By Clint Thompson The time in between production seasons provides Florida vegetable producers a chance to manage nematodes. While cover crops improve the soil quality and health in preparation for the upcoming growing season, they can also help reduce nematode reproduction; if growers implement cover crops that are poor hosts. “It’s basically got to be a decision a grower makes …
Cover Crops Beneficial for Vegetable Producers in South Florida
By Clint Thompson A break in between vegetable production seasons means fallow land for much of South Florida. It doesn’t have to be that way, however. University of Florida/IFAS continues to advocate the use of cover crops, though it’s not a management tactic practiced by many South Florida producers. “Those that do it seem to swear by it and continue …
Pandemic Cover Crop Program Deadline is June 15
By Clint Thompson Vegetable and specialty crop producers who utilize cover crops have until Tuesday, June 15 to sign up for the Pandemic Cover Crop Program. The implementation of cover crops requires a long-term investment from the producer. The COVID-19 pandemic provided economic challenges for growers to maintain those cover crop systems. The Pandemic Cover Crop Program, which is offered …
Sneak Peek: June 2021 VSCNews Magazine
By Ashley Robinson The June issue of VSCNews Magazine will be your go-to guide for crop health. Carrots are target of plant-parasitic nematodes. The hidden enemy can create serious issues and limit carrot production in the United States. Abolfazl Hajihassani, assistant professor of nematology at the University of Georgia (UGA) in Tifton, shares the latest tips to control nematodes in …
Nematode Issue: Pest Still a Problem for Vegetable, Specialty Crop Producers
By Clint Thompson Nematodes were not any less of a problem this year for Florida producers. But they weren’t any worse, either, said Johan Desaeger, Assistant Professor of Entomology and Nematology at the UF Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. “They’re always bad in Florida. But if they were worse this year or not, it’s hard to tell. When I …
Ant Control: Alabama Extension Encourages Farmers to Protect Crop
Vegetable crops are vulnerable to ant pressure this time of year. Alabama Extension encourages vegetable producers to implement management tactics as they begin planting this year’s crops. According to Alabama Extension, fire ants can protect aphids and other honeydew producers on vegetables, which makes their effects worse on the plants. Fire ants can also interfere with natural enemies. Ultimately, though, …
Nematodes: Hidden Enemies of Asian Vegetable Growers in Florida
By Mengyi Gu, Hung Xuan Bui and Johan Desaeger If you happen to travel around Wimauma, Florida, you will see many plastic tunnels and may wonder what they are. Asian farmers (mostly Vietnamese) are using those plastic tunnels to grow a wide variety of specialty Asian vegetable crops. There is a high demand for these vegetables from northern cities such …
Choosing Cover Crops for Nematode Management
By Johan Desaeger Cover crops are one of the more practical options for nematode management as their use is already common practice for many growers. The subtropical climate in Florida and the southeastern United States allows growers to plant crops year-round, and cover crops have been an important component of Florida’s agro-ecosystems since its early days of agriculture. Until the …
Green Point Research Cannabis Center of Excellence Hosts Ribbon-Cutting
JASPER, Fla. — Green Point Research, an international phytocannabinoid-rich biomass originator and processor, celebrated the official opening of its Hamilton County headquarters and 32-acre Cannabis Center of Excellence (CCoE) with a ribbon-cutting event held in partnership with Hamilton County Board of Commissioners and Hamilton County Economic Development Authority (EDA), and North Florida Economic Development Partnership. The event came just several …
Managing Root-Knot Nematodes in Vegetables
By Johan Desaeger Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are one of the most rapidly spreading of all pests and pathogens. The southeastern United States (Florida, in particular) is a paradise for these parasites. Nematodes cause damage to vegetables all over the world, and anyone who has had to deal with root-knot nematodes knows how difficult they are to control. Root-knot nematode …