By Clint Thompson Downy mildew disease has been confirmed on Vidalia onion in Tattnall County, Georgia. According to the University of Georgia Extension Vegetable Blog, Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension vegetable plant pathologist, said growers should be scouting for symptoms since weather conditions are suitable for infection and spread of the pathogen. They should contact their local county …
What’s Next? Grape Producers Should Protect Vineyards After Harvest
By Clint Thompson The grape season has concluded or will soon end for producers in Southeast. But management continues after the final grape is harvested. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist Phil Brannen highlighted what growers should be doing this time of year and its significance heading into next season. “The biggest thing they can do and it’s …
Clemson Extension Provides Weekly Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide crop updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update – 7/25/22 Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “In a wide range of crops, insect and disease pressure is high, with gummy stem blight across all cucurbit crops. Downy mildew is also very active. Fruit …
Downy Mildew in North Florida Watermelons
By Clint Thompson What was inevitable has now become reality for North Florida watermelon producers – downy mildew disease in this year’s crop. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, confirmed the presence of the disease in Levy County during his weekly email alerts. “It’s something that …
Early Cucumber Planting Protects Against Downy Mildew Disease
Early cucumber planting helps avoid downy mildew disease and increases yields, according to Clemson plant pathologist Tony Keinath in The South Carolina Grower. Keinath said producers should plant within one month of recommended planting dates which avoids downy mildew disease that is most prevalent between May 15 and June 15. In an experiment in 2021 at Clemson’s Coastal Research and …
Downy Mildew Alert: Alabama Cucurbit Growers Be Proactive in Management
By Clint Thompson Florida’s recent diagnosis of downy mildew in lettuce should have Alabama growers on alert about the disease’s eventual movement northward. Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University, discusses why producers should be wary of this disease. “With these moist conditions, that’ll build up the winter nursery …
Downy Mildew in Lettuce: Growers Need to be on Preventative Program
By Clint Thompson One of the most important diseases of lettuce was found last week in a Florida field in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Richard Raid, a professor in plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, discusses the disease’s impact and why he encourages growers to be on a preventative program. “Lettuce downy mildew …
Downy Mildew Discovered in Florida Lettuce
Richard Raid, a professor in plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), advises lettuce growers that downy mildew disease was found last week in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Downy mildew is a foliar disease of lettuce that impacts the crop’s yield and quality. In addition to losses in the field, downy mildew’s impact …