelon crop. That’s the expectation of two industry experts. “I think the quality this year has been outstanding,” said Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “Some of that is due to the climatic conditions. We had a lot of real, clear, bright …
Climate Change: UF Using Grant to Study Impact on Seed Development
Challenges are not uncommon for vegetable and specialty crop producers. Rising imports and high input costs are just a couple. But what about climate change? “The environment has a huge impact on plant health and reproduction,” said Alfred Huo, UF/IFAS assistant professor of plant breeding. “Plants respond to environmental cues, like temperature, to flower and reproduce in an adaptive manner. …
Nutsedge Management Key for Florida Vegetable Growers
By Clint Thompson Nutsedge may not be the most problematic weed Florida vegetable and specialty crop producers encounter every year, but it is a problem. Nutsedge is most concerning because it is the only weed to puncture through plastic mulch, says Nathan Boyd, University of Florida Associate Center Director and Associate Professor of Horticulture/Weed Science at the Gulf Coast Research …
AI: UF Research Focused on Helping Strawberry Producers With Weed Control
BALM, Fla. — The future of farming is being researched today with artificial intelligence (AI). University of Florida scientists Nathan Boyd and Arnold Schumann hope to help growers in the strawberry industry, a $300 million-a-year sector in Florida, with weed control. They want to reduce the amount of herbicide spray strawberry growers use during the season. That saves farmers money …
Soil Tests Essential for Upcoming Season
By Clint Thompson A proper soil test can better prepare growers for the upcoming planting season. It should be done well in advance, says Eric Simonne, University of Florida/IFAS Northeast Extension District Director. “Ahead of the planting season is always the right time to do soil testing. You want to do that ahead of time enough so that if they …
Disease Alert: Cucurbit Growers Be Mindful of Powdery Mildew
By Clint Thompson Not all plant diseases need moisture to become problematic. Some cucurbit farmers in Georgia are finding that out with powdery mildew. The extended dry period in Georgia has allowed powdery mildew to flourish. Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension plant pathologist, said there is a moderate level of concern among producers, though there are effective fungicides …
Future of Fumigation: Is the End in Sight?
By Clint Thompson One of the most efficient ways to control nematodes is through fumigation. Ten years from now, that may not be the case, though, believes Johan Desaeger, UF/IFAS Assistant Professor of Entomology and Nematology. “I think the fumigants, although they’re still the standard, I don’t think 10 years from now there’s going to be that much fumigation left. …