Fungi could control root-feeding insects
Dipping rooted cuttings in solutions containing entomopathogenic fungi that cause disease in insects could prove to be an economical and efficient way to control root-feeding insects. USDA-ARS scientists found that Metarhizium anisopliae, a fungus that occurs naturally in fields, controlled about 80% of black vine weevil larvae that fed on fungus-treated roots. In another study, black vine weevil larvae actually preferred fungal-colonized roots. When M. anisopliae spores were mixed with the potting medium of container-grown plants, some of the fungus colonized the rhizosphere and grew well there. ARS entomologist Denny Bruck is working with a Virginia biotechnology company to develop a fungal treatment for greenhouse and nursery plants.
SAF releases 4th edition of floriculture report
Society of American Florists published the 4th edition of its The Changing Floriculture Industry — A Statistical Overview. The report tracks industry sales, production and trends. The 60-page publication contains twice the data as the previous edition. It also contains a new chapter, the Floral Consumer, which draws on 12 years of industry-sponsored consumer research. Cost is $49.99 to SAF members, $499.99 to non-members. Another addition to the 2007 report, which is available only to purchasers of the full report, is a CD containing all of the charts, tables and figures in PowerPoint format. The CD costs $19.95 for members; $29.95 for non-members.
Rust attacks veronica
Veronica rust (Puccinia veronicae-longifoliae) was observed on Veronica (V. 'Sunny Border Blue') and V. longifolia 'Eveline,' reports Univ. of Conn. ext. educator Leanne Pundt. She said this is the 1st year she has seen the fungal disease, which is showing up on small blocks of plants in retail locations. Symptoms include reddish-brown necrotic sunken spots with a faint yellow margin on the upper leaf surface. Reddish-brown to tan pustules then develop on the underside of leaves. In severe infestations, plants can become defoliated. Veronica rust has been reported on 3 Veronica species (V. spicatum, V. longifolia and V. montana). Fungicide applications must be used preventively, rather than curatively.
Mites, disease thrive in summer weather
Now that the dog days of summer are here, be on the lookout for insects and disease pathogens that thrive in hot, humid weather. Univ. of Md. Co-op. Ext. reports large populations of 2-spotted spider mites, especially on hanging baskets. Symptoms of heavy infestations include completely bronzed leaves and heavy silk webbing. The fungal disease southern blight, caused by Sclerotium rolfsii, attacks most herbaceous perennials, vegetables, annuals, herbs and even turf and woody plants. The first symptoms are wilting and collapse of individual stems or entire plants. Close inspection of the stem at the soil line reveals white mycelium and small, tan spherical sclerotia that resemble mustard seeds. Roots of infected outdoor plants are typically unaffected and survive.
FloraStar donates remaining funds to AFE
After the FloraStar board of directors ceased operation earlier this year, remaining funds were donated to American Floral Endowment. Mike Mellano, AFE chairman, and Sten Crissey, v.p., accepted the donation during the OFA Short Course. AFE will use the funds, in part, for scholarships for students interested in plant genetics. For 19 years, FloraStar independently trialed new varieties to be sold as containerized plants.
Worth a visit
The nursery business deserves its own action/adventure serial, "The Great Nursery Adventure: A Year in the Life of Greene Family Nursery." This month, the family faces a serious chemical spill. Only on GreenBeam.com.
|
• Valent
• Yoder
• Dramm
Safari™ -- new generation, super-systemic insecticide with quick uptake and knockdown, controls a broad spectrum of pests -- including whitefly, mealybug, leafminer, fungus gnat and scale.
Check out the new consumer website for 2008's Perennial Plant of the Year, Geranium 'Rozanne,' at www.geraniumrozanne.com
ColorStorm hose. Quality Hand Watering Begins at the TAP.
|
