Gary E. Vallad

0000-0002-9778-5910

Target Spot of Tomato in Florida

Keevan MacKenzie, Jessica Chitwood, Gary Vallad, and Sam Hutton

Fresh-market tomatoes bring in $400-$500 million annually as the third most valuable crop in the state. Defoliation and fruit damage from target spot can have serious economic implications for growers. This publication reviews symptoms and epidemiology of the disease and provides current management recommendations.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: What the Future Could Hold for Bs2 Tomatoes

S. F. Hutton, J. W. Scott, J. B. Jones, R. E. Stall, G. E. Vallad, B. J. Staskawicz, and D. M. Horvath

Bs2 tomatoes are transgenic tomatoes that have been engineered to contain the Bs2 gene from pepper. As such, they are considered a genetically modified (GM) food, or a genetically modified organism (GMO). Numerous trials conducted by University of Florida researchers have shown the benefits of these cultivars for bacterial spot disease management, and growers and industry members recognize the potential for Bs2 tomatoes to make Florida tomato production more sustainable. This article discusses the benefits that might be realized by the adoption of Bs2 tomato varieties, and the challenges standing in the way of their commercial production.

Guide to Identifying and Controlling Postharvest Tomato Diseases in Florida

Jerry A. Bartz, Gary E. Vallad, and Steven A. Sargent

Pathogens are present in all tomato production areas and are most numerous when the weather becomes warm and wet. Movement of weather fronts or tropical storms through production areas can also affect the susceptibility of tomato fruit to decay. Fruit decays can be minimized by the employment of strict sanitation measures along with careful handling. This bulletin is designed to supplement field scouting and identification guides by describing postharvest decay pathogens important to Florida tomato packers and shippers, presenting sanitation guidelines for controlling decay pathogens during harvest and handling operations, and offering appropriate storage temperature options.

Integrated Management of Bacterial Spot on Tomato in Florida

Amanda Strayer-Scherer, Ying-Yu Liao, Peter Abrahamian, Sujan Timilsina, Mathews Paret, Tim Momol, Jeff Jones, and Gary Vallad

Bacterial spot is one of the most detrimental diseases of tomato and is especially severe in the southeast United States when weather conditions (high temperature, high humidity, and rain) become conducive for disease development. This publication presents updated information about the causal pathogen and management of bacterial spot on tomato in Florida.

Diseases of Pomegranate (Punica granatum) in Florida

Katia V. Xavier, Achala N. KC, and Gary E. Vallad

Pomegranate production is becoming increasingly popular in the Southeast. Florida’s humid subtropical to tropical climate is favorable for not only pomegranate tree establishment, but also several diseases. This publication describes the various diseases affecting pomegranate in Florida and provides some management recommendations.

Integrated Pest Management in Protected Structures I: Basic Principles and Scouting

Hugh A. Smith, Gary E. Vallad, and Bielinski M. Santos

Growing Pomegranates in Florida: Establishment Costs and Production Practices

Feng Wu, Zhengfei Guan, and Gary Vallad

The study described in this 6-page fact sheet written by Feng Wu, Zhengfei Guan, and Gary Vallad and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department provides a description of pomegranate production practices and preliminary cost estimates to inform investment and production decisions when growers look to diversify and grow pomegranate as a niche crop.

Protected Culture for Vegetable and Small Fruit Crops: Types of Structures

Shinsuke Agehara, Gary E. Vallad, and Emmanuel A. Torres-Quezada

A protective structure is defined as any structure designed to modify the environment in which plants are grown. Protective structures, such as greenhouses, screen houses, and tunnels, are known worldwide as production systems for high-quality vegetable and fruit crops. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Bielinski M. Santos, Gary Vallad, and Emmanuel A. Torres-Quezada, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, July 2013.

Some Common Diseases of Pepper in Florida

Gary Vallad and Pamela Roberts

This fact sheet describes the symptoms of several commonly observed diseases and provides recommendations for control.

Chapter 18. Tomato Production

Craig Frey, Ramdas Kanissery, Jawwad Qureshi, Johan Desaeger, and Gary E. Vallad

Chapter 18 of the Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida

Management of Cucurbit Downy Mildew in Florida

Mason J. Newark, Mathews L. Paret, Nicholas S. Dufault, Pamela D. Roberts, Shouan Zhang, Gary E. Vallad, Josh Freeman, and Gene McAvoy

A UF/IFAS numbered Management. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management

Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum) of Watermelon

Pamela Roberts, Nicholas Dufault, Robert Hochmuth, Gary Vallad, and Mathews Paret

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management

Selección y Preparación del Material de Trasplante para la Producción Exitosa de Lúpulos en Florida

Shinsuke Agehara, Aleyda Acosta-Rangel, Mariel Gallardo, y Gary Vallad

Lúpulo, un ingrediente esencial de la cerveza, tiene el potencial de desarrollarse como un cultivo alternativo viable en Florida. Este artículo es parte de una serie más grande que revisará los desafíos de la producción de lúpulo, basado en experiencias en nuestro campo de investigación en el UF/IFAS Gulf Coast REC. Written by S. Agehara, A. Acosta-Rangel, M. Gallardo, and G. Vallad, translated by M. Gallardo, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.

Chapter 13. Pepper Production

Craig Frey, Eugene J. McAvoy, Johan Desaeger, Gary E. Vallad, Jawwad Qureshi, and Nathan S. Boyd

Chapter 13 of the Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida

Evaluating Pomegranate Cultivars for Resistance to Anthracnose Fruit Rot, a Severe Fungal Disease in Florida and Southeast United States

Alexander Schaller, Zhanao Deng, Gary E. Vallad, and John M. Chater

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has primarily been cultivated at home in Florida and other southeastern states. Over the past 15 years, growers, nurseries, researchers, and Extension agents have explored the potential of pomegranate as an alternative fruit crop. Early field trials revealed that pomegranates are highly susceptible to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, causing severe anthracnose fruit rot and premature fruit drop. The development and use of disease-resistant cultivars are considered some of the best methods to manage this disease. This publication presents our findings from evaluating 35 pomegranate cultivars under natural disease pressure in central Florida and by artificial inoculation. The susceptibility of such pomegranate cultivars varied widely, with six exhibiting resistance to anthracnose fruit rot. More comprehensive research is warranted to further develop anthracnose-resistant cultivars and to enhance our understanding of disease resistance in this crop.

Anthracnose on Cucurbits in Florida

Pamela D. Roberts, Gary Vallad, Shouan Zhang, Nicholas Dufault, and Mathews Paret

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), cantaloupe or muskmelon (Cucumis melo), squash (Cucurbita pepo), bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), and cucumber (Cucumis sativa) are commonly grown throughout Florida on both commercial farms and home gardens, while pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) production is largely limited to north Florida.  Anthracnose on cucurbits, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare, is a common disease that occurs worldwide and throughout Florida. While all cucurbits are susceptible to the disease, cucumber, cantaloupe, and watermelon are most frequently affected. This EDIS document provides information regarding the pathogen, disease cycle, diagnostics and symptoms, and an overview of management of this disease on cucucurbits.

Chapter 19. Biopesticides and Alternative Disease and Pest Management Products

Natalia A. Peres, Gary E. Vallad, Johan Desaeger, and Sriyanka Lahiri

Chapter 19 of the Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida

Common Tomato High-Tunnel Production Diseases in Florida

Zachary D. Eldred, Shufang Tian, Gary E. Vallad, Xin Zhao, Mathews Paret, and Nicholas S. Dufault

This new 7-page article provides a concise overview of some influential high-tunnel tomato soilborne and foliar diseases and their cultural management techniques. Written by Zachary D. Eldred, Shufang Tian, Gary E. Vallad, Xin Zhao, Mathews Paret, and Nicholas S. Dufault and published by the UF/IFAS Plant Pathology Department.