Plant bugs are in the stink bug family. They are a piercing, sucking insect. Under real high populations, they prefer to get on the stem attachment of the watermelon fruit and cause wilting and stress in the plant.
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AgNet Media, formerly Vegetable and Specialty Crop News (VSC news) is an agricultural media company serving crop producers. Through multiple news outlets, AgNet Media reports the latest news on agricultural technologies and research. AgNet Media operates the Citrus Expo in Florida.
Research Updates on Georgia Cucurbits
Cucurbit production in Georgia is affected annually by a variety of pests and diseases. Two diseases in particular, fusarium wilt and cucurbit anthracnose, have been a cause of concern for the last five years.
Florida watermelon harvest timeline
Watermelon season is in full swing throughout Florida. The South Florida crop is currently being harvested, while the North Florida plantings are progressing with an aim towards the Memorial Day harvest window.
March 2023 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
UF/IFAS has started a new commercial vegetable production website for the state of Florida. Information offered on the website includes pest and disease activity and upcoming events. Producers and industry experts can also register for the upcoming Florida Grower Citrus Show, scheduled for April 13. This year, the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory will co-host the event in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Florida watermelon crop updates
North Florida watermelon producers are expected to start planting this week in the Suwanee Valley area. Warmer temperatures and the potential for high market prices early in the season are enticing growers to go ahead and start planting earlier than normal.
Pest management in watermelon
Fumigation is the process of releasing fumigants to suffocate and kill certain pests within the soil. These include soil-borne pests, weeds and nematodes.
Whitefly pressure in Florida | AgNet
Whitefly pressure in Southwest Florida has increased in previous weeks as rains have decreased, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline.
Georgia vegetable disease update | AgNet Media
Cucurbit diseases such as downy mildew, powdery mildew, and gummy stem blight thrive in moist conditions. The current hot and dry weather conditions in Georgia have meant reduced disease pressure, which is normally prevalent this time of year.
