Disease Control
Neopestalotiopsis disease in strawberry a growing concern
If you grow strawberry or are somehow related to the strawberry industry, you must have heard about a new emerging disease, Pestalotia leaf spot and fruit rot, caused by the fungus Neopestalotiopsis sp. The taxonomy of... more »
Tracking a bacterial culprit in the case of the warty pumpkin
On a Halloween pumpkin, warts and bumps have a certain spooky charm. But some unwanted bacteria-caused blemishes open the door to infections that rot and ruin this bright, seasonal fruit. Pseudomonas syringae is a rod-shaped bacterium... more »
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 »
