Small Fruit News
The Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium posts articles and sends the SMALL FRUIT NEWS to subscribers four times annually.
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Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is an alternative method for chemical fumigation that shows great promise to control diseases in strawberry production systems. Endophytic bacteria, such as Bacillus spp., are important biocontrol agents due to their capacity to reduce the growth of pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and nematodes while also promoting plant growth.
Posted in: Fall 2023 -
Information about the Southeast Strawberry Expo scheduled for November 8-10, 2023 in Charlotte, NC.
Posted in: Fall 2023 -
This article provides information about labs in the southeastern U.S. that offer tests for fungicide resistance in the strawberry grey mold (Botrytis cinerea) and anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.) pathogens. It also identifies labs that detect aggressive Neopestalotiopsis using the Kaur et al. (2023) protocol.
Posted in: Fall 2023 -
Postharvest physiology is key to maintaining the shelf-life of small fruits and reducing food loss. Typically, research deals with the plant and fruit’s response to different technologies and applications that increase quality and delay senescence (decomposition). Fruit quality is a major component of postharvest physiology as it relates to consumer acceptance.
Posted in: Fall 2023 -
In the past few years, there’s been an increased interest in the use of biostimulants for improved crop production. Biostimulants are materials that can promote plant growth when applied in amounts so small that they do not provide much nutrition.
Posted in: Fall 2023 -
Water is an essential resource for small fruit growers, as it is crucial for irrigation and post-harvest activities. In this article, we will provide an overview of various options available to commercial small fruit growers, as well as other measures to improve water quality.
Posted in: Summer 2023 -
Survey questions are related to grower-specific experiences, business information, and opinions about sustainability. The survey can be completed within 25 minutes.
Posted in: Summer 2023 -
Austin Wrenn, 3rd generation strawberry farmer, and the current president of the North Carolina Strawberry Association shares his experience as a strawberry grower and researcher, and his views on strawberry greenhouse production in the Southeastern US.
Posted in: Summer 2023 -
Blackberry (Rubus spp.) is a popular fruit due to its delightful taste and notable health benefits. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of pre-harvest foliar treatments and shade application on yield, white drupelet disorder, post-harvest attributes and aroma profile of two blackberry varieties.
Posted in: Summer 2023 -
Blueberry production in the Southern United States is greatly challenged by diseases like Botryosphaeria stem blight, which is caused by fungi pathogens in the family of Botryosphaeriaceae. Botryosphaeria stem blight can cause sudden wilting and chlorosis of leaves and stems, and in severe cases plant death.
Posted in: Summer 2023