Thursday May 21, 2009, 8:00am- 4:15pm at the Biltmore Estate and NC Arboretum. Learn about tree removal and proper tree pruning, how to control various invasive plant species, treatment methods/techniques, communicating the benefits of vegetation management and herbicide safety.
Various professionals and exhibitors from the vegetation management industry will be in attendance to offer knowledge/expertise and discuss their products and services.
Pesticide recertification (NCDA & SCDA), SAF, and ISA credits are being applied for. Please visit http://www.ncvma.net/ for more details on the meeting agenda. Registration is $20
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sign-Up for N.C. Agricultural Cost Share
If you would like to sign-up for the NC Ag Cost Share Program the District will be taking applications from July 1-July 31 2009. Call or come by the office to fill out an application and set up a time to meet on your farm and discuss how the program can benefit your operation while improving water quality in Buncombe County. Conservation practices that can be cost-shared include: animal waste management systems, cropland conversion to grass, livestock watering tanks (with stream protection measures), conservation tillage, filter strips, stream bank stabilization, critical area treatment or establishment of vegetation on bare areas, riparian buffers, agrichemical handling facilities, and several others. If you want more information, call the District office at 250-4785. Please call in time to get your application to us before the deadline. It only takes a few minutes to complete the application form. Forms can be mailed to you and accepted for consideration if they are received back in our office by July 31, 2009.
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
NEW!!! INVINCIBELLE™ Spirit hydrangea
For years gardeners and landscapers have dreamed of an Annabelle Hydrangea with pink flowers. The dream has come true! INVINCIBELLE™ Spirit hydrangea is a new release from researcher Tom Ranney. Tom Ranney is the Ornamental Plant Breeder for NC State University.
INVINCIBELLE™ Spirit hydrangea is the first pink flowered, mop-head form of Hydrangea arborescens. Unlike other selections it continues to produce new flowers right up until frost. It is very hardy and easy to grow. Unlike many hydrangeas, the flower buds are produced on new wood, so it will still produce flowers even if the stems die back to the ground by extreme weather. It is useful as a specimen, mass planting or incorporated perennial gardens or into a woodland setting. The blooms are extremely attractive both in the landscape and as a cut flower. It is a durable choice for both fresh and dried arrangements.It is a remarkable plant considering all of the preceding cultivars of Hydrangea arborescens were white flowered.
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Pesticide Record Keeping Requirement Change
Please note the new changes to this law.
02 NCAC 09L .1402 RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS
All licensed pesticide applicators, as defined in G.S. 143รข€‘460 which includes public operators, utilizing ground equipment shall keep for three years and make available to the commissioner for like period records of all applications of restricted use pesticides showing the following:
(1) name of licensed pesticide applicator or licensed public operator;
(2) name and address of the person for whom the pesticide was applied;
(3) identification of farm or site(s) treated with pesticide(s);
(4) name of crop, commodity, or object(s) which was treated with pesticide(s);
(5) approximate number of acres or size or number of other object(s) treated;
(6) the year, month, date and the specific time of day when each pesticide application was completed and each day of application shall be recorded as a separate record;
(7) the brand name of the pesticide(s) and EPA registration number(s);
(8) amount (volume or weight) of pesticide formulation(s) or active ingredient(s) applied per unit of measure; and
(9) name(s) of person(s) applying pesticide(s).
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
02 NCAC 09L .1402 RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS
All licensed pesticide applicators, as defined in G.S. 143รข€‘460 which includes public operators, utilizing ground equipment shall keep for three years and make available to the commissioner for like period records of all applications of restricted use pesticides showing the following:
(1) name of licensed pesticide applicator or licensed public operator;
(2) name and address of the person for whom the pesticide was applied;
(3) identification of farm or site(s) treated with pesticide(s);
(4) name of crop, commodity, or object(s) which was treated with pesticide(s);
(5) approximate number of acres or size or number of other object(s) treated;
(6) the year, month, date and the specific time of day when each pesticide application was completed and each day of application shall be recorded as a separate record;
(7) the brand name of the pesticide(s) and EPA registration number(s);
(8) amount (volume or weight) of pesticide formulation(s) or active ingredient(s) applied per unit of measure; and
(9) name(s) of person(s) applying pesticide(s).
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Tent Caterpillars, Fore!
From Dr. Steven Bamabara
Be alert for tent caterpillars. Put down the tennis racquet and bring out the golf clubs. A golf club (or a stick) works great for destroying the web masses of tent caterpillars.
Tent caterpillars are in full swing. This cool, wet spring has many plants and insects delayed weeks past where they were, compared to some years. These hairy caterpillars can make a cherry tree look a little ugly, but most trees seem to recover and re-foliate. Unless trees are taller than 15 feet or you have dozens to deal with, that golf club in the garage that you haven't used since the neighbor's dog got into your garbage can, or a long stick or pole can be used to destroy the web masses quite effectively. Resist the temptation to burn them out! See Ornamentals and Turf Insect Note No. 61 on the web at: Be alert for tent caterpillars. Put down the tennis racquet and bring out the golf clubs. A golf club (or a stick) works great for destroying the web masses of tent caterpillars. Tent caterpillars are in full swing. This cool, wet spring has many plants and insects delayed weeks past where they were, compared to some years. These hairy caterpillars can make a cherry tree look a little ugly, but most trees seem to recover and re-foliate. Unless trees are taller than 15 feet or you have dozens to deal with, that golf club in the garage that you haven't used since the neighbor's dog got into your garbage can, or a long stick or pole can be used to destroy the web masses quite effectively. Resist the temptation to burn them out!
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Spot Anthracnose on Dogwood in FULL BLOOM
From Dr. Kelly Ivors:
In case you haven’t noticed, we're having a good year for spot anthracnose on flowering dogwood, caused by Elsinoe corni, which can be attributed to a mild wet spring. The most prevalent foliage and flower disease of dogwood is indeed spot anthracnose. Dogwood anthracnose, caused by Discula species, occurs in the western part of North Carolina and causes similar foliar symptoms as spot anthracnose, but also causes lower limb dieback.
In most situations, spot anthracnose does not cause permanent damage to the tree; however, it can be unsightly and interfere with the beauty of flowering dogwood. Severe infections, especially if they occur in consecutive years, eventually weaken the tree.
Symptoms
Tissues of the flower petals are usually infected first; eventually infection spreads to other flower bracts, leaves, young shoots, and fruit. The initial symptoms are small (less than 1 or 2 mm), circular to elongated, reddish-purple spots which are first noticed in early spring. As additional infection occurs, the spots become numerous and eventually merge together forming larger leafspots. Therefore “spot” size cannot be used as the criterion for disease diagnosis. The centers of these spots are yellowish in color with margins a much darker color – brown to black. Severely infected flower bracts usually fall prematurely from the plant.
Preventative cultural practices
A healthy vigorous dogwood is better able to withstand infection from spot anthracnose than a weakened tree growing under stress conditions. Maintain tree health through proper watering, mulching, and fertilization. If possible, do not use overhead irrigation since this may increase the potential for disease infection and spread. Mulching to a depth of 2 to 4 inches can help maintain uniform soil moisture as well as help protect trunks from mechanical injury; however, be sure to keep the mulch away from the tree trunk. Fertilize as needed, using a balanced fertilizer with fairly low nitrogen content for moderate growth. Rapidly growing, succulent twigs which have been stimulated by excessive fertility are more susceptible to anthracnose infection.
Good sanitation is especially important for trees infected with spot anthracnose. Prune out and destroy dead and dying twigs and branches and rake up fallen leaves to help reduce potential sources of inoculum and improve tree appearance. It is also advisable to prune out water sprouts which develop on the trunk or main scaffolding limbs since they are very susceptible to infection from anthracnose. Prune only under dry conditions and sterilize pruners between pruning cuts.
Chemical control
In most years control is not necessary; however, if disease was severe the previous year or if a cool, wet spring is “predicted,” fungicides may be warranted. It’s a little bit too late to be thinking about preventative fungicide applications now in North Carolina, but keep this in mind next year in late winter. Since weather conditions cannot be anticipated, it may be wise to follow a regular spray schedule if disease control is desired. Spot anthracnose can be controlled preventatively with chlorothalonil (e.g., Daconil), mancozeb (e.g., Fore, Dithane), or thiophanate methyl + mancozeb. Spraying should begin when buds begin to open and be repeated when bracts have fallen, four weeks after bract fall, and in late summer after flower buds have formed. The recommended interval between sprays will vary depending on the fungicide and the rate of application. Make sure the fungicide you use has dogwood listed on the label. Follow all label instructions regarding amounts of pesticide to use, method of application and safety warnings.
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
In case you haven’t noticed, we're having a good year for spot anthracnose on flowering dogwood, caused by Elsinoe corni, which can be attributed to a mild wet spring. The most prevalent foliage and flower disease of dogwood is indeed spot anthracnose. Dogwood anthracnose, caused by Discula species, occurs in the western part of North Carolina and causes similar foliar symptoms as spot anthracnose, but also causes lower limb dieback.
In most situations, spot anthracnose does not cause permanent damage to the tree; however, it can be unsightly and interfere with the beauty of flowering dogwood. Severe infections, especially if they occur in consecutive years, eventually weaken the tree.
Symptoms
Tissues of the flower petals are usually infected first; eventually infection spreads to other flower bracts, leaves, young shoots, and fruit. The initial symptoms are small (less than 1 or 2 mm), circular to elongated, reddish-purple spots which are first noticed in early spring. As additional infection occurs, the spots become numerous and eventually merge together forming larger leafspots. Therefore “spot” size cannot be used as the criterion for disease diagnosis. The centers of these spots are yellowish in color with margins a much darker color – brown to black. Severely infected flower bracts usually fall prematurely from the plant.
Preventative cultural practices
A healthy vigorous dogwood is better able to withstand infection from spot anthracnose than a weakened tree growing under stress conditions. Maintain tree health through proper watering, mulching, and fertilization. If possible, do not use overhead irrigation since this may increase the potential for disease infection and spread. Mulching to a depth of 2 to 4 inches can help maintain uniform soil moisture as well as help protect trunks from mechanical injury; however, be sure to keep the mulch away from the tree trunk. Fertilize as needed, using a balanced fertilizer with fairly low nitrogen content for moderate growth. Rapidly growing, succulent twigs which have been stimulated by excessive fertility are more susceptible to anthracnose infection.
Good sanitation is especially important for trees infected with spot anthracnose. Prune out and destroy dead and dying twigs and branches and rake up fallen leaves to help reduce potential sources of inoculum and improve tree appearance. It is also advisable to prune out water sprouts which develop on the trunk or main scaffolding limbs since they are very susceptible to infection from anthracnose. Prune only under dry conditions and sterilize pruners between pruning cuts.
Chemical control
In most years control is not necessary; however, if disease was severe the previous year or if a cool, wet spring is “predicted,” fungicides may be warranted. It’s a little bit too late to be thinking about preventative fungicide applications now in North Carolina, but keep this in mind next year in late winter. Since weather conditions cannot be anticipated, it may be wise to follow a regular spray schedule if disease control is desired. Spot anthracnose can be controlled preventatively with chlorothalonil (e.g., Daconil), mancozeb (e.g., Fore, Dithane), or thiophanate methyl + mancozeb. Spraying should begin when buds begin to open and be repeated when bracts have fallen, four weeks after bract fall, and in late summer after flower buds have formed. The recommended interval between sprays will vary depending on the fungicide and the rate of application. Make sure the fungicide you use has dogwood listed on the label. Follow all label instructions regarding amounts of pesticide to use, method of application and safety warnings.
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Drip Irrigation Discussions
Wondering about drip irrigation and the "how to-", then here is the website for you:
Drip Irrigation. Check it out for design, install, and maintenance in Greenhouses, Nurseries, Vegetable farms, and Landscapes.
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Drip Irrigation. Check it out for design, install, and maintenance in Greenhouses, Nurseries, Vegetable farms, and Landscapes.
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Weekly Word on Weeds
Winter Annuals and Hand Weeding
Where did all that chickweed come from??? This time of year I look at my lawn and am surprised at how much chickweed there is in the yard. It didn’t seem like very much last fall or even just a month ago. But, when winter annual weeds begin to grow in the spring, they can grow very rapidly. AND, produce seeds for next year very quickly as well.
Now is the time to get the winter annual weeds out of the beds before they produce the bulk of their seeds for next year. Hand weed, spot spray with herbicides, hoe or shovel – regardless of the method you choose, do it now before they drop their seeds. Now is also the time to ask yourself -- “Why are these weeds here?” And, “what can I do differently next year to prevent these weeds”? Knowing that winter annual weeds germinate in the fall and early spring provides the opportunity to suppress or control them with a fresh lay of mulch applied in September or October. Where weed populations are heavy, a preemergence herbicide may be used in most landscape bed situations. Common herbicides containing pendimethalin (Pendulum & others), prodiamine (Barricade & others), trifluralin (Treflan or Preen), or isoxaben (Gallery, Snapshot & others) are labeled for use around many woody ornamentals. These herbicides control most winter annual weeds before they emerge. Granular formulations of trifluralin and pendimethalin can also be used around many herbaceous ornamentals. It is especially important to select the right herbicide based on the safety to ornamental plants. Horticulture Information Leaflet 644 (HIL644) provides some guidance for selecting safe and effective herbicides for color beds.
So, while you are spending this weekend hand weeding the beds, you will have plenty of time to think about what you can do differently next year to prevent all those pesky weeds from establishing.
Speaking of hand weeding – I have often said it is a futile effort to try and hand weed vetch. Typically, when you try to hand weed vetch, it just breaks off at the ground. But, the recent rains have provided an opportunity to control this and other hard to pull weeds. In wet soil, I’ve found that the vetch can be removed (yes, roots and all) if you grasp the tap root at the soil line and pull. The tap root comes up. Ok, not easily, but it does come out of the soil. When the soil dries out a bit more it is much more difficult to remove this weed, roots and all.
From: Dr. Joe Neal, Department of Horticultural Science, NCSU
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Where did all that chickweed come from??? This time of year I look at my lawn and am surprised at how much chickweed there is in the yard. It didn’t seem like very much last fall or even just a month ago. But, when winter annual weeds begin to grow in the spring, they can grow very rapidly. AND, produce seeds for next year very quickly as well.
Now is the time to get the winter annual weeds out of the beds before they produce the bulk of their seeds for next year. Hand weed, spot spray with herbicides, hoe or shovel – regardless of the method you choose, do it now before they drop their seeds. Now is also the time to ask yourself -- “Why are these weeds here?” And, “what can I do differently next year to prevent these weeds”? Knowing that winter annual weeds germinate in the fall and early spring provides the opportunity to suppress or control them with a fresh lay of mulch applied in September or October. Where weed populations are heavy, a preemergence herbicide may be used in most landscape bed situations. Common herbicides containing pendimethalin (Pendulum & others), prodiamine (Barricade & others), trifluralin (Treflan or Preen), or isoxaben (Gallery, Snapshot & others) are labeled for use around many woody ornamentals. These herbicides control most winter annual weeds before they emerge. Granular formulations of trifluralin and pendimethalin can also be used around many herbaceous ornamentals. It is especially important to select the right herbicide based on the safety to ornamental plants. Horticulture Information Leaflet 644 (HIL644) provides some guidance for selecting safe and effective herbicides for color beds.
So, while you are spending this weekend hand weeding the beds, you will have plenty of time to think about what you can do differently next year to prevent all those pesky weeds from establishing.
Speaking of hand weeding – I have often said it is a futile effort to try and hand weed vetch. Typically, when you try to hand weed vetch, it just breaks off at the ground. But, the recent rains have provided an opportunity to control this and other hard to pull weeds. In wet soil, I’ve found that the vetch can be removed (yes, roots and all) if you grasp the tap root at the soil line and pull. The tap root comes up. Ok, not easily, but it does come out of the soil. When the soil dries out a bit more it is much more difficult to remove this weed, roots and all.
From: Dr. Joe Neal, Department of Horticultural Science, NCSU
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
NCSU Experts Team up Against Ornamental Diseases
NCSU Experts Team up Against Ornamental Diseases
Kelly Ivors, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist; kelly_ivors@ncsu.edu
It’s time to get the word out! In case some of you don’t know, as of last fall my extension program in the Department of Plant Pathology transitioned to include state-wide responsibilities for disease management in ornamentals, including commercial greenhouses and nurseries. My assignment is 80% extension and 20% research, and also includes Christmas trees and vegetables in western North Carolina. For the past 5 years my research has focused on applied and molecular disease diagnosis, monitoring pathogen populations for the development of fungicide resistance, and integration of fungicides, cultural control and host resistance in disease management practices (IPM), with an emphasis on Phytophthora diseases. Currently I am directing two research specialists: Dreama Milks provides assistance in the laboratory and Chris Holmberg provides assistance in field and greenhouse trials. In addition, research assistant Landis Lacey conducts DNA based studies in my lab, and I co-advise PhD student Brantlee Richter with Mike Benson on a project involving biological and cultural control of Phytophthora root rot of Fraser fir.
A little bit about me. I received my PhD from The Pennsylvania State University in 2001, and started working as an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Plant Pathology at NCSU’s Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River in July 2004 after conducting post-doctoral research at the University of California- Berkeley on the population genetics of Phytophthora ramorum, causal agent of sudden oak death and ramorum blight. It was at UC Berkeley where I learned how much ‘I love to hate Phytophthora’.
As a new extension pathologist to the NC ornamental industry, one of my goals is to gain a better understanding of the various methods both greenhouse and nursery growers use to sanitize irrigation water, as well as gaining a better understanding of the water quality issues facing this industry. Due to the diversity and complexity of irrigation systems and monitoring methods, I believe this is the first logical step in optimizing recommendations for managing water-borne diseases of ornamentals in both the greenhouse and nursery. This summer I will be conducting a state-wide survey to collect and analyze irrigation water samples from commercial greenhouses and nurseries. So, watch out! I hope to meet with many of you soon.
Kelly Ivors
A little bit about ornamental plant pathology resources at NCSU. The Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (PDIC) provides disease diagnostic and insect identification services to help you grow healthy plants and make good pest control decisions. Long time staff members include plant disease diagnostician Shawn Butler, entomologist David Stephan, and turf disease diagnostician Lee Butler.
We are very pleased to announce that Mike Munster joined the staff of the PDIC in February 2009, with primary responsibilities in disease diagnosis of commercial ornamentals. Mike will work closely with Dr. Mike Benson and I. Mike Munster comes to the PDIC with broad experience in plant pathology and disease diagnosis, both in North Carolina and in parts of Mexico. He has an M.S. degree in plant pathology from NCSU and gained diagnostic experience while working in the clinic from 1996 – 1999. In his most recent position he honed his mycological skills as a research specialist for Dr. Larry Grand. Mike looks forward to diagnosing your plant disease problems and hopes to meet many of you at site visits, workshops, and field days.
Mike Munster
All ornamental samples for diagnosis should be submitted to the PDIC. Information and instructions for sample submission, clinic location, hours and fees, diagnosis of digital images, and a virtual tour of the PDIC can be found at http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/plantpath/extension/clinic/. Together with extension specialists from Plant Pathology, Entomology, Horticulture, Crop Science and Soil Science, the clinic staff is dedicated to providing accurate and rapid diagnosis of plant health problems. Dr. Barbara Shew in the Dept. of Plant Pathology is the director of the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic. Please contact her barbara_shew@ncsu.edu for further information about clinic services and programs.
Mike Benson, Professor in the Dept. of Plant Pathology, also conducts research on diseases of both floriculture and nursery crops, with an emphasis on the epidemiology, ecology and control of root-infecting fungi, including Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora and Pythium. In addition, Mike evaluates disease control products for root rot diseases on a number of crops through support from the IR4 project. IR4 is a cooperative project involving the federal government, universities, agriculture chemical companies and grower stakeholders with the mission to provide safe and effective pest management solutions for growers of specialty crops so that growers will have the tools they need to protect their crops from plant diseases, insects, and weeds.
Mike Benson
The Dept. of Plant Pathology recognizes the importance of the greenhouse and nursery industry in North Carolina and is committed to providing the best disease management support and services possible. Our goal is to develop innovative programs that utilize the expertise of our personnel to address emerging and critical plant disease issues facing this Green Industry. Please let us know how we can help you!
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
Kelly Ivors, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist; kelly_ivors@ncsu.edu
It’s time to get the word out! In case some of you don’t know, as of last fall my extension program in the Department of Plant Pathology transitioned to include state-wide responsibilities for disease management in ornamentals, including commercial greenhouses and nurseries. My assignment is 80% extension and 20% research, and also includes Christmas trees and vegetables in western North Carolina. For the past 5 years my research has focused on applied and molecular disease diagnosis, monitoring pathogen populations for the development of fungicide resistance, and integration of fungicides, cultural control and host resistance in disease management practices (IPM), with an emphasis on Phytophthora diseases. Currently I am directing two research specialists: Dreama Milks provides assistance in the laboratory and Chris Holmberg provides assistance in field and greenhouse trials. In addition, research assistant Landis Lacey conducts DNA based studies in my lab, and I co-advise PhD student Brantlee Richter with Mike Benson on a project involving biological and cultural control of Phytophthora root rot of Fraser fir.
A little bit about me. I received my PhD from The Pennsylvania State University in 2001, and started working as an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Plant Pathology at NCSU’s Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River in July 2004 after conducting post-doctoral research at the University of California- Berkeley on the population genetics of Phytophthora ramorum, causal agent of sudden oak death and ramorum blight. It was at UC Berkeley where I learned how much ‘I love to hate Phytophthora’.
As a new extension pathologist to the NC ornamental industry, one of my goals is to gain a better understanding of the various methods both greenhouse and nursery growers use to sanitize irrigation water, as well as gaining a better understanding of the water quality issues facing this industry. Due to the diversity and complexity of irrigation systems and monitoring methods, I believe this is the first logical step in optimizing recommendations for managing water-borne diseases of ornamentals in both the greenhouse and nursery. This summer I will be conducting a state-wide survey to collect and analyze irrigation water samples from commercial greenhouses and nurseries. So, watch out! I hope to meet with many of you soon.
Kelly IvorsA little bit about ornamental plant pathology resources at NCSU. The Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (PDIC) provides disease diagnostic and insect identification services to help you grow healthy plants and make good pest control decisions. Long time staff members include plant disease diagnostician Shawn Butler, entomologist David Stephan, and turf disease diagnostician Lee Butler.
We are very pleased to announce that Mike Munster joined the staff of the PDIC in February 2009, with primary responsibilities in disease diagnosis of commercial ornamentals. Mike will work closely with Dr. Mike Benson and I. Mike Munster comes to the PDIC with broad experience in plant pathology and disease diagnosis, both in North Carolina and in parts of Mexico. He has an M.S. degree in plant pathology from NCSU and gained diagnostic experience while working in the clinic from 1996 – 1999. In his most recent position he honed his mycological skills as a research specialist for Dr. Larry Grand. Mike looks forward to diagnosing your plant disease problems and hopes to meet many of you at site visits, workshops, and field days.
Mike MunsterAll ornamental samples for diagnosis should be submitted to the PDIC. Information and instructions for sample submission, clinic location, hours and fees, diagnosis of digital images, and a virtual tour of the PDIC can be found at http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/plantpath/extension/clinic/. Together with extension specialists from Plant Pathology, Entomology, Horticulture, Crop Science and Soil Science, the clinic staff is dedicated to providing accurate and rapid diagnosis of plant health problems. Dr. Barbara Shew in the Dept. of Plant Pathology is the director of the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic. Please contact her barbara_shew@ncsu.edu for further information about clinic services and programs.
Mike Benson, Professor in the Dept. of Plant Pathology, also conducts research on diseases of both floriculture and nursery crops, with an emphasis on the epidemiology, ecology and control of root-infecting fungi, including Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora and Pythium. In addition, Mike evaluates disease control products for root rot diseases on a number of crops through support from the IR4 project. IR4 is a cooperative project involving the federal government, universities, agriculture chemical companies and grower stakeholders with the mission to provide safe and effective pest management solutions for growers of specialty crops so that growers will have the tools they need to protect their crops from plant diseases, insects, and weeds.
Mike BensonThe Dept. of Plant Pathology recognizes the importance of the greenhouse and nursery industry in North Carolina and is committed to providing the best disease management support and services possible. Our goal is to develop innovative programs that utilize the expertise of our personnel to address emerging and critical plant disease issues facing this Green Industry. Please let us know how we can help you!
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
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