diseases Archives - 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) ...

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Alabama Update: Growers Be Wary of Insect-Transmitted Diseases

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

By Clint Thompson The current drought-like conditions sweeping across the Southeast should have specialty crop producers wary of insect-transmitted virus diseases. The hot and dry weather favors pests like aphids and whiteflies. Growers should be concerned about subsequent diseases, says Ed Sikora, Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University. He discussed ...

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Pierce’s Disease Problem for Some Grape Producers

Jim Rogers — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 11:00:00 +0000

By Clint Thompson Diseases were minimal for grape producers in the Southeast this year, but Pierce’s disease was one that caused problems in some vineyards. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist Phil Brannen discussed how widespread the disease has been this year and what growers can do to manage it. “There’s a good bit of Pierce’s disease showing ...

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Rains Spark Disease Fears for Pumpkin Growers in Northeast Alabama

Jim Rogers — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 11:00:00 +0000

By Clint Thompson Persistent rains in Northeast Alabama have sparked concerns about potential disease pressure among the region’s specialty crop producers, especially those pumpkin farmers. Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama, discussed the impact that potential diseases could have on his area’s pumpkin crop. “That’s one thing we do start to worry about when we start getting rain ...

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Increased Rainfall Problematic for South Georgia’s Fall Crops

Jim Rogers — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 10:45:00 +0000

By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers prefer dry conditions so they can be the ones applying water and not worry about disease pressure. They are not getting their wish with their fall crops, however. Increased rainfall across southern Georgia in recent weeks has led to intense disease pressure on fall vegetable crops. Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable ...

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Syngenta Product: Archive Last Line of Defense for Potato Producers

Jim Rogers — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 10:45:00 +0000

Clint Thompson A fungicide product from Syngenta provides potato growers a last line of defense before their crop is placed into storage. Since potatoes are susceptible to diseases, especially as they can be stored up to nine months, farmers would benefit from Archive. It provides farmers an extra layer of protection right after harvest and before storage, said Chris Clemens, ...

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Wetter Weather in Central Alabama

Jim Rogers — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +0000

By Clint Thompson Rainy weather in recent weeks has impacted specialty crop production in central Alabama. David Lawrence, regional Extension agent in central Alabama, discussed the state of certain crops amid wetter weather. “Peaches are winding up. There’s a couple of varieties that are still hanging on. We’ve still got a few growers that are bringing some out of the ...

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Florida Organic Blueberry Production a Challenge

Jim Rogers — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 12:30:00 +0000

By Cint Thompson Interest in organic blueberry production in Florida has waned in recent years. The late freeze event in January was not helpful in convincing growers to convert production. Phil Harmon, professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Florida, discusses the state of the industry in Florida. “Growers have converted a few acres in some cases to ...

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Freeze Events Impacted Southeast Blueberry Producers

Jim Rogers — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 12:30:00 +0000

By Clint Thompson Florida’s conventional blueberry growers dodged the proverbial disease bullet this past season following a late January freeze event that impacted the Southeast. Georgia’s producers were not so fortunate with a mid-March freeze event, says Phil Harmon, professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Florida. “The big story early in the year was the late freeze. ...

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