LATEST POSTS
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Question of the Week – Stem Gall
What is going on with this blackberry shoot? This is the gall of a blackberry gall midge. A client recently brought in a blackberry stem, which was swollen and distorted, appearing to be a gall on the stem. Notice how the gall has an overlarge blackberry-type appearance. The shoot tip and blossoms are beginning to…
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Spots on Harvested Potato Tubers Might Be Enlarged Lenticels
From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath and Clemson Postharvest Physiologist Karin Albornoz In the past 2 weeks, two agents reported enlarged lenticels on potato tubers harvested from wet soil. This disorder (or abiotic plant problem problem) is most noticeable on red-skinned potatoes when the surface is wet. Enlarged lenticels are not a disease problem, but…
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Weekly Field Update – 6/2/25
Disease has begun to set in across the state as lots of crops come to harvest. More rain is in the forecast for this week, so now is the time to make sure you are current on your disease programs. Blueberries, blackberries, peaches, ccucurbits, and potatoes are all being harvested now. See details below. Keep…
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Question of the Week – Rootstock Growth
Why is this young peach tree developing shoots with purple leaves? The purple growth on this peach tree is coming from below the graft union. To help with disease resistance and other issues, peaches grown commercially in the US are always grafted. The rootstock (bottom portion of the tree) used may depend on the variety…
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Weekly Field Update – 5/27/25
The forecast is showing a damp week for the state, giving disease a good opportunity to develop. Cucurbit downy mildew was found in cucumbers in Charleston late last week. Use every dry opportunity you have to make sure you are on top of your disease management porgrams. See details below. Keep an eye on the…
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Cucurbit Disease Update for Mid-May 2025 (Downy Mildew Found in SC)
From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath Despite relatively dry conditions this spring, two foliar diseases have shown up on cucurbits in different parts of South Carolina. Gummy stem blight was found on watermelon in the Central Savannah River Area, and downy mildew was found on cucumbers at Coastal REC. Five of 23 watermelon samples (that’s…
The South Carolina Grower 