fungi

UF/IFAS Researchers May Use Fungi to Control Deadly Crop Disease

Web AdminFruit, Industry News Release, Research, Strawberry, Tomatoes, Vegetables, Watermelon

A group of fungi might fight a disease that’s dangerous to tomatoes and specialty crops. University of Florida scientists hope to develop this biological strategy as they add to growers’ tools to help control Fusarium wilt. Tomatoes are the number one vegetable crop in Florida. In 2017, approximately 28,000 acres of tomatoes were commercially harvested, with a production value of …

georgia blueberry

Georgia Blueberry Growers Suffer Second Consecutive Year of Loss

Web AdminBerries, Industry News Release

Commissioner Gary W. Black hosted a conference call to connect Georgia blueberry growers and agricultural industry representatives with U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Bill Northey to discuss recent loss assessments for the 2018 blueberry crop. According to University of Georgia Extension, overall losses of both highbush and rabbiteye varieties could exceed 60 percent. This would mark the second consecutive …

UF/IFAS Researcher Hopes to Breed, Grow Nutritious Pumpkins in Florida

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Research, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Pumpkins and their seeds are good for you. For example, the flesh of the fruit is a good source of many vitamins and fiber, and its seeds provide unsaturated fats that help reduce cholesterol, among their other health benefits. The pumpkin’s nutrient values are driving Geoffrey Meru, a fruit …

National Strawberry Day Brings Attention to UF/IFAS Varieties

Web AdminBerries, Industry News Release, Strawberry, Top Posts

Vance Whitaker toils day and night to develop the tastiest, best-looking, aromatic strawberries a consumer would want. Yummy enough for a nutritious snack or to help flavor a cake or pie just in time for National Strawberry Day on Feb. 27. Whitaker, an associate professor of horticultural sciences at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), …

Taste Test Shows Luffa’s Potential

Web AdminResearch, Top Posts

This emerging Asian vegetable is one to watch in Florida. By Yucong Xie, Guodong Liu, Bala Rathinasabapathi and Muhammad A. Shahid Luffa is a genus of tropical and subtropical plants in the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae). Native to Asia, particularly in China and Vietnam, luffa is cultivated for its immature fruit, which is consumed as a cooked vegetable (Figure 1). Mature …

Commissioner Simpson Extends Deadline for Producers to Apply for Over $600 Million in Hurricane Disaster Relief

Clint ThompsonFlorida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced an extension on Thursday for Florida’s agricultural producers to apply for more than $600 million in disaster assistance for impacts from the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons. Florida producers now have until January 1, 2027, to apply for the Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief Program. Eligible agricultural producers can apply for …

Ag Issues Summit: Georgia Legislative Leaders Meet for Joint Study of Generational Sustainability of Family Farms

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Members of Georgia’s Senate and House of Representatives met on Thursday for the Joint Ag Issues Summit in Perry, Georgia. The summit also served as the inaugural meeting of the Joint Study Committee on the Generational Sustainability of Family Farms with future meetings scheduled for Rome, Douglas and Athens. Senator Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell), chairman of the Senate …

Expo Presentation: Fungicide Rotation Key In Mitigating Powdery Mildew Disease

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Powdery mildew is one of the most problematic diseases that Florida cucurbit farmers must overcome every season. However, fungicides are available that help mitigate the disease’s impact. Amanda McVay, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) graduate student, discussed those fungicide options at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo on Aug. 13 in …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Webinar Series Features Cucurbit Viruses and Management

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Frank Giles Whiteflies, aphids and other pests continue to be significant problems in Southeastern vegetable production. Recently, the Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group hosted a series of webinars addressing several important viruses pests may carry. The group’s mission is to improve communication and knowledge about viruses across the cucurbit industry and develop strategies to successfully identify and mitigate …

Drought Monitor Update Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonFlorida

The Aug. 13 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor provided updated drought conditions across Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Florida Florida’s dry conditions range anywhere from extreme drought to abnormal drought. Extreme drought in North Florida includes all or parts of Gilchrist, Suwanee, Columbia, Union, Bradford, Clay, Putnam and Alachua counties. Extreme drought down the west coast includes all or parts …