Vegetable and Fruit News-April 2023

Managing Apple Growing Conditions to Prevent Fruit Cracking

By Ria Goswami Candidate for B.S. in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics & Macarena Farcuh, Ph.D. Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist

What is the apple fruit cracking phenomenon?

Fruit cracking is a phenomenon that strongly limits fruit quality and yields, decreasing fruit marketability and grower profitability. Fruit cracking starts with microcracks...Read more about Managing Apple Growing Conditions to Prevent Fruit Cracking.

Seed Maggots Very Active in Early Planted Vegetables

Jerry Brust, UME IPM Vegetable Specialist

The warmer than usual February and the cooler weather we have been having the last 3-4 weeks has created ideal conditions for one of our more problematic early season pests, namely seed maggots. These...Read more about Seed Maggots Very Active in Early Planted Vegetables.

Check for Allium leaf miner in onions and leeks

Jerry Brust, UME

If you grow leeks or onions or other Allium species, you should already be checking for the tell-tale marks left by Allium leaf miner. Allium leaf...Read more about Check for Allium leaf miner in onions and leeks.

2023 Disease Update: Scab and Fire Blight Infections

Kari A. Peter, Ph.D., Penn State, Associate Research Professor, Tree Fruit Pathology

Growers must closely monitor weather conditions this weekend, April 15-16, 2023. The summer temperatures are moving trees fast, and many varieties will most likely be blooming by late week. Rain is in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday. Combined with warm temperatures, this will trigger a significant infection event for both apple scab and fire blight. Trees will need to be protected prior to the weekend to prevent disease.

I am told...Read more about 2023 Disease Update: Scab and Fire Blight Infections.

UMD Extension Welcomes New AgFS Agent in Howard County

Serena Newton, AgFS Marketing and Communications Intern, UME

Agriculture and Food Systems (AgFS) Extension welcomes Nathan Glenn to the team as the new Howard County Agent Associate. Nathan will...Read more about Nathan Glenn

Join the Conversation: The Maryland Climate-Smart Ag Project

Maryland producers know their operations better than anyone. And they also know that changing weather and environmental patterns affect their bottom line.
This project is producer-focused. It brings ag stakeholders (producers, technical service providers, researchers, organizations, and policymakers) together to develop and share science-based strategies and techniques. This will ensure Maryland farms can adapt to changing conditions and remain resilient and profitable for the future. This project is a...Read more about The Maryland Climate-Smart Ag Project.