Crop Protection

EPA’s Green Chemistry Challenge Award presented to Vestaron

Durham, North Carolina-based Vestaron Corp.'s bioinsecticide Spear has earned recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency via its Green Chemistry Challenge Awards Program. According to a news release, since 1996, the EPA in partnership with the American... more »

Cancellation order identifies use limits for dicamba

On June 8, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a key order providing farmers with needed clarity following the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ June 3 vacatur of three dicamba registrations. The cancellation order outlines limited and... more »

APHIS declares elimination of Ralstonia solancearum incidents

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and its State partners have successfully completed actions to eliminate Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 from U.S. greenhouses. The June 11... more »

Watch for late blight on tomato, potato in Eastern region

There are currently no reports of late blight on tomato or potato in the region. Tomato and potato plants are susceptible at any point during the growing season if conditions are favorably cool and wet.... more »

Ralstonia threat includes vegetable crops

Federal officials this spring worked with greenhouses in 39 states to destroy infected pink geraniums and prevent an invasive bacterium from infecting vegetable crops, including potatoes. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed... more »

Biotalys makes moves, prepares for launch of lead biofungicide BioFun-1

Biotalys NV, a transformative food and crop protection company, announced June 9 the expansion of its executive team and establishment of its new U.S. headquarters for Biotalys Inc., which will be located in Research Triangle Park,... more »

MDARD offers modified program for registering pesticide applicators

Due to the suspension of in-person certification exams as part of the state’s COVID-19 response, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is implementing a temporary program to streamline the process to become... more »

APHIS restricts imports of tomato, pepper due to ToBRFV

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has amended Federal Order for U.S. Imports of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum spp.) hosts of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV). Effective June 5, 2020, after issuance of... more »