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| This Week's Titles: |
| Knocking
Down The Mosquito Population |
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Water Management In Landscape
Gardens |
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| Developing
Insect Resistant Pecan Cultivars |
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| Making
Yellow Jacket Encounters Less Painful |
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| Planting
Cotton In 2002 |
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| Knocking
Down The Mosquito Population |
1:42 |
Everyone needs to do their
part to knock down the mosquito population. |
After cases of the West
Nile Virus were reported in Georgia last year, more people are
worried about mosquitoes biting into them. Elmer Gray, a Scientist
with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences says the Georgia West Nile Task Force
was in operation before the disease moved into the state. Despite
the preparations, the disease bit Georgia hard in 2001. "Yes,
it turned out to be fairly serious, we had six cases in the
state of Georgia, one death, over seventy horse cases, so it
was fairly widespread." Elmer Gray with the College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences. Thanks to the drought there isn't
as much standing water, so mosquito numbers are down slightly.
The risk of West Nile Virus and other diseases carried by mosquitoes
can be reduced by supporting mosquito control programs in communities.
If there is standing water around your home in buckets, old
tires, or other containers, pour it out. Also remove leaves
and other trash from roof gutters, and keep vegetation trimmed
outside, so mosquitoes can't go there to rest up during the
hottest part of the day. John Harrell, University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting
from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Water
Management In Landscape Gardens |
1:38 |
Those trees and shrubs need
your help with their water management in the coming weeks. |
Despite the rains in March,
Geogia is still in a four-year drought. Many areas remain under
an odd-even outdoor watering rotation. But a Horticulturist
with the University of Georgia Extension Service says you can
help plants and shrubs make it through drought conditions. He
adds many people overlook the benefits of a mulch. "Well what
we want to try to do then is try to do everything possible to
help our soils conserve what moisture they have in them, so
if we do have an extended dry period you know though the key
is to prevent a lot of evaporative loss of water from the soil.
So the mulching is one of the most beneficial thing that folks
can do." Gary Wade with the College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences. To help landscape plants conserve even more water,
put two layers of old newspapers down before you apply the mulch.
When watering the plants, apply most of the water to those that
have leaves wilting, and showing other signs of stress due to
the lack of moisture. John Harrell, University of Georgia College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Developing
Insect Resistant Pecan Cultivars |
1:33 |
An insect pest may soon lose
its punch in pecan groves, thanks to college scientists. |
Pecan growers in Georgia
are in a constant battle against stinkbugs and leaf-footed bugs
that feed on developing nuts. Producers cannot afford to spray
insecticides on the trees each week. But scientists with the
University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences are working to find pecan cultivars that are resistant
to stinkbugs and leaf-footed bugs. "Some varieties, in fact
quite a few varieties that had a real low amount of damage compared
to some of the more susceptible varieties, and also the varieties
that had low damage were also highly desirable varieties, they
had good kernel quality." That was Jim Dutcher with the College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The research found
that ‘Sumner', ‘Kanza', and ‘Creek', are some of the cultivars
resistant to stinkbugs and leaf-footed bugs. Since there are
several species of stinkbugs, more research will be conducted,
so pecan growers can shake more profits out of their trees.
John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Making
Yellow Jacket Encounters Less Painful |
1:40 |
Thanks to College Scientists,
we may not see as many yellow jackets in the future. |
Many people in Georgia
remember painful encounters with yellow jackets. But these painful
insect pests can also pose a serious health threat to those
allergic to yellow jacket stings. Bob Matthews, a Scientist
with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences is conducting research to learn more
about the genetic structure of yellow jacket populations, so
they can be controlled more effectively. "Sometimes colonies,
especially toward the Southern part of the range, here in South
Georgia, Florida, Texas, manage to go into the winter without
being killed off, and when they do that they add new queens
and the colony becomes monstrous." Bob Matthews with the College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Data collected from
the research is being studied, and more research will be needed,
but university scientists hope new control techniques can be
found to better manage yellow jacket populations. John Harrell,
University o f Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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| Planting
Cotton In 2002 |
1:30 |
Despite many unanswered questions,
cotton planting has begun. |
Many farmers continue to
hold off planting, waiting to hear late breaking updates on
the new farm bill. Steve Brown, an Agronomist with the University
of Georgia Extension Service says cotton planting normally begins
in mid-April. He adds improved soil moisture has helped cotton
already planted get off to a good start. "Much of the state
has received rain over the past week or so and that puts us
in a much better moisture situation and makes us inclined to
plant non-irrigated acres once we get through this wet spell."
Steve Brown with the College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences. The university scientist advises farmers to plant
their cotton when soil temperatures at the two- four inch depth
hold steady in the mid-sixties for several days, and extended
weather forecasts call for a continued period of warm temperatures.
John Harrell, University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, reporting from Tifton. |
Links to audio files:
(files include a brief quote from the source for your use.)
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