This article addresses considerations of using grafted watermelon plants in Indiana. Choosing rootstocks Interspecific hybrid squash is the most widely used watermelon rootstock. Many cultivars of the hybrid squash rootstocks that have been developed by different companies, share similar genetic background and thus similar characteristics. All of them have outstanding resistance to Fusarium wilt, but,[Read More…]
Wenjing Guan
Vegetable Crops Hotline Editor & Clinical Engagement Assistant Professor
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Area(s) of Interest: Commercial Vegetable and Melon Production
Wenjing Guan's website
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Area(s) of Interest: Commercial Vegetable and Melon Production
Wenjing Guan's website
North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) will host a Farmer Rancher Grant Program grant webinar on Tuesday, September 22 from 4-5:30pm CDT. This webinar will help guide participants through the process of submitting a grant proposal to NCR-SARE’s Farmer Rancher grant program. Join Joan Benjamin, NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher Grant Program Coordinator, to learn how to[Read More…]
Cover crops have been shown to improve water and soil quality, reduce erosion and capture nutrients. Choosing the right cover crop, however, can be difficult. The Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC) —made up of representatives from 12 Midwest states and universities, including Purdue, the province of Ontario and other agricultural stakeholders — is rolling out an improved cover[Read More…]
Thanks to growers’ collaboration and help from Superior Ag, we collected plant tissue samples from 12 watermelon fields at different crop growing stages in Southern Indiana in the 2020 season. In this article, I want to discuss two of the issues that standout from these tests. One is the generally low or deficient Magnesium (Mg)[Read More…]
Strawberries are primarily grown in matted row system in Indiana, in which bare-root strawberry plants are set in the spring. Runners are established. Fruit is first harvested in the second year and plantings are renovated each year for 2-3 seasons. Growers in the southern part of the state expressed interest in growing strawberries in plasticulture[Read More…]
Many things changed this year. It is unfortunate we are not able to meet in person, but there are no shortage of great opportunities for learning. And even more, as the distance may not be an issue when field days become virtual. I hope you have enjoyed the Purdue Small Farm Education Field Day and[Read More…]
USDA announces more eligible commodities for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), and the deadline to apply for the program was extended to September 11th. The following additional commodities are now eligible for CFAP: Specialty Crops – aloe leaves, bananas, batatas, bok choy, carambola (star fruit), cherimoya, chervil (french parsley), citron, curry leaves, daikon, dates, dill, donqua[Read More…]
A common problem tomato growers face this time of year are fruit defects caused by high temperatures. Heat stress on tomatoes can lead to reduced yield and abnormal fruit development. The common physiological disorders on fruit development under heat stress include yellow shoulder, internal white tissue, and blotchy ripening. In a recent presentation by Gordon[Read More…]
