By Johan Desaeger Producing nematode-free plant material is one of the most important steps in nematode management. Many nematodes can hide in plant material such as tubers, bulbs, roots, cuttings and seed. The seed gall nematode (Anguina tritici), a seedborne pest infecting seed heads in wheat and rye, was the first plant-parasitic nematode ever to be described (by Needham in …
Florida Farmer: Strawberry Market in Shambles
By Clint Thompson The strawberry season is nearing an end for Florida growers. To say that producers have had their share of challenges would be an understatement. Input costs have spiraled out of control, and the strawberry market is in “shambles,” according to Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida. “As an industry, I think we’re …
Integrated Pest Management of Chilli Thrips in Strawberries
By Sriyanka Lahiri Currently, strawberry production in Florida is particularly susceptible to infestation by chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis). Although chilli thrips had been reported as a pest of ornamentals in Florida before, it wasn’t until 2015 when strawberry fields started to be severely impacted by this invasive pest. CHEMICAL CONTROLSChemical control is the predominant tool to manage chilli thrips. However, …
Neopestalotiopsis Discovered in Alabama
The strawberry disease that has impacted Florida production since 2017 and also Georgia’s crop has finally been discovered on plants in South Alabama. The first report of Neopestalotiopsis leaf spot disease was confirmed recently, according to Alabama Extension. Kassie Conner, Alabama Extension Specialist II, said the disease appears to have traveled in on the transplants. The disease is important to …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “Strawberries in the area look good, with some new leaf development emerging from the crown. Boron applications are being applied, either as a foliar application or through the drip system. Remember, we …
Alabama Strawberry Variety Trials: What are the Favorites?
By Clint Thompson The future of strawberry production in Alabama rests on the variety trials currently being conducted by Edgar Vinson and Alabama Extension. The assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University discussed the importance of his ongoing research, starting with the Camarosa variety. “We want our growers to have more available. We …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “Now is the time for Lowcountry strawberry growers to give their plants the first shot of boron. Boron helps with both flower and fruit development. Growers can spray boron or inject via the drip …
Phytophthora Root Rot a Problem in Georgia Strawberries
By Clint Thompson Georgia strawberry producers may not have had to deal with much of Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot this year, but phytophthora root rot is a different story. “Right now, this year, I’ve seen quite a few samples with phytophthora come in, unfortunately,” said University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist Phil Brannen. Brannen discussed some of the possibilities …
Botrytis Problem for a Florida Strawberry Grower
By Clint Thompson One Florida strawberry grower emerged relatively unscathed from last weekend’s freeze event. But now Dustin Grooms is coping with a new problem for his strawberry crop. “We did okay. We definitely did lose a little bit of bloom, not too bad. Some of the berries got bit a little bit on the ends, but not real bad,” …
‘Resilient’ Strawberry Growers Continue Season Following Freeze
The Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) was encouraged and confident following the coldest night of the winter season on Sunday, Jan. 30. Sue Harrell, director of marketing for FSGA, surveyed and videoed a field on the association’s Facebook page. The crop survived low temperatures in the high 20s. “We protected our crop with overhead irrigation by coating the plants with …