By Bill Cline, Entomology & Plant Pathology Department, NCSU (Revised 8dec21) Cultivated blueberries are upright, deciduous, woody perennials, forming multi-stemmed bushes with maximum unpruned heights varying from 6-8 feet (highbush, southern highbush) to 10-15 feet (rabbiteye). All cultivated species require annual pruning to manage bush height and shape. Pruning also…
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Kristin Woods, Ph.D.; Regional Extension Agent; Food Safety, Commercial Horticulture, Poultry; Alabama Cooperative Extension System; Auburn University Do you occasionally get questions about produce safety certifications and regulations, but don’t have time to take a multiday course? This free two hour course may be for you. The Small Fruit Certifications…
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By Elina Coneva, Extension Specialist, ACES, Auburn University Blueberries are a high value fruit crop that are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Rabbiteye blueberries are historically an important commercial crop for Alabama, and many farms produce rabbiteye blueberries for sale in the fresh market either exclusively, or as a supplemental crop….
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Dr. Aaron Cato, IPM Specialist, University of Arkansas 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 aims to cover the people, technology and latest developments in small fruit production in the…
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Douglas G. Pfeiffer, Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech When the fruit are in, it is easy to think about putting the sprayer away. But sometimes there are insect issues that can be addressed in post-harvest, fall or winter periods. Let’s take up a few now. Grape In general, it is advisable…
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Rebecca A. Melanson, Extension Plant Pathologist, Mississippi State University, and Aaron Cato, IPM Specialist, University of Arkansas Diagnosis is the first step in pest management. It is first necessary to know the cause of a problem before appropriate management methods can be implemented. Management methods that do not accurately address…
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Wayne E. Mitchem, Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium Coordinator, Tree Fruit Weed Management Extension Associate, (704) 472-4369 Corteva Agriscience has issued a supplemental label for Trellis SC (isoxaben) herbicide use in newly planted and bearing caneberries. Trellis already has approved uses for weed control in blueberry, grape, and a few…
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Dr. Aaron Cato, IPM Specialist, University of Arkansas The Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium is an expansive source for unbiased information and news for small fruit growers and county agents across the Southeast. The consortium’s website features production and IPM guides that are updated yearly by specialists across the region,…
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Douglas G. Pfeiffer, Dept. Entomology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg VA 24060, . Since its introduction and spread in the US from 2008-2012, spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), SWD has presented a huge problem for berry growers. SWD is a difficult pest to control. Because of its high fecundity and number…
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Dr. Phil Brannen, Extension Fruit Disease Specialist, Plant Pathology, University of Georgia Many of the fungicides utilized for Botrytis management are no longer efficacious due to resistance development in this fungus. Now is a great time to collect Botrytis samples for fungicide-resistance testing. While the funds last, Botrytis resistance testing…
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