UGA Extension Office

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Extension ANR Publications

Whitefly-Transmitted Plant Viruses in South Georgia (B 1507) The silverleaf whitefly (SLWF), Bemisia tabaci, (also known as sweet potato whitefly) is a pest of a wide variety of horticultural and agronomic crops in southern Georgia. Adults and nymphs (Figure 1) have piercing-sucking mouthparts and feed on phloem, the transport tissue of plants, and remove plant sap. While this direct feeding can damage plants and lead to additional problems with the accumulation of honeydew and sooty mold, whiteflies also inject salivary fluids while feeding, which can result in plant disorders and transmission of plant viruses. When viral pathogens are present, their transmission creates the greatest threat to the economical production of many vegetable crops, particularly tomatoes, snap beans, most cucurbit crops, and occasionally, cole crops. The potential for whitefly pest problems and viral disease incidence in Georgia varies greatly by year, location, and production season. Recent experience indicates that greater viral incidence can be observed when pest populations are high, even though few viruliferous (virus-carrying) whiteflies are needed to inoculate individual plants.
Impact of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) on Reproduction in Cattle (B 1422) Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), commonly referred to as “Rednose,” is a disease resulting from bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1). The detriment of the disease, as well as the positive benefits vaccination can have on a reproductive program, needs to be on the forefront of a producer's herd health program.
Biochar Basics: Effects on Plant Growth
Biochar Basics: Effects on Plant Growth (C 1292-02) Additional author: Mengmeng Gu, Professor, Colorado State University Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. Is Biochar Good or Bad for Plant Growth? Mixing biochar into soilless substrates may have negative, zero, or positive effects on plant growth. Biochar made from green waste mixed with peat at 50% by volume has been shown to increase prayer plants' total biomass and leaf surface. Adding 10% by volume of sewage sludge biochar with peat-based substrates can increase lettuce biomass by 184%–270%. Mixing pruning-waste biochar with peat-based substrates at 50% or 75% by volume can also increase lettuce biomass. Mixing 20% or 35% (weight per weight) of coir biochar with 0.5% or 0.7% humic acid into a composted green-waste medium showed increased biomass of rattlesnake plants compared to those without biochar and humic acid amendments. Mixed hardwood biochar (50% by volume) and sugarcane bagasse biochar at 50% or 70% with a bark-based substrate increased basil plants’ average root diameter. Mixed hardwood biochar at 20%–80% by volume increased photosynthesis, shoot fresh weight, and shoot dry weight of chocolate mint, peppermint, Kentucky Colonel mint, spearmint, and orange mint plants. Also, pinewood biochar mixed with pine bark increased chrysanthemum shoot fresh and dry weights. Biochar may also have adverse effects on plant growth. For example, we tested one type of biochar with high salinity; plants grown in the biochar mixes wilted within 30 min. When plants do not have enough water to dissolve the extra salts, they die.

Below are some of UGA Extension's most broadly useful resources for those involved in agriculture on the farm, in schools, and around the home.

Production Agriculture:
Statewide Variety Testing
Statewide Variety Testing Which varieties should you plant? The variety testing team does the work and research for farmers.
UGA Weather Network
UGA Weather Network Reliable weather information for agricultural and environmental applications, including soil temperature, rainfall, wind speed, and more.
Pesticide Safety Education
Pesticide Safety Education Everything you need to achieve certification and maintain the knowledge to safely and effectively make use of restricted-use and all other types of pesticides.
Sustainable Agriculture A collection of resources for those interested in production and marketing practices that are profitable, environmentally sound, and that improve the quality of life for farmers, farm workers, and the community.
Ag Budgets and Economics Resources for production economics, farm management, marketing, situation and outlook, risk management, financial management, farm policy, labor, and taxation.
Farmgate Value Report
Farmgate Value Report Annual county-level reports documenting the value of all food and fiber commodities grown in the state.
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Home & Garden:
Soil Testing
Soil Testing Ensure that your soil is productive! Get your soil tested to determine the amount and kind of nutrients that should be added for the best growth.
Pest Management
Pest Management Recommendations for pest control around homes, on pets, in the home garden, and more.
Household Water Quality
Household Water Quality Water quality has an immediate and a prolonged effect on the health of your household. This publication series contains basic information about home water quality and treatment.
Home Garden Publication Series
Home Garden Publication Series Topics include garden planning, soil preparation, weed control, pollination, disease and insect control, harvesting, and preserving.
Georgia Green Industry Professional Development The UGA Center for Urban Agriculture offers professional training and certifications for the Georgia Certified Landscape Professional, Georgia Certified Plant Professional exam and Super Crew employee training series.
Soil Testing
Georgia Green Landscape Stewards The Georgia Green Landscape Stewards program provides fact-based information to help businesses and residences in Georgia implement sustainable green practices in their landscape.
Schools:
Community and School Gardens This Community and School Gardens blog is designed to help community and school gardeners succeed by connecting them to UGA Extension and other research-based resources.
Lesson Plans and Teacher Resources Whether you'd like to help protect the environment, teach your students how to avoid chronic diseases with healthy food and physical activity, or train food handlers in your cafeteria, University of Georgia Extension can help.