Melons
Nominations opening for watermelon promotion board
The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) will hold a nomination teleconference on Feb. 16 at 11 a.m. (EST) for District 4 and Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. (EST) for District 5 to nominate qualified watermelon... more »
Survey seeks grafting information from tomato and watermelon growers
Researchers at the University of Florida, collaborating with the Clemson University, North Carolina State University, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Kansas State University, Washington State University, University of Arizona, University of California, Davis, and... more »
Purdue study shows value of IPM on corn, watermelon
Many farmers rent bee hives to pollinate crops, but they could tap into the free labor of wild bees by adopting an as-needed approach to pesticides, a new proof-of-concept study shows. A multiyear study of... 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 »
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 »
North Carolina State salutes Quesada-Ocampo’s ‘40 Under 40’ honor
Lina Qusada-Ocampo, North Carolina State associate professor and vegetable pathology Extension specialist, was named to this year's list of the Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40 honorees. Quesada-Ocampo, faculty member in the Department of Entomology and... more »
Be on the lookout for fusarium fruit rot, other threats in the mid-Atlantic
There continue to be no reports of late blight on tomato or potato in the mid-Atlantic region. But, this week there was a confirmed report on tomato in eastern Tennessee determined to be caused by... more »
USDA revises trade standards for watermelons
The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service is revising the U.S. Standards for Watermelon to provide a common language for trade. AMS is establishing a total tolerance for Anthracnose and decay in the U.S. No. 1 and... more »