In the South Carolina Midlands, Fall squash has produced exceptionally well, with the biggest issue being mosaic virus.
cucurbit virus
Early Career Scientist Spotlight | Bazgha Zia
Bazgha Zia is a postdoctoral researcher at the United States Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, S.C. Bazgha’s research includes the development of virus resistant genetic material in cucurbits and identification of novel virus strains.
Disease Factsheets for Emerging Viruses
The Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group includes members from the CucCAP team. The EVCWG website provides resources for Cucurbit growers including virus factsheets. Visit the CucCAP disease management pages to find links to disease factsheets for these viruses and other Cucurbit diseases.
Specialty Crop News | April 2022
The April issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine highlights watermelon production. It looks at the current trends and the future of anthracnose disease while also spotlighting new viruses to watch for in watermelons and other cucurbit crops.
Insecticide Rotation & Management of Whiteflies
Insecticide rotation is key in long-term management of whiteflies. Whiteflies can transmit cucurbit leaf crumple virus and cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus.
Fall Watermelon Production Not Recommended in North Florida
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences scientists do not recommend that Florida watermelon growers grow watermelons in the fall. This assessment is attributed to the multiple variables growers must overcome including weather, high disease pressure and whitefly infestations.
Whitefly infestations vary across Florida
The October newsletter from the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline reports that whitefly infestations are widely present across central Florida. They are low to moderate in cucumber and squash. Populations are very low in watermelon.
Two New Viruses a Concern for Florida Watermelon Industry | VSCNews
Two new watermelon viruses discovered recently in Texas are now a concern of Florida producers. The crinkled leaf-associated virus 1 and 2 have been found in Collier, Desoto, Glades, Osceola, Charlotte and Seminole counties. They just add to a long list of disease and virus challenges that farmers must overcome in the Southeast.
