Thanks to my University of California Cooperative Extension colleagues, I visited central valley vegetable production last week. Undoubtedly, I learned a lot on this trip. I want to share what I learned with Indiana growers in a few newsletter articles. This short article highlights two things I saw farmers use to extend early-season crop production.[Read More…]
Cucurbits
The following is a brief report of the pest and non-infectious problems found on vegetable in Indiana over the past 10 days. Tomato-In high tunnels and greenhouses, scattered growers have observed leaf mold, gray mold and white mold. Tomato spotted wilt has also been observed on tomatoes in high tunnels. Unfortunately, herbicide drift has also[Read More…]
In the next month, many growers will start to plant pumpkins. This article will introduce aspects of disease management of pumpkins prior to the growing season. The information below is discussed under several of the most common diseases of pumpkins in Indiana. The objective of this article is to discuss what diseases are more likely[Read More…]
This time of year, when we are busy in the fields planting and prepping for a fruitful season, we need to be observant of the pest pressures that may be present. We have already had reports this year of cucumber beetles feeding on recently transplanted cucurbit crops, in particular melons and cucumbers. Let’s review why[Read More…]
While it is not so much of a problem on large farms, with many acres of cucurbits, small farms and organic growers tend to be the most impacted by this pest. The squash vine borer (Figure 1) is a member of the clear-winged moths, a unique group of moths that are active during the daytime.[Read More…]
MELCAST is a weather-based disease-forecasting program that helps growers schedule foliar fungicide applications for watermelon and cantaloupe. MELCAST stands for MELon disease for CASTer. This program, designed by Dr. Rick Latin, Emeritus Professor of Plant Pathology at Purdue University, keeps track of weather conditions so that cantaloupe and watermelon growers can apply foliar fungicides to their crops when they[Read More…]
Course: Online PCQI Certification – Watermelon Packing Dates: May 5 & May 6, 2022 Times: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm EST Online Platform: Zoom Cost: $1000.00 each participant To register: pcqiclasses@gmail.com or text 561-261-9747 Course Info: Kiley will lead a VIRTUAL but interactive training session (via ZOOM) across two days from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm each day.[Read More…]
A large proportion of watermelon acres in Indiana are not currently using drip irrigation. Farmers may choose not to use drip irrigation because precipitation is usually abundant in most years for watermelon production. There is a desire to reduce costs and/or fear that over-irrigation may increase the risk of mature watermelon vine decline, a disease[Read More…]
Tell us about your opinions on vegetable grafting practices All growers are eligible whether you use vegetable grafting practices or not. Researchers at the University of Florida, in collaboration with Clemson University, North Carolina State University, The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Kansas State University, Washington State University, University of Arizona, University of California, Davis, and USDA – Agricultural Research[Read More…]
At the 2022 Southwest Indiana Melon and Vegetable Growers Annual Meeting, 17 watermelon farmers and 2 agricultural professionals shared their irrigation and fertilization management practices used for watermelon production in Indiana. These individuals grow or provide services for watermelon acres from less than 50 acres up to 2,000 acres over the past five years. We[Read More…]