Bacterial diversity and composition on the rinds of specific melon cultivars and hybrids from across different growing regions in the United States.

The goal of this study was to characterize the bacterial diversity on different melon varieties grown in different regions of the US, and determine the influence that region, rind netting, and variety of melon has on the composition of the melon microbiome. Assessing the bacterial diversity of the microbiome on the melon rind can identify antagonistic and protagonistic bacteria for foodborne pathogens and spoilage organisms to improve melon safety, prolong shelf-life, and/or improve overall plant health. Bacterial community composition of melons (n = 603) grown in seven locations over a four-year period were used for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and analysis to identify bacterial diversity and constituents.

Rain splash-mediated dispersal of from fecal deposits to field-grown lettuce in the mid- and south Atlantic U.S. regions is affected by mulch type.

Introduction: Wildlife feces can contaminate vegetables when enteric bacteria are released by rain and splashed onto crops. Regulations require growers to identify and not harvest produce that is likely contaminated, but U.S.

Use of Insect Exclusion Row Cover and Reflective Silver Plastic Mulching to Manage Whitefly in Zucchini Production.

The challenges that sweet potato whitefly () creates for vegetable production have increased in the southeastern U.S. Growers must use intensive insecticide spray programs to suppress extremely high populations during the fall growing season.

Effects of Host Plants and Their Infection Status on Acquisition and Inoculation of A Plant Virus by Its Hemipteran Vector.

Whitefly, Gennadius (B cryptic species), transmits cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV) in a persistent fashion. CuLCrV affects several crops such as squash and snap bean in the southeastern United States. CuLCrV is often found as a mixed infection with whitefly transmitted criniviruses, such as cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) in hosts such as squash, or as a single infection in hosts such as snap bean.

Cadmium exposure is associated with increased transcript abundance of multiple heavy metal associated transporter genes in roots of hemp ( L.).

Industrial hemp ( L.) has demonstrated promise for phytoremediation due to an extensive root system, large biomass, and ability to survive under relatively high levels of heavy metals. However, little research has been conducted to determine the impact of heavy metal uptake in hemp grown for medicinal use.

Sida Golden Mosaic Virus, an Emerging Pathogen of Snap Bean ( L.) in the Southeastern United States.

Sida golden mosaic virus (SiGMV) was first detected from snap bean ( L.) in Florida in 2006 and recently in Georgia in 2018. Since 2018, it has caused significant economic losses to snap bean growers in Georgia.

Low Genetic Variability in MEAM1 Populations within Farmscapes of Georgia, USA.

is a whitefly species complex comprising important phloem feeding insect pests and plant virus vectors of many agricultural crops. Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED) are the two most invasive members of the species complex worldwide. The diversity of agroecosystems invaded by could potentially influence their population structure, but this has not been assessed at a farmscape level.

Foliar Chemical Protection Against in Onion Is Negated by Thrips Feeding.

Center rot of onion, caused by , is an economically important disease in onion production in Georgia and elsewhere in the United States. Growers rely on frequent foliar applications of bactericides and, in some cases, plant defense inducers to manage this disease. However, regular prophylactic application of these chemicals is not cost-effective and may not be environmentally friendly.

Survival in Soil and Transfer onto Produce via Splash Events.

Nearly one-half of foodborne illnesses in the United States can be attributed to fresh produce consumption. The preharvest stage of production presents a critical opportunity to prevent produce contamination in the field from contaminating postharvest operations and exposing consumers to foodborne pathogens. One produce-contamination route that is not often explored is the transfer of pathogens in the soil to edible portions of crops via splash water.

A non-persistent aphid-transmitted Potyvirus differentially alters the vector and non-vector biology through host plant quality manipulation.

The association of plant viruses with their vectors has significant implications for virus transmission and spread. Only a few studies, with even fewer pathosystems, have explored non-persistent (NP) virus-vector interactions that are presumed to be transient. We studied how a NP virus, Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) influenced the behavior and biology of its vector, the melon aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover) and the non-vector, silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius).

Managing Fusarium Wilt of Watermelon with Delayed Transplanting and Cultivar Resistance.

Fusarium wilt of watermelon caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum is a serious, widespread disease of watermelon throughout the southern United States.

Interaction of Onion Cultivar and Growth Stages on Incidence of Pantoea ananatis Bulb Infection.

Center rot, caused by Pantoea ananatis, has been one of the most important bacterial diseases of onion leading to considerable economic losses. Symptoms can be expressed in the onion foliage and bulb, with the pathogen moving from the infected leaves to bulb scales. However, little is known regarding which growth stage the plant is most susceptible to bulb infection and if there are differences in susceptibility to bulb infection among sweet onion cultivars.

Predator-prey trophic relationships in response to organic management practices.

A broad range of environmental conditions likely regulate predator-prey population dynamics and impact the structure of these communities. Central to understanding the interplay between predator and prey populations and their importance is characterizing the corresponding trophic interactions. Here, we use a well-documented molecular approach to examine the structure of the community of natural enemies preying upon the squash bug, Anasa tristis, a herbivorous cucurbit pest that severely hinders organic squash and pumpkin production in the United States.

Yield, quality, and concentration of seven heavy metals in cabbage and broccoli grown in sewage sludge and chicken manure amended soil.

The mobility of heavy metals from soil into the food chain and their subsequent bioaccumulation has increased the attention they receive as major environmental pollutants. The objectives of this investigation were to: i) study the impact of mixing native agricultural soil with municipal sewage sludge (SS) or chicken manure (CM) on yield and quality of cabbage and broccoli, ii) quantify the concentration of seven heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Mo, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni) in soil amended with SS or CM, and iii) determine bioavailability of heavy metals to cabbage leaves and broccoli heads at harvest. Analysis of the two soil amendments used in this investigation indicated that Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, Pb, and organic matter content were significantly greater (P < 0.

Dissipation, half-lives, and mass spectrometric identification of endosulfan isomers and the sulfate metabolite on three field-grown vegetables.

Endosulfan 3 EC, a mixture of α- and β-stereo isomers, was sprayed on field-grown pepper, melon, and sweet potato plants at the recommended rate of 0.44 kg A.I.

Kale carotenoids remain stable while flavor compounds respond to changes in sulfur fertility.

Dietary intake of certain carotenoids has been associated with a reduced risk of disease. Kale (Brassica oleracea L. Acephala Group) has the highest levels of carotenoids lutein and beta-carotene, and is an excellent source of minerals among the green leafy vegetable crops.