Recent Posts
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The following is largely a synopsis of information previously provided by Gerard Krewer (UGA Professor Emeritus and consultant), Bill Cline (NC State), Dave Lockwood (Univ. of TN), Danny Stanaland (retired county agent and consultant) and myself relative a suggested response to cold damage on blueberries and the potential threat of Botryosphaeria canker development on damaged…
Posted in: Disease Management -
The following information is of value to commercial blueberry producers in the southern part of the state or anywhere that blueberries are in bloom. We just had a couple of nights of cold temperatures (<25 F) in most parts of our blueberry belt, so this message is especially targeted for those producers. Where cold-damaged blooms/shoots…
Posted in: Disease Management -
Posted in: Uncategorized
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A grower recently complained about his blueberry bushes being less vigorous with weak root system. After examining the root system, we discovered that the roots were infested with numerous small, yellowish-brown round cysts which were identified as ground pearls. Ground pearls, Margarodes spp. (Hemiptera: Margarodidae), are subterrestrial insects closely related to aboveground armored scale (Hemiptera:…
Posted in: Pest Management -
As spotted wing drosophila (SWD) has become established throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, it has become increasingly important to understand the impacts this pest has had in different crops and regions. We have conducted grower-focused impact assessments for the last two years and this information has been used to develop research, extension, and education…
Posted in: Pest Management -
I have recently had a few questions relative use of Sulforix on sites with no history of Exobasium leaf and fruit spot. For the most part, if your blueberries have never shown Exobasidium symptoms before, it might be overkill to apply Sulforix. We think the disease builds up over a period of 2-3 years,…
Posted in: Disease Management -
We are having numerous questions concerning the use of Sulforix or lime sulfur at this specific time. For the remainder of this note, I will reference lime sulfur only, but know that I am referring to either lime sulfur or Sulforix when I do so. Relative an application of lime sulfur at this time (early…
Posted in: Disease Management -
Although Georgia might be called the Peach State, a more accurate nickname would be the Blueberry State. This year, Georgia became the top blueberry producing state in the U.S., according to a news story from The Red and The Black, an independent student newspaper, serving the University of Georgia community. Blueberry production in Georgia this year is estimated at 96…
Posted in: Economics -
Posted in: Disease Management