Plant Disease Management

Hui-Ling Liao, Haihua Wang, Kaile Zhang, Benjamin Reimer, Brittany Justesen, Joseph Walter, Joseph H. Walter, Robert (Robbie) Jones, Vijay Verma, Ann Blount, andCheryl Mackowiak

Rust is a common disease on warm-season grasses that can affect pasture health and potentially serve as an allergen for animals grazing on it. Despite its significance, rust disease in warm-season grass is often overlooked. This publication reports on rust disease observed in Florida pastures and offers practical, non-technical knowledge and general management suggestions to mitigate the threat of rust disease. It is aimed at producers, landowners, and the public.

Morgan Byron, Danielle Treadwell, and Peter Dittmar

Weeds are a major contributor to yield loss and reduction in yield quality in an agricultural setting, competing with the crop for resources like light, water, and nutrients. This competition along with the cost of weed management strategies like tillage and herbicides, are responsible for the economic impact of weeds, which can reach into the billions. In addition to the damage caused by direct competition, weeds can also harm crop plants by acting as reservoirs for destructive plant pathogens, the insect vectors that move these pathogens from plant to plant, or both. The objective of this publication is to summarize previously published weed-pathogen associations to help growers scout and monitor pathogens in weeds near production areas.

Nicholas S. Dufault, Mathews Paret, Kiersten R. Fullem, Pamela D. Roberts, Gary Vallad, andSusannah Da Silva

This guide is intended as a resource for Extension agents and growers and contains information about common oomycete, fungal, and bacterial disease issues in watermelon production. It contains management considerations, information on commonly encountered diseases, and a suggested seasonal spray schedule tailored to specific disease concerns. This publication has been created using data from pesticide efficacy trials and input from experts in watermelon production.

Ute Albrecht, Leigh Archer, andPamela D. Roberts

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Plant Systems

Kevin Korus, Wael Elwakil, Nicholas Dufault, and Zachary Eldred

Industrial hemp is Cannabis sativa that contains < 0.3% THC and can be legally grown with permits in Florida. The plant may be grown for flower, grain, or fiber production. Other than the lower THC levels, hemp is the same plant botanically as marijuana. Because this plant has long been on the Schedule 1 controlled substance list in the U.S. (United States), knowledge of pests and diseases is limited, and labelled control measures are almost non-existent. This publication provides information and general management recommendations for hemp diseases found in Florida. Management options are currently limited as there is a lack of resistant varieties and other management strategies for industrial hemp production.