By: Ashley Robinson The July issue of VSCNews magazine focuses on a variety of topics, including machine harvesting of blueberries, strawberry pests and diseases and technology for vegetable production. Blueberry growers and packers are adopting the latest innovations and technology to reduce harvesting costs and put less reliance on contract laborers. Fumiomi Takeda, a research horticulturalist with the United States …
Bacterial Spot Leaving Mark in Tomato Crops
By Clint Thompson Bacterial spot in tomatoes has been observed in various locations in Alabama, according to Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University. He believes the excess rainfall and abnormal temperatures contributed to the disease being more problematic this year. “I think this year with the moisture we’ve …
Rapid and Sensitive Method for Detection of Phytophthora Capsici in Irrigation Water Sources
Emran Ali, Owen Hudson, Justin Hand, and Sumyya Waliullah Georgia ranks among the top three states in the nation in vegetable production. One of the most serious diseases in vegetable production in Georgia is Phytophthora blight, caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora capsici. It is a water mold that attacks the roots, foliage, and fruit, causing root rot, crown rot, …
CFAP Payments Already Being Issued
By Clint Thompson Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments are already starting to be issued across the country to farmers impacted by COVID-19. Some specialty crop growers in the Southeast have already started receiving funds. As of June 8, in Florida, 95 specialty crop applications have been submitted with $11.5 million in payments issued by the USDA. In Georgia, 91 …
Chinese Citrus Imports a Sour Pill for Florida Growers
With tensions high during the coronavirus crisis, move to allow fruit into U.S. raises alarm. See what some are saying about it.
Pepper Weevils a Problem for Vegetable Growers Again
By Clint Thompson Pepper weevils are once again a problem for pepper growers in the Southeast. Weevils are a problem wherever present, whether it is in high populations or low populations. “Anytime you have pepper weevil it’s a problem and in very low populations because of the contamination. High populations can cause fruit abscission. It can hurt your yields considerably. …
UGA Extension helps Georgia Grown connect to consumers
By Maria M. Lameiras for UGA CAES News Like the moments before a race begins, dozens of staff with Georgia Grown and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension prepared to load thousands of pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables into hundreds of waiting cars and trucks stretched out in long lines at the Gwinnett Georgia Grown To Go event in Lawrenceville, …
Sweet Grown Alabama Connects Growers to Consumers
By Clint Thompson Alabama fruit and vegetable farmers have an outlet to market their produce statewide. Thanks to Sweet Grown Alabama, a non-profit foundation that connects farmers in the state to retailers and consumers, growers can market their produce anywhere in the state. “This database launch is the culmination of many months of work,” said Ellie Watson, Sweet Grown Alabama …
Pepper Weevils Out of Control in Florida Vegetable Fields
By Clint Thompson Florida produce growers need to be wary of the pepper weevil, which is running rampant in the state’s vegetable fields. According to the South Florida Vegetable Pest and Disease Hotline, pepper weevils are out of control on the East Coast in Florida vegetable fields. Growers are also seeing damage increasing in eggplant. Damage is so extreme in …
Frost and Freeze Protection for Vegetable Crops
Written By Chris Gunter, N.C. State Extension Vegetable Production Specialist Weather predictions for this weekend include clear skies with minimal or calm winds, which are conducive to cold temperatures and could lead to freeze or frost conditions in North Carolina. On Sunday morning, May 10, low temperatures are predicted to drop into the 30s with some temperatures possibly below freezing …