By Clint Thompson Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot in Florida strawberries is inevitable this year, based on previous years of production. But because symptoms manifest themselves similarly to other diseases, growers need to make sure the disease is actually present in their fields before taking action. Vance Whitaker, strawberry breeder at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, encourages …
Clemson Extension Agents: Cooler Temps Greet South Carolina Growers
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 Region Zack Snipes reports, “It feels like winter showed up this past week with cold, windy, gloomy days. Most, if not all of our strawberries have been planted. With the cool weather showing up and our later …
Cover Crops Provide Plethora of Benefits
By Clint Thompson Cover crops are widely used in Florida strawberries, not as much so in vegetable production, however. Johan Desaeger, Assistant Professor of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida (UF) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, would like to see that changed. “I think it’s something that would benefit a lot of crops here in Florida. Our …
Spotlight: Strawberry Season is Coming and so Are Nematodes
By Johan Desaeger Florida strawberry season is right around the corner, and nematodes are lying in wait. Sting Nematode Belonolaimus longicaudatus (literally “long-tailed arrow-like plague”), or simply sting nematode, is one of the most dreaded pests for Florida strawberry growers. If not managed, it can cause severe plant stunting and up to 100% yield loss (Figure 1). Sting nematodes are …
Additional Fungicides Available for Strawberry Disease
Additional fungicides are available for management of Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot disease in strawberries. According to University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Strawberry Blog, Rhyme and Tilt, which are DMI fungicides, provide some suppression of the disease. It is not as much as Thiram and Switch but it’s better than nothing. “If the disease is confirmed, I would consider adding one or …
Spotlight: Arthropod Pest Management in Conventional Strawberry Production
By Sriyanka Lahiri Thrips Crop rescue through a well-planned pesticide rotation program currently remains the most effective method of pest management in conventionally grown strawberries. However, close monitoring for pests should be conducted as the first line of defense, especially since most strawberry pests are not visible through unaided vision. Flower thrips immatures and adults can feed on the fruit …
Early Start: Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot Discovered in Georgia Field
By Clint Thompson It didn’t take long for Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot to rear its ugly head in Georgia strawberries. According to the UGA Extension strawberry blog, a Georgia strawberry field is confirmed to have the disease. Symptoms and presumptive spores of the pathogen have been observed. The infected plants were obtained from a nursery in Canada. Plants …
Sneak Peek: November 2021 VSCNews Magazine
By Clint Thompson The November issue of VSCNews Magazine highlights the upcoming Florida Ag Expo, which will be held on Nov. 18 at the University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida. The Expo’s return is highly anticipated following last year’s cancellation due to COVID-19. The magazine outlines …
S.C. Producer Named Southeastern Farmer of the Year
South Carolina fruit and vegetable producer Robert “Bob” Martin Hall was named the Swisher/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year on Tuesday during the 43rd annual Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. Hall, from York, South Carolina, is in his 42nd year of farming. He produces strawberries, peaches, cantaloupes, melons, blackberries, blueberries, sweet corn, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, squash, …
Letter to President: Action Needed Now Against ‘Unfair’ Imports
The message is clear: Action is needed immediately against “unfair” imports. Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, along with more than half of Florida’s congressional delegation, pleaded with President Joe Biden in a letter addressed on Oct. 6 that the “long-standing threats posed to our security by unfairly-priced and high-volume imports are as grave as ever and deserve your …