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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By Roy D. Flanagan III, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, Virginia Beach, Virginia Cooperative Extension As I sit here writing this article, I am realizing that a lot of the details of this year’s programs are not firm, but here is what I know for sure at this point…
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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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By Elina Coneva and Kassie Conner, Auburn University Pierce’s disease (PD) on grapes is the major limiting factor for growing Vitis vinifera (European) grapes in Alabama and the southeastern U.S. Generally, PD infection causes vine decline, yield loss, and vine death typically occurs within two to three years of infection….
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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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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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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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Amanda McWhirt, Horticulture Specialist, University of Arkansas; and John Clark, Fruit Breeder, Distinguished Professor, University of Arkansas In the late winter and spring of 2021 we experienced two severe cold events in Arkansas that had the potential to impact fruit crops. The first event was arctic air that moved into…
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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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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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