By Clint Thompson It is not quite time for grape producers to be wary of key diseases for the upcoming production season. But the time is coming, believes Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “We’re not as critical with disease management, though don’t discount, we need stuff on there for diseases. But the real critical phase …
Disease Management Options for North Florida Watermelons
By Clint Thompson While disease incidences have been minimal so far in North Florida watermelons, growers would be wise to plan accordingly, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Hochmuth said in his weekly email that only gummy stem blight has been observed in the Suwanee …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Emerging Pest Can Damage Wide Range of Crops
By Maegan Beatty The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has categorized Thrips parvispinus as a quarantine-significant pest. Thrips are small insects belonging to the order Thysanoptera. They are typically about 1 to 4 millimeters long and can vary in color from yellow to brown or black. Thrips are located across the world and are …
Specialty Crop Grower: Florida Report Looks at Land Conservation vs. Development Scenarios
By Maegan Beatty Competition for farmland has historically been a challenge. In places like Florida, this is especially acute as an influx of new residents puts pressure on available land for development. And in the push for green energy, green spaces are filling with huge solar farms. The University of Florida (UF) Center for Landscape Conservation Planning provides the Agriculture …
Staying on Top of Nematodes in Vegetables
By Frank Giles Nematodes can be a hidden yield robber. The soilborne pests can pack a pretty powerful punch despite their puny size. Nematodes have been problematic in Southeast vegetable crops for many years. Their management was complicated by the phaseout of methyl bromide. In 2018, the University of Georgia surveyed fields in 30 Georgia counties to measure the pest. …
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Thrips Pressure Increasing
Thrips pressure is intensifying across certain areas of southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Populations are increasing across pepper fields from low to high levels in Southwest Florida. Some reports have indicated moderate to high levels of Florida flower thrips. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) commercial vegetable Extension agent Anna …
Few Abnormally Dry Areas in Southeast
Rainfall is plentiful in most areas across the Southeast. But in one spot, rain is starting to lack, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. While most of Alabama has sufficient moisture, areas in Mobile and Baldwin counties in the southern part of the state near the Gulf of Mexico are abnormally dry. Both dry spots are concentrated to the central …
North Florida Melons Setting Fruit
By Clint Thompson The earliest planted watermelons in North Florida are already setting fruit. That is what happens when plantings start in mid-to-late February, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “The earliest planted ones, the ones that were planted the third week in February, those …
Pecan Water Needs: Extension Specialist Highlights Irrigation During UGA School
By Clint Thompson One of the most significant investments a pecan producer can make with their crop is with irrigation. If a grower cannot water their trees regularly, especially during times of the season when the trees need it the most, they will not be able to capitalize with high yields. It is a message that Lenny Wells, University of …
Under Attack: Strawberry Diseases Impacting Georgia Crop
By Clint Thompson Disease development is normally synonymous with wet weather. It is no different with Georgia’s strawberry crop, which is under assault from multiple diseases. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, highlighted some of those diseases that Georgia growers are already observing. “The thing that we’re seeing already is this neopestalotiopsis. We’re just trying to …


















