Author: Justin Ballew
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Question of the Week – Corn Earworm
This week, the question was: What caterpillar is this that was found boring into a tomato? This is a corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea). This common caterpillar pest is known by other names, including tomato fruitworm, cotton bollworm, and soybean podworm. Corn earworms are considered to be one of the most economically important insect pests in…
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Weekly Field Update – 11/6/23
Southern SARE is encouraging growers to submit proposals for the Producer Grant Program. “The maximum funding amount for a Producer Grant is $20,000 for individual farmers/ranchers and $25,000 for farmer/rancher organizations. Producer Grants are used to conduct sustainable agriculture research projects that solve agricultural production challenges farmers face and to develop information on what works…
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Question of the Week – Vetch
This week, the question was: What is this weed that is starting to show now up in vegetable fields? This is common vetch (Vicia sativa). Vetch is a cool-season weed that begins germinating in the fall and begins blooming in the winter, peaking in the spring. Vetch is in the legume family, making it capable…
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Happy Halloween!
We hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween! Some of our fruit and vegetable agents had a great time last night dressing up their children (including fur babies) and themselves for some trick-or-treating. Take a look while you enjoy the candy you stole from your kids/grandkids!
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Weekly Field Update – 10/30/23
The final installment of the Strawberry Webinar Series will be available until next Monday (11/6). Don’t miss this presentation about managing cold events. NC State University is looking for cucumber growers to participate in a survey about experiences with common cucumber diseases and growers’ opinions about cucumber plant characteristics. The aim of this study is…
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Question of the Week – Pineapple Guava
This week, the question was: What is this that was found growing on a bush in Charleston this past week? This is a pineapple guava. Pineapple guava is an incredibly tasty fruit that comes from an evergreen shrub, native to South America. The shrub grows well along the coast and is a great choice as…
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Weekly Field Update – 10/23/23
Our Strawberry Webinar Series is still live. The second presentation will be available until 10/27, so don’t let this opportunity to earn pesticide credits slip away. Check out upcoming meetings on the Upcoming Events tab, and don’t forget to look at our Resources tab for links to crop handbooks, helpful websites, and related blogs. Also,…
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Question of the Week – Melonworm
This week, the question was: What made the hole in this squash blossom? This hole was most likely made by a melonworm. A hole this size is actually an exit hole chewed by the worm on its way out to pupate. Before that, the worm was inside the bloom feeding on the reproductive parts of…
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Weekly Field Update – 10/16/23
All three installments of our Strawberry Webinar Series are now live. The first presentation will be available until 10/20, so don’t let this opportunity to earn pesticide credits slip away. Check out upcoming meetings on the Upcoming Events tab, and don’t forget to look at our Resources tab for links to crop handbooks, helpful websites,…
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Question of the Week – Fasciation
This week, the question was: What is going on with this squash? This squash is showing abnormal growth known as fasciation. Fasciation is the abnormal development of a meristem, or growing point. The cause of this condition is not well understood, but is most commonly thought to be associated with genetic mutation, hormonal imbalances, environmental…
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