Crop Protection

Vestaron’s SPEAR-T bioinsecticide set for greenhouse applications

Kalamazoo, Michigan-based Vestaron, a company dedicated to improving the safety, efficacy and sustainability of crop protection through migration from chemical pesticides to biologic peptides, has fully launched and made availabke its SPEAR-T bioinsecticide, following final... more »

Hot, dry weather increases risk of spider mites, thrips

Thrips and spider mites are common pest problems in many vegetable crops in Michigan. Thrips (Photos 1-2) and spider mites (Photo 6, bottom of article) are commonly occurring pests of numerous vegetables, and their populations can... more »

Syngenta expert: Top insect threats for 2018

Insects take a major toll on crops every season, and any advantage growers can get makes a difference. A Syngenta expert has studied trends and developed predictions for a 2018 pest watch list. Meade McDonald, Syngenta insecticide... more »

HELM to buy Extreme-brand herbicide from BASF

Tampa, Florida-based HELM Agro US, Inc. announces the signing of an agreement to acquire Extreme herbicide from BASF Corporation. Extreme provides burndown and season-long residual control of more than 50 broadleaf and grass weeds in Roundup... more »

Anuvia Plant Nutrients names Zughaft to senior vice president

Zellwood, Florida- based Anuvia Plant Nutrients has appointed Ed Zughaft senior vice president Asset Acquisitions and Finance. Previously, he was senior vice president Finance. In this new position reporting to the CEO and working with the CFO, Zughaft... more »

Watch out for fungal diseases on melons

I’ve seen alternaria and anthracnose on melons so far this season, and have also had some calls with a concern about gummy stem blight. Here’s what to look for to tell the different diseases apart.... more »

Fertilgold Organics earns certification for fertilizer products

Fertilgold Organics, a new brand of organic fertilizer products from Bio Huma Netics, (BHN) headquartered in Gilbert, Ariz., has achieved Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) listing for 10 initial products. Of these, six OMRI-listed liquid... more »

Southern blight hitting Mississippi’s tomatoes hard

Conditions have been ideal this summer for a disease outbreak that makes tomatoes wilt and look like they are just too dry. Southern blight is a fungal disease of tomatoes commonly characterized by white, thread-like... more »