Tomatoes/Peppers

California growers turning to center-pivot

Center-pivot irrigation could become the wave of the future in California, where farmers are looking to maximize water efficiency and minimize labor costs. About 30 growers attended a meeting recently in Five Points, Calif. -... more »

Using genetics to build a better tomato

Agricultural Research Service researchers are working to save our tomatoes - or at least some of them.Tomatoes spend so much time on shelves and in refrigerators that an estimated 20 percent are lost to spoilage,... more »

Publix pressured to sign farm worker agreement

A group of farm workers, advocates and residents asked Publix supermarket managers Tuesday to consider signing on to an agreement that raises labor standards and pay for tomato pickers in Florida and could stop forced... more »

Big tomato crop, high costs

It could be a rotten year for California's processing tomato growers. The Fresno BeeTo read more, click here. more »

BASF announces new chemistry fungicide for 2012

BASF is continuing its tradition of innovation by introducing a new fungicide, which will be available to growers in 2012, pending registration. The new chemistry, called Xemium, is a carboxamide that works by inhibiting SDH... more »

Tomatoes cleared in salmonella outbreak

In a study released recently in the New England Journal of Medicine, scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided detailed evidence linking a nationwide outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul in 2008 to jalapeño... more »

Planting project’s days numbered?

The Planting Transferability Pilot Project (PTPP) is entering its third year, but its long-term future remains cloudy.PTPP, managed by USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA), allows growers in seven Midwest states to grow certain processing vegetables... more »

Roller-crimper can aid no-till vegetable system

Utilizing cover crops is a common practice for many vegetable producers, due to the numerous benefits of reducing soil erosion, scavenging nutrients, suppressing weeds and improving soil structure and organic matter. Planting no-till into killed... more »