Growers should consult Extension personnel when deducing what problem they might have. A wrong diagnosis could have financial repercussions.
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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.
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.
South Carolina Cucurbit Crop updates | August 9, 2023
In the coastal region, the Fall crops including melon are being planted.
In the Midlands, Squash is coming to market with good quality.
In the Pee Dee region, Yellow squash, zucchini, and cucumbers had slowed a bit but seem to be picking back up.
Whitefly populations low across Southeast
Whiteflies can cause feeding injury issues in vegetables and transmit multiple viruses. These include cucurbit leaf crumple virus, cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus, cucurbit chlorotic yellow virus, squash vein yellowing virus and tomato yellow leaf curl virus. Vegetables like squash, zucchini, cucumber, and cantaloupe are highly susceptible to these viruses.
UGA research benefits watermelon growers
UGA Extension is tasked with studying challenges with pollination, disease tolerance, yields, maturity, size distribution, brix, the sweetness, rind pattern and firmness of different varieties of watermelon and making recommendations to Georgia growers.
Phytophthora concerns for Georgia watermelons
Phytophthora fruit rot is a water mold that attacks the fruits of watermelon plants. It thrives in rainy weather. It not only affects watermelons in the field, but also after harvest.
Downy Mildew in SC
Clemson plant pathologist Tony Keinath attributed the discovery at the Coastal Research and Education Center on June 12 to a rain event that occurred the previous week.