North Florida watermelon producers have observed Fusarium wilt symptoms in some fields. As the disease develops, plants will exhibit low vigor, wilting during the hottest parts of the day and have a grayish-green appearance.
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Georgia producers begin planting 2024 watermelon crop
Producers and industry experts will be able to better assess this year’s acreage once all the plants are in the ground. They will once again follow North Florida in the production window.
Potential for Florida Melon Disease Buildup
Persistent rains in the North Florida region amid the current El Niño weather pattern is a potential concern for the region’s watermelon producers.
Carolina Strongback watermelon rootstock tolerant of Fusarium
A costly but effective option for watermelon producers hoping to overcome fusarium wilt disease is the use of Carolina Strongback rootstock.
Anthracnose and Downy mildew disease symptoms in watermelons
Growers should consult Extension personnel when deducing what problem they might have. A wrong diagnosis could have financial repercussions.
Fungicide resistance a concern for watermelon growers
Symptoms begin as circular yellow areas on the leaves. Growth of the fungus appears as the infection progresses and can be observed on the underside of the leaves. “White powder” can be viewed on both surfaces of the leaves and stems as the tissue decays.
Multistate Effort to Combat Anthracnose
Whitefly populations are on the rise
University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologists describe squash plants that haven’t sprayed yet with 100 whiteflys per leaf.
