By Clint Thompson Pruning muscadine vines is a chore that growers are tackling now during the dormant period. With mechanical pruning and hand pruning both options, growers must make economically based decisions on how to proceed. “Sometimes mechanical pruning is the only option when hand pruning cannot be completed on larger acreages,” said Cain Hickey, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension …
UGA Extension Schedules Three Grape Growers Workshops
(UGA/CAES) — University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension is holding a series of workshops specifically for Georgia grape growers in March. The classes, set for March 3 in Carrollton; March 5 in Dahlonega; and March 17 in Ellijay, will cover disease and insect control and other critical components of an integrated pest management program for vineyards. “Vineyard managers ask questions …
New Wine Grape Varieties Resistant to Pierce’s Disease
By Ashley Robinson Researchers at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) have released five new varieties of wine grapes that are highly resistant to Pierce’s disease. Pierce’s disease, the greatest threat to the growth and sustainability of wine grape industries in the southeastern United States, is caused by a bacterium spread by a group of insects called sharpshooters. Sharpshooters …
Muscadine Grapes Are Susceptible to Nematode Damage
By Ashley Robinson Muscadine grapes were once thought to be immune to nematode damage, but researchers have discovered this is not true. Native to the deep southeastern United States, muscadine grapes are often recognized for their disease and insect resistance due to their tough skin. However, recent research has proven that these grapes may not be as hearty as they …
USDA Invests $11M In Research That Will Support Specialty Crop Farmers
WASHINGTON (USDA-Oct. 3, 2019) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary Scott Hutchins announced that the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has invested $11 million in research that will support specialty crop farmers. “This collaborative public-private research effort will focus on applying innovative solutions to pest management problems that often are otherwise not available to specialty …
USDA to Survey Fruit Growers about Chemical Use
Athens, GA (USDA/NASS) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey fruit growers in 11 states, including Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, for its biennial Fruit Chemical Use Survey. The survey will collect information on bearing acreage, pest management practices, pesticide application, acres treated and rates applied for more than 12 fruit crops. “Pesticide data …
Managing Rot and Mildew Diseases in Muscadine Grapes
By Karla Arboleda Growers should scout for and manage diseases in muscadine grapes. The disease-tolerant variety can still have issues with black rot, ripe rot and angular leaf spot, which are the most predominant diseases in muscadine grapes. Phil Brannen, Extension fruit disease specialist at the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, says the specialty crop is …
Muscadine Grape Pest Problems
By Karla Arboleda Muscadine grapes are native crops to the deep Southeast and are naturally resistant to some pests. Among other pests, grapevine aphids and grape root borers tend to be the most common problems when growing muscadine grapes. Oscar Liburd, a professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and fruit and vegetable entomologist, says …
Studying Muscadine Grapes for Sparkling Wine
By Karla Arboleda Florida sparkling wine is getting help from the scientists working with the muscadine grapes that are native to the deep Southeast. Andrew MacIntosh, assistant professor in the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences (UF/IFAS), studies carbonation methods for sparkling wine for growers to learn more on …
UF/IFAS Hosts First Muscadine Grape Field Day in Citra
By Karla Arboleda On July 16, growers visited the University of Florida’s (UF) Plant Science Research and Education Unit to hear about the future of the muscadine grape industry in Florida. About 130 attendees listened to presentations on cultural practices, potential health benefits and production methods for muscadine grapes. The native Florida crop has been gaining more popularity among growers …