IR-4 Project trial studies show cyflumetofen is an effective spider mite control on a variety of specialty crops. Spider mites can be a major pest on specialty crops including tomatoes, cucurbits, and strawberries. They can be a particularly difficult pest to control in southern states that produce food crops year-round. “Mites on strawberries are especially […]
Post Author: David Kuack
David Kuack is a freelance technical writer in Fort Worth, Texas; dkuack@gmail.com.
Leveling the playing field for grape growers
U.S. grape growers gain the use of permethrin insecticide through IR-4-sponsored residual trials. The United States is the world’s third largest producer of grapes behind China and Italy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that utilized grape production totaled 6.8 million tons in 2019. Grapes were produced on an estimated 935,000 acres with an average […]
Diamondback Moth: The Bane of Brassica Crop Growers
Trying to control the diamondback moth on brassica crops can be a major challenge, especially in those areas where crops are produced year-round. Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.) is considered to be the most damaging pest of brassica crops worldwide. Growers of brassica crops, including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussel sprouts and collards, are very […]
Think Prevention to Control Spider Mites on Peanuts
With a limited number of miticides registered for use on peanuts, the best method to control spider mites is to minimize infestations. In these uncertain times, people look to comfort foods for something that tastes good and makes them feel good. One of these foods is peanut butter, which the HuffPost listed as one of […]
Looking for fast-acting spider mite control on blueberries?
Registration of acequinocyl gives blueberry growers a fast-acting miticide with a different mode of action making it a good rotation tool for resistance management. The United States is the world’s largest commercial producer of blueberries. Blueberries are commercially produced in 38 states with 10 states accounting for more than 98 percent of the U.S. production. […]
Papaya Growers Use Biologicals and Insecticides to Control Papaya Mealybug
The registration of the insecticide acetamiprid through IR-4 Project adds an important integrated management tool for control of papaya mealybug. Even though the United States imports most of its fresh papaya from Mexico, the tropical fruit is grown domestically in Hawaii, Florida, Texas, California and Puerto Rico. Hawaii is the largest producer with over 10 […]
Growers and Researchers Collaborate to Control Coffee Berry Borer
Coffee growers work with IR-4 Project researchers and university cooperative extension agents to develop effective integrated control programs to limit damage from coffee berry borer. Only the European Union imports more coffee beans than the United States. About 90 percent of the coffee consumed in the United States is imported. According to USDA, most of […]
Herbicide label expansion could provide cucumber and squash growers extended weed control
Researchers are conducting trials through IR-4 Project to determine the weed control effectiveness of clomazone as a post-transplant application. Clomazone has become an important weed control tool for specialty crop growers. This pre-emergent herbicide provides effective control of many annual grasses and common broadleaf weeds. Through the IR-4 Project, researchers are now studying whether this […]
Cilantro and dill growers gain an additional weed control tool
Cilantro and dill growers and researchers work together to expand registration of clomazone through IR-4 Project. Growing multiple vegetable crops can be a blessing and a curse. Ratto Bros. Inc. in Modesto, Calif., produces 38 different crops, primarily leafy greens and herbs. “We grow a broad spectrum of crops,” said Brandon Narron, ranch manager at […]
Growers have more options when trying to manage basil downy mildew
Resistant varieties and additional fungicides can assist growers in protecting their basil crops from downy mildew infection. Whether basil is grown in controlled environment structures or outdoors, downy mildew can be a destructive disease of this crop. “For organic basil crops, downy mildew can be quite devastating and usually results in total crop loss that […]