The June issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights peach production throughout the Southeast.
Research plots at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida, focus on peach production in high-density orchards. The research includes increased trees per acre, higher yields and automation to handle more of the manual labor tasks. Scientists say it must be the future of the industry.
Peach disease management is an annual concern for growers in the Southeast. Two in particular – brown rot and anthracnose – can devastate a crop if they are not controlled effectively. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Extension fruit disease specialist, discussed the impact of both diseases and what fungicides are available.
Peach thinning is a necessary practice that growers must implement every year but also one that can be difficult to perfect. If growers thin too aggressively it can lead to reduced yields. Juan Carlos Melgar, Clemson associate professor of pomology, and Greg Reighard, Clemson professor emeritus of horticulture, highlighted research that focused on multiple chemical and mechanical means to thin peaches along with optimizing hand thinning.
Other News
In other news, the termination of the tomato suspension agreement is a victory for U.S. growers. Industry leaders, like Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, talked about the historic move, which should increase domestic production.
Also, the Modern Ag Alliance continues to advocate for crop protection tools, and what should growers know with respect to pesticide label changes related to the Endangered Species Act?
Video Component
Don’t miss this month’s bonus video coverage in the interactive digital edition of Specialty Crop Grower magazine.
VIDEO: Learn more about the proposed Florida House Bill 129 aimed at protecting crop protection tools. Â https://southeastagnet.com/2025/04/08/pesticide-labeling-bill-being-considered-in-florida-legislature/Â (page 17)Â
VIDEO: See a video to learn more about pesticide label changes under the Endangered Species Act (page 19)
VIDEO: Watch the citrus trunk injection robot in action (page 23)
VIDEO: Citrus Achievement Award winner Ben Albritton discusses the importance of citrus to Florida (page 27)