By Alison DeLoach Plant geneticists are always searching for ways to improve fruit quality. Â At the recent North American Strawberry Growers Symposium Conference in Orlando, Florida, Kim Lewers, plant geneticist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, presented her research and the methods she uses to breed strawberries. Lewers discussed in detail how she breeds for certain traits, such as disease …
It Could Be Lights Out for Some Diseases and Pests in Strawberries
Natalia Peres envisions a day when light from a machine that resembles a spacecraft helps prevent powdery mildew from causing much damage to strawberries. Peres, a professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, works with a global group of scientists studying how to use ultraviolet light to suppress plant pathogens. Powdery mildew …
Florida Strawberries Face Devastation with No Protection from Unfair Trade
WASHINGTON D.C. — The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) fails to provide effective near-term relief measures for Southeast fruit and vegetable producers. Florida is the nation’s largest producer of fresh strawberries during the winter months; however, central Mexico’s strawberry production increased fivefold from 2000 to 2017. “This exponential increase presents a clear and present danger to the sustainability of the Florida strawberry …
Managing Spider Mites in Florida Strawberries
As two-spotted spider mites continue to be a serious issue in Florida strawberry fields, Justin Renkema, former assistant professor at the University of Florida, has been working with his colleagues to figure out where these spider mites come from and how best to manage them. He has conducted spider mite research over the past two strawberry seasons. Renkema presented his …
Florida Tomatoes and Strawberries Feel the Heat from Mexican Imports
Florida tomatoes and strawberries have been facing heavy competition from Mexican imports for the past 10 to 15 years. Zhengfei Guan, an agricultural economist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, says the imports of strawberries from Mexico have increased fourfold, and it is a similar story for fresh tomato …
Foliar Nematodes in Florida Strawberries
A nematode thought to be new in Florida was found recently on strawberry crops. The foliar nematode is one area of research at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, said Johan Desaeger, assistant professor of entomology and nematology. After some research, Desaeger found this nematode is not new …
Southeast Alabama Strawberry Producers ‘Cautiously Optimistic’
By Clint Thompson Strawberries are nearing harvest season in Southeast Alabama. Neil Kelly, Alabama regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama, provided an update on the current season and what growers are doing now in preparations for harvest time. “What we’re trying to do right now is stick all of our blooms from this point forward. We start at the middle …
Sneak Peek: March 2026 Specialty Crop Grower Magazine
In this month’s sneak peek, the March issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights the recent deep freeze event in January and February that devastated various fruits and vegetables in Florida. Freezing temperatures caused significant damage to specialty crops across the state. Those crops included citrus, blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, green beans and watermelons. Florida Ag Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced preliminary …
Research Critical for Alabama’s Strawberry Industry
By Clint Thompson Strawberry research continues to be a focus at Auburn University. It needs to be for Alabama growers to have a viable future. Sushan Ru, assistant professor in horticulture at Auburn University, hopes to provide her growers with strong alternative varieties. She updated growers about her research during the recent Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Conference …
Estimate Puts Florida Freeze Damage at More Than $3 Billion
As growers surveyed fields and groves after the freeze in late January and early February, it was clear the damage had been catastrophic in many cases. That was confirmed by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson with the first estimate of damage released on Feb 20. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) preliminary estimates of losses to Florida …