IPM Florida looks for growers
IPM Florida is seeking to identify top IPM producers of lettuce, tomato, pepper and red onion, reports Chemically Speaking. IPM Florida said nat'l. restaurant and retail chains are seeking suppliers who have a superior reputation for implementing IPM-based production. Two companies that have shown interest in incorporating more IPM into their product lines and consumer info are Wal-Mart and Scotts Miracle Gro. Wal-Mart is reportedly developing IPM program components for food and fiber products that it sources.

Stickers indicate if produce is ripe
Within the next 2 to 3 years, consumers may be able to tell whether a fruit or vegetable is ripe based on the color of an ethylene-detecting sticker. Developed by Univ. of Ariz. ag. and biosystems engineering professor Mark Riley, the RediRipe sticker turns from white to blue as fruits or vegetables ripen and continue to release ethylene gas. The more gas that is produced, the darker blue the sticker becomes. A couple of issues still need to be worked out, including the fact that not all fruits produce enough ethylene to be detected. Also, Riley is trying to determine how the color of the sticker relates to overripeness. Riley is working with Wash. apple and pear growers and expects to start studies next on peaches.

Organic product sales continue to grow
The U.S. organic industry grew 17% overall in 2005, reaching $14.6 billion in consumer sales. Organic food sales increased 16.2%, accounting for $13.8 billion. Sales of other organic "nonfood" products, including flowers, rose 32.5%, but only accounted for $744 million in sales. Organic flower sales for 2005 were $16 million, which accounted for 2% of organic nonfood sales. This was a 50% increase over the previous year. Organic personal care products was the largest organic nonfood category with $282 million in sales, which is 38% of the organic nonfood market. Organic nonfoods are an emerging category having only accounted for 0.22% of total sales. Fruits and vegetables account for the largest portion (38%, nearly $5.4 billion) of total organic sales.

Workshops focus on PGRs
Two plant growth regulator workshops will be held during the New England Greenhouse Conference, Nov. 1-3, in Worcester, Mass. On Nov. 1, Jim Barrett of Univ. of Fla. and Peter Konjoian of Konjoian's Floriculture Education Services will present "Introduction to Using Growth Regulators." Topics covered include basics, how they work and application. That same day, Barrett and Konjoian will conduct "Advanced Workshop on Using Plant Growth Regulators" to discuss new PGRs, effect of growing media and updates on research.

Worth a visit
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