Management of Meloidogyne incognita with Jesup (Max-Q) Tall Fescue Grass Prior to Peach Orchard Establishment.

The effects of two preplant Jesup (Max-Q) tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) ground cover treatments as alternatives to chemical control of Meloidogyne incognita were investigated from 2006 to 2013. The experiment was initiated in 2006 in a site known to be infested with M. incognita.

First Report of Sclerotinia Blight Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Peanut in Georgia.

Sclerotinia blight is one of the most economically important diseases of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Oklahoma and Virginia. Yield losses of 10% are common in these areas; however, losses may exceed 50% in highly infested fields (1).

First Report of Botrytis Blight of Peanut Caused by Botrytis cinerea in Georgia.

Because of the importance of spotted wilt caused by Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), most peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) breeding programs in the southeastern United States are focusing on developing resistance to TSWV. Many of the cultivars with improved resistance to TSWV are late maturing, requiring 150 days to reach optimum maturity.

First Demonstration of Koch's Postulates for Lasiodiplodia theobromae Fruit Spot on Eggplant (Solanum melongena).

During October 2004, diseased eggplant fruit from a commercial farm in Colquitt County, Georgia, developed circular, tan, water-soaked lesions. Gray, septate mycelia quickly covered the fruit. Diseased fruit became shriveled, spongy, and mummified.

First Report of a Leaf Spot and Stem Canker Caused by Myrothecium roridum on Watermelon in the United States.

Myrothecium roridum Tode:Fr, pathogenic to a number of cucurbit species, causes fruit rots, cankers on crowns and stems, and leaf spots. Hosts include cantaloupe and honeydew (Cucurbita melo) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) (1,3). In June 2004, following a period of heavy rainfall, numerous round-to-oblong, brown lesions with concentric rings were observed on leaves of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) cv.

First Report of a Leaf Blight of Onion Caused by Xanthomonas spp. in Georgia.

In October of 2001 and 2002, a leaf blight was reported affecting Vidalia onion (Allium cepa) cvs. Pegasus and Sweet Vidalia, respectively, in one field each. Lesions on onion seedlings began as a water-soaked, tip dieback that gradually blighted the entire leaf.

First Report of a Field Outbreak of a Bacterial Leaf Spot of Cantaloupe and Squash Caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae in Georgia.

In March 2000, a leaf spot was reported affecting yellow summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) and cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) in commercial fields in Colquitt, Echols, and Grady counties in Georgia. All of the crops affected were reported within a 10-day period, and average temperatures during that time were 8 to 22.5°C, which is very close to the 50-year normal temperatures for these areas located in southwest Georgia.

First Report of Cabbage leaf curl virus (Family Geminiviridae) in Georgia.

Cabbage and collard greens were inflicted with a previously undescribed virus-like disease during the fall 2000. Symptoms on leaves were yellow spots, vein clearing, mosaic, curling, and puckering. Symptomatic plants were widespread in Brooks, Colquitt, Grady, and Pierce counties in Georgia.

Natural Outbreak of a Bacterial Fruit Rot of Cantaloupe in Georgia Caused by Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli.

In April and July 1999, cantaloupe plants (Cucumis melo) from commercial greenhouses and fields in Grady, Colquitt, Mitchell, and Tift counties, GA, exhibited severe foliar necrosis and a fruit rot. Foliar symptoms were V-shaped, necrotic lesions occurring at the margin of the leaf and extending inward toward the midrib. Symptoms on the fruit surface were observed after net development and occurred randomly as round, necrotic, sunken spots or cracks a few millimeters in diameter.

Outbreak of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (Family Geminiviridae) in Georgia.

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) of the family Geminiviridae is a serious production constraint to tomato (3). In the southeastern United States the virus has been largely confined to Florida. The disease appeared in the southern most Georgia county (Decatur) in 1998, at an incidence rate of less than 1% (2).

Community wellness: a group empowerment model for rural America.

Because answers to rural health problems no longer reside solely at the federal or state level, county Extension agents in Georgia are playing a pivotal role in helping communities empower themselves with the Community Wellness program. Community Wellness is a process-oriented program that encompasses community-based program planning; facilitates interventions based on an assessment of community-specific health needs; encourages empowerment of the community; and develops a community-wide support system. County Extension agents and other leaders serve as catalysts to bring together members of the community to identify health needs, develop strategies to solve problems, and implement solutions.