According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, few spider mite hotspots remain around Homestead, Florida. Broad mites continue to stay active in the area as well. A similar scenario is being reported in the southwest part of the state, too. Spider mites are showing up in various locations on cucurbits, tomatoes and eggplants. Broad mites have flared up …
Cucurbit Downy Mildew: Disease Flares up in South Florida Area
Downy mildew disease remains a major problem for Florida’s cucurbit farmers, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. The disease has flared up drastically over the past couple of weeks in multiple cucumber fields. It is still active in squash and cucumbers in the southwest Florida area. Incidence and severity range from low to moderate. It is also …
Fertigation Systems Efficient and Accurate – If Used Properly
By Clint Thompson Multiple factors impact the efficiency of a fertigation system in watermelons. Mark Warren, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension agent in Levy County, stresses the importance of being more efficient with your resources, especially when nutrients are expensive and in limited supply. “I think it’s tough to put an accurate economic dollar on …
Heat Management Strategies for Tomatoes in High Tunnels
By Juan Carlos Diaz-Perez, Sudeep Bag and Tim Coolong Protected agriculture technologies such as high tunnels (HT) are increasing in popularity in the United States, particularly with small and organic growers. High tunnels, also known as hoop houses, typically have a pipe framework covered by a single-layer plastic film (4 or 6 mil thickness). In contrast to greenhouses, high tunnels …
Adult Whitefly Populations Increasing Across South Florida Vegetables
According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, whitefly numbers remain low in most crops for this time of the season. But according to growers and scouts, adult populations have increased in multiple places, and nymphs are being observed in older tomato, eggplant and watermelon. The spikes seen in some melon fields have led to cucurbit viruses. Populations will …
Analyzing Anthracnose: Cucurbit Disease a Major Issue for Growers
By Clint Thompson One disease that Southeast cucurbit producers need to have on their radar this upcoming season is anthracnose. It is rapidly becoming a major issue for growers, says Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable plant pathologist. “It’s now a major problem after Pcap (phytophthora capsici). It has been an emerging issue in our cucurbits including …
Words of Advice: Sanitation Important in Limiting Pests, Diseases
By Clint Thompson Proper sanitation of fields will reduce insect infestations and disease pressure. That’s the message Ayanava Majumdar, Extension Professor in Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University, wants Alabama producers to understand as they transition from one season to the next. “The first thing for any grower or any crop is making sure farmers have cleaned up the …
Hops on Display: See a Unique Crop at Florida Ag Expo
By Clint Thompson Hops research, seven years in the making at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma, Florida, will be on display at Florida Ag Expo on Nov. 18. Jack Rechcigl, GCREC center director, said one of the highlights of the Expo will be the hops …
Up Close and Personal: UF/IFAS Research Highlights Florida Ag Expo
By Clint Thompson The Florida Ag Expo is less than three weeks away for interested vegetable and specialty crop growers. While most agricultural events are held away from research farms, the allure of the Florida Ag Expo is that it is held at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center …
Organic Corner: Do’s and Don’ts of Using Hubbard Squash Trap Crop
By Ayanava Majumdar, Olivia Fuller, David Lawrence and Jacob Kelley Have you faced the full onslaught of squash bugs and been frustrated with dead squash plants? Have you battled cucumber beetles and squash vine borers on your farm? If you answered “yes” to one of these questions and are looking for sustainable integrated pest management practices, then it is time …