Disease Control

Study shows planting cucumbers early can help to avoid downy mildew

Downy mildew affects cucumber crops in South Carolina every year and can cause huge crop losses, but Clemson University researchers say planting early can cut growers’ losses to just about zero. A 2021 study conducted... more »

Strawberry disease ID: Neopestalotiopsis or a more traditional disease?

Since Neopestalotiopsis (or Pestalotia) was present in plug plant material distributed in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic in the fall of 2021, here are some photos and tips on how to tell it apart from other... more »

Expanded use of Leap ES bacterial disease management insecticide OK’d

Valent BioSciences has announced that the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has approved the expanded use of Leap ES Bacterial Disease Management Biological Insecticide. As a result of this approval, Leap ES is now registered... more »

Study: White clay spray mix repels tomato pest

Tomatoes are big business in Florida, the nation’s top producer of the popular fruit, but an insect no bigger than a grain of rice threatens growers’ fields each season. The whitefly prefers the underside of leaves, enjoying a variety... more »

Researcher studies transforming tomatoes with molecular biotechnology

James Duduit, a North Carolina State University horticultural science doctoral student, utilizes molecular biotechnology to transform tomatoes and improve the crop’s resistance to bacterial wilt and other common pathogens. Molecular biotechnology has many crop applications... more »

Biotalys increases commercial potential for Evoca

Biotalys, an agricultural technology company protecting crops and food with protein-based biocontrol solutions, announced Jan. 25 it has achieved a breakthrough in protein expression of the bioactive ingredient of its first biocontrol product Evoca. According... more »

Researchers tackle salmonella in bulb onions

Salmonella contamination of bulb onions, which caused recalls across the U.S. and Canada in 2020, is the focus of a Texas A&M AgriLife Research project to help onion producers solve the problem. Salmonella outbreaks in onions and onion products... more »

Lettuce growers hope weeding, research can counter devastating plant virus

While most Californians are wholeheartedly embracing the wet start to winter, one group is welcoming the rain more warily (and wearily) – lettuce growers in the Salinas Valley. "It’s a blessing, yes, we need the... more »