Florida’s potato and tomato growers should be on alert. Late blight disease has been discovered on potato in the Immokalee, Florida area. That is according to a report from Glades Crop Care. As a result, growers should scout susceptible crops and evaluate their fungicide programs if applications need to be made. Systemic products become distributed locally within plant tissues and …
Effects of Cold Weather on Herbicide Performance in Vegetable Production
By Ramdas Kanissery and Nathan Boyd Cold temperatures throughout Florida has vegetable growers concerned about the impact the weather is having on herbicide effectiveness. Low temperatures slow weed growth and affect the weed’s herbicide uptake, leading to ineffective weed control. Less of the herbicide reaches the target, providing a less successful weed control outcome. However, herbicide performance in response to …
Freeze Impact on Florida Peaches
By Clint Thompson Count Florida’s peaches among those crops impacted by the sub-freezing temperatures almost two weeks ago. The difference in the producers who protected their crop and those who did not was unmistakable, says Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “I can tell you that anybody north of central …
Florida Blueberry Management: February Points of Emphasis
Blueberry management in Florida in February is critical with harvest season just around the corner. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) reminds producers of various tips to keep in mind this month. From a disease standpoint, growers need to monitor for botrytis and control when need. Farmers also need to apply fungicides in rotation for control …
Asian Bean Thrip: What to Know for Snap Bean Growers
By Clint Thompson The emergence of the Asian bean thrip (ABT) is an added concern for specialty crop producers in the South Florida. While there are effective insecticides available, snap bean growers should still be wary of ABT, says Hugh Smith, an associate professor of entomology and nematology at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. “Asian bean thrips …
Botrytis Problem for a Florida Strawberry Grower
By Clint Thompson One Florida strawberry grower emerged relatively unscathed from last weekend’s freeze event. But now Dustin Grooms is coping with a new problem for his strawberry crop. “We did okay. We definitely did lose a little bit of bloom, not too bad. Some of the berries got bit a little bit on the ends, but not real bad,” …
Conduct Irrigation Maintenance Now
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers should conduct any maintenance of their irrigation systems now before the upcoming spring planting season begins. It’s better to deal with any potential problems now than mid-season, says Wes Porter, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension precision agriculture and irrigation specialist. “Some of our vegetable guys may be irrigating now with their fall and …
Aphid Update in South Florida
According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, aphid populations are starting to build up in certain areas. Respondents on the east coast report a few aphids are showing up in pepper and squash. Along the Everglades Agricultural Area, aphids are present in celery, cabbage and other crucifers, though pressure is light to moderate. Aphids are also present in …
Cold Weekend Helps with Pest Control
By Clint Thompson Sub-freezing temperatures this past weekend impacted specialty crop production across the Southeast. But they also helped producers with managing the pest populations, specifically whiteflies. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, discusses the significance that the cold temperatures had on the pest. “This is …
Freeze Impact: Void in Supply Chain Likely a Result
Clint Thompson Farming in South Florida usually provides the best frost protection. But not in 2022. The impact of last weekend’s sub-freezing temperatures on vegetables is likely to create a void in the supply chain, believes Wade Purvis, who farms in Immokalee, Florida and is part of the Farmers Alliance. The result could lead to an influx of imports from …