Vegetable and Fruit News-April 2021

Fruit and Vegetable Insect Scouting Tips

By Emily Zobel Senior Agent Associate, University of Maryland Extension-Dorchester County

General Scouting tips: When scouting, check 5-10 locations (50+ plants) throughout the field. Localized infestations can be spot treated to save resources. The threshold is when...Read more>>

Odd Damage to Greenhouse Watermelon Transplants

By Jerry Brust, Extension IPM Vegetable Specialist, University of Maryland

There have been several reports of odd-looking damage to watermelon transplants being grown in greenhouses these past couple of weeks. The damage does not...Read more>>

Check for Allium Leaf Miner in Onions and Leeks Over the Next Few Weeks

By Jerry Brust, Extension IPM Vegetable Specialist, University of Maryland

If you grow leeks or onions or other Allium species, now and for the next few weeks is the time to watch for the telltale marks left by Allium leaf miner. Allium leaf miner Phytomyza gymnostoma tell-tale marks consist of several small round white dots (made by the female’s ovipositor) in a row that...Read more>>

Plasticulture Strawberry Fertilization

By Gordon Johnson, Extension Vegetable & Fruit Specialist, University of Delaware

Plasticulture strawberries are blooming now across Delmarva. Plasticulture strawberries should have had nitrogen applications prior to bloom. Base recommendations are 25 lbs/a of N at greenup and another...Read more...

Ethylene and the Regulation of Fruit Ripening

Annabelle Capino, Candidate for B.S. in Biochemistry & Macarena Farcuh, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Maryland, College Park

What is Ethylene? Fruit ripening is the set of processes that occur from the later stages of growth and development until the fruit is ready to be consumed. Fruit ripening results in changes in...Read more>>

Grafting Watermelon for Managing Fusarium Wilt in Southern Maryland

By Ben Beale, Extension Agent, St. Mary’s County & Alan Leslie, Extension Agent, Charles County

Introduction: Fusarium Wilt, caused by the soil-borne pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum is becoming more problematic in seedless watermelon production in Southern Maryland. Unfortunately, there are few...Read more>>

The Cicada Crew is a team of entomologists (Drs. Shrewsbury and Raupp, and a group of 8 graduate students) from the University of Maryland working to spread knowledge and awareness of periodical cicadas.

We are here to help answer your questions about periodical cicadas and help you to learn more about these amazing insects. Be sure to explore the Cicada Crew UMD website and its FAQs, links to additional resources, cicada images, and to the Entomology Student Organization).

Maryland Fruit & Vegetable Blog

What more great information between issues of the Fruit and Vegetable Newsletter, then check out the new Maryland Fruit & Vegetable Blog!

http://blog.umd.edu/umefruitveg/

Pesticide Labels and MSDS On-Line at:

http://www.cdms.net/

Preparing for Spring – Food Safety Communication

A food safety plan is the example and the measure of a farm’s commitment to bringing quality fresh produce to their market. It is an accomplishment to be proud of. Part of that food safety plan is to communicate not only to employees, but also interns, visitors, volunteers, and anyone else who visits the farm of that commitment. The Produce Safety Rule (FSMA), MDA GAP, and HGAP require all who visit the farm be made aware of the farm’s food safety policies. But what is the best way to do that?

See the latest Food Safety Newsletter

CLICK HERE

Carol Allen 301-405-7543 on Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings. Angela Ferelli 301-405-8922 Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Keep track of what is happening in produce safety and to find cool resources, check out our website: Food Safety Group Website

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Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations

This vegetable production guide is intended for the commercial vegetable grower who has to make numerous managerial decisions. Although the proper choices of variety, pesticides, equipment, irrigation, fertilizer, and cultural practices are the individual vegetable grower’s responsibility, it is intended that these recommendations will facilitate decision-making. Recommended planting dates will...Read more>>