By Clint Thompson The increase in rainfall across the Southeast is having minimal impact on diseases in the region’s peach crop. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Extension fruit disease specialist, discusses the current scenario facing producers as harvests continue. “Thankfully, we’re no longer drought stressed in a lot of the locations, which is good. There’s been an increase in disease …
UGA Fruit Pathologist Inducted Into IPM Hall of Fame
By Emily Cabrera The Southern Integrated Pest Management Center (Southern IPM Center) has inducted University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit pathologist Phil Brannen into the Integrated Pest Management Hall of Fame for his significant contributions to commercial fruit growers throughout the southern U.S. over the past 30 years. Each year, the Southern IPM Center recognizes an industry member for extraordinary …
Water’s Importance to This Year’s Peach Harvest
By Clint Thompson At least another month remains in this year’s peach harvest season for Georgia producers. Amid the current hot and dry weather, conditions have been ripe for minimal disease pressure. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Extension fruit disease specialist, discusses the positive and negative impact that the prolonged drought is having on this year’s peach harvest. “For a …
Relief in the Forecast? Georgia Specialty Crop Producers Thirsty for Rainfall
By Clint Thompson It has been a hot and dry summer so far for Georgia’s specialty crop producers. Multiple areas are either abnormally dry, moderately dry or severely dry, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, provided good news for specialty crop producers, though. “I’m pleased to say …
Whiteflies Non-Existent So Far This Season
By Clint Thompson Insect pests normally thrive in hot and dry weather conditions. But whiteflies have yet to flourish this year, though conditions are ripe for infestations to take off, according to Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist. “Surprisingly, we have not had whiteflies yet. The hot and dry weather is perfect for them, but apparently, we …
Lingering Drought Impacts Georgia Peaches
By Clint Thompson Count Georgia peaches as another crop impacted by the current hot and dry weather. Fewer disease instances with higher pest infestations are a common theme during this summer’s harvest season, says Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties “Diseases have definitely been at a minimum. Insects have …
Mating Disruptions for Grape Root Borer
By Clint Thompson Now is the time in the production season that grape root borer adults begin emerging. Growers need to implement mating disruption now as a management tactic, says Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in the UGA Extension Viticulture Blog. Grape root borers tunnel into larger roots and …
It is Japanese Beetle Season
The Japanese beetle is showing up in Georgia vineyards, according to the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Viticulture Blog. In large enough numbers, Japanese beetles can be a severe pest of grapes during the summer, feeding mainly on foliage and rarely on the berries. New plantings are most susceptible. Older, established vines can withstand some feeding damage, but young vines …
Be Careful of Foliar Sulfur Sprays Under High Temperatures
Foliar sulfur sprays applied during June and July can provide multiple benefits for pecan production. They include the suppression of mite populations and increasing nut size. Sulfur may also help suppress some minor foliar diseases and aid in scab suppression on cultivars with moderate scab resistance. While foliar sulfur sprays have proven advantages, though, growers should be wary of applying …
Vegetable Disease Update in South Georgia
By Clint Thompson Fruit and vegetable season is in full swing across the South Georgia region. Watermelons, a popular crop produced in the area, are currently being harvested. Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties, talks about production and the lack of disease pressure growers encountered this year. “There have been some …