Trials for Tribulations in Commercial Production

August 24, 2021

Andy Rollins, CUCES Upstate Commercial Fruit & Vegetable Agent

Although, I officially work in 5 counties, Spartanburg, Greenville, York, Union, and Cherokee, this year, I have assisted growers across multiple states with various research projects:

• On-farm research trial of sun-protectant materials on peaches:  This study focused on bacterial canker and discovering which factors affect the location of the disease initiation.  SC Peach Council provided grants for this study.
• Bacterial spot survey across South Carolina:  Dr. Hehe Wang established a bacterial spot survey across the entire state.  I assisted a commercial farm with a establishing a weather station and taking leaf and fruit disease ratings.
• Bloom and fruit thinning product trial: Dr. Juan Carlos Melgar and I repeated this trial with different equipment during various times of the day to discover the discrepancies on two distinct varieties.  This project will be repeated next year.
• Nematode survey: Dr. Churamani Kanal, one of his students, and I conducted a nematode survey on a few farms in the upstate.  Our goal is to continue collecting data until we have completed surveys for all Upstate growers.
• Herbicide trials: Wayne Mitchem of NCSU, Chris Holmberg, and I launched a two separate herbicide trials. Of the two cases, one grower has decided to forgo his standard herbicide in favor of the newer based on the results.
  

  Southern Belle Peach

In addition to conducting trials this year, I also helped organize a commercial strawberry program from another state, held an online zoom meeting for small fruit producers, and held my commercial peach production meeting.  I assisted and advertised many others’ online programs for growers.  At these meetings, we shared research from the past year and any information pertinent to the industry.

The Upstate Peach meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 20^th 2022.  The Upstate Strawberry Production meeting will be the 3^rd or 4^th week of February and the Upstate Commercial Vegetable meeting will be the 3^rd or 4^th week of March.

Lastly, the most important part of my job is to address growers specifically on farm problems.  Much of this was and is handled in person on farms.  I made every effort to abide by the safety rules set before me.  I am so thankful for my job and the ability to serve upstate producers.  Thank you all for your support of Clemson Extension Service.