By Clint Thompson Vegetable and specialty crop producers are bracing for a potential tropical storm this weekend as Tropical Storm Fred churns towards the Gulf of Mexico. As University of Florida/IFAS Associate Professor in Horticultural Science Josh Freeman says, “ It’s part of doing business,” in Florida this time of year. “I think depending on where the track goes, it’s …
Conditions Ripe for Leaf Scorching in Pecans
Two types of leaf scorching are impacting Georgia pecan trees during these hot summer days. According to the University of Georgia Extension pecan blog, young trees are suffering leaf scorching related to heat stress. While there are various components that cause leaf scorch, the main problem is that a factor is affecting the root or vascular system. Lateral roots and …
A Look at What’s in the Citrus Breeding Project Pipeline
Proposed research endeavors will mine the rich varietal pool established in recent years.
Optimistic Outlook: Sunnier Days Ahead for North Alabama Produce
By Clint Thompson The calm after the storm seems to have hit north Alabama. In a summer highlighted by persistent rains, the north Alabama region has experienced sunnier days recently. It has Doug Chapman, Alabama Extension agent for Commercial Horticulture in North Alabama, optimistic for what remains for his farmers’ vegetable and specialty crops. “It rained on the first of …
Dry Conditions Remain Minimal Across Southeast Region
Dry conditions continue to be virtually non-existent across the Southeast. Due to persistent rains this summer, the majority of the Southeast region has sufficient moisture, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. There are abnormally dry conditions in Florida, Georgia or Alabama. A small portion of Greenville County and Spartanburg County in South Carolina is abnormally dry. A …
Lack of Consistency: Fumigation Erratic in Control of Weeds
By Clint Thompson Florida vegetable producers hoping to control weeds with just fumigation need to be mindful of its erratic effectiveness, says Ramdas Kanissery, a weed scientist at the University of Florida/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. “The thing with fumigation, what we have observed, there will be good effects on nematode suppression, but when it comes to weed …
Senator Warnock Cosponsors Legislation to Provide Financial Relief to Small Farmers
From the Office of Senator Warnock Washington, D.C. – Last week at the Senate agriculture committee, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) emphasized the importance of Congress supporting small farmers, including passing the Relief for America’s Small Farmers Act — legislation cosponsored by Senator Warnock that will support America’s small farmers through financial relief to mitigate losses suffered due to chain disruptions …
Protecting Peppers from Bacterial Spot
By Pamela Roberts and Cami Esmel McAvoy Bell and specialty peppers, such as jalapeños, are grown throughout the United States and worldwide for the fresh market or processing. Bacterial spot, caused by three different species of Xanthomonas, is a major disease affecting all pepper types. The most commonly occurring species in the United States and Florida is Xanthomonas euvesicatoria. The …
Sanitation Key for Whitefly Management in Tomatoes
By Clint Thompson Planting season is under way for Florida’s tomato producers. Hopefully, farmers have done their due diligence and planned for whiteflies with proper sanitation of previous crops. That is one of the best management tactics growers can implement, says Hugh Smith, Associate Professor of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. …
Alabama Producers Be Wary of Pickleworms
According to the Alabama Vegetable IPM Facebook page, producers need to be wary of pickleworms on squash and cucumbers. This is especially essential for growers with the late-planted crop. Alabama Extension describes pickleworms as large moths with semi-transparent yellowish wings and dark wing borders. Male and female moths have tufts of hair at the end of their dark abdomen. Moths …