UF/IFAS Scientists Provide Insight on HEMP Mites for Growers

Mar 08, 2021

By Lourdes Rodriguez

The latest information on mites known to attack hemp plants in Florida has been released by University of Florida scientists.

For growers contemplating — and who have begun — growing hemp as part of farm trials associated with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Industrial Hemp Pilot Project, this latest release focuses on lessons learned and provides detailed information on three major groups of mites. The mites, which can be lethal to hemp grown in Florida fields and greenhouses, are hemp russet mites, broad mites and spider mites.

This is a photo of a predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis feed on a twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae)

“These pests can attack hemp by distorting growth, causing defoliation and even killing plants,” said Lance Osborne, a professor of entomology at the UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center. “The video explores the most important groups of mites, how to identify them, latest research available on chemical and biological control methods and more.”

Multiple resources and a 30-minute presentation are accessible from the following website, Mites of Industrial Hemp in Florida. Osborne narrates the video, while Juanita Popenoe, a UF/IFAS Extension agent specializing in commercial fruit production for Lake, Orange and Marion counties, and research entomologist Cindy McKenzie of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA/ARS) at the U.S. Horticulture Laboratory co-authored the new document.

“Hemp is a relatively new crop for Florida, even though it has been around for hundreds of years,” said Osborne. “There is limited availability of state-approved pesticides for use in hemp, and data is hard to find on efficacy or plant safety, but there are resources from multiple entities available and research continues to be conducted.”

Among the critical insights for growers are recommendations on how to prevent mites from entering greenhouses and how to search for them in fields – a first and necessary step for growers. There is also an extensive look at the feeding damage and symptoms to look for on crops for each of the mites along with links to a fact sheet on the mites.

“Scouting is the foundation of any pest management program and is absolutely critical,” said Osborne. “Most growers try to have someone scout crops for mites at least once a week. The UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka holds an annual training program to teach new scouts the process.”

Additional video highlights and website resources include a pesticide guide from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, recommendations for biocontrol methods on the spider mite in greenhouses and links to Integrated Pest Management for Floriculture and Nurseries and the Colorado State University Hemp Insect website.

Source : ufl.edu

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.