Beet Curly Top Virus 1024x423.png
This summer’s crop of tomatoes could be in trouble, thanks to a small bug that’s become a big pest throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
The beet leafhopper may only measure 3 mm in length, but the insect is capable of damaging entire fields. That’s because the leafhopper has been known to spread “beet curly top virus,” a pathogen that causes significant damage to crops like tomatoes, sugar beets, spinach, melons, pumpkins, squash, hemp, and peppers. Infected plants turn yellow and die, with their leaves and stems becoming stiff. In the San Joaquin County, where 21,673 acres are currently being used for tomato production, a widespread case of beet curly top virus could cause severe damage to a crop whose harvest was valued at $114 million in 2023.
After tomatoes infected with the virus were found on three different tomato fields in July, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency. That proclamation means farmers will now be able to use neonicotinoid pesticides to help combat the spread of beet curly top virus during the growing season. Counties like Fresno, Kern, Madera, Merced, and Stanislaus have all declared local emergencies, too, hoping to protect the California crop that accounts for more than 90% of the processing tomatoes used in America.
If you’re looking to protect your tomato plants, stop by one of our FGS supply centers to talk to a professional about proper pesticide applications. Remember that improperly applied pesticides can damage the habitats of bees and other pollinators! We’re here to help offer advice, provide you with superior products, and protect your crops while protecting the environment at large, too.
Related
Source link
2024-08-12 05:00:06
Karl Hoffman is a distinguished agriculturalist with over four decades of experience in sustainable farming practices. He holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy from Cornell University and has made significant contributions as a professor at Iowa State University. Hoffman’s groundbreaking research on integrated pest management and soil health has revolutionized modern agriculture. As a respected farm journalist, his column “Field Notes with Karl Hoffman” and his blog “The Modern Farmer” provide insightful, practical advice to a global audience. Hoffman’s work with the USDA and the United Nations FAO has enhanced food security worldwide. His awards include the USDA’s Distinguished Service Award and the World Food Prize, reflecting his profound impact on agriculture and sustainability.
