Bacterial wilt, a disease caused by spotted and striped cucumber beetles, poses a significant threat to organic cucurbit producers. This study assessed insect pest/disease prevalence within mesotunnels in an organic muskmelon production system, along with the efficacy of several pollination and weed control strategies.

This publication, produced by the University of Florida, provides guidance on maintaining the quality and safety of organic vegetables by emphasizing proper handling, sanitation, and postharvest practices throughout production and distribution. It outlines key strategies such as worker hygiene, contamination prevention, and careful storage and transport.

This webinar shares findings from a three-year USDA-funded study on improving organic melon production in Maryland, focusing on yield, quality, and food safety, offering valuable insights for farmers and researchers to enhance profitability.

This publication offers an overview of specialty melon production and marketing. It covers seed sourcing, planting, soil preparation, pest control, and marketing strategies. Additionally, it summarizes current research findings and provides a resource list for seeds and supplies to support melon growers.

This factsheet, published by University of Nevada Extension, explains why melons are considered a high-risk crop for foodborne illness due to their low acidity, high water content, and frequent contact with soil. It outlines practical, on-farm produce safety practices for melon growers – from soil amendment timing and animal exclusion to careful harvest, washing, and cold-chain handling.

This factsheet, published by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, provides an organic commercial spray schedule for field production of melons, detailing the timing of major diseases and example organic-approved fungicides/bactericides. It emphasizes the importance of applying treatments before disease onset and offers a framework for growers to develop preventative programs in certified organic systems.

Organic tomato, eggplant and watermelon production in Washington is limited by soilborne diseases such as Verticillium wilt. Disease control in […]

In this project I will assess resistance to both Bacterial Wilt and Cucurbit Downy Mildew among selected cucumber and muskmelon […]

This publication serves as a practical guide on the certified organic production of cucurbits—such as cucumbers, squash, and melons. The publication offers comprehensive agronomic direction alongside business considerations.

Explore innovative high tunnel production strategies for diverse crops beyond tomatoes, including strawberries and melons. Join this presentation to learn about research findings and cover cropping techniques to enhance local food production and crop rotation.

Many organic cucurbit producers use physical pest exclusion tactics, including installing fine-mesh row covers over mesotunnels during the growing season, however this also excludes native pollinators. Several strategies have emerged for managing pollination beneath row covers. This study compared the pest control and pollination efficacy of four different row cover management strategies for organic acorn squash.

Mesotunnels can be effective, organic-compliant methods of excluding insect pests. This study assessed the effectiveness of several pest and weed management practices (mesotunnels, furrow cover cropping, and landscape fabric) in reducing insect pest populations, disease incidence, fruit yield, and fruit quality in organic acorn squash.

In this project I will continue to assess downy mildew (DM) resistant cucumber seedstocks, with intensified focus on evaluating and […]

Organochlorine residues from past agricultural practices continue to pose problems for Oregon’s growers. Even trace residues can affect produce grown […]

Squash bugs are a very common Colorado garden pest. In this webinar, produced by Colorado State University, Brad Tonnessen, scientist at the Western Colorado Research Center – Rogers Mesa, discusses all things squash bugs and upcoming projects to address them. Topics cover insect biology and life cycle, history, monitoring methods, local issues, and the many options for organic control.

Explore aphid-borne viruses affecting cucurbits. Learn about their spread, management challenges, diagnosis, and strategies like genetic resistance and innovative production practices to minimize losses.

Discover effective strategies for managing cucurbit downy mildew, including pathogen arrival, spread, and control methods. Learn about resistant varieties and the effectiveness of organically approved products to safeguard yields in the Northeastern US.

Discover effective strategies for managing striped cucumber beetles in organic cucurbit production, including SCB biology, cultural practices, approved insecticides, and ongoing breeding efforts to minimize their impact on crops.

Discover dry farming techniques for the Pacific Northwest, covering site selection, tools, and seed-saving. Join experts from OSU and seasoned farmers to learn how to grow crops sustainably in arid conditions.

The objectives of this study were: To evaluate the efficacy of high tunnel structures covered with insect excluding materials to […]