Every year cotton farmers suffer millions of dollars in losses because of root knot nematodes. Yield losses due to these nematodes could be as high as 60-70 percent. But scientists with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are conducting research using chicken waste to control root knot nematodes. The research is especially important now, since chemical options for nematode control are decreasing. "The thing with managing nematodes is that we are down to only a bare handful of pesticides that we can use for nematodes. Most of our really good products that were cost effective have been removed from the market." That was Jim Noe with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The university scientist began working with chicken litter to control root knot nematodes around ten year ago. The research has found some chemicals must be used with the waste to control the nematodes, along with good crop rotation. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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During a drought year many Georgians see their landscape plants wilt away because of the hot, dry conditions. Water restrictions imposed by the state and communities made it even harder to give thirsty plants a drink of water. But a horticulturist with the University of Georgia Extension Service says you can have a colorful landscape with plants that are resistant to drought conditions. He adds these plants have been around a long time. "They're not new varieties, but rather they're old-timey varieties. These are many of the same plants your grandmother or grandfather used to grow in the garden for many many years in Georgia before we got these new fancy breeds." (says) Paul Thomas with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds drought resistant plants also don't require as much land preparation and hardly any fertilizer. If you want to grow some of these plants, you must get them planted or transplanted early so the root system can get established. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Aflatoxin is one of a group of extremely poisonous natural mycotoxins produced by two common fungi. A scientist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences says it's one of the most expensive problems the peanut industry faces. He adds it can also cause problems in other crops. "It might even attack some of the parts of the crops that we like to eat. like either the corn, or the peanuts, or tree nuts or some that we may feed to livestock like the cottonseed or hulls of peanuts or other crops." (says) Keith Ingram with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. University scientists are conducting research at the Georgia Envirotron to gather root data. The research has already found that drought-resistant peanut varieties and varieties with long root systems tend to be aflatoxin-resistant. By gathering root data in the growth chamber under controlled conditions, the research could eventually help scientists create peanut varieties resistant to the deadly aflatoxin fungi. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Wet fields have caused many corn farmers to fall behind getting their 2001 crop planted, especially in south and central Georgia. Farmers haven't faced planting delays caused by wet conditions since the El Nino March in 1998. Dewey Lee, an agronomist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says extreme delays in corn planting could cost farmers yields. "What we found out through research is that we lose about l.1 bushels per day once we delay beyond our normal planting window." (says) Dewey Lee with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds north Georgia farmers are not facing a planting deadline, since they normally don't plant corn until late April and May. The university scientist goes on to say farmers in south and central Georgia still have time to get their 2001 corn planted, but if more rain delays occur, and they can't finish planting by mid-April deadline, farmers may have to consider planting another crop. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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Tobacco has been a major source of farm income in Georgia since the early 1900's. It is grown under the provisions of a quota system, which includes supply control and price supports. But since 1997 the farmers' quota has been cut by 44 percent, or about 45 million pounds. Bill Givan, an agricultural economist with the University of Georgia Extension Service, says growers' income has been cut by $176 million dollars since 1997. He adds these loses are having a big ripple effect in the state. "Yes it's large, because some counties have tobacco making up as high as 15-20 percent of the farm income. So any loss in tobacco then affects these counties very much." (says) Bill Given with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who predicts the tobacco industry will continue looking for more efficient ways to package, transport and market tobacco. Unfortunately, some of these changes will continue to cost tobacco farmers extra time and money. John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton.

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