Fruit and Vegetable News

Author: Natalie Hoidal From hollow heart to soft rot to freeze damage, we've seen a whole host of potato issues this fall. This article provides an overview of these issues and management tips for each. Hollow heart Image: Ben Phillips, Bugwood.org Hollow heart, the formation of an irregularly shaped hole in the center of potatoes, is caused by alternating periods of rapid and slow growth. We see this occur when we have excessive moisture followed by dry periods, and when soil fertility is not managed well. Often after really wet weather we welcome drier periods, but it's important to monitor soil moisture and irrigate when necessary to prevent symptoms like hollow heart. Hollow heart does not affect the flavor or safety of potatoes, but customers who purchase potatoes with this condition may think that something is wrong and throw them out, or choose to purchase from someone else in the future. Tips for managing hollow heart: If you have some hollow heart in thi...

Marissa Schuh , IPM Extension Educator As we reach the end of the growing season, pumpkin and winter squash are being picked, stored, and bought by customers.  Fruits that are a little (or a lot) off can be found in every field, but when should you worry? Some issues are a fact of growing cucurbits, and pop up on different farms every year, others may change your crop management significantly. Diagnosis of fruit rots, especially at this point in the season (and a few rainy days!) can be tricky. Once the fruit is compromised, bacteria and fungi from the environment want to join in on the decay.  While getting fruit into the diagnostic clinic is tricky, if you are seeing widespread damage, it is a good idea to make a trip to St. Paul. Fruit appears water soaked after a cold night? Think frost damage Nights are getting cooler, and remember that low spots in the field can have extra cold microclimates. If you are seeing pumpkins and squash, either in the field or waiting for sale...