florida Archives - Specialty Crop Industry

Leaf Rust Disease a Concern Now More Than Ever for Florida Blueberry Growers

Jim Rogers — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0000

By Clint Thompson Leaf rust disease has always been a problem for Florida blueberry growers. But that concern has only magnified with producers transferring to an evergreen production system. Phil Harmon, professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), discusses the issue growers are facing with this familiar problem. “Here recently, ...

The post Leaf Rust Disease a Concern Now More Than Ever for Florida Blueberry Growers appeared first on Specialty Crop Industry.

Mites Levels Remain Low Across South Florida

Clint Thompson — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 16:30:00 +0000

Mites levels are still low in some fields across southern Florida, though some species are increasing in numbers, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Broad mites are increasing in Southwest Florida but still remain at low population levels Spider mites were reported to be low in multiple crops. Spider mite populations are growing in younger corn in ...

The post Mites Levels Remain Low Across South Florida appeared first on Specialty Crop Industry.

Multiple Days of Sub-Freezing Temps Devastating for Southeast Specialty Crops

Jim Rogers — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 12:15:00 +0000

By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers can usually stomach one day of sub-freezing temperatures. But four days? That was not the ideal scenario for growers across the Southeast this past weekend. It was disastrous for vegetable farmers, citrus growers and potentially strawberry producers. Prolonged temperatures in 20s over parts of the region, including South Georgia and North Florida, have been ...

The post Multiple Days of Sub-Freezing Temps Devastating for Southeast Specialty Crops appeared first on Specialty Crop Industry.

UF/IFAS Extension Agent: We Need to Manage Fertilizer More Efficiently

Jim Rogers — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 12:15:00 +0000

By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers should be wary about the dangers of applying too much water. It can result in leeching of nitrogen in their sandy soils. Producers who apply too much water not only lose the excess water, but they also lose the fertilizer and then yields. Mark Warren, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural ...

The post UF/IFAS Extension Agent: We Need to Manage Fertilizer More Efficiently appeared first on Specialty Crop Industry.

Correct Disease Diagnosis Crucial for Producers

Jim Rogers — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 11:30:00 +0000

By Clint Thompson An incorrect diagnosis of a plant disease can be a costly error for a producer. In an era where input prices are just as high as they have ever been, a farmer can ill-afford to apply the wrong fungicide. Gary Vallad, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) ...

The post Correct Disease Diagnosis Crucial for Producers appeared first on Specialty Crop Industry.

Crops Losses Following Hurricane Ian

Jim Rogers — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 10:45:00 +0000

Crop loss estimates are starting to filter in following Hurricane Ian’s impact in late September. The damages are devastating for some specialty crop producers, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Vegetable crop losses were high in the Hillsborough/Manatee area. Some locations experienced flooding, while others had wind damage. Assessments show losses between 50% and 100% in planted ...

The post Crops Losses Following Hurricane Ian appeared first on Specialty Crop Industry.

Federal Grant: UF Scientist to Investigate Strategies to Control Tomato Disease

Jim Rogers — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 09:30:00 +0000

Diseases like bacterial spot can threaten tomatoes, a $1.9 billion-a-year crop planted on 330,000 acres across 18 states. Gary Vallad, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor of plant pathology, has been awarded a $5.8 million federal grant to study how to mitigate this disease. “Bacterial spot of tomato is a major challenge to commercial ...

The post Federal Grant: UF Scientist to Investigate Strategies to Control Tomato Disease appeared first on Specialty Crop Industry.

Fusarium Wilt Prevention in Florida Lettuce

Jim Rogers — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 12:15:00 +0000

By Clint Thompson Fusarium wilt in lettuce is not yet a widespread problem for Florida producers. German Sandoya wants to keep it that way. Sandoya, assistant professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, provides management options for growers to help keep the disease out of their fields. “We’ve only seen it in field plots, so ...

The post Fusarium Wilt Prevention in Florida Lettuce appeared first on Specialty Crop Industry.

October Management Tips for Blueberries

Jim Rogers — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 11:45:00 +0000

Blueberry specialists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) remind growers about management options they need to be mindful of during October. Producers should monitor and manage leaf diseases, especially in evergreen systems. It is important to scout for algal stem blotch and selectively prune out canes infected with algal stem blotch, Botryosphaeria stem blight ...

The post October Management Tips for Blueberries appeared first on Specialty Crop Industry.

Drought Expanding in Southeast

Jim Rogers — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 10:00:00 +0000

By Clint Thompson Abnormally dry conditions are expanding across the Southeast, especially in southern Alabama, northern Georgia and Florida Panhandle, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Alabama’s dry conditions range from abnormally dry to moderately dry and are largely concentrated to the southern half of the state, especially in southeast Alabama in counties like Covington, Geneva, Butler, ...

The post Drought Expanding in Southeast appeared first on Specialty Crop Industry.