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| This Week's Titles: |
| Critical
Research Declining In U.S. |
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Bacterial Spot Hits 2005
Peach Crop |
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| Increased
Flood Risk Across Georgia |
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| Tough
Weed Invades Turf And Ornamentals |
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| Controlling
Beet Armyworms in Peppers And Tomatoes |
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| Critical
Research Declining In U.S. |
1:34 |
Concerns are being expressed
about a decline in critical research. |
Disease, spoilage, as well
as agroterrorism pose serious threats to the food supply in
the United States. But according to a recent report, research
in food and agricultural microbiology is declining at an alarming
rate. Mike Doyle, a scientist with the University of Georgia's
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences says if this
trend continues, there will be fewer scientists trained to handle
these critical problems. "It is indeed a concern because not
only will we have less research done but we'll have less scientists
trained to work in these areas in the future and it's important
that we continue to keep this base of scientific knowledge not
only going but growing," Mike Doyle with the College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, who adds microorganisms continue
to cause harm to the food supply, causing spoilage, and in some
cases poisoning and disease. The university scientist goes on
to say reversing the decline in funding and recognizing the
value of agricultural research are important factors in reversing
these trends. 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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| Bacterial
Spot Hits 2005 Peach Crop |
1:29 |
A tough disease has caused
a lot of problems in peach orchards this year. |
Heavy rains this year have
poured out a lot of disease problems in Georgia's 2005 peach
crop. One disease that has made a lot of peaches sick is bacterial
spot. Phil Brannon, a plant pathologist with the University
of Georgia Extension Service says bacterial spot has infected
peach varieties that normally have little problem with this
disease. "Yeah it's had a tremendous impact and we've seen varieties
that normally have never had bacterial spot or at least producers
can't remember them having had it before. This year they're
having it, so it's been a real surprise where it has occurred."
Phil Brannon with the College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences. Despite the problems and yield reductions caused by
bacterial spot, consumers should continue to find plenty of
good quality Georgia peaches in supermarkets in the coming weeks.
Consumers also won't have to worry about taking home peaches
infected with this disease, since peaches are carefully screened,
so poor quality or diseased peaches can be removed before they
reach the grocery store. 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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| Increased
Flood Risk Across Georgia |
1:34 |
The risk of flooding is higher
than normal for Georgia in late August and early September. |
Most of the state has experienced
heavy rain and thunderstorms this summer. This has kept rivers
and streams full, struggling to stay within their banks. Most
reservoirs and ponds are at or near their summer full pool.
David Stooksbury, the state climatologist and professor of engineering
at the University of Georgia says the active tropical weather
season, which won't peak until mid-September, could also cause
flooding problems. "While this has been an active tropical season
so far, the normal peak of a tropical season does not occur
until September. There is a very strong probability that we
will at least be impacted by at least one more if not more storms
during the next few months." David Stooksbury with the College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, who adds most homeowners
or business insurance policies do not cover flood damage. So
a second policy is required. National flood insurance is available
through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These federal
flood insurance policies take thirty days before they become
effective. So homeowners that want federal flood insurance need
to apply as soon as possible, so they will be protected from
flood damage. 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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| Tough
Weed Invades Turf And Ornamentals |
1:25 |
A tough weed is snaking it's
way across turf and ornamentals in Georgia. |
The weed call Florida betony
is a problem in ornamentals and turf from North Carolina to
Texas. Mark Czarnota, a scientist with the University of Georgia's
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences says if the
weed invades your yard or garden, it can be hard to control.
He adds many people call it "Rattlesnake weed," because it looks
like the rattles of a rattlesnake. "The tubers actually can
get up to about oh, a yard or a meter long around there but
most of the time you'll see them they'll be about eight to twelve
inches long, real succulent about an inch in diameter and they
look just like the end of a rattlesnake's tail." Mark Czarnota
with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
who adds rattlesnake weed has been reported in most of Georgia,
but most of the problems are occuring in South and Central Georgia,
South of Macon. The university scientist goes on to say several
herbicides are available that will provide some control of this
weed in ornamentals and turf. Scientists are conducting studies
and research on several new herbicide products in hopes of finding
an effective treatment that will stop the spread of rattlesnake
weed. 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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| Controlling
Beet Armyworms In Peppers And Tomatoes |
1:22 |
College scientists are working
to control insects that beat up on peppers and tomatoes. |
Beet armyworms have the
potential to hit peppers and tomatoes hard, causing serious
yield reductions. David Riley, a scientist with the University
of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
says most of the problems occur with commercial peppers and
tomatoes grown in the summer and fall. He adds these insects
hit hard, because they go right at the fruit. "That attack peppers
and tomatoes but, there's only certain that really go after
the fruit and one of those is beet armyworms. Unlike other parts
of the country, our beet armyworm populations in the summer
are more severe then tomato fruitworm." David Riley with the
College of Agricultural and Environmental sciences. University
scientists continue to test several new insecticide products
in an effort to find a successful treatment that will provide
effective control of beet armyworms. The control efforts will
also rely on beneficial insects to provide natural control of
beet armyworms, so growers can use less chemicals and save money,
and help the environment. 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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