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The Southern Fruitcast Covers the Latest Developments in Small Fruits

Southern Fruitcast

The Southern Fruitcast is hosted by Aaron Cato and Amanda McWhirt, extension IPM and production specialists for fruits and vegetables at the University of Arkansas. This podcast currently has 15 episodes that cover the people, technology and latest developments in small fruit production in the Southeast. Episodes can be found…
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North Carolina State University takes the lead on a $5,294,195 USDA SCRI project to develop cleaner propagation technology for the strawberry industry

By Mark Hoffmann, Small Fruits Extension Specialist (NCSU) and Amanda Lewis, Small Fruits Communication Assistant (NCSU) The journey of a strawberry plant does not start when it is transplanted into the growing field. On the contrary, before a grower receives a plant, it already has a large and complex journey…
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Determining Hand Harvest Parameters and Postharvest Marketability Impacts of Fresh-market Blackberries to Develop a Soft-robotic Gripper for Robotic Harvesting

Hand with sensors harvesting a ripe blackberry

By Andrea Myers, M.S. Graduate Student, and Dr. Renee Threlfall, Research Scientist, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Food Science Department Introduction Fresh-market blackberries (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus Watson), known for health promoting benefits, are hand-picked to maintain quality from harvest to consumption. As value and demand grows for…
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Recognizing and Managing Nematode Damage in Strawberries

By Johan Desaeger, Assistant Professor of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Services Nematodes are one of the most underestimated agricultural pests,and this is no exception in strawberries. Particularly damaging and difficult to manage is the sting nematode (Belonolaimus longicaudatus, literally ‘long-tailed arrow-like plague’). Sting…
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2022 Fumigation Training

Fumigation and biologically based strategies to manage soilborne pests in vegetables and strawberry The Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable In-Service Agent Training was held January 5-6, 2022, in Savannah, Ga. Funded by USDA-NIFA Methyl Bromide Alternatives Program and Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium, the Fumigation Training was organized by Frank…
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Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation shows potential as a preplant treatment in Plasticulture Strawberry Production

Danyang Liu and Jayesh B. Samtani, Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Virginia Tech The southern region is the second-largest strawberry-growing region of the United States. Strawberry plants are susceptible to soil-borne pests, including weeds and diseases. Early season weeds can compete with newly transplanted strawberry plugs for nutrients,…
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Raspberry Crown Borer Management

Dr. Jackie Lee, University of Arkansas, Fruit Research Station Director My first research project was funded through IR-4 and entailed finding management options for raspberry crown borer (RCB). I began that work in 2003 at the University of Arkansas Fruit Research Station as an MS student, under the direction of…
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