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| This Week's Titles: |
| Disease
Problems In Corn |
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Plenty Of Tomato Varieties
Available |
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| Challenges
Facing Cotton Growers I n 2003 |
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| New
Major At University Of Georgia |
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| Spring
Of 2003 Wet In Georgia |
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| Disease
Problems In Corn |
1:38 |
Georgia's corn crop could get
infected by several diseases. |
Many farmers put disease
control near the bottom of their list of priorities when they
grow corn. For the past several years of drought, getting enough
water to the crops was the biggest challenge growers felt they
faced. But a plant pathologist with the University of Georgia
Extension service says the last few years have also seen an
increase in several diseases in the state's corn crops. "But
in the past several years we've seen a large increase in the
amount of Southern corn leaf blight caused by fungal pathogen
and Southern rust also caused by a fungal pathogen." That was
Bob Kemerait with the College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences. The university scientist adds chemicals are available
that will control Southern rust and Southern corn leaf blight.
But studies are continuing to find out if chemical control is
cost effective. Farmers that have had problems with these diseases
in past crops should consider growing a variety resistant to
these diseases. Good crop rotations, making sure the plants
have plenty of water, and nutrients can further reduce the chances
of these diseases making corn plants sick. 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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| Plenty
Of Tomato Varieties Available |
1:20 |
When it comes to growing tomatoes,
there's something for everyone. |
For a long time, gardeners
were reluctant to change tomato varieties. If it worked for
their parents and grandparents, it would work for them. But
in recent years, many gardeners turned their attention to some
new varieties that have better yields. Terry Kelley, a horticulturist
with the University of Georgia Extension Service says all tomatoes
do not produce red fruit. "Different colored tomatoes there's
white tomatoes, there's purple tomatoes, there are tomatoes
that are green when they are ripe, Cherokee purple is an old
heirloom variety that's been around for a long time that has
a purple color to it." Terry Kelley with the College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, who adds several varieties are now
available that provide some resistance to the tomato spotted
wilt virus, and research is still underway to develop more tomato
varieties resistant to this deadly disease. 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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| Challenges
Facing Cotton Growers In 2003 |
1:46 |
Georgia's cotton growers face
two significant challenges in 2003. |
Farmers have not been in
high cotton since the mid-nineties. Hot, dry weather with little
rain resulted in dismal yields, and poor quality. Since the
state received above normal rainfall since February, the drought
has been washed away from the minds of many growers. But an
agronomist with the University of Georgia Extension Service
says there are two factors that could threaten cotton production
this year. One involves concerns about the new farm bill. "U.S.D.A.
is still in the process of finalizing all the rules for the
2002 farm bill, and farmers are planning now the 2003 crop and
so there's some suggestion and political maneuvering and so
forth to say hay the rules may change." That was Steve Brown
with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Another problem Brown is concerned with is an increase in nematodes
in cotton fields. In 1998 only thirty eight percent of the samples
sent to the University of Georgia's nematode lab had root knot
nematodes. In the fall of 2002 sixty eight percent of the samples
had root knot nematodes. With the nematode problem getting worse,
farmers need to review their strategies for nematode control,
and put them in action. 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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| New
Major At University Of Georgia |
1:37 |
A new major at the University
of Georgia will help solve mysteries from cloning to laundry
detergent. |
From DNA fingerprinting
to genetically engineered crops, the business of biotechnology
is growing. To help meet the need for skilled workers, the University
of Georgia will offer students a new major, applied biotechnology,
beginning in the fall of 2003. Mike Adang, a scientist with
the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences says the degree will incorporate classes from a number
of biology-based departments. He adds the production of laundry
detergents now involve some aspects of biotechnology. "For example
protein enzymes are now put into household detergents, and these
enzymes are produced using techniques of biotechnology." Mike
Adang with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
who along with co-director Wayne Parrott expects the new major
to be quite popular. A class which provides an introduction
to biotechnology topics has grown from twenty five students,
to seventy students. 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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| Spring
Of 2003 Wet In Georgia |
1:34 |
The spring of 2003 finds the
state wet and happy. |
Above normal rainfall in
February and March greatly improved moisture levels across Georgia.
Many lakes and reservoirs are at their highest levels since
the late nineties, and a few rivers spilled out of their banks,
as levels rose above flood stage. Pam Knox, the Assistant State
Climatologist with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences says after letting up in January,
the El Nino weather pattern strengthened again in February,
bringing with it much needed rainfall. "But things switched
back towards more typical conditions for El Nino winter here
in Georgia in February and so, really we've been blessed with
a lot of rainfall ever since." Pam Knox with the College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds farmers should
begin the planting season with adequate supplies of soil moisture.
Knox goes on to say long range computer models indicate the
pattern of above normal rainfall could continue into April.
Which means the state should continue recovering from the long,
stubborn drought. 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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