I can’t believe it is November already! It feels like only yesterday that I was shaking hands with then-new editor Michael Freeze. Well… that was a year ago and he’s not new anymore. Time flies! As with show season, this is the time of year our minds go crazy. There are budgets for 2016, holiday … Read more
Ask the question, “What is the biggest current concern for citrus producers in Florida?” and it is almost a guarantee that citrus greening or Huanglongbing (HLB) caused by a phloem-limited bacteria will be the answer. This bacterial disease transmitted by psyllids causes green, misshapen and bitter-tasting fruit, and eventually kills the citrus tree. The U.S. … Read more
In 2014, King’s AgriSeeds had a customer in Belleville, Pennsylvania report rootworm problems with a Bt corn hybrid, possibly suggesting rootworm resistance to the trait. This began an investigation into a trend toward resistance that more customers are struggling with. We notified Dr. John Tooker, Associate Professor of Entomology at Penn State University. Dr. … Read more
In May 2015, BioSafe Systems initiated a lab study to assess the acute contact toxicity potential of the OMRI listed and EPA approved bactericide, OxiDate 2.0, to prove that the crop solution is also safe to use in the presence of honey bees. The 96 hour toxicity test was conducted by exposing Apis mellifera (honey bees) through direct topical … Read more
Last month, I attended the Bejo Seeds (http://www.bejoseeds.com) Open House and Demonstration Event. We were lucky enough to pick a few onions and tomatoes at their research division in Geneva, New York. During that hot summer day, I joined one of the many tours with our tour guide, Ken McCammon. McCammon noted that they were … Read more