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Updated: August 16, 2024

Rain check may become a problem in tomato fields

Rain check is the many, tiny concentric cracks that form on the shoulder of the fruit and these small cracks can expand over time into unsightly scabs.
Tomato with rain check damage
Updated: August 16, 2024

Rain Cracking in Gala Apples

Hurricane Debby broke the summer drought, bringing much-needed rainfall. While this welcome rain relieved heat and drought stress, it also caused rain cracking of some ripening peaches and apples.
Updated: July 31, 2024

Ozone Damage to Cucurbit and Tomato Plants

I have been seeing some ozone damage to cucurbits and oddly to tomatoes over the last 2 weeks or so, which is not unusual with the hot hazy conditions we are having. Ozone is the most common air pollutant in the eastern United States.
Ozone damage to watermelon crown leaves
Updated: January 26, 2023

Industrial Hemp Production in Maryland: Frequently Answered Questions (FS-1172)

As industrial hemp production becomes legal in the US, new and experienced growers alike have questions about its cultivation, management, and marketing. This factsheet answers frequently asked questions about hemp production in Maryland. Information contained within this document is current as of June 2021. The UMD Industrial Hemp webpage (https://extension.umd.edu/programs/agriculture-food-systems/program-areas/fruit-vegetable-production/alternative-crops/industrial-hemp) will house the most updated information on hemp production in Maryland. Authors: Nichole M. Fiorellino, Emily Zobel, Karen Rane, and Andrew Ristvey; Title: Industrial Hemp Production in Maryland: Frequently Answered Questions (FS-1172)
Updated: June 14, 2022

Bruising on Strawberry Leaves

Over the years I have seen dark spots on the foliage of strawberry plants like the ones in figs. 1 and 2. These spots can look pretty bad at times and are thought to possibly be the start of some disease such as angular leaf spot or anthracnose.
Updated: April 18, 2022

‘Bruising’ on Strawberry Foliage

Over the last few weeks I have been sent pictures of and have seen dark spots on the foliage of strawberry plants (figs. 1 and 2).
Updated: April 18, 2022

Edema Problem in Greenhouse Tomatoes

An odd problem was seen in tomato plants being grown for harvest in a greenhouse that showed blister- or callus-like growths usually along veins that first appeared on the underside of older leaves (fig. 1). Leaves also showed unusual curling and other odd distortions on the top side of the leaf (fig. 2).
Updated: September 16, 2021

Tomato Plastic Mulch and Shade Study 2012

Tomato plants were transplanted on 7 May 2012 into black (grower standard), white or reflective plastic mulch.
Tomato plants covered with 30% shade, July 5, 2012
Updated: September 16, 2021

Tomato Plastic Mulch and Shade Study

Tomato plants were transplanted on 7 May 2012 into black (grower standard), white or reflective plastic mulch. Five different varieties of tomato were used: Mt Spring+, Celebrity, Mt Fresh+, Crista and Scarlet Red. When tomato plants began to develop fruit, a 30% shade cloth was randomly placed over 6-10 plants per row.
Updated: September 16, 2021

Sunscald on Vegetable Leaves

I know it may seem odd to see an article about sunscald or sunburn on leaves with the week of rain we just had, but leaves came in over the last week as the rain started and the damage had been done days before this. It is also possible that there will be a greater chance for sunscald in the coming days as growers try to get their transplants out.
Scald on crucifer leaf