Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Tracking Viral Diseases in Cucurbit Crops

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Frank Giles Viral disease in cucurbit crops is a major problem worldwide. In the United States, new viruses are identified regularly that affect important specialty crops. This has become such a problem that the Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group (EVCWG) was established in March 2022. The group was formed after a discussion during the Plant Health event hosted …

Under Attack: Strawberry Diseases Impacting Georgia Crop

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson Disease development is normally synonymous with wet weather. It is no different with Georgia’s strawberry crop, which is under assault from multiple diseases. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, highlighted some of those diseases that Georgia growers are already observing. “The thing that we’re seeing already is this neopestalotiopsis. We’re just trying to …

El Niño Impact: What Blueberry Diseases are Most Concerning for Growers This Year?

Clint ThompsonBlueberries, Florida, Weather

By Clint Thompson The excessive wet weather associated with El Niño this winter has provided ideal conditions for blueberry diseases to pop up. Phil Harmon, professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), highlighted the two disease concerns growers should be wary of heading into harvest season. They are botrytis gray …

What to Do About Pepper Diseases in Georgia

Web AdminBell peppers, Disease, Peppers, Vegetables

By Bhabesh Dutta Anthracnose in pepper is caused by a fungal group of pathogens belonging to mainly Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and C. acutatum. TWO TYPES OF ANTHRACNOSEAnthracnose in pepper is a common issue that pepper growers face, particularly after sun scalding of fruits. This type of anthracnose is called “secondary anthracnose” as the fungal pathogen needs some kind of injury to …

Beware of Spike in Vegetable Diseases Following Recent Storms

Web AdminCucurbits, Disease

By Clint Thompson Cucurbit disease management is vital for vegetable growers following last week’s heavy rainfall and ahead of more rain predicted for this week. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, discussed the impact of heavy rains saturating soils across the region, especially as watermelon harvests are finally under way. …

North Florida Watermelon Growers Hoping to Overcome Various Diseases

Web AdminDisease, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson The final watermelon harvests in North Florida have growers combatting a plethora of diseases. Those attempting to stretch another picking from their fields this week will have to overcome any number of diseases. These include downy mildew, powdery mildew, Alternaria leaf spot, gummy stem blight and watermelon mosaic. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and …

Final Harvests: North Florida Growers Hoping to Overcome Various Diseases

Web AdminFlorida

By Clint Thompson The final watermelon harvests in North Florida have growers combatting a plethora of diseases. Those attempting to stretch another picking from their fields this week will have to overcome any number of diseases. These include downy mildew, powdery mildew, Alternaria leaf spot, gummy stem blight and watermelon mosaic. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and …

Research Updates on Diseases in Georgia Cucurbits

Web AdminCucurbits, Disease

By Bhabesh Dutta Cucurbit production in Georgia is affected annually by a variety of pests and diseases. Two diseases in particular, fusarium wilt and cucurbit anthracnose, have been a cause of concern for the last five years. This article gives a brief update on the progress the University of Georgia (UGA) vegetable team1 of scientists has made studying these diseases …

Blueberry Producers: Manage Leaf Spot Diseases to Protect Next Year’s Crop

Web AdminBlueberries

By Clint Thompson It is never too early to start thinking about next year if you are a blueberry producer. In fact, growers need to manage for leaf spot diseases if they expect to make a crop the following season. Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, discussed the situation during the Alabama Fruit and …

Blueberry Bloom Period Vital Time for Growers to Protect Against Diseases

Web AdminBlueberries

By Clint Thompson Looming warmer temperatures mean blueberry blooms will soon start opening up across the Southeast. That means growers need to be diligent in applying necessary fungicide sprays. Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, discussed the various diseases producers should be wary of during open bloom. “At bloom we’re concerned about mummy berry …