Oct 30, 2025Smart strategies for healthier crops
Virginia Tech’s Doug Higgins to lead disease management sessions at 2025 Great Lakes EXPO
During the 2025 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO, Doug Higgins, assistant professor and extension specialist at Virginia Tech’s Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Painter, Virginia, will present three educational sessions:
- Adaptive Disease Management Strategies for Alternaria and Clubroot in Brassica Production
- Demystifying Phytophthora Crown and Fruit Rot Management Strategies for Cucurbits
- Know Before You Grow: Understanding Fungicide Seed Treatments for Sweet Corn.
Higgins primarily focuses on vegetable disease management across a range of pathogens and crops.
Adaptive Disease Management Strategies for Alternaria and Clubroot in Brassica Production
Tuesday, Dec. 9
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Alternaria and clubroot are considered the top two diseases in broccoli and cabbage production in Virginia, according to Higgins. Alternaria, a fungal disease, affects the foliage of brassica plants, causing concentric circles on the leaves. With these circles developing on the lower leaf canopy, the tissue begins to die, decreasing a grower’s chance of producing a healthy broccoli head, according to Higgins.
During the session, Higgins will explore how these diseases are caused, different types of symptoms to look out for and best management strategies.
“For the alternaria side, we will focus on a series of field trials that I’ve run over the past two years that look at which cultivars are susceptible and resistant to the disease,” Higgins said. “What we found was that nothing’s totally resistant, but there are some cultivars that are less susceptible.”
Higgins will also discuss organic and conventional options during his session, offering valuable insights for every grower.
On the clubroot side, Higgins will discuss his field trials with fungicide performance, replicated fumigation trials and low-rate fumigation trials.
According to Higgins, clubroot is a disease that often persists in the soil, and once it’s in the field, it can remain there for more than 10 years. Higgins experienced an outbreak in Virginia, causing major losses. This outbreak prompted Higgins and his team to look at control options for their field.
“During the session, we’ll talk about options in terms of getting folks to be more curious and asking their seed suppliers to try out different varieties,” Higgins said. We’ve seen there might be some varietal options to help combat this disease as well.”
Demystifying Phytophthora Crown and Fruit Rot Management Strategies for Cucurbits
Tuesday, Dec. 9
10:30 – 11 a.m.
Higgins breaks down cucurbits into two different groups. Summer squashes, winter squash and pumpkins are susceptible to both crown and fruit rot. The second group consists of cucumbers and watermelons, which are tolerant of crown rot but susceptible to fruit rot.
“These different groups really drive how we think about management strategies,” Higgins said. “The one thing I want to remind people on for background information is that not all cucurbit crops are created equally when it comes to thinking about this disease.”
Higgins will also discuss different field trials conducted in Virginia and Michigan, as well as a trial on age-related resistance.
“During our field trials, we looked at adding more options to that drip-applied fungicide toolbox,” Higgins said. “We will go over what’s working, what’s not working and what additional options are available to help with crown rot production.”
Additionally, Higgins will provide an updated survey on what type of fungicide resistance has been found across the country.
Know Before You Grow: Understanding Fungicide Seed Treatments for Sweet Corn
Tuesday, Dec. 9
2:45 – 3:15 p.m.
Super sweets are considered one of the most popular varieties of corn amongst growers because once they’re harvested, they have a long shelf-life, according to Higgins. However, super sweets can be susceptible to one specific group of pathogens: Pythium.
“We’re going to talk about what pythium species are attacking super sweets and discuss different seed treatments and fungicide seed treatments, “Higgins said.”Often growers don’t know what type of fungicide is going on in their seed treatment, and there are a lot of options that involve engaging your seed supplier to see if you can get the option that would be most beneficial.”
Higgins also plans to highlight the results of the recent International Sweet Corn Development Association (ISCDA) trials, looking at what people are doing, what they are talking about and the different options available.
Michigan Vegetable Council events
Offering a combination of celebration and insights, the Michigan Vegetable Council is planning several events at this year’s EXPO.
Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the Grand Gallery session room
Celebrate 25 years of the EXPO
12:15 – 12:45 p.m.
MVC Great Lakes Policy Event featuring Chris Butts, Jamie Clover-Adams, Jacob Smith and TBD (USDA rep)
1– 3 p.m.
Are you a specialty crop grower interested in issues at the regional and federal level? The MVC Great Lakes Policy Event is tailored for you! From 3 to 4 p.m., experience networking with growers, buyers and others involved in the vegetable industry.
Greenest Thumb in the Great Lakes contest
Do you know vegetable farming? Join our contest! Visit the Michigan Vegetable Council booth in the Grand Gallery at the EXPO on Tuesday, Dec. 9, and answer 12 vegetable farming knowledge questions. See if you qualify for the final round. The final round will be Dec. 10 at 12:15 p.m. in the Grand Gallery session room. The winner will receive a prize.
Join more than 4,500 others at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO to learn how to grow your crops better, see the newest technology, improve your business and network with others working through the same challenges. The EXPO takes place Dec. 9 – 11 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Learn about this year’s show and register at glexpo.com.
