The prolonged drought that persists across the Southeast is intensifying and expanding in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Most of Florida’s dry conditions remain in the southern part of the state. Most of the prolonged drought conditions are now moderately dry with some severely dry conditions in Glades and Palm Beach counties. …
Options Available for Management of Gummy Stem Blight
Gummy stem blight disease pressure has been light so far this season in North Florida watermelons. That trend may soon be changing, however. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, confirmed this week that gummy stem blight disease is beginning to become a problem for Florida watermelons. …
Lack of Neopestalotiopsis a Blessing for Producers
By Clint Thompson A drier year meant a good production season for Florida strawberries regarding a lack of diseases. A state known for its high-quality strawberry crop was ravaged in prior seasons because of neopestalotiopsis fruit rot disease. But rainy seasons exacerbated the problem. This year’s dry weather led to minimal disease impact, said Vance Whitaker, University of Florida Institute …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Midlands Justin Ballew reports, “Last week was cooler and felt like spring again, but that seems to be gone now. We got a little rain late last week (0.4 inches on our weather station in Lexington), though …
Compost and Cover Crops Improve Soil Health in Citrus
By Tacy Callies Citrus grower Sonny Conner recently hosted a group from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for what he called his “Clint Eastwood tour of the good, the bad and the ugly.” While some of his trees are too far gone from citrus greening (the bad and the ugly) to be resuscitated, many more …
Potassium’s Importance in Potatoes
By Clint Thompson Lakesh Sharma, assistant professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Department of Soil, Water and Ecosystem Sciences, cannot stress enough potassium’s importance in potato production. That’s why he is concerned about the current conflict in the Ukraine and its potential impact on the essential nutrient’s availability in the future. “Potassium is not …
Florida Growers Consider Bamboo Potential
An event in Lake Placid, Florida, on the potential of bamboo as an alternative commercial crop drew a large turnout of growers. Citrus growers, in particular, are interested in crops that could go on marginal grove land until a more viable solution to HLB comes along. Bamboo might fill that need, according to Phillip Rucks, owner of Phillip Rucks Citrus Nursery. …
Watermelon Production: Preventative Sprays Needed for Rindworms
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers should be applying insecticides on a preventative basis when targeting rindworms. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, advises growers that an economical program consists of adding a Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray now and continue weekly until pest pressure gets …
Drought Worsening Across Southeast
Drought conditions are worsening and expanding in areas across the Southeast, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The worst conditions in Florida reside in the southern region of the state. From Hillsborough, Polk and Osceola counties to as far south as Broward and Miami-Dade counties, the areas are either in an abnormal drought or moderate drought. Parts …
Disease Update for North Florida Watermelons
By Clint Thompson Downy mildew disease has yet to make an appearance in North Florida watermelons this year. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, hopes it remains that way. “We’re keeping a really close eye on (downy) because that’s the next one that if we don’t …