Tomatoes/Peppers
United Fresh updates food safety guidelines for fresh tomatoes
United Fresh Produce Association is pleased to announce the release of the updated version of the Food Safety Programs & Auditing Protocol for the Fresh Tomato Supply Chain, commonly known as the "Tomato Metrics." These... more »
Two-spotted spider mites hit high tunnel vegetables
In mid-June I saw several high tunnel tomatoes and cucumbers with moderate to severe two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) Tetranychus urticae infestations (Fig. 1 at top). These pests vary in color from white to yellow to red. Mites... more »
Consequences of a cool, wet season for vegetables
The consequences of a cool, wet start to the growing season go beyond the obvious of later planting and slow growth. This is the most difficult season in recent memory. Temperatures and sunlight have been... more »
California processing tomato acreage stays steady
As of May 15, California’s tomato processors reported they have or will have contracts for 12.1 million tons of processing tomatoes for 2019, according to a survey conducted by USDA NASS’ Pacific Regional Office. This... more »
Artificial intelligence used in hybrid tomato breeding
Agtech company Seed-X, which specializes in seed qualification during the breeding process, and TomaTech, a tomato seed breeding company, recently announced a pilot program of seed analysis using artificial intelligence.... more »
Researchers identify the genetic underpinnings of modern tomato
It’s summer, and Georgia gardeners are anxiously awaiting their first tomato harvest. Just in time for those first tomato sandwiches, researchers at the University of Georgia have helped unlock the mystery of what separates today’s... more »
AppHarvest secures $82 million to build eastern Kentucky greenhouse
AppHarvest said May 21 it has closed an $82 million deal with Equilibrium Capital to build the company’s 60-acre greenhouse in Morehead, Kentucky. In addition, ValueAct Spring Fund has led the company’s Series A, with... more »
Flea beetles feeding, tomato early blight seen in Pennsylvania
I visited a few tomato fields this week and found 2 to 4-week-old tomato plants with some early blight (Alternaria solani) and in some cases bad early blight lesions. This is very early in the... more »
