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 …
Weekly Updates: Clemson Extension Agents Discuss Various Crops
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, “We had a nice week of weather last week and are getting some rain this morning (10/25). Strawberry plants are arriving, and growers will be busy putting in plants this week. …
Whitefly Infestations Vary Across Florida
Whiteflies remain sporadic in areas across Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Growers and scouts report populations are low to moderate in most areas in southwest Florida. Recent rainstorms help suppress some of those populations. Growers are also continuing to find whiteflies after heavy spray programs. Respondents indicate that whitefly infestations are widely present across central …
Crop Updates: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Weekly Summaries
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide There are some reports that anthracnose may be an issue in strawberries this year. In addition, we are continuing to look out for the new disease, Neopestalotiopsis. Clemson Plant Pathologist Guido Schnabel has recommended applying …