By Breanna Kendrick With the heavy rains during the 2018 watermelon season, Georgia growers in the Colquitt County area have seen an increase in gummy stem blight in their melons. Jenna Kicklighter, a University of Georgia vegetable agent in Colquitt County, spoke with many growers this year about their season. “Gummy stem blight is the number-one disease growers had the …
Organic Watermelon Research in Georgia
By Jaci Schreckengost University of Georgia (UGA) researchers are examining different aspects of organic watermelon production to help give growers the best season possible in 2018. George Boyhan, professor and Extension vegetable specialist at UGA, said that aspects of organic watermelon production, such as breeding and spacing, are being studied. Having data on these subjects can help researchers give growers …
Watermelon Disease Watch
Florida watermelon growers are constantly faced with the challenge of disease management. Whether it’s diseases vectored by whiteflies or fungal diseases such as fusarium wilt, once a crop is infected, the results can be detrimental. Nicholas Dufault, assistant professor of plant pathology and Extension specialist at the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville, has been studying ways growers can manage …
Grafting Program Focuses on Tomatoes, Watermelon
The grafting program at the University of Florida (UF) was formed nearly a decade ago, but one of the main goals of the program continues today. Josh Freeman, associate professor of horticulture at UF, said the grafting program was originally started to manage bacterial wilt in tomato crops. Today, the goal has slightly changed to managing fusarium wilt of watermelon …
‘I Would Never Bet Against Downy’: UF/IFAS Agent Cautions Melon Growers Against Disease
By Clint Thompson An extended dry period this year led to little disease buildup in North Florida watermelons this production season. One disease has been noticeably absent this year, and that’s downy mildew. “The past few years, we have had downy mildew a lot earlier than this. So, we’re pleasantly surprised that we have not had any reports of it …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Lowcountry Report Anna Sara Hill Zack Snipes Midlands Report Rob Last Daniel Lyon Pee Dee Report Brad Fowler Upstate Report Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds …
Rep. Austin Scott Leads House Letter Urging Action on Mexican Specialty Crop Imports
Washington, D.C— U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) led a bipartisan group of 79 members of the U.S. House of Representatives in sending a letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer this week to emphasize the importance of fair trade measures for the U.S. specialty crop industry. “America’s growers and producers are the best in the world. Current …
NWA Executive Director Advocates for H-2A Improvements
By Clint Thompson Amid current delays in the H-2A system, one agricultural leader expressed his feelings about the program and its impact on his specific sector. George Szczepanski, executive director of the National Watermelon Association (NWA), discussed the program in an interview with AgNet Media. He described it as a “necessary evil.” “I will say the program itself has a …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Producers Seek USMCA Improvements
By Frank Giles When the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) went into effect in July 2020, specialty crop growers in the Southeast were disappointed the replacement of the North American Free Trade Agreement did little to protect their domestic interests and markets. When the agreement was crafted, it included a provision that the USMCA would undergo a joint review to assess …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates in Region
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Lowcountry Report Anna Sara Hill Zack Snipes Midlands Report Sarah Scott Upstate Report Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn …