Disease Control

Pythium in cucurbits: Temperature decides species

There are more than 300 species of pythium. Many don’t harm plants, but many do, and cucurbits are particularly susceptible. New research at Clemson University has identified some of the pythium species that most commonly... more »

Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus hits Salinas lettuce

As one of the largest producers of leafy greens, the Salinas Valley is well known for its reputation as the salad bowl of the world. But as the state tackled a global pandemic this past... more »

Protocols set to fight disease, including bacterial wilt of tomato, eggplant

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced Sept. 27 that it will conduct annual certification visits in peak harvesting time to offshore facilities that wish to ship geranium (Pelargonium spp.) cuttings to the United States... more »

Scientists find new watermelon viruses in Florida; help available

Florida watermelon growers, the most productive in the nation, face two new viruses. But finding a disease is the first step to managing it, says a University of Florida scientist who helped pinpoint the diseases.... more »

Strawberries in the Southeast get emerging disease pestalotia

Growers are beginning to prepare the ground for strawberry planting, which typically begins late in September and continues through mid-October – depending on the location in the state. Plants are ordered in June or July... more »

Enhanced disease protection to greenhouse industry, several crops pursued

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will begin testing randomly selected imported Pelargonium( geranium) plant material for the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum at Plant Protection and Quarantine’s Plant Inspection Stations located at major ports of entry.... more »

Fall-planted strawberry plug plants’ disease management recommendations

The production of strawberry plugs involves multiple stages during which pathogens can infect the plug plants before they are distributed to growers. Despite regular scouting by propagators, and chemical sprays applied to avoid diseases, these... more »

Plectosporium blight in some pumpkin fields seen again this year

I am seeing some plectosporium blight in a few pumpkin fields this year, not as bad as last year but still there. This disease will probably increase if we continue having frequent rains in some... more »