Fruit cracking is one of the most commonly observed disorders affecting many fruit crops. Cracking can occur in different forms, such as radial splits extending from the stem end, splits at the blossom end, or concentric rings around the fruit. Research has shown that multiple factors influence fruit cracking. Some cultivars are more susceptible to…Read more about What Caused the Cracking of Tomatoes and Melons?[Read More]
Solanaceous Crops
Thrips are soft-bodied insects belonging to the order Thysanoptera. They are tiny, slender, and characterized by their fringed wings (Figure 1). While many thrips species are considered agricultural pests, some are beneficial predators. One important pest species is the western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis; Figure 2), which can cause significant damage to crops. In contrast,…Read more about Insect Spotlight: Thrips[Read More]
For tomato growers, managing potassium (K) nutrition is critical for both yield and fruit quality. While most producers understand K’s importance, many don’t realize how significantly temperature influences a plant’s ability to uptake and utilize this essential nutrient. With increasing heat extremes, understanding this relationship becomes even more crucial for successful production. The Temperature-Potassium Connection…Read more about Temperature Effects on Potassium Uptake: Managing Heat Stress for Better Tomato Quality[Read More]
I monitor three different insect pests with pheromone traps to help make informed decisions about when to spray insecticides or take other actions for management. Trap data can be found on the Extension Entomology Vegetables Website. The longest running is the corn earworm (Figure 1) trapping network. Participation in this network entails installing a cone-shaped…Read more about Annual Call for Insect Trappers[Read More]
Many growers have heard about or tried tomato grafting at some point. Some have found that grafted plants make a noticeable difference in plant vigor and yield, and have adopted the practice. Others may not have seen the same benefits and felt the extra effort wasn’t worthwhile. But regardless of initial experiences, grafting is a…Read more about Tomato Grafting Resources[Read More]
Selecting tomato cultivars can be both exciting and challenging, simply because there are so many options to choose from. Some growers settle on a few favorite cultivars and focus on fine-tuning their production practices to suit them. Others prefer to explore new cultivars every year, selecting those that best fit their evolving production systems. Regardless…Read more about Considerations for Choosing Tomato Cultivars[Read More]
2024 Field Trial Shows Yield Differences Between Italian and Asian Cultivars As part of Purdue University’s Field Production of Horticulture Crops class, Dr. Langenhoven established a comprehensive eggplant cultivar demonstration at the Meigs Horticulture Facility near Lafayette during the 2024 growing season. This hands-on educational project served a dual purpose: providing students practical crop management…Read more about Italian vs. Asian Eggplant Cultivars: Performance Comparison for Indiana Commercial Production[Read More]
After a family vacation to Jamaica in 2023, Dr. Langenhoven at Purdue University recognized the potential for Scotch Bonnet peppers as a high-value specialty crop for diversification on Indiana farms. This led to a 2024 research trial at the Meigs Horticulture Facility (Throckmorton Purdue Ag Center) near Lafayette to evaluate the commercial production potential of…Read more about Specialty Crop Opportunity: First-Year Results of Scotch Bonnet Pepper Trials[Read More]
Planning your vegetable varieties for the upcoming season? Purdue University has maintained comprehensive records of vegetable variety trials throughout the Midwest since 1999. The Midwest Vegetable Trial Report series offers valuable applied research findings specifically relevant to vegetable and melon production in the Midwest region. Below, you’ll find abstracts from the most recent reports. For…Read more about Data-Driven Decisions: Choosing Vegetable Varieties with Midwest Trial Results[Read More]
Earlier this year, FMC released a supplemental label for Anthem® Flex herbicide that includes additional uses for potatoes and mint. Anthem® Flex is a premix product containing pyroxasulfone (the active ingredient in Zidua® SC) and carfentrazone (the active ingredient in Aim® EC). Carfentrazone, a postemergence contact herbicide, is registered for use in Indiana for both…Read more about New Anthem® Flex Supplemental Herbicide Label for Mint and Potatoes[Read More]