disease control

Texas event tailors fruit education to state’s climate

To successfully grow peaches and other tree fruit in the Lone Star State’s challenging climate, growers must carefully consider proper fruit and site selection and how to establish their orchards. Participants at the Oct. 18-20... more »

UGA leads effort to tackle emerging threat to watermelons

Growers of cucurbits — which include melons, pumpkin, squash and cucumbers — face numerous challenges in production, leading to decreased profitability and less produce on grocery shelves. Weeds, insect pests and plant diseases are prominent... more »

MSU professor receives $4 million grant to study blueberry disease

A scientist at Michigan State University has received a $3.95 million grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to develop strategies for implementing and maintaining effective management practices for blueberry fruit... more »

USDA extends deadline for specialty crop grants

The USDA has extended the deadline for the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program Request for Applications (RFA). The Specialty Crop Multi-State Program RFAs must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. by Jan. 31, 2024. Applications received after this... more »

Biological event kicks off global conversation

The Salinas Biological Summit owes its inspiration, in part, to sweeping changes proposed in California’s initiative to significantly reduce pesticides and promote sustainable pest management practices. That plan, “Accelerating Sustainable Pest Management: A Roadmap for... more »

Drone deployment: Tech helps growers in orchards, vineyards

This is the first in a three-part series, focusing on the rising use of drones in specialty ag operations and the growing number of tasks they can do. Future installments will look at costs and... more »

Biological crop protection and pollination pioneer dies

Peter Koppert, a pioneer in biological crop protection and natural pollination, has died. Koppert, founder of Koppert Biological Systems BV in the Netherlands, was 73. Up until only a couple of weeks before his June... more »

Researchers develop new disease detection sensor

A new sensor chip advances rapid, cost-effective disease diagnostics. The integrated sensor chip detects late blight disease pathogen in potatoes and tomatoes as well as many other diseases. Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists and collaborators... more »

Nichino America to distribute biofungicide in U.S., Canada

Nichino America Inc. and BioConsortia Inc. have announced a supply agreement for Nichino to market and sell BEC-60 biofungicide in the U.S. and Canada. BioConsortia invented and developed BEC-60, a novel microbial fungicide. It is... more »

Penn State provides 2023 bitter rot update

After six weeks of dry conditions, the weather pattern has shifted in the region, and the potential for rain is in the forecast for the next two weeks. Combined with the warm weather, these are... more »

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Fruit Growers News May 2024 cover

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