By Clint Thompson Recent rainfall events in North Florida have watermelon producers on high alert from disease pressure building up. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, cautions growers against downy mildew disease as harvests continue across the region. “I expect that the weather pattern here is …
Cucurbit Downy Mildew Found in South Carolina
First it was Florida. Then Georgia. Now South Carolina. Downy mildew disease has moved its way up the Southeast region. According to the South Carolina Grower, cucurbit downy mildew was identified in South Carolina on May 12. The identification came from butternut squash grown in a sentinel plot at the Coastal Research and Education Center in Charleston, South Carolina. Vegetable …
Downy Mildew Detected in Georgia Cucurbits
Downy mildew disease of cucurbits has been observed in Georgia, according to the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Vegetable Blog. The detection was made in a cucumber field in Brooks County last week. These observations indicate that the inoculum of downy mildew is currently in southern Georgia counties and are under favorable conditions for a potential outbreak. “I would suggest …
Powdery Mildew Discovered in North Florida Melons
Another week of watermelon production in Florida’s Suwanee Valley region, another confirmation of a potentially devastating disease. Fortunately, it appears that producers were ready for powdery mildew disease, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “It is confirmation, sort of like the downy mildew situation, where they’re …
In the Field: 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. Midlands Phillip Carnley Rob Last Upstate Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary 1, 2026Nuseed Carinata Covers New …
Powdery Mildew Confirmed in North Florida Melons
By Clint Thompson Another week of watermelon production in Florida’s Suwannee Valley region, another confirmation of a potentially devastating disease. Fortunately, it appears that producers were ready for powdery mildew disease, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “It is confirmation, sort of like the downy …
In the Field: 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. Statewide Tom Bilbo – Extension Vegetable Entomologist Coastal Region Rob Last Zack Snipes Midlands Rob Last Sarah Scott Pee Dee Bruce McLean Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds …
North Florida Melon Growers Should Be Wary of Bacterial Leaf Spot Disease
By Clint Thompson The recent cold, rainy and windy conditions present across the North Florida region were not ideal for the area’s watermelons. All were ideal for the development of bacterial leaf spot disease. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said producers should start adding a …
North Florida Melon Growers Should Be Wary of Bacterial Leaf Spot Disease
By Clint Thompson The recent cold, rainy and windy conditions present across the North Florida region were not ideal for the area’s watermelons. All were ideal for the development of bacterial leaf spot disease. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said producers should start adding a …
What’s Happening? 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. Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “I took what seemed like 100,000 calls, emails and texts last week about some odd symptoms on the older leaves of plants. The symptoms included interveinal chlorosis and what …