Cooperative Extension Service
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
The University of Georgia
George Boyhan, Extension Horticulturist-Vegetables
East Georgia Extension Center
Rosenwald Building, Third Floor
PO Box 8112
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA 30460
912-681-5639 | 912-681-0376, Fax | 912-682-3481, mobile
The onion field day was held at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center on April 18, 2002. Turn-out was quite good, with an estimated crowd of 80 in attendance. Unfortunately, the field day coincided with the opening of the onion market, so there were not as many growers in attendance.
Along with onion production, Dr. Phil Brannen started the visits to the field plots with a talk on his strawberry work. Dr. Brannen has been investigating alternatives to methyl bromide.
Others on the plot visits included Dr. Juan Carlos Diaz-Perez and Dr. Ron Gitiatis on drip irrigation and diseases of onions. Dr. David Langston discussed his fungicide trials on onions. Dr. Kenny Seebold discussed his work on soilborne diseases as well as use of some experimental disease control agents. Mr. Reid Torrance gave a talk about the onion variety trial. Dr. Al Purvis discussed his work with CA storage of onions. Dr. David Riley discussed his work on thrip control. Dr. Stanley Culpepper discussed his research on onion herbicides. I discussed my work on onion fertility and direct-seeded onions.
Overall, it was a very informative field day. Growers will have a second chance to hear about University of Georgia research with the beltwide production meeting in August. There were several handouts from the researchers and if you are interested in getting them, please contact the respective researcher directly.
Due to cold weather at the end of February and high temperatures during the final month of growth, the onion crop is going to be lower this year. These conditions have set the stage for increased disease and consequently lower yields. Growers are moving most of their onions onto the fresh market, which has resulted in low prices -- for now. There does not appear to be many onions that will be placed in controlled atmosphere storage this year.
Dr. Terry Kelley, the extension horticulturist in Tifton, is coordinating a trip to California. This educational tour of California vegetable production is scheduled for August 18-25, 2002. This trip is open to county extension agents, growers, other interested university personnel and anyone interested in seeing California vegetable production. Please let your growers and other agricultural interests know about this great opportunity. The estimated cost is $700-$900 per person, which includes air fare and lodging (double occupancy). Meals and other expenses are extra.
California is first in fruit and vegetable production in the United States, with approximately 50 percent of the acreage. The tour will depart from Atlanta and begin in San Diego. The trip will head north, touring in several counties into central California before heading back south along the coast to San Diego.
This should be a great opportunity to see some cutting edge vegetable production. County agents may be able to get some travel expenses through GACAA. For more information about the tour, contact Dr. Kelley at 229-386-3410 or wtkelley@uga.edu. You may also request to get on his mailing list by submitting your name, address, phone number and e-mail to:
Dr. Terry Kelley
Department of Horticulture
P.O. Box 1209
Tifton, GA 31793
From My DeskWe are tentatively planning on an "Everything But Onions" field day for June 13, 2002, at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center. This will be similar to last year's, with an evening program.