Potential Telone Shortage a Concern for Specialty Crop Producers

Clint Thompson Fumigation

By Clint Thompson An essential component of fumigation is likely to be in short supply this year. The ramifications will impact specialty crop producers across the Southeast. Johan Desaeger, assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, updated attendees at last week’s Florida Grower …

Fumigation: Pros and Cons Discussed at Annual Watermelon Meeting

Jim Rogers Fumigation

By Clint Thompson Despite stringent regulatory requirements and high costs, fumigation remains a vital tool in a specialty crop producers’ toolbox when managing certain pests. “The reality is there’s just some pests and some crops where that is our most reliable tactic,” said Josh Freeman, an agronomist and regional manager with TriEst Ag Group. “Consider peppers for example. You have …

Applying Herbicide Under Plastic Mulch

Jim Rogers Fumigation, Weed Management

By Ramdas Kanissery Weed management is fundamental in successfully growing vegetables in Florida using a plasticulture system. Traditionally, this production system was reliant on fumigants like methyl bromide to control various soilborne diseases, nematodes and weeds. However, the phaseout of methyl bromide resulted in a lack of broad-spectrum activity and consistency in weed suppression in plastic mulched raised beds. This …

Recent Rains Could Delay Fumigation Process

Jim Rogers Fumigation, Specialty Crops, Weather

By Clint Thompson Persistent rainfall across the Southeast in recent weeks could delay fumigation progress from specialty crop farmers preparing to plant their fall crops. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, discusses how heavy rain events could keep producers from getting into their fields at a key point in the season. …

Register Now for EPA Certified Soil Fumigant Applicator Training

Jim Rogers Fumigation, Specialty Crops

Florida specialty crop producers are encouraged to register now for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Certified Soil Fumigant Applicator Training workshop, scheduled for Thursday, July 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hendry County Extension office in LaBelle, Florida. In order for an applicator to utilize fumigants, they must have a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services …

Soil Health: UF Scientists Receive Grant to Study Fumigation

Jim Rogers Fumigation, Research, Soil

By Brad Buck, (352) 875-2641, bradbuck@ufl.edu Fumigants are an essential tool growers implement before planting to manage soil health. They reduce harmful diseases such as Fusarium wilt and pests like root-knot nematodes and weeds that compete for water and nutrients. Their effect on soil diseases, pests and weeds help sustain production. But how does it happen, especially considering there’s so …

Certis Product Effective Against Plant Parasitic Nematodes

Jim Rogers Agri-business, Fumigation, Specialty Crops

By Clint Thompson One of the worst pests of specialty crops in the Southeast has met its match with a new product from Certis Biologicals. It recently announced the launch of MeloCon® LC, which helps control plant-parasitic nematodes, says Karla Medina, Certis Regional Field Development Manager.   “Nematodes are one of the worst hidden enemies that you don’t see on …

Lack of Consistency: Fumigation Erratic in Control of Weeds

Clint Thompson Florida, Fumigation, Pests, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Florida vegetable producers hoping to control weeds with just fumigation need to be mindful of its erratic effectiveness, says Ramdas Kanissery, a weed scientist at the University of Florida/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. “The thing with fumigation, what we have observed, there will be good effects on nematode suppression, but when it comes to weed …