By Clint Thompson The August issue of VSCNews Magazine provides an in-depth preview of the upcoming Citrus, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo, scheduled for Aug. 18-19 in North Fort Myers, Florida. The magazine provides a schedule of events for the citrus and vegetable and specialty crop sessions. It also provides an exhibitor directory and map so attendees will know which …
Results from Vegetable Chemical Use Survey
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released the results of its 2020 Agricultural Chemical Use Survey of vegetable producers across the country. The data relates to pesticide use and pest management practices on 22 different vegetable crops. Producers in 18 states participated in the survey, which included eight-focused crops in Florida and eight in Georgia. The pesticide …
Wet Summer to Impact Fall Crops
By Clint Thompson Persistent rainfall in summer and early fall may favor conditions for foliar and soil-borne diseases in vegetable crops, particularly those that are caused by water molds or oomycetes, says Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable plant pathologist. “Saturated soils can promote damping off, seedling blight and root rot in transplanted vegetables, especially in low lying …
Elsa Effects: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Following Tropical Storm
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update/7-12-21 Coastal Rob Last reports, “Crops are generally coming to market with good quality from cucurbits through corn, tomatoes and peppers. Be on your guard for foliar diseases, given the temperatures and humidity. There are …
San Jose Scale: Manage Peach Pest Now
By Clint Thompson A persistent pest of peaches is expected to once again be a nuisance. This summer provides a couple of ideal targeting periods for growers to manage San Jose Scale. Producers should try to target the San Jose Scale crawlers now and then again in late July to early August. They are the most vulnerable during these time …
Managing Whitefly-Transmitted Viruses in Georgia
By Bhabesh Dutta and Rajagopalbabu Srinivasan The silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), also known as sweetpotato whitefly, is a pest of several horticultural and agronomic crops in southern Georgia. While direct feeding can injure plants and lead to problems such as silvering of leaves, deposition of honeydew and formation of sooty mold, whiteflies also can transmit numerous devastating plant viruses. Transmission …
Wet Weather Could Lead to Disease Issues in South Carolina
By Clint Thompson Increased rainfall the past couple of weeks in South Carolina means more potential for disease development in crops that are just getting ready for harvest. That is a concern for growers, says Clemson Extension agent Zack Snipes. “We got a bunch (of rain) here in Charleston for sure. We got a bunch the previous week, too. It’s …
Crops Update: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates Across State
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Rob Last reports, “As we mentioned last week, cucurbit downy mildew has been confirmed in cucumber crops locally. All cucurbit growers should be applying downy-mildew specific fungicides, such as Ranman tank mixed with either chlorothalonil …
SWD Impact: Management Key in Controlling Blueberry Pest
According to the University of Georgia Extension Integrated Pest Management blog, a statewide survey of the spotted wing drosophila (SWD), an invasive and costly pest of blueberries, is underway in Georgia. Its purpose is to confirm reports and to develop a distribution map throughout the state. SWD was first found in Georgia in 2010 and can cause up to 20% …
Beneficial Insects Another Tool in Toolbox for Citrus Producers
By Clint Thompson Beneficial insects could be a citrus producer’s best friend. In a time when farmers are applying insecticides to control Asian citrus psyllids, the vector of citrus greening disease, it’s important to preserve the psyllid’s natural enemies, like lady beetles and lacewings. Jawwad Qureshi, University of Florida Assistant Professor in Entomology, implores growers to scout their groves periodically …