Mr. Clarence Codod (Grad Student) has been scouting 18 commercial vegetable fields in Tift, Colquitt and Worth counties for whitefly and viral diseases.

Here are some of the important details from our Spring scouting (Apr 7- Apr 21)

  • Whitefly adults are more prevalent and occur in higher numbers in brassica (broccoli and cabbage) crops in Tift and Colquitt counties.
  • Whitefly adult are also starting to show up in “Tomato” crop. As per one of the reports, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) was detected earlier this week (only one symptomatic plant in the entire field). Further secondary spread may occur if whitefly numbers increase in coming weeks.
  • If this trend continues, we are again at risk of a bad whitefly and whitefly-transmitted virus year. This means our cucurbit, tomato and snap bean crops in Fall may face higher risk of whitefly-transmitted virus outbreaks. Some of the common viruses we may see are: Cucurbit leaf crumple virus and Cucurbit yellow stunt disorder virus (cucurbit crops), Cucurbit leaf crumple virus and Sida golden mosaic virus (snap bean) and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (tomato).

We will keep scouting and will keep you guys updated.

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