Author: Kimberly Leonberger
Major Program: Plant Disease ID
In 2020, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture reported that 4,500 acres of hemp were harvested in Kentucky, with 92% of these acres devoted to the production of hemp for cannabinoids. While many growers have expressed interest in hemp production, finding accurate information on production, pest management, marketing, and processing can be challenging. Thus, as the University of Kentucky has established itself as a leader in research in numerous aspects of hemp production, Extension specialists
In 2022, Kentucky’s fruit production was valued at $22.8 million (National Agriculture Statistics Service and Economic Research Commission). However, commercial growers of fruit crops can face many challenges that may limit produce yield and/or quality. Thus, there is a need for education about proper production practices and integrated pest management as a way for growers to continue to produce high quality specialty crops in the state of Kentucky. As a way to educate
Author: Kiersten Wise
Corn nematodes have the potential to be yield-limiting pests of Kentucky corn. However, there comprehensive surveys to understand corn nematode distribution in Kentucky have been limited. Surveys began in 2019 and were repeated in 2020 and 2023. This year, County Agents sampled over 40 fields across 13 Kentucky counties. At least one species of nematode was detected in every sample submitted, with spiral, lesion, and lance nematodes detected most frequently. Root-knot nematodes were detected in
The widespread adoption of fungicide application to corn has led to improved yields by better control of foliar diseases. This adoption has created a paradigm shift in the farmer approach to in-season corn management and ever-increasing opportunities related to application technique, fungicide product options and now, short-stature corn hybrids which increase the number of acres ground-driven spray equipment can navigate. An on-farm trial was established in Daviess County in 2023 in cooperation
Author: Nicole Gauthier
Diseases caused by the soilborne fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum can affect a wide range of plants with yield losses ranging from 10 to 50%. Sclerotinia diseases can be particularly problematic in high tunnels where high-value vegetable crops are planted in late winter for earlier harvests and higher profits. Fungicide applications and crop rotations are limited due to product availability and profitability windows. In a two-year study, soil solarization was determined to raise soil temperatures
Integrated pest management practices are the foundation of disease management, and proper identification is the first step. The UK Fruit and Vegetable Working Group(s) develop and maintain scouting guides for Kentucky’s most important specialty crops. Growers and county agents rely on the full-color booklets to identify abiotic and biotic issues, including diseases. Through extramural funding, we have transformed 11 scouting guides into mobile applications with corresponding websites
Fusarium head blight has recently become a serious disease for the emerging hemp industry. Hemp seed is a nutrient-dense grain with high levels of crude protein and polyunsaturated fats. The addition of hemp grain products to animal feed has recently been approved in multiple US states. As Fusarium head blight is reported to cause severe losses and produce dangerous mycotoxins, disease management is of major concern. UK hemp pathologists have conducted research that documents causal
