Peach

With Dr. Dario Chaves, Horticulturist, University of Georgia. Moderated by Dr. Juan Carlos Melgar, Clemson University.

Dr. Chavez will give an update on a long-term trial set to evaluate productivity and survival of new peach rootstocks available in the southeastern U.S.

With Dr. Edgar Vinson, Horticulturist, Auburn University. Moderated by Dr. Juan Carlos Melgar, Clemson University.

As global temperatures increase, chill accumulation necessary for the alleviation of dormancy in temperate trees is becoming more difficult to achieve. Many peach growers apply plant growth regulators such as hydrogen cyanamide (HCN) to rectify lack of chilling and alleviate dormancy in the spring but HCN is caustic and often in short supply. This presentation discusses the effects of two dormancy breaking compounds on flower bud break in ‘Carolina Gold’ peach.

With Dr. Nathan Smith, Ag. Economist, Clemson University. Moderated by Sarah Scott, Clemson University.

Knowing your costs is key to marketing and profitability. Estimates of peach production costs have not been published in over ten years in the Southeast. Production estimates for the case of South Carolina will be discussed during this session.

With Dr. Sachin Rustgi and Dr. Chris Saski. Moderated by Sarah Scott, Clemson University

In this presentation, Dr. Rustgi will review the progress made in developing a novel fungal pest management strategy for major pre- and post-harvest issues, and Drs. Rustgi and Saski will give an update on the development of genome-editing reagents and gene-delivery methods.

With Dr. Hehe Wang, Plant bacteriologist, Clemson University. Moderated by Andy Rollins, Clemson University.

Dr. Wang will discuss the findings of chemical-resistant/tolerant bacterial spot pathogens in South Carolina peach orchards and the research efforts to find new chemical and biological control options for bacterial spot.

With Dr. Phillip Brannen, Plant Pathologist, University of Georgia. Moderated by Andy Rollins, Clemson University.

Dr. Brannen will discuss new data on the reality and challenges of bacterial spot disease management with current chemicals and antibiotics.

With Dr. Ksenija Gasic, Breeder, Clemson University. Moderated by Sarah Scott, Clemson University.

Progress report from Clemson University peach breeding program. Description and performance of advanced selections in replicated trials.

With John Mark Lawton, Clemson University Graduate student. Moderated by Dr. Juan Carlos Melgar, Clemson University.

This talk will discuss new data on factors inducing skin bronzing.

With D. Brett Blaauw, Entomologist, University of Georgia. Moderated by Dr. Juan Carlos Melgar, Clemson University.

San Jose scale continues to be a pernicious pest in Southeastern peach production. As such, we have evaluated several alternative methods for managing scale insects. This talk will discuss the promising potential for using within-season applications of low concentration of horticultural oil for the control of San Jose scale.