LATEST POSTS
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Question of the Week – Turmeric
This week, the question was: What is this crop being grown on John’s Island, SC? This is turmeric. This plant is grown for its swollen roots (rhizomes) which will be dug and harvested in the fall. Turmeric is a close relative of ginger that is a traditionally popular ingredient in Asian, African, and Caribbean dishes.…
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Biopesticides (Seem to) Perform Poorly Against Black Spot on Kale
From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath. As part of a USDA Organic Transitions Program grant, we tested 10 biopesticides on organic kale ‘Oldenbor’ to see if any product controlled Alternaria leaf spot, a.k.a. black spot. Unfortunately, none look promising as no biopesticides reduced black spot compared to the nontreated control based on repeated greenhouse trials…
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Weekly Field Update – 6/27/22
Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see this week’s Question of the Week and check back on Thursday for the answer! Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “It is hot and very, very dry in the Lowcountry. We desperately need some rain on the coast. Many irrigation ponds are at very…
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Charcoal Rot Showing Up in Cantaloupe
From Clemson Extension Agent Rob Last and Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath. Charcoal rot was identified in a cantaloupe crop in South Carolina this week. The fungus responsible for the disease is Macrophomina phaseolina, a soil-borne fungus that survives as microsclerotia. The fungus affects more than 800 host plants. These range from corn and soybean to…
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Question of the Week – TSWV
This week, the question was: What is going on with this pepper leaf? This pepper leaf is showing symptoms of a virus, likely tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). TSWV is an important virus of tomato, pepper, eggplant, peanuts, tobacco, etc. that causes significant yield loss to infected plants. Numerous ornamental and weed species are also…
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Weekly Field Update – 6/20/22
Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see this week’s Question of the Week and check back on Thursday for the answer! Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “Pest and diseases are beginning to increase in the area. Powdery mildew is apparent in cucurbit crops. The most efficacious treatments are Vivando and…
The South Carolina Grower 