Author: Justin Ballew
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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…
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Question of the Week – Sclerotia
What are the black structures developing inside the stem of this dying bupleurum? These black structures are sclerotia, which are signs of the disease sclerotinia stem rot, and resting structures for the pathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Sclerotia are hardened masses of mycelia, which enable the fungus to survive environmental stresses, such as a lack of a suitable…
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Weekly Field Update – 5/19/25
The state warmed up and dried out over the couse of the past week. Disease is showing up in places as a result of all the moisture as well as mechanical damage to plants. Harvest is near for blueberries, blackberries, cucurbits, tomatoes, and peppers. See details below. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab…
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May Grower Spotlight – Gurosik Berry Plantation
Where is Sarah and her family picking strawberries this week? In this month’s grower spotlight, Ophelia is filling her bucket with tasty strawberries from Gurosik’s Berry Plantation in North Augusta, SC. Clyde and Marilyn Gurosik started with a small u-pick field in 1981 and have grown their operation from there. On the 100-acre farm, you…
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Weekly Field Update – 5/12/25
South Carolina is soaking wet right now after Sunday and Monday morning rain. This will bring an end to the strawberry season for some growers. Disease potential is expected to be high over the next week as temperatures warm. See details below. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events tab periodically so you don’t miss…
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Question of the Week – Whiteflies
What is on the underside of this kale leaf? These white-colored, oval-shaped things are the immature stages of whiteflies. Whiteflies are an occasional pest of brassica crops. They have piercing-sucking mouthparts used to suck sap from their host plant. Feeding from large populations may slow plant growth and leave deposits of “honeydew” (excreted as they…
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