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Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
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________________________________________________ Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences |
SOUTH FLORIDA
VEGETABLE PEST AND DISEASE
HOTLINE
September
19, 2003
Welcome back and best wishes for a great season!
Most areas in South Florida have received above average rainfall this summer with many south Florida growing regions already approaching or exceeding average annual rainfall totals. Since August 1st, FAWN weather station data indicates that South Florida production areas have received from 10 – 20 inches of precipitation.
Temperatures have been near normal with daytime high in the high 80’s and lower 90’s. Nighttime temperatures have been mostly in the low to mid 70’s.
Fall planting and land preparation is going strong across all south Florida growing areas and planting will peak in the next few weeks. Wet weather during much of August and early September has caused some delays in land preparation and planting schedules in several places through the area. In spite of the above average rainfall, most crops have come through surprisingly well and look good. Okra harvesting is active in Dade County, in other areas a few cucumbers are being harvested.
FAWN Weather Summary
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| Min | Max | (Inches) | 40°F | 45°F | 50°F | 55°F | 60°F | 65°F | 70°F | 75°F | |
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The short-term forecast from the National Weather Service in Miami calls a little drier weather over the next few days as the peninsula comes under the influence of an upper level ridge east of now Tropical Storm Isabel. The ridge will weaken and become diffuse over the next few days as we gradually return to our typical pattern of afternoon and evening convection with associated scattered showers and thunderstorms through next week. Daytime highs will remain around 90 with nighttime lows in the low to mid 70’s.
For additional information, visit the National Weather Service in Miami website at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/newpage/index.html
Insects
Growers and scouts report mostly light pressure from the typical compliment of fall insect pests.
Worms
Around Southwest Florida, growers and scouts seeing some worm activity but so far numbers appear to be below what might be considered normal for this time of the season. Observers report a mixed bag of southern armyworms, beet armyworms, fall armyworms, fruitworms, loopers and a few leaf tiers.
A few scouts have noted a significant increase in beet armyworm egg masses over the past few days. There have been a few reports of melon worms showing up in squash.
In the Palm Beach area, respondents report light worm pressure with mostly beet armyworm on pepper and southern armyworm on tomato. Growers are also report finding a few melon worms on squash and low to moderate numbers of armyworms in corn. A few bean leaf rollers have also been noted.
Around the Manatee/Ruskin area, reports indicate that worms populations were generally low until the last week or so following the full moon when an increase in pressure was noted. Mostly beet and southern armyworm are being reported in addition to a few fruitworms. Some hornworm and looper eggs are also being detected.
From the Homestead area, reports indicate increasing worm pressure from mostly southern armyworm and some hornworms in tomato. Scouts report moderate southern armyworm on pepper and increasing worm pressure on early corn.
Whiteflies
Respondents in west central Florida, report mostly low Whitefly numbers with occasional higher numbers in some fields in spite of the rainy weather. A few nymphs are being found on older plantings with numbers in some blocks reaching threshold levels resulting in growers making IGR applications.
Reports from Palm Beach and Martin Counties indicate a few white fly adults moving into tomatoes and other crops. In a few places, higher numbers have been reported in crops like beans where nicotinoids are not typically applied.
Around Homestead, growers and scouts report very low whitefly numbers to date.
In Southwest Florida whiteflies have been low, especially in tomatoes. Scouts are reporting some increases in numbers found on some plantings of cucurbits and eggplant but nothing that could be called high at this time.
In a paper, presented at the 2003 Florida Tomato Institute, Dr Dave Schuster, Entomologist, UF/IFAS GCREC – “What’s Up with All these Whiteflies” – noted a several factors that might have contributed to the high numbers of whitefly adults and the high incidence of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) reported this past spring. These include changing cropping patterns with a resulting erosion of typically tomato free periods throughout south Florida production areas. This is especially true with regards to grape tomato, which tends to yield over a much longer period than standard round tomatoes and which continue to produce reduced but acceptable yields even after TYLCV infection.
Especially alarming is an increase in RS50 values over the past three season suggesting reduced susceptibility of whiteflies to nicotinoid insecticides – Admire, Platinum, Assail, Actara, and Provado. Although reduced susceptibility might suggest reduced control, there have been no reports by growers of these materials to control whitefly nymphs during the season.
Another is reported changes in the behavior of the silverleaf whitefly regarding the suitability of pepper as a host plant and the fact that pepper has been established as an alternate host of TYLCV, which was also reported at the 2003 Florida Tomato Institute in addition to other media by Dr. Jane Polston, Virologist, UF/IFAS Plant Pathology.
Given all of these factors growers are encouraged to redouble their nicotinoid resistance management efforts to preserve these valuable pest management tools. Remember the early 90’s and the battle with whiteflies and Gemini virus before the advent of Admire!
Nicotinoid Resistance Management Recommendations
· Reduce
overall whitefly populations by strictly adhering to cultural practices
including:
· Plant
whitefly-free transplants
· Delay
planting new crops as long as possible and destroy old crops immediately
after harvest to create or lengthen a tomato free period
· Do
not plant new crops near or adjacent to infested weeds or crops, abandoned
fields awaiting destruction or areas with volunteer plants
· Use
UV-reflective (aluminum) plastic soil mulch
· Control
weeds on field edges if scouting indicates whiteflies are present and natural
enemies are absent
· Manage
weeds within crops to minimize interference with spraying;
· Avoid
u-pick or pin-hooking operations unless effective control measures are
continued
· Do
not use a nicotinoid like Admire on transplants or apply only once 7-10
days before transplanting; use other products in other chemical classes,
including Fulfill, before this time;
· Apply
a nicotinoid like Admire (16 ozs/acre) or Platinum (8ozs/acre) at transplanting
and use products of other chemical classes (such as the insect growth regulators
Knack® or Courier®) as the control with the nicotinoid diminishes
· Never
follow an application (soil or foliar) of a nicotinoid with another application
(soil or foliar) of the same or different nicotinoid on the same crop or
in the same field within the same season (i.e. do not treat a double crop
with a nicotinoid if the main crop had been treated previously);
· Save
applications of nicotinoids for crops threatened by whitefly-transmitted
plant viruses or whitefly-inflicted disorders (i.e. tomato, beans or squash)
and consider the use of chemicals of other classes for whitefly control
on other crops.
Around Immokalee, there has been a notable increase in the use of reflective mulch this season. There are also reports of wider use on the east coast as well. -GM.
Additional suggestions for breaking the cycle can be found in an article by Dr. Jane Polston in last years Tomato Institute Proceedings, available online at the SWFREC website at http://www.imok.ufl.edu/veghort/docs/tom_inst_2002_091202.pdf
Leafminers
Reports from Manatee County indicate that leafminer pressure is very low and below threshold but this may change with this week’s drier weather.
Some stippling has been noted on tomatoes in the Homestead area and scouts report rapidly increasing leafminer pressure in eggplant.
Around the Immokalee area, respondents are reporting scattered low levels of leafminer activity on tomato.
Specialty growers in Palm Beach are finding some light to moderate leafminer damage on oriental crucifers (including daikon, and bok choy) as well as flat cabbage, collards, and kohlrabi.
Mites
Respondents in Palm Beach indicate that broadmites are starting to show up on pepper in scattered locations. Levels and occurrence appears to be very similar to last year at this time.
In southwest Florida, a few spider mites are showing up on eggplants.
Misc. pests
Around Homestead, fairly heavy cucumber beetle pressure has been observed in a variety of crops including pepper, eggplant and corn.
Scouts operating in Homestead report observing snails feeding on several crops, damage to date has been low to moderate.
Respondents in Palm Beach note finding feeding injury consistent with Thrips palmi on pepper. Occurrence has been isolated and damage has been minimal.
A few reports of problems with mole crickets have been noted around Immokalee.
Diseases
In spite of heavy rainfall and elevated temperatures over the past few weeks, disease pressure remains relatively low across the area.
Bacterial diseases
Reports from the Manatee/Ruskin area where tomatoes have been in the ground for several weeks longer than other production areas indicate that bacterial spot is fairly widespread. Respondents note a wide variation in severity, mostly based on weather conditions in specific fields. Reports note some hot spots in blocks that experienced heavy downpours and wind. Overall, many fields are very clean considering all the rain over the past 6 weeks.
Some bacterial wilt has been noted in scattered locations around west central Florida. Incidence and severity is generally low.
Around Immokalee, bacterial spot is present on tomato and pepper. Observers note that incidence and severity had been very low until the past 7-10 days. There are now some fields with hot spots that are moderately infected.
Respondents in the Homestead area report very low levels of bacterial spot on tomato and little or no spot on pepper.
Reports from Palm Beach and Martin counties, indicate that bacterial spot is present at mostly low levels. A few scattered reports note low – moderate levels of bacterial spot in places but indicate that drier weather over the past few days seems to have arrested its development in the field.
Growers and scouts report that some plants are arriving from the plant house with bacterial spot infections.
Pythium
Some limited stand loss from pythium has been noted on pepper in the Homestead area.
East Coast correspondents report scattered low levels of pythium on a variety of crops. They note that the incidence remains below what was experienced last season.
Around Bradenton, growers and scouts report some widely scattered problems with pythium on pepper and tomato especially earlier in season and in wetter locations.
Growers and scouts around Immokalee report very low incidence of pythium so far this fall.
Abundant soil moisture and elevated temperatures conspire to make the fall planting season a prime time for vegetable growers in Florida to encounter problems with Pythium spp. on a variety of vegetables. Pythium typically attacks roots causing damping off, seedling blights, root rots and wilting of affected crops. In some instances, Pythium may affect the above ground portions of crops.
Pythium myriotylum and P. aphanidermatum are generally most abundant in Florida because they are adapted to high soil temperature. The optimum temperatures for their growth and infection of plants range between 86 and 98 ° F.
The host range for Pythium spp. is extremely wide. Vegetable crops commonly infected include beans cucurbits, peppers, southern peas, strawberries, and tomatoes. A number of broadleaf and grassy weeds may host Pythium spp. and serve as important sources of inocula.
Pythium is one of the “water molds.” It thrives in moist soils and multiplies and spreads rapidly under wet conditions. Although Pythium is capable of producing several spore types, zoospores and oospores are most important. Zoospores are mobile. They are produced rapidly and in great numbers and contribute to the organism’s ability to cause disease almost “over night.” Zoospores may be detected within half an hour after a site is flooded and can “swim” for up to 30 hours and move three or more inches through soil.
Pythium is often associated with root rots and pre emergent and post emergent damping off. One of the characteristics of tissue infected with Pythium spp. is the presence of water-soaked or greasy appearing tissue. This is distinct from the orange to red to dark, sunken lesions caused by Rhizoctinia solani.
Infection with Pythium spp. also causes wilting of numerous crop species. Plants affected by Pythium root and stem rots commonly exhibit yellowing of the lower leaves.
Excess fertilizer, flooded soils, insect feeding, and nematode feeding may also contribute to dysfunctional roots. For accurate diagnosis, it is best to submit samples to a reputable diagnostic laboratory.
Resistant cultivars do not exist so control of Pythium depends on a variety of tactics. Crops should be planted on raised beds in well-drained soils.
Pre-plant soil fumigation is effective if applied correctly. A number of chemical treatments are available for the control of damping off. Seed treatments containing mefenoxam (Apron) work best. Mefenoxam should be used in combination with a broad-spectrum fungicide to avoid the development of resistance.
Fungicidal drenches such as Ridomil Gold (mefenoxam) are effective for the suppression of seedling blights and root rots if applied before infection occurs.
Several biological control agents, including actinomycetes and other bacteria and fungi, are available commercially for suppression of Pythium and other soil borne pathogens. Their success rate has been variable.
Some soils are naturally suppressive to diseases caused by Pythium or may become suppressive by increasing organic matter or manipulating soil pH. Incorporation of cover crops prior to planting may support competing organisms in the field, but in some cases may result in increased populations of the pathogen. Sunn hemp has been implicated in this regard.
Phytophthora
A few reports of Phytophthora capsici on pepper have been noted in the Palm Beach area.
Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus
In the Manatee Ruskin area, reports indicate tomato yellow leaf curl virus generally low, mostly less than 1% with a couple of older blocks approaching 5%.
With the exception of one isolated case of a few TYLCV infected tomato plants from Palm Beach, there have been no reports of TYLCV from other south Florida growing areas at this time.
Southern Blight
Low levels of southern blight have been reported in tomato in scattered locations around southwest and west central Florida.
Southern blight is caused by a soil-born fungus, Sclerotium rolfsii. Whitish fungal growth develops around the base of herbaceous plants and a some woody plants at the ground line. Small seed-like structures (sclerotia) are found with fungal growth. They are white at first and later turn dark brown to black. Plants wilt and die suddenly after the fungus girdles the stem.
Southern blight is especially destructive on crops such as tomato, beans, peas and peanuts. The fungus develops rapidly during hot weather when temperatures are over 85° F. It grows on living and non-living organic matter and becomes most severe when dead leaves or other types of organic matter are present around the base of the plant.
Outbreaks can be severe in organically grown crops as fumigation typically provides some measure of control in conventional crops.
Several cultural control methods may provide relief in non-fumigated crops. The fungus requires oxygen for development and deep burial of infected debris reduces its activity. Keeping fallen leaves or other organic matter from the base of the plant is helpful. Planting on raised beds may help reduce damage on some crops.
Wet rot
Wet rot or Choanephora blight, caused by the fungus Choanephora sp., has been reported on green beans and bell pepper in fields in Southwest Florida. Incidence and occurrence is low.
Outbreaks of Choanephora blight are associated with extended rainy periods and high temperatures. Early symptoms on beans may appear water-soaked and margins and leaf tips blighted. Older lesions appear necrotic and dried out. Symptoms on pepper consists of a dark water soaked wet rot that may start on a leaf and continue down the branch. The dark-gray fungal growth is apparent on some lesions. Under magnification, a silvery, spine-like fungus with a dark head is seen.
Last fall saw major problems with this disease on beans in Southwest Florida. There are few management techniques available, but fungicidal sprays may reduce disease damage. The following publications and websites contain materials with more information.
IFAS Extension
Plant Pathology Fact Sheet No. 11, Wet Rot of Vegetable Crops at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VH011
UF/IFAS Publication
- Some Common Diseases of Pepper in Florida - at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VH054
UF/IFAS Plant
Disease Management Guide for peppers
Up Coming Meetings
Bradenton
October
7, 2003 Whitefly
Management and Resistance Issues and
4 – 5 PM
VIF Update and Role in the MBr Phaseout
UF/IFAS GulfCoast Research and Education Center
5007 60th Street E
Bradenton, Florida
Call 941-772-4524 for information
Miami-Dade
September 24, 2003 General Standards Training
Please call 305- 248-3311 ext. 242 for a registration form.
September 25, 2003 2003 Syngenta Update 6 PM.
John D. Campbell Ag Center
18710 SW 288th Street
Homestead, Florida
Call 305-248-3311 ext. 242 for information.
September 30, 2003 2003 FMC & Gowan Updates Noon – 1 PM
John D. Campbell Ag Center
18710 SW 288th Street
Homestead, Florida
Call 305-248-3311 ext 242. for information.
Palm Beach County
September
15, 2003 General Standards/Core Test Review
8 AM - 10 AM
Aquatic Weed Control Test Review 1 PM - 3 PM
Clayton E Hutchinson Agricultural Center
559 North Military Trail
West Palm Beach, Florida
Contact Laura Powell at 561-996-1655.
September
17, 2003 General Standards/Core Test Review
8 AM - 10 AM
Private Applicator Test Review 1 PM - 3 PM
Testing - Any Category 8 AM - 4 PM
Belle Glade Extension Office
976 State Road 15
Belle Glade, Florida
Contact Laura Powell at 561-996-1655.
September 30, 2003 WPS Train the Trainer Program for Nurseries 8 AM - 12:30 PM
Mounts Building
Clayton E Hutchinson Agricultural Center
559 North Military Trail
West Palm Beach, Florida
Contact Laura Powell at 561-996-1655.
Southwest Florida
Sept.23, 24, 2003 Spanish Language Pesticide Applicator Training and Testing 8 AM
Hendry County Extension Office
1085 Pratt Boulevard
LaBelle, Florida
Contact 863-674-4092 for details (Note: test is in English)
September 25, 2003 Train the Trainer 8 AM
Hendry County Extension Office
1085 Pratt Boulevard
LaBelle, Florida
Contact 863-674-4092 for details
Sept. 30/Oct. 1, 2003 Pesticide Applicator Training and Testing
Sept. 30 – CORE, Private, Row Crop
Oct. 1 – Tree Crop, Aquatic
Hendry County Extension Office
1085 Pratt Boulevard
LaBelle, Florida 33935
Contact 863-674-4092 for details
October 8, 2003 Roundup Herbicide and Vegetable Application Updates 6:00 PM
UF/IFAS SW Florida Research and Education Center
SR 29 N
Immokalee, Florida
Contact Gene McAvoy at 863-674-4092
Other Meetings
March 23-27,
2004 ISHS International Symposium on Protected Culture
in a Mild-WinterClimate
Orlando, Florida, USA.
Contact Dr. Daniel J. Cantliffe at 352-392-1928 ext. 203
June 21-24,
2004 1st International Symposium on
Tomato Diseases
and 19th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop
Grosvenor Resort at Walt Disney World
Orlando, Florida
For more information , visit http://plantdoctor.ifas.ufl.edu/istd.html
Websites
All in One Secretmaker - tired of pop-up ads and spam email. Secretmaker is a free software program, which combines 7 powerful tool and includes a Spam Fighter, Pop-Up Killer, Cookie Eraser, History Cleaner, Privacy Protector, Banner Blocker and a Worm Hunter. The latest edition will make it a valuable addition for users seeking to maintain their privacy online. Go to http://www.secretmaker.com/
Georgia Commercial Vegetable Information – many Florida growers work between Florida and Georgia, check out http://www.cpes.peachnet.edu/veg/ for the latest vegetable info and newsletters from Georgia.
Resistant Pest Management Newsletter - The Resistant Pest Management Newsletter serves to inform the resistance workers worldwide of the ongoing changes and advances in the field of resistance management. This site features articles highlighting resistance issues from around the globe, research in the field that leads toward an advanced understanding of issues while providing practical applications and updates on new findings and recommendations, including new products, label changes etc. Set your browser to http://whalonlab.msu.edu/rpmnews/
Quotable Quotes
Everyday that you can wake up and put your feet on the ground, it's going to be a great day. – Anon
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. – Robert Frost
The pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase; if you pursue happiness you'll never find it. – C. P. Snow
No problem is so formidable that you can't walk away from it. – Charles M. Schulz
Many would be cowards if they had courage enough. – Thomas Fuller
A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money. -- G. Gordon Liddy
On the Lighter Side
Oil Change Instructions for Women:
1) Pull up
to Jiffy Lube when the mileage reaches 3000 miles since the last oil change.
2) Drink a
cup of coffee.
3) 15 minutes
later, write a check and leave with a properly maintained vehicle.
Money spent:
Oil Change
$20.00
Coffee
$ 1.00
Total $21.00
Oil Change Instruction for Men:
1) Wait until
Saturday, drive to auto parts store and buy a case of oil, filter, kitty
litter, hand cleaner and a scented tree, write a check for $50.00.
2) Stop by
7 - 11 and buy a case of beer, write a check for 20.00, drive home.
3) Open a
beer and drink it.
4) Jack car
up. Spend 30 minutes looking for jack stands.
5) Find jack
stands under kid's pedal car.
6) In frustration,
open another beer and drink it.
7) Place drain
pan under engine.
8) Look for
9/16 box end wrench.
9) Give up
and use crescent wrench.
10) Unscrew
drain plug.
11) Drop drain
plug in pan of hot oil: splash hot oil on you in process. Cuss.
12) Crawl
out from under car to wipe hot oil off of face and arms. Throw kitty litter
on spilled oil.
13) Have another
beer while watching oil drain.
14) Spend
30 minutes looking for oil filter wrench.
15) Give up;
crawl under car and hammer a screwdriver through oil filter and twist off.
16) Crawl
out from under car with dripping oil filter splashing, oil everywhere from
holes. Cleverly hide old oil filter among trash in trash can to avoid environmental
penalties. Drink a beer.
17) Buddy
shows up; finish case of beer with him. Decide to finish oil change tomorrow
so you can go see his new garage door opener.
18) Sunday:
Skip church because "I gotta finish the oil change." Drag pan full of old
oil out from underneath car. Cleverly dump oil in hole in back yard instead
of taking it back to recycle.
19) Throw
kitty litter on oil spilled during step 18.
20) Beer?
No, drank it all yesterday.
21) Walk to
7-11; buy beer.
22) Install
new oil filter making sure to apply a thin coat of oil to gasket surface.
23) Dump first
quart of fresh oil into engine.
24) Remember
drain plug from step 11.
25) Hurry
to find drain plug in drain pan.
26) Remember
that the used oil is buried in a hole in the back yard, along with drain
plug.
27) Drink
beer.
28) Shovel
out hole and sift oily mud for drain plug. Re-shovel oily dirt into hole.
Steal sand from kids sandbox to cleverly cover oily patch of ground and
avoid environmental penalties. Wash drain plug in lawnmower gas.
29) Discover
that first quart of fresh oil is now on the floor. Throw kitty litter on
oil spill.
30) Drink
beer.
31) Crawl
under car getting kitty litter into eyes. Wipe eyes with oily rag used
to clean drain plug. Slip with stupid crescent wrench tightening drain
plug and bang knuckles on frame.
32) Bang head
on floorboards in reaction to step 31.
33) Begin
cussing fit.
34) Beer.
35) Clean
up hands and forehead and bandage as required to stop blood flow.
36) Beer.
37) Dump in
five fresh quarts of oil.
38) Beer.
39) Lower
car from jack stands.
40) Accidentally
crush remaining case of new motor oil.
41) Move car
back to apply more kitty litter to fresh oil spilled during steps 23 -
40.
42) Beer.
43) Test drive
car.
44) Get pulled
over: arrested for driving under the influence.
45) Car gets
impounded.
46) Call loving
wife, make bail.
47) 12 hours
later, get car from impound yard.
Money spent:
Parts
$ 50.00
DUI
$2500.00
Impound fee
$ 75.00
Bail
$1500.00
Beer
$ 40.00
Total $4165.00
But you have the satisfaction of knowing the job was done right!
Top Ten Ways To Know If You Are Getting Old
1. You and
your teeth don't sleep together.
2. It takes
twice as long to look half as good.
3. Your idea
of weightlifting is standing up.
4. It takes
longer to rest than it did to get tired.
5. When happy
hour is a nap.
6. When your
idea of a night out is sitting on the patio.
7. You sit
in a rocking chair and can't get it moving.
8. At breakfast
you hear snap, crackle, pop and you're not eating cereal.
9. You try
to straighten out the wrinkles in your socks and discover you aren't wearing
any.
10. When you
wake up looking like your drivers license picture.
Want to live to be one hundred?
Well, first you get to ninety-nine and then you live carefully for one year.
New Vegetable Extension Agent in Palm Beach County
I am glad
to note the arrival of Darrin Parmenter, newly hired vegetable agent in
Palm Beach County. Darrin hails from Colorado and recently completed
his Masters Degree at Cornell. He is married and has a daughter.
Please extend a warm welcome to Darrin.
Contributors include: Joel Allingham/AgriCare, Inc, Karen Armbrester/SWFREC, Kathy Carbiener /Agricultural Pest Management, Jim Connor/SWFREC, Bruce Corbitt/West Coast Tomato Growers, Dr. Phyllis Gilreath/Manatee County Extension, Fred Heald/Farmers Supply, Sarah Hornsby/AgCropCon, Cecil Howell/H&R Farm, Loren Horsman/Glades Crop Care, Bruce Johnson/General Crop Management, Dr. Mary Lamberts/Miami-Dade County Extension, Leon Lucas/Glades Crop Care, Gene McAvoy/Hendry County Extension, Alice McGhee/Thomas Produce, Jimmy Morales/Pro Source One, Tim Nychk/Nychk Bros. Farm, Chuck Obern/C+B Farm, Teresa Olczyk/ Miami-Dade County Extension, Darrin Parmenter/Palm Beach County Extension, Dr. Ken Pernezny/EREC, Dr. Pam Roberts/SWFREC, Dr. Nancy Roe/Farming Systems Research, Wes Roan/6 L's, Kevin Seitzinger/Gargiulo, Jay Shivler/ F& F Farm, Ken Shuler/Stephen’s Produce, Ed Skvarch/St Lucie County Extension, John Stanford/LNA Farm, Mike Stanford/MED Farms, Dr. Phil Stansly/SWFREC, Eugene Tolar/Red Star Farms, Dr. Charles Vavrina/SWFREC, Mark Verbeck and Donna Verbeck/GulfCoast Ag, and Alicia Whidden/Hillsborough County Extension.
The SW Florida Pest and Disease Hotline is compiled by Gene McAvoy and is issued on a biweekly basis by the Hendry County Cooperative Extension Office as a service to the vegetable industry.
Gene McAvoy
Regional Vegetable/
Horticulture
Extension
Agent III
863-674-4092 phone
Hendry County
Extension Office
239-860-8811 mobile Nextel agnet 28950
PO Box 68
863-674-4097 fax
LaBelle, FL
33975
GMcAvoy@mail.ifas.ufl.edu
The Institute of Food and Agricultural
Sciences is an Equal Employment Opportunity - Affirmative Action Employer
authorized to provide research, educational information and other services
only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race,
color, sex, age, handicap or national origin.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN AGRICULTURE,
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES, SEA GRANT AND 4-H YOUTH, STATE OF FLORIDA,
IFAS, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND BOARDS
OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COOPERATING