Problematic Pests of Florida Strawberries

Web AdminPests, Strawberry, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Sriyanka Lahiri Several arthropod pests occur in strawberries in Florida during the various stages of the crop cycle. Cyclamen mites (Phytonemus pallidus), if present, originate from strawberry nurseries as hitchhikers on transplants. Thankfully, a very small percentage of growers reported a cyclamen mite infestation during the strawberry season of 2019–2020. Soon after planting, armyworms (Spodoptera spp.), twospotted spider mites …

Strawberry Planting Season Draws Near

Web AdminAlabama, Strawberry, Top Posts

Alabama strawberry producers enjoyed sweet success in 2020. Farmers are hoping for a repeat performance this year as planting season nears. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, said growers target Oct. 15 date as the latest timeframe they want to have this year’s crop in the ground. “They can certainly …

Fungicide Resistance a Growing Problem in Strawberries

Web AdminFlorida, Georgia, Strawberry, Top Posts

Fungicide resistance in strawberries is a major problem, says University of Georgia Cooperative Extension plant pathologist Phil Brannen. He encourages producers to help researchers understand which fungicides are still active and provide protection against diseases like anthracnose and botrytis. “(Fungicide resistance) has really come to the forefront in the last few years. In the last two or three years, we …

Using Reflective Mulch Films to Optimize Strawberry Production

Web AdminFlorida, Strawberry, Top Posts

By Ashley Robinson Although a winter crop, strawberry production in Florida still falls victim to heat stress. With extreme heat during establishment, cool temperatures during the early and mid-harvests, and high temperatures during the late harvest, the crop is subject to dramatic seasonal temperature variations. Traditionally, the state’s strawberry growers have used black plastic mulch to achieve adequate wintertime soil …

Coming Soon: White Strawberries From the Wild

Web AdminBerries, Florida, Fruit, Research, Strawberry, Technology, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Seonghee Lee and Vance M. Whitaker The University of Florida will soon commercialize a new strawberry variety. It doesn’t have a name yet, but it is already drawing attention for a very unusual characteristic. When it is ripe and ready to eat, it is white inside and out, with a slight pink blush on the exterior and red seeds. …

Row Covers Protect Strawberries and Increase Yields?

Web AdminAlabama, Strawberry, Top Posts

Row Covers in strawberry fields can protect the crop from cold temperatures, fierce winds, devastating frost and persistent wildlife. But it can also potentially increase yields, according Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. In research conducted this past year at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland, Alabama, Vinson …

FSGA Applauds USTR Plan for ‘Seasonal and Perishable’ Farmers

Web AdminFlorida, Strawberry, Top Posts, Trade

Dover, Fla.- The Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) is grateful to USTR Ambassador (Robert) Lighthizer, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, and Secretary Wilbur Ross at the Commerce Department for keeping their word to find a way to bring meaningful trade relief to Florida strawberry growers who have suffered legitimate injury from subsidized imports from Mexico. “This administration has embraced an issue …

Brilliance Variety Popular Choice as Strawberry Planting Season Nears

Web AdminFlorida, Strawberry, Top Posts

Florida producers will soon be planting strawberries in a few weeks. The popular variety choice this year is expected to be Brilliance, says Vance Whitaker, strawberry breeder at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, . Released in 2017, Brilliance provides growers fruit early in the season. It’s a desirable trait not all varieties are able to …

Clemson Extension to Hold Virtual Strawberry Meeting

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Clemson Extension will host a virtual strawberry production meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. The Strawberry Grower 101 meeting will be geared towards new or beginning growers. Topics to be covered included cost and economics, timeline, plant selection and varieties available and fertility. Those interested can click here to register. All Clemson University sponsored in-person events have been …

World Outreach Helps UF Strawberry Breeding Program

Web AdminFlorida, Strawberry, Top Posts

By: Brad Buck, 813-757-2224, bradbuck@ufl.edu, 352-875-2641 (cell) BALM, Florida — UF/IFAS-bred strawberries are grown in over 70 countries across six continents. One of those countries, Egypt, ranks among the top strawberry-producing nations in the world. So, it seems fitting that an Egyptian-American scientist is leading an effort to facilitate the expansion of production of UF/IFAS-bred strawberries internationally. Behind the United …